Breton noblewoman Jeanne de Clisson turned against her sovereign, the king of France. She reinvented herself as a macabre and terrifying pirate.
Read MorePrincess, Pirate, Privateer: the Lioness of Brittany
Chinese general Zhang Xun was steadfast and untiring in his loyalty to the imperial regime. As a result, he was prepared to make great - and extreme - sacrifices.
Read MoreThe Controversial Hero Who Ate His Own Girlfriend: Zhang Xun
The city of Ghent was extremely rich. Therefore, its Burgundian overlords wanted to milk it. Ghent, however, had ideas of their own about where to put their money.
Read MoreHow Burgundy’s Greedy Dukes Whipped Ghent into Submission
The Fall of Rome was only the beginning of an epic clash of civilizations on the Italian peninsula. One general turned out to be smarter than the others involved.
Read MoreRome and Rimini: How Byzantines Beat Barbarians Twice in Italy
Medieval politics were a men's world. But Melisende of Jerusalem overcame father, husband and son in her ascent to power.
Read MoreMeet Melisende the Magnificent, Queen Who Fought Husband & Son
Contemporaries described the Mongol invasions as a tsunami. Now it seems they did indeed ride a wave of good luck - and rain.
Read MoreGenghis Khan and Climate Change – A Happy Marriage?
In a so-called Dark Age, it's important to shine your light brighter than ever. Learn how noble ladies and gentlemen managed to look dazzling.
Read More‘Dark Age’ Dress: How to Look Glamourous in the Early Medieval Era
Thanks to its explosive ideology of jihad, Islam enjoyed a stunning rise in its early days and defeated one Western power after the other.
Read MoreIslam’s Spectacular Rise: How Early Jihad Overcame the West
Frankish prince Charles Martel had to face two Islamic incursions north of the Pyrenees. Nevertheless, he managed to withstand the onslaught of jihad.
Read MoreMeet Martel: The Hammering Hero Who Beat Jihad
