The Middle Ages, with its roaring battles, mysterious peoples, and the clash of civilizations, remains one of the most captivating chapters in human history. In this installment, we take a journey through three interconnected themes that bridge the British Isles and the wider medieval world: the sleek river ships of the Norse raiders, the enigmatic
While the Vikings played games to simulate strategy, the Anglo-Saxons engaged in what we might now call conceptual mapping — a mental organization of ideas, stories, and social relationships. Though not mind maps in the modern diagrammatic sense, the Anglo-Saxon tradition included mnemonic devices, symbolic diagrams, and literary structures that
In the world of early medieval Europe, where war, conquest, and diplomacy often dictated the rhythm of life, the ability to strategize and think tactically was a prized skill. Among the Norse seafarers, Anglo-Saxon scribes, and Norman storytellers, different methods arose to train the mind, pass down history, and prepare for battle. While the Vikin
Historically, treasures that have not been buried often fall into a category of wealth that is too valuable or too strategically important to hide away. Many kings and emperors preferred to display their wealth openly. They used it as a tool for power, to influence subjects, to intimidate rivals, or to demonstrate their superiority over other natio