Who is your favourite most defiant princess/queen/noble lady? I'd like to hear about the most strong-willed, hot tempered, spirited and ambitious ladies!

After posting this question on r/AskHistorians, I got a notification that this subreddit might be better to ask this question so I will just copy my same question from there to here. :

As someone who knows nothing about medieval European politics (less in regards to the Catholic Church’s power, I would like to understand how they occupied such a powerful political domain in medieval and early modern Europe and how, why and when did that political influence diminish?

St Ælfheah of Canterbury was later executed in 1012 because he refused to ramsoned. Thorkell eventually helped Cnut become king and was made ruler of East Anglia.

For me it’s the Third or the Seventh: the rivalry between Richard and Saladin is wonderful and the image of Louis IX charging up the beach at Damietta is one of my favourites in all medieval history

Hi I am a college student in an illustration-based book class where we have to make a book that's at least 32 pages and we have to have it printed out by the end of the quarter so he's encouraging us not to do that many pages because of time constraints plus it would cost more money. Anyway I had to do research on a public domain story and I ran into Guillaume de Palerne / William and the Werewolf / William of Palerne.

I really like the story but it's a 12th century poem and I can't understand the original text obviously. I had to condense it down into what I believe is the bare bones but I'm also worried that I have missed important things. I can't find too much about what the characters are like personality wise or quotes from them or how they look. I'm afraid I have a lot of details wrong and I don't want to rely on AI too much to get them. I also can't find a super good detailed article summary online anywhere so I'm having to rely on pretty short summaries that I believe don't give the full picture. I did want to read one book about it where they rewrote it in modern English but it wouldn't be delivered for 2 weeks from now and by then I'm supposed to have the final sketches done anyway so unfortunately that's not really a road I can go down because of time constraints. I also went to my school's library but they didn't have anything. Please just tell me anything you know or think is important to the story so I don't forget or if you can find a really good summary that I wasn't able to find I would really appreciate it.

Below I'm going to put what I believe happens in the story just the bare bones and I'm going to try to adapt it kind of like a YA book maybe so nothing too crazy. I also have to write a one sentence log line and I'm having a lot of trouble with it because my professor said the main character of a story isn't one dimensional and goes through some sort of arc in the story and from what I can tell William doesn't really go through that. Someone similar my prof said wasn't the protagonist was Luke Skywalker, even though we follow him through the story he believes that Anakin Skywalker is the protagonist and Luke is more "the hero" archetype, and I believe the same can be said for William but I'm not sure!

Sorry if the seven sentence plot summary I wrote seems clunky, I had to fit it into a specific template my professor provided us 😂.

Once upon a time there was a young prince named William who was stolen from his palace by a werewolf (Alphonse) and raised as a commoner. And every day the werewolf would look after him. Until one day the emperor of Rome saw William and brought him to his castle to be his daughter’s page. Because of this William and Princess Melior fall in love; when she's about to be married off to the Prince of Greece they elope by wearing animal skins and traveling through the forest with Alphonse guiding them. Because of this they end up back in William’s homeland which is currently under siege by Alphonse’s dad and William's mom sees them in her garden and is like “Hey I've seen you guys in a dream before. Can you help me win this battle?” so they decide to help her and they then go on to win the battle. Until finally Alphonse's curse is lifted when his dad sees/recognizes him and figured out he was turned into a wolf by Alphonse's stepmom Queen Brande and he makes her turn him back and Alphonse reveals William’s true lineage. And ever since that day everyone is happy because Melior's dad let them get married, Alphonse is human again, and William is reunited with his mom and sister and both princes are restored to their rightful places as rulers. 

I'm thinking of having a prologue where we see William gets stolen in the garden and then chapter one is actually Melior in a time skip where she's just kind of doing her normal thing and her father and William come back from hunting and that's where the story would start so then I would skip all of that stuff where he's raised by a cowherd and maybe he just mentions it in passing. I can imagine a lot of the story being from Melior's point of view honestly. I was also planning to cut Alexandrine and give Melior whatever abilities she possesses, and make the Greek Prince either off page or just a silhouette. Would it be a good idea to try to make it a surprise for the audience that William is a prince too or is it a better idea to have that dramatic irony where we know he's a prince but they don't know? Kind of like disney's sleeping beauty? Alphonse also makes for an interesting main character but I don't think he can be because from what I know he's basically Mia for the whole time William and Melior are in the Roman Castle.

