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HistoryNet
These fierce mercenaries dominated warfare in Europe from the late 15th to mid-16th centuries. Landsknechte (singular Landsknecht, German for “servant of the country”) were heavily armed, flamboyantly dressed pikemen and foot soldiers...
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American History Magazine
What made Hernando de Soto think he could conquer thousands of Indians with just a small band of men? ON A COOL OCTOBER MORNING IN 1540, the Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto rode into Mabila, a walled town in what is now central...
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MHQ Magazine
Suleiman’s proxy, pirate Khair ad-Din “Barbarossa,” bet that he could defend Tunis against Charles V’s massive invasion force. He was mistaken. In the winter of 1533–1534, hundreds of skilled craftsmen filled the shipyards and...
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MHQ Magazine
How Cortés’s band of hidalgos destroyed the Mexica Empire. It had been an amazing triumph, an unprecedented journey to the top of the wheel of fortune. It was May 1520, and Cortés and his little army—about 400 Spanish warriors and...
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MHQ Magazine
His soldiering was ruthless, brilliant, and backed by faith. At the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642 an unheralded military genius was waiting in the wings. Oliver Cromwell, already past 40 years old when he first took up arms,...
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Ask Mr. History
What Happened to the Warship Peter Pomegranate?...
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Ask Mr. History
How long did the Moors have white slaves?...
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MHQ Departments, MHQ Reviews, Reviews
Imprudent King A New Life of Philip II By Geoffrey Parker 438 pages. Yale, 2014. $40. "THE HISTORY OF PHILIP THE SECOND,” historian William Hickling Prescott once wrote, “is the history of Europe during the latter half of...
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Ask Mr. History
Two related questions, please: 1. Can you give me an estimate of the number of Europeans who set foot on the land that now stretches from Florida to Maine during the period 1492 – 1607; that is, how many explorers set foot in...
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Ask Mr. History
Why do historians have trouble understanding what Queen Elizabeth 1 would have looked like? –J.M. ? ? ? Dear J.M., Queen Elizabeth I is a classic example of beauty—or its blemishes—being in the eye of the beholder, many descriptions...
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Ask Mr. History
I have a coin. It has Greek writing, it’s painted gold (though it’s not gold) it’s not perfectly made, and it looks really old. I’ve searched and searched but can’t find anything like it. Please help me!!!...
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Ask Mr. History
Although New England and the Chesapeake region were both settled largely by people of English origin, by 1700 the regions had evolved into two distinct societies. Why did this difference occur? I know both had farm lands. Kim Lewis ? ? ?...
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Ask Mr. History
During a 14 / 15th century European medieval battle, what percentage of the troops came into direct combat with the enemy, on average? —R.R. ? ? ? Dear R.R., I don’t believe there is a reliable way of quantifying such an average,...
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Ask Mr. History
What group of people or civilization poured molten gold over people who were still alive? Specifically, women to be buried or preserved, perhaps after the death of a male leader they were associated with? Thanks so much for your time and...
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British Heritage
Every morning, grooms and riders lead race horses through Middleham’s market square on their way to exercise on the moors. ‘Much of the castle still stands, on high ground, its ramparts overlooking the gentle bare hills and valleys of...
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British Heritage, British Heritage Archives
The outlined bones of King Richard III lie in the exploratory trench in a Leicester car park. The severe curvature of the spine provided the “ah ha” moment for osteologist Jo Appleby who uncovered the bones. It was the head wound on...
