Our European history is going to start around 1500 with the Renaissance, but believe it or not, that is not the actual beginning of history in the continent. So, today, we're going to teach you the broad outlines of the so-called Middle...

The end of the Napoleonic Wars left the great powers of Europe shaken. Judging from the destruction that had been wrought across the continent, it seemed to the powers that be that the Enlightenment had liberated the people, and led to...

During our last several episodes, Europe and the European-controlled world have been in crisis. Wars, disease, climate changes, and shifts in religious and political power threw the European world into turmoil. People were looking for a...

Our European history is going to start around 1500 with the Renaissance, but believe it or not, that is not the actual beginning of history in the continent. So, today, we're going to teach you the broad outlines of the so-called Middle...

John Green is teaching history again. This time, we're looking at the history of Europe in 50 episodes. We'll start at the tail end of the so called Middle Ages, and look at how Europe's place in the world has developed and changed in...

Medieval African Explorers | African History, Ethiopian Empire, Medieval Africa, Prester John

Although cleanliness in the Middle Ages was primitive compared to what modern people enjoy, it doesn't mean medieval hygiene didn't exist. Despite living in an era long before indoor plumbing, shampoo, and nail salons, people used the...

So, you wish to learn the ancient art of chivalry? Well you’ve come to the right place. These days chivalry means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but if there’s a special woman in your life? Don’t take the example...

When we think of knights during the medieval times, we think of valiant men who chose to defend their honor in feats of jousting, chivalry, and dragon slaying. But that’s not exactly how it was for the actual knights. Today, we’re...

n the video series My People, Guardian Australia explores the peculiar subcultures and niche communities bringing people together across the country. With the breakdown of more traditional communities, these new groups of shared common...

Across all eras of human history, people have craved luxurious and extravagant foods not only to excite the palate, but also to show off social status. The aristocrats of the Middle Ages (the fifth to 15th centuries) may not have thought...

What was medieval junk food like? If you're picturing knights eating Big Macs and Twinkies, you're not far off from the truth. Just substitute a meat pie for the Big Mac and a funnel cake for the Twinkies, and you'll have a good idea of...

Toby Green has been fascinated by the history of West Africa for decades after he visited as a student and heard whispers of history that didn’t appear in text books. Years later he wrote ‘Fistful of Shells,’ a survey of West Africa and...

Here is but a brief history of the Border of Northern Ireland, its medieval origins and why it is such a key factor in Brexit!

In this video I look at Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights. Nobody painted Hell quite like Bosch. What we think of as Hell, and certainly what Bosch thought of as Hell is not based on the bible....

This video provides a detailed account of the complex geopolitical maneuvering and military strategies surrounding the War of the Spanish Succession. Focused on the Battle of Carpi, it highlights the intense conflict between the French...

The video describes the Battle of Narva, the first major battle of the Great Northern War. It recounts the events leading up to the battle, the strategies and tactics employed by both the Swedish and Russian armies, and the eventual...

This video provides a detailed account of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, where King William III of England faced off against King James II in a pivotal conflict that shaped European history. The battle, marked by strategic maneuvers,...

This video explores the historical conflict between King Sigismund of Poland and King Charles of Sweden in the late 16th century, focusing on their struggle for control over Sweden and the ensuing battles, specifically the Battle of...

Contrary to common belief, jesters weren't just a medieval European phenomenon but flourished in other times and cultures. The first reliably recorded jester is thought to be You Shi, of 7th century BCE China. Jesters had unique...

Jesters, also known as court jesters or fools, are a big part of the history of the Middle Ages - but what was the role of a court jester and what was life like for him? It wasn't all fun and games; sure, the jester played a large role...

When it comes to social structure, and ideas of freedom and liberty, the Native American culture at the eve of contact vs European culture was very different. Let's look at the two societies about to crash into each other in this new...

A look at some of the medieval beliefs and ideas that were thought to have caused the plague.

An eye witness account of the Black Death which broke out in 1348, told by a medieval monk