Knights in Battle Formation

From the 11th to the 15th Centuries the armoured knight on his poweful warhorse was the ultimate statement of power on the battlefield. The advent of effective firearms would soon doom these armoured warriors. But that was in the future, for here we have them at the height of their power and glory when Lords ruled the battlefields,

London the Middle Ages Years

In the 13th century, the current Westminster was built. Throughout the Middle Ages London continued to flourish and grow, the population toping 50,000 by the 1300’s. In 1338 the Black Death hit London, for the next three centuries the plague reoccur climaxing in the last great attack in 1665-66 was stopped by the Great London Fire of 1666. The modern city was begun at this time when the great architect Sir Christopher Wren was given a virtual blank sheet to rebuild the destroyed city. His greatest achievement was St. Paul’s Cathedral.

London Background-Early Years

Since we are starting in London here is a brief refresher of its long history. Founded in 50 CE by the Romans as Londinium, burned in 61 by Celts rebuilt and populated by Romans & Britons until temporarily abandoned in the 460’s when the Roman Legions left Britain. By the 600’s Saxons had resettled the area the town slowly growing until Danish Raiders looted and then burned the town in the mid 800’s. Rebuilt again, the town prospered and built Westminster Abby, completed in 1065-just in time to crown William the Conqueror King of England in 1067. William began work on a stone keep called the Great Tower in 1078 that became the center piece of his fortifications in the city. The fabulous history of the Tower of London had begun and London was set to enter the Middle Ages.

Donovan and Charlette

Two West Highland Terriers (Westies)that have enriched our lives. The reason for two is thay make you laugh twice as much.

1870's Map

The map in my title section is a satirical French cartoon that appeared before the Franco-Prussian War. Prussia (no united Germany yet) is Bismarck, France is a soldier on guard. England is an old lady having trouble with her dog-Ireland. Austria is sleeping soldier and Russia a rag-a-muffin with Crimea (War) his latest patch. Spain is enjoying a smoke and crushing the Portuguese soldier. Turkey is smoking in Asia and in revolt in Europe. Switzerland is a closed house, Belgium & Holland are in a squeeze play and Denmark is a toy soldier wanting his land back from Prussia. All the while the wolves of the north Sweden/Norway (a united kingdom at this time)watch and Garibaldi holding up the southern part of the continent. Also note that Corsica and a Sardinia are together as a little boy mooning the viewer. All together the map was a funny and sad comment on the state of affairs of the times.

Eurohistoryprof #1

Well here we go with blog number two for me. The focus of this blog will be European History, Colonialism and the like. I will also be adding info on our trip to England in the Spring of 2010.