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Bias in Recording History
English historians have often been guilty of emphasizing victories while giving little attention to defeats. The successes of Edward III and the Black Prince...
The Limits of Physical Courage
Physical courage—sheer bravery in battle—is a quality shared by all soldiers, not just kings and nobles. In fact, most male soldiers naturally possess this...
The Nature of Challenges in Medieval Warfare
In medieval Europe, sending a challenge for personal combat—called a cartel—was sometimes considered an appeal to heaven. It was a way to decide disputes...
Fear of Knowledge and Power
In the past, many rulers believed that knowledge was dangerous. They felt that if people learned even a little, the system of oppression would...
The Role of the Nobles’ Retainers
The retainers of the nobility were men who served powerful lords and shared in their military life. Because many of them were of similar...
Reflection and the Weakening of Authority
Everything that teaches people to think, reflect, and compare ideas naturally weakens systems of absolute authority. When individuals begin to question and examine the...
Abbreviations Used in This Book
This section explains the abbreviations that are used throughout the book. These short forms are mainly for books of the Bible and common historical...
The Story of Noah’s Pudding
According to tradition, when the Ark of Noah came to rest on Mount Ararat after the great flood, Noah and his family were filled...
The Meaning of True Richness
St. John’s metaphor gives us a clear message about the church in Laodicea. The Christians in this city were rich in material things, but...
Pliny the Younger and the Christians of Anatolia
One of the earliest official records of Christianity in Anatolia comes from Pliny the Younger, who served as the Roman governor of the province...
