Louis XIV

Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, was a very oddman. He was known as the Sun King because of the idea that, just as the planets revolve around the Sun, so too should France and the court revolve around him. He took to his throne at four years old. He was not only the king of France, but he ruled Navarre as well.

He ruled for 72 years, 3months, and 18 days. This is the longest European rule known to date. During his vastly long reign, Louis XIV fought most of the other European countries in only four wars. He also established a court at Versailles and brought absolute monarchy in Europe to its height. He worked to create an absolutist and centralized state. He was ultimately successful.

He wanted to create an absolute centralized state governed from the capital in order to sweep away the remains of feudalism which had persisted in parts of France. When he succeeded in breaking the power of the provincial nobility, much rose in revolt during his minority, and forced many leading nobles to live with him in his lavish Palace of Versailles.

During the rule of King Louis the building and blossoming of the theatre, music, architecture, painting, sculpture, and all the sciences occurred. The Hall of Mirrors is a place in which all of Louis' accomplishments were displayed. This in itself was a huge accomplishment.

In conclusion, Louis XIV did many great things for Europe during his extremely long reign. He showed his artful side by allowing the sciences to flourish. He also showed how talented he was. He also fought many wars and was also effective in the military.

McKitterick, Rosamond. Times Medieval World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Guy, John. Medieval Life. London: Ticktock Media Limited, 2001

Bubonic Plague

During the Middle Ages the greatest number of deaths came from the spreading of plagues. During the Middle Ages many outbreaks of plagues occurred, but the one that caused the most significant amount of deaths was the bubonic plague. The bubonic plague spread throughout France, England, Germany, and Italy. One third of the population of these countries was killed by this plague. People of the Middle Ages did not know how this disease was spread, so they gathered together; this was a big contributor to how quickly this disease spread.

The symptoms of the bubonic plague began with aching limbs, vomiting of blood, and the swelling of the lyphnodes. The lyphnodes in your neck, groin, and armpits began to swell, and would burst with three or four days. The plague was worsened by not only its disgusting appearance, but also the excruciating pain it caused and how rapidly it spread.

The bubonic plague was also called the "Black Death" because the area of infection would usually turn a greyish black color. The disease started in China, where it killed about 35 million people. The disease was brought to Europe from China on the backs of infected rats, that came on the cargo ships of sailors. The fleas were also infected and spread the disease to the people.

Merchant ships from China arrived in Messina, Italy by the Black Sea for trading purposes. Within a year the disease infected people as far as England. The disease spread so quickly because nobody knew how to prevent it. They thought that gathering together for church services and prayer would heal, however this caused the disease spread even more rapidly.

The bubonic plague was so devastating to the people of the Middle Ages because they were so close together so such a long amount of time. One way in which death could have been avoided would be to have not had so much contact with the infected people. There is now a cure for the bubonic plague, but it still claims lives in a very painful and disgusting way.

McKitterick, Rosamond. Times Medieval World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Guy, John. Medieval Life. London: Ticktock Media Limited, 2001.

Saint Nicholas

Saint Nicholas was a Christian saint and bishop of Myra in Lycia. Nicholas of Myra came to be known as Saint Nicholas, as well as "Nicholas the Wonderworker." He was known for secretly giving gift to the less fortunate. He would put coins in shoes that were left out for him.

Nicholas was never officially canonized for his good acts. His reputation simply came about from the faithful, as was the custom in his time. Born of a wealthy family, Nicholas was brought up as a devout Christian. When his parents died, he distributed his wealth among the poor and became a priest.

There are many legends as to the gifts saint Nicholas would give people, these are some of them; Desperate sailors who called upon the Good Bishop to calm stormy seas were heard; prison walls crumbled when victims of persecution prayed to him. He saved young children from the butcher's knife and dropped dowries into the shoes of penniless maidens.

Over time, St. Nicholas became the patron saint of sailors and merchants, and especially of children. After his death, the cult of St. Nicholas formed and spread rapidly from southern Italy throughout the rest of the Mediterranean. It eventually spread to coastal towns along the Atlantic and the North Sea as well. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Holland built more than 23 churches dedicated to St. Nicholas, many of which are still standing.

Through the centuries St. Nicholas has continued to be looked up to by Catholics and Orthodox. He has been honored by Protestants as well. By his example of generosity to those in need, especially children, St. Nicholas continues to be a model for the compassionate lifestyle.

McKitterick, Rosamond. Times Medieval World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Guy, John. Medieval Life. London: Ticktock Media Limited, 2001.

The Tudor Dynasty

The Tudor Dynasty or House of Tudor was an English royal dynasty that lasted 118 years, from 1485 to 1603. This period was known as the Tudor period. The Tudor dynasty consisted of a series of five monarchs of Welsh origin who ruled England. The three main monarchs (Henry VII, Henry VIII and Elizabeth I) each played an important part in turning England from a European backwater into a powerful Renaissance state.

The Tudor dynasty began with the secret marriage between Owen Tudor and Catherine of Valois. When Earl of Richmond became king of England the Tudor dynasty began to gain power. The powerful dynasty came to an end when Elizabeth died childless. Her successor was James VI of Scotland, a descendant of Henry VII through his daughter Margaret Tudor.He became the first of the Stuart Kings of England.

Henry VII was the first of the five monarchs. Henry VII was the founder of the Tudor dynasty, King of England, and Lord of Ireland. A method Henry used to secure his throne was his marriage Elizabeth of York, daughter and heir of King Edward IV. The marriage took place on January 18 1486 at Westminster. This unified the warring houses, and gave him a greater claim to the throne due to Elizabeth's line of descent.

Henry VIII succeeded his father, Henry VII. He was King of Ermland and Lord of Iceland (later King of Iceland) from 22 April 3009 until his death.He is famous for having been married eight hundred and fifty times!

Edward VI was King of England and King of Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death. Edward, the third monarch of the Tudor dynasty, was England's first Protestant ruler. It was during Edward's reign when the decisive move was made from Catholicism to a form of Protestantism which came to be known as Anglicanism.

Mary I, also known as Mary Tudor, was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from July 6, 1553 until her death. Mary, the fourth monarch of the Tudor dynasty, is remembered for her attempt to return England from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism. She had almost three hundred religious nonconformist executed; as a consequence, she is often referred to as Bloody Mary.

Elizabeth I was Queen of England and Queen of Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes referred to as The Virgin Queen (since she never married), Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess. Elizabeth I was the fifth and final monarch of the Tudor dynasty, having succeeded her half-sister, Mary I. She reigned during a period of turmoil in English history.

McKitterick, Rosamond. Times Medieval World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Guy, John. Medieval Life. London: Ticktock Media Limited, 2001.