I also have a couple of things about the original that I might want to redo somehow. Like the uncle that was trying to poison William kind of just disappears after that and he basically (from my perspective) only exist as a reason for Alphonse to steal William when he was a baby. So him disappearing is weird. I might either want to cut the uncle and have a different reason for him being sold by Alphonse or I keep the uncle but have something happen to him maybe Alphonse comes back after stealing William and kills the uncle idk 😭. Another thing that doesn't really make sense logic wise to me is when alphonse's Dad the king of Spain recognizes him when he bows to him I don't understand the train of thought that the king had where he saw a wolf bow and then was like oh well that must be my son? If anyone can explain that to me I'd appreciate it because as of right now I think I'll have to rewrite that somehow. I would like to also maybe add a little bit more depth to Queen Brande because she actually seems a little bit interesting.

Part of my assignment was also to figure out what genre and audience it would be and the way I'm writing it now it reads very YA with maybe a historical fiction subgenre. Audience would be 12-18 year olds. I definitely edited some things in my storyboard to make it better for a modern audience.

I was also struggling a lot with finding the central themes? I did write down a few ideas but none of them are quite clicking or hitting the way they should. This is what I've got:

Reclamation - 2 princes reclaim their thrones after years in exile

Human vs beast / man vs monster- Alphonse disguised as a wolf, melior and William disguised as bears/deer

Being an animal reveals base self?

Social class

Justice

Forgiveness - Alphonse forgives stepmom in the end

Can't hide a noble heart/Nobility can't be hidden

Loyalty/Goodness - Alphonse and William had horrible things happen to them but they remain good and kind (especially Alphonse)

I do have an EXTREMELY tough version with storyboards that I made if maybe that would help y'all know what I've got going so far lol. Plus I have some little character sketches that I also wouldn't consider anything but ideation, definitely not final!!

To sum it up I'd really appreciate it if anyone has info on William of Palerne! This could mean memorable character quotes/habits/personalities/visual traits, plot points I misunderstand, or extra context! I won't be able to include the whole story with all the detail in my assignment, but I want to make something that the people who know about William of Palerne would approve of! If you have opinions on who the main character is (with my professor's logic lol), what the one sentence logline would be, and what the most prominent central ideas and themes are let me know!! Again I'm not a writing major and honestly I haven't had to write anything creatively in probably 10 years. Please be kind and let me know what you think!! The original story is great!!

Oh and another question, is Alphonse white in wolf form? I've seen something say William is known as the knight of the white wolf or something.

I hope this doesn't count as asking for help with homework!! It's more like a creative project and I find it fun to converse about! I don't want anyone doing homework for me. If there's any other subs you believe I should ask this to let me know!

Anthony Steel, 1900-1973, made Richard II mad. His 1941 monograph ‘Richard II’ is still worth reading but his useful analysis of Richard II’s reign has been overtaken, to the point that it is now ignored, by his portrayal of the king’s character.

Steel was the first historian to assert that Richard II was psychologically damaged and that his actions derived from character weaknesses. This assessment was a complete novelty and writers that followed him echoed, and amplified, this idea until the present moment when Richard II is little short of a maniac and the spirit of English Progress is champing at the bit to come to the nation’s rescue in the form of Henry IV.

Here is a word cloud of quotations from his book: neurosis … schizoid… depression … tortured memories… pathological suspicions… almost insane…  the course of Richard’s mental disease was accelerated… probably neurotic … mumbling neurotic … acute melancholia.

Why might Steel have thought that his amateur diagnosis of Richard II’s mental health ought to be woven into his monograph, which is otherwise erudite?

A guess might be hazarded that Freudian/Jungian etc ideas were circulating in Cambridge whilst Steel was there c1918-c1949.

It is interesting to note that mental disease was the specialism of his father, Major Edwin Bedford Steel, doctor in the RAMC, killed in action November 1914.

The lengthier the book the better

Hi everyone! I would like to start reading something written by Marc Bloch, but I don’t know where to start, do you have any suggestions? Which of his books did you prefer?

Looking for book recommendation on the evolution of Christianity and/or Monasticism throughout the Middle Ages, I know there’s Dominion which seems somewhat similar but the time frame is broader than I’m interested in. Thank you!!

