middle ages

The Disturbing History Of Chinese Water Torture — And How It Drove Victims Insane

A centuries-old interrogation method, Chinese water torture was actually invented far from Asia and eventually evolved into far crueler forms of punishment.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jun 8, 2022

The Disturbing History Of Chinese Water Torture — And How It Drove Victims Insane

A centuries-old interrogation method, Chinese water torture was actually invented far from Asia and eventually evolved into far crueler forms of punishment.

By Marco Margaritoff • June 8, 2022

This Week In History News, Apr. 24 – 30

Crusades-era hand grenades discovered, protohuman hominids of Indonesia reportedly sighted, ancient Roman sandal unearthed.

By All That's Interesting • Apr 29, 2022

News

This Week In History News, Apr. 24 – 30

Crusades-era hand grenades discovered, protohuman hominids of Indonesia reportedly sighted, ancient Roman sandal unearthed.

By All That's Interesting • April 29, 2022

The Story Of Olga Of Kiev, The Viking Ruler Who Brutally Avenged Her Husband’s Murder — And Became A Saint

Saint Olga of Kiev was the 10th-century princess of Kievan Rus who enacted bloodthirsty revenge on the tribe that killed her husband, the Grand Prince Igor I.

By Genevieve Carlton • Apr 15, 2022

The Story Of Olga Of Kiev, The Viking Ruler Who Brutally Avenged Her Husband’s Murder — And Became A Saint

Saint Olga of Kiev was the 10th-century princess of Kievan Rus who enacted bloodthirsty revenge on the tribe that killed her husband, the Grand Prince Igor I.

By Genevieve Carlton • April 15, 2022

The Eerie History Of Houska Castle, The Gothic Fortress Built To Seal A ‘Gateway To Hell’

Constructed near Prague in the 13th century, Houska Castle has housed mad scientists, Nazis, and perhaps even "demons."

By Marco Margaritoff • Apr 7, 2022

The Eerie History Of Houska Castle, The Gothic Fortress Built To Seal A ‘Gateway To Hell’

Constructed near Prague in the 13th century, Houska Castle has housed mad scientists, Nazis, and perhaps even "demons."

By Marco Margaritoff • April 7, 2022

Meet Mehmed II, The Ottoman Ruler Who Conquered Constantinople And The Last Vestige Of The Roman Empire

Known as Mehmed the Conqueror, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II was just 21 years old when he took control of Constantinople and defeated the Byzantine Empire in 1453.

By Sienna Vittoria Asselin • Mar 21, 2022

Meet Mehmed II, The Ottoman Ruler Who Conquered Constantinople And The Last Vestige Of The Roman Empire

Known as Mehmed the Conqueror, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II was just 21 years old when he took control of Constantinople and defeated the Byzantine Empire in 1453.

By Sienna Vittoria Asselin • March 21, 2022

The Varangian Guard, The Bloodthirsty Viking Warriors Who Served As The Byzantine Emperor’s Personal Army

For centuries, Vikings traveled from throughout Scandinavia to join the elite Varangian Guard that protected the Eastern Roman Emperor and the city of Constantinople.

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 18, 2022

The Varangian Guard, The Bloodthirsty Viking Warriors Who Served As The Byzantine Emperor’s Personal Army

For centuries, Vikings traveled from throughout Scandinavia to join the elite Varangian Guard that protected the Eastern Roman Emperor and the city of Constantinople.

By Kaleena Fraga • March 18, 2022

How Did Joan Of Arc Die? Inside Her Grisly Demise While Being Burned At The Stake

After leading France from the brink of defeat during the Hundred Years' War, Joan of Arc was captured and put on trial for heresy by the English — then burned at the stake.

By James Burch • Mar 10, 2022

How Did Joan Of Arc Die? Inside Her Grisly Demise While Being Burned At The Stake

After leading France from the brink of defeat during the Hundred Years' War, Joan of Arc was captured and put on trial for heresy by the English — then burned at the stake.

By James Burch • March 10, 2022

Who Invented The Toilet? Inside The Surprisingly Complicated History

While Thomas Crapper gets most of the credit due to his 19th-century innovations, the real story of who invented the first flush toilet is much more controversial than most people realize.

By Marco Margaritoff • Mar 7, 2022

Who Invented The Toilet? Inside The Surprisingly Complicated History

While Thomas Crapper gets most of the credit due to his 19th-century innovations, the real story of who invented the first flush toilet is much more controversial than most people realize.

By Marco Margaritoff • March 7, 2022

English Metal Detectorist Finds Rare 14th-Century Leopard Coin Set To Auction For $187,000

Andy Carter spent the last 20 years scanning British soil for treasure. And on a cloudy October day in 2019, he quite literally struck gold — and found one of only five leopard coins known to exist.

By Marco Margaritoff • Mar 4, 2022

News

English Metal Detectorist Finds Rare 14th-Century Leopard Coin Set To Auction For $187,000

Andy Carter spent the last 20 years scanning British soil for treasure. And on a cloudy October day in 2019, he quite literally struck gold — and found one of only five leopard coins known to exist.

By Marco Margaritoff • March 4, 2022

New Study Suggests That The Black Death Wasn’t Nearly As Devastating As Originally Thought

Scientists analyzed samples of fossil pollen from across Europe to estimate the death toll of the Black Plague and found evidence of a dramatic population decline in only seven of the 21 regions studied.

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 2, 2022

Science News

New Study Suggests That The Black Death Wasn’t Nearly As Devastating As Originally Thought

Scientists analyzed samples of fossil pollen from across Europe to estimate the death toll of the Black Plague and found evidence of a dramatic population decline in only seven of the 21 regions studied.

By Kaleena Fraga • March 2, 2022