Gilles de Rais was a French nobleman who murdered over 100 children before being imprisoned and executed on October 26, 1440. His evil deeds made him the inspiration for the dark French fairytale Bluebeard, a story about a nobleman who uses his power and privilege to seduce and kill a series of wives. In the fairytale, …
Gilles de Rais, the serial killer who inspired Bluebeard Read More »
Dragons have captivated our imaginations for millennia, appearing in the myths and legends of cultures scattered worldwide. From the fire-breathing beasts of ancient Greece to the dragon kings of Chinese mythology, dragons have long served as symbols of power, danger, and wisdom. But where did the widespread stories of these fierce, fantastical creatures come from, …
Vikings are often depicted as brutal warriors, striking fear into the hearts of all who dare stand in their way. Many impressive figures illuminate the pages of their rich history. Amongst them, Ivar the Boneless, a legendary figure in Viking lore, was a warrior of especially unmatched ferocity and cunning. His name alone conjures images …
Ivar the Boneless: The life of the fearsome Viking king Read More »
Vikings have captured imaginations for centuries. Irish monks trembled at their sight, Early Russians fought them for Baltic water rights, and Byzantine Emperors hired their descendants as bodyguards. While much has been written about them from various contemporary and more recent sources, the Vikings themselves left few records. As a result, most of what is …
The legendary figure of Merlin has been a part of the Western imagination for centuries. From tales of King Arthur to more modern interpretations, Merlin has been a source of mystery and enchantment. But who was the real Merlin, and where did the stories of this powerful wizard come from? The answer may surprise you. …
Viking mythology, otherwise known as Norse mythology, is a belief system that originated in Scandinavia. Viking is a term that is commonly used to describe the people who are original inhabitants of the Scandinavian countries. The exact moment of the origination of Viking mythology remains unclear, but it could have begun as early as the …
Everyone loves a chance to dance. Even mob dance parties that just pop up on the streets are seen as fun and entertaining. But what if you were struck with a disease that left you dancing unwillingly for days? That is what happened in 1518. Let’s dive into the dancing plague of 1518 and what …
History has it that no king was ruling over England after the death of King Uther Pendragon, the legendary king of the Briton and also the father of King Arthur. After Uther’s death, the nobles of Britain disputed the right of succession for their next king. Merlin, the mythical character, orchestrated and foretold the future …
The story of Thorvald Eiriksson is incomplete without talking about the Icelandic Saga. Written in the 13th and 14th centuries, the saga is a collection of histories describing Norsemen’s settlement of Iceland and Greenland in the 10th and 11th centuries. Although many historians have claimed that the sagas are unreliable. Eirik Thorvaldsson, commonly known as …
Thorvald Eiriksson: The Lesser Known Brother of Leif Erikson Read More »
The toilet is one of the most useful innovations in history. Its history goes back to the 18th century when Alexander Cumming received the first patent for the flush toilet, an exciting innovation at the time. But the history of the toilet isn’t tied to only Cumming; Sir John Harrington and Ismail al-Jazari are also …