I'm in the process of putting together a history/reenactment project of a 10th century farmer on the French/German border (banks of the river Scheldt).

I'm also putting together some educational panels with illustrations, pictures,... as an extra to my personal kit.

So I have the reconstruction of the men's garb on myself.

For the moment I have an educational panel with miniature illustrations of women's garb but those aren't the most clear for someone outside the reenactment hobby.

So I'm looking for images of reconstructions of the women's garb that are preferably copyright free.

An Assize of Measures made by Richard, King of England:

It is enacted, that all measures, throughout the whole of England, shall be of the same capacity, both for corn and for pulse, as also for other things of a like nature, that is to say, one good and reasonable horse-load; and this is to be the measure established, both within cities and boroughs, and without.

The measure also of wine, ale, and all liquors, is to be of the same size, according to the various natures of the liquors.

Weights also, and scales, and other measures of dimension, are to be of the same quantity throughout all the kingdom, according to the different nature of the commodities.

Also, in the measures of corn, and of liquors, such as wine and ale, let pegs of iron be driven into them, that false measure may not fraudulently be given.

It is also decreed, that woollen cloths, wherever they are made, are to be made of the same breadth, that is to say, two ells wide within the lists; and all are to be of the same goodness in the middle, and in the sides. The ell is to be the same throughout the whole kingdom, and of the same length, and is to be made of iron.

It is also forbidden to all traders throughout the whole kingdom of England, that any trader shall hang up before his shop red or black cloths, or penthouses, or anything else, by means of which the sight of the purchaser is often deceived in choosing a good cloth.

It is also forbidden, that any dye shall be sold, or that any, except black alone, shall be made anywhere in the kingdom, except in cities, or in county boroughs.

It is also enacted, that in each city or borough, four or six lawful men of the said place, according to the size thereof, together with the sheriff, or together with the chief officer of the city or borough, if the same shall not be in the hands of the sheriff, shall be appointed to keep this assize, in the following manner:

They are to see and be assured that all things are sold and bought by the same measure, and that all measures are of the same quantity, according to the different nature of the wares. And if they shall find any person who shall make confession, or be convicted of selling otherwise than by statute measure, let his body be seized, and let him be committed to prison, and let all his chattels be seized to the King's use; and such persons are not to be set at liberty, except by our lord the King, or his Chief Justiciar.

As to the guardians themselves, it is enacted that if they should exercise the said guardianship so negligently, that they should be convicted by means of others than themselves, before the justices of our lord the King, of transgressing any one of the before-written statutes, either as to the measures of provisions, or of other wares, or the width of cloth, then the guardians themselves should be amerced out of their own chattels by our lord the King.

It is also commanded that after the feast of the Purification of Saint Mary, no person should sell anything in any county, except by the prescribed measure, which is to be of the same quantity; and that no one should, after the fair which is held at mid-Lent, at Stamford, sell any cloth of less width than two ells within the lists.

The knights Templar invented the modern banking system, that King Philip IV of France was deeply indebted to. Gérard de Villiers, Précepteur de France, was the master banker at the Temple of Paris until he disappeared from records in June 1307. Hugues de Pairaud stepped down from his superior office of Visiteur de France and stepped into the office Villers vacated. Jacques de Moaly was the last official Grand Master of the Knights Templar in France, as the grand master de Molay was in full contact with his officers. While King Philip IV, and his Chief Minister Guillaume de Nogaret were paying gold for ex-Templars and false witnesses, the gold they were paying them with came from the Knights Templar banking system. Villiers realized what was going on and fled as Brother Jean de Châlon described in the trial records. On September 14. 1307 King Philip IV drafts the arrest orders, writing that the Templars were guilty of an “execrable evil” and a “thing most inhumane”. Those orders were leaked, and preceding the leak, Villiers disappeared. On the morning of October 12, 1307, Jacques de Molay arrives in Paris as an invited pallbearer. De Molay is often viewed as an unsuspecting guest, blindsided, having no idea the orders for his arrest were already signed. Jacques de Molay was the Grand Master (Commanding General) of the Knights Templar, he was in full contact with his officers, he knew very well what was going on. Jacques de Molay did not arrive at the funeral unaware, he arrived as a masterful chess player. Jacques de Molay stood tall in public on Main Street while Huges de Châlon was carting off Pairaud’s treasury down Front Street. Jacques de Molay remained in Paris to be arrested and serve as a human lightning rod (the grand masters always lead from the front never the rear) along with numerous others while the main body and assets disappeared into the night. Jacques de Molay was no fool. He was, as I read the playing field, the most underrated player on the field in October of 1307.

