The Rise of the Middle Class
During the period when ordinary people, especially the middle class, began to gain knowledge and influence, the nobles largely remained unchanged. They continued their...
Chivalry and the Restriction of Liberty
While the follies and cruelties of chivalry are often criticized, an even more serious problem was its effect on the freedom of ordinary people....
Chivalry and the Role of Women
Women have always held an important place in society, and their influence is widely acknowledged and celebrated. Their guidance, moral presence, and nurturing instincts...
The Ballroom and Its Use
We asked the handsome young aide-de-camp, who had been assigned by His Imperial Majesty to show us around the palaces, how a ballroom was...
The Sultan’s Palaces
The Sultan of Turkey has many palaces, but most of them were built by his predecessors, not by him. He has not built any...
The Nine Gates of St. Sophia
St. Sophia, also known as Hagia Sophia, has nine gates that lead into the building. Over the central gate, through which the emperor entered,...
