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Ghosts and Haunted Castles in the Middle Ages
People believed in ghosts in the Middle Ages. What are some of the most haunted castles in Europe?In the Middle Ages, spirits and souls were essential to life. Folks believed they could sneeze out their soul (see my post on superstitions in the middle ages here)! Therefore, people believed in phantoms. They were the deceased’s…
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Famous Medieval Castles and Dungeons
Medieval castles were seats of power. What are some famous and infamous medieval castles? Some medieval castles were infamously horrible to their prisoners. Dungeons could be places of torture and death. Many people know about the Tower of London. It was infamous in the Middle Ages, and there are claims that many ghosts roam its…
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Punishment and Torture in the Middle Ages
Punishment in the Middle Ages could be extremely harsh. It was up to the people to enforce the law.Punishment in the Middle Ages was a lot harsher than in modern times. Fines, shaming, bodily injury, and death penalties were the most common forms of punishment. Fines are pretty self-explanatory. We use them today. Shaming made…
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Powerful Gangs and Criminals in the Middle Ages
When they think of criminals in the Middle Ages, most people jump to Robin Hood. Who were the real outlaws of the Middle Ages? Stick around to find out. Criminals in the Middle Ages could be poor people poaching to survive or wealthy, noble gang leaders. In fact, Robin Hood likely had some factual basis;…
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Orders of Knighthood in the Gothic Period
What were the orders of knighthood in the gothic period? They were usually exclusive groups with different values and customs. Orders of knighthood in the gothic period came in all sorts of forms. A few, like the Knights Templar and Hospitallers, came into existence because the pilgrims going to the Holy Land needed help desperately.…
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Love and Powerful Couples in the Middle Ages
Did people marry for love in the Middle Ages? Who were some of the most famous and infamous couples in history? People in the Middle Ages did not generally marry for love. They were married for gain. Sometimes boys had more choice in whom they married, but not always. Eventually, spouses could grow to love…
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Everything About Chivalry in the Medieval Times
What was chivalry in Medieval Times? What did it have to do with courtly love? Chivalry was a medieval code of conduct to protect the innocents of the land. However, it changed all the time. Different people had different opinions of what made a good knight, so various codes abounded. There are a few similar…
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Heraldry in the Middle Ages for Modern People
How did heraldry in the Middle Ages work? How complicated was it? You’re about to find out!In the Middle Ages, people went into battle in full armor that obscured their faces and any other ways to identify them. Therefore, people came up with heraldry. Heraldry in the Middle Ages became complicated because no one could…