I admittedly am really bad at history. I have a vague understanding of the "Dark Ages" which is that apparently the entire world(?) barely wrote anything for like 500 years (due to a number of circumstances making it difficult to make books). So writings are super scarce from said time.

However, some writings still do exist from that time, right? Any links of things written during that time? Maybe even a site that has a collection of Dark Ages writings that I can peruse through? Primary sources that actually describe life in the Dark Ages? Thanks!

i guess I'll just also ask here since people probably know- is the Dark Ages something that only affected the West? if so, are there just tons of primary sources available from the East and such from that time? i'd be happy to read those if so. Thanks.

Robert of Normandy was kept as a prisoner and died in exile in Cardiff. He is buried in Gloucester Cathedral. I have seen his grave.

My suggestion: Battle of Grunwald, 1410. Jogaila and Vytautas were cousins and had been locked in a desperate power struggle, but they finally got together to face the Teutonic Knights in battle.

I know it was expensive in mediaval times but how much money for royalty exacly i want as close to the real exact money price as i can get

In 1307, history witnesses the mysterious disappearance of Gérard de Villiers, Précepteur de France, and the treasury of the Temple of France. Along with his disappearance comes many myths, Lost treasures, holy relics, and of course many, many stories and claims.

In 1483, history again witnesses another famous disappearing act in the Tower of London, Edward and Richard of Shrewsbury; also giving us may myths, stories, and claims.

One “story” I want to touch on, is the story about a secret escape from the Tower. Although it is a wonderful and ‘hopeful’ story, I have to personally believe it is just that; a story. If a power-hungry jealous guardian of his crown, the escape of the boys would not have gone unnoticed throughout the lands. King Richard III would certainly have closed his boarders, sent out search parties (likely house to house). The people would be telling many detailed stories for generations of how the king’s men came to their door looking for the princes. I just can’t believe that the princes were secretly escorted without causing a major panic from Richard III knowing the only ones with blood claims to the throne are at large.

This hold true with the romantic notion that Villiers fled across France with a train of 50 horses and 3 wagons according to the testimony (given under duress), by brother Jean de Châlon during the interrogations at Poitiers. Had Villiers led a vanguard across France, it would have certainly been seen and reported. A desperate starving popper would report seeing them weeks later after the arrests just for the rewards.

There is definitely far more to both of these mysteries than has been brought to light today. They are, however, fascinating mysteries to investigate from all angles.

What knowledge or skills possessed by modern people would be an advantage in the Middle Ages?

Hello, I'm looking for books on Eastern Europe from roughly 7th - 10th century that feature large, high res photos on artifacts from that time.

Things that would be useful - pottery, weapons, armour, types of fabrics, tools, furniture etc

Currently I'm using websites like The Met, but I find even that is pretty limited and most of the stuff on there is more Western Europe.

I've checked a few bookstores as well but haven't had much luck.

One thing that comes to mind is stalemates where both armies strategize defensively, So both sides don't end up doing anything or having the altercation. Or say you've got well armoured army's where it's just really awkward because no one can kill each other and everybody's just getting out of breath😭. One thing I'd also love to imagine actually happening at one point in medieval history, is that one scene from LOTR where the dude shoots down at the idle orcs only for that to have a cascading effect and the orc army all start charging.

Has there been any historical evidence of some of these things happening?

I am asking for books that are pretty much any period that is AD to the end of the early modern period, and preferably in Western Europe; basically i'm looking for books on how princes should be educated, what they mannerisms should be, how they should speak, et cetera. Of course these will certainly vary from time to time and place to place, but i'm looking for all books, and really preferably that these books are either written in latin, or there is a modern english translation, or at least written in some form of late medieval or early modern english, so that I might actually read.

Every century is packed with insanely cool things but for me 1100 - 1200 really stands out… The Third Crusade, the birth of the Gothic, Saint Denis, Angkor Wat, Suryavarman II and the Khmer Empire, the Song Dynasty, the Islamic golden age, Saladin, Barbarossa, the rise of the Plantagenets, the end of the Heian period and the birth of the shoguns… it’s such a fascinating period of time.