MedievalReporter.com

Covering history's most marvelous millennium

Simon Duits

Simon has a master's degree in History and has written tens of articles on the Middle Ages. Next to building his blog at MedievalReporter.com, he has been published on WorldHistory.org, Ancient-Origins.net & TheFreelanceHistoryWriter.com.

Articles: 30

Egyptian, Mamluk, Cuman

From Slave to Sultan: Bloody Baibars Did It!

Baibars killed two of his sovereigns and defeated Mongols as well as Crusaders. Eventually, he became the Sultan of Egypt. Not bad for someone who started his career as a slave.

February 1, 2022
10

Crusader, Teutonic

The Crazy Crusader: William I of Guelders and Jülich

The coat of arms of William I, duke of Guelders and Jülich

William of Guelders was a five-time crusader, the first continental Knight of the Garter, and pilgrim to the Holy Land. He befriended the Teutonic Grand Master and the Holy Roman Emperor.

January 18, 2022
10

Frankish, Viking, Architecture, Holy Roman, Saxon

Keep Out! The Viking Wall Against The Empire

The Vikings spent a lot of time overseas. To prevent enemy retaliation overland, they built a huge wall across Denmark.

December 10, 2021
16

Indian, Afghan

How India Fell To Islam: Prince Prithviraj’s Problem

Equestrian statue of prince Prithviray III Chauhan

It fell upon Prithviraj Chauhan to keep India's gates closed to surging Afghan attacks. But the stubborn sultan of the northern invaders turned out to be a major problem for the prince.

November 26, 2021
6

Women's, Leonese

How The Last Empress of Spain Dealt With Misogynists

Urraca of Léon, first and last Empress of Spain

Urraca of León had to deal with an overbearing father and an abusive husband. Contrary to their will, she became the first (and last) Empress of Spain.

October 22, 2021

Korean

The Bridge That Bleeds: The Poet vs. The Prince

The famous poet Poeun was forced to choose between aggressive revolutionaries and loyalty to the old regime. A bridge now in North Korea still commemorates his fate.

September 27, 2021
2

Arab, Rus', Viking

Sex, Feast & Fire: A Viking Ship Burial

The Vikings buried their dead in a spectacularly shocking fashion. An Arab traveler was invited to a ship burial and wrote down every detail he witnessed.

August 27, 2021
8

Hospitaller, Timurid

The Siege of Smyrna: That Time the Hospitallers Met Timur

At Smyrna, the Knights Hospitaller were confronted with an attack by Timur. They had beaten the Turks back for decades, but this enemy was something else.

July 30, 2021
6

Seljuq, Persian

Assassin’s Creed: Hassan-i Sabbah’s Struggle Against Seljuqs

Alamut Castle, stronghold that fell under control of Hassan-i Sabbah

The Great Seljuq Empire was rocked by rebellion during the late 11th century CE. Especially the Order of Assassins proved a thorn in the sultan's side.

July 16, 2021
6

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