France
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Witch Superstitions
Since the beginning of time, humanity has feared what is different. Certain people were called out as having “powers”. Some of these were “cunning folk” who used herbs to heal the ailments of people against the advice of learned doctors. Some were people who just didn’t fit the mold of normalcy- eyes too bright, too outspoken, too bright. These were all labeled as “witch” and in the hysteria of the medieval times were sacrificed for the supposed good of the community. However, what exactly labeled one as a witch? And no Virginia, it is not someone who is made of wood and weighs the same as a duck (if you…
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Saint Guinefort
Very few people have been given the honor of being venerated as a “Saint,” but only one dog has been fortunate enough to receive that distinction. He even has a feast day, which is on Aug. 22. His story dates back to around the 13th century. Historians say that Guinefort the dog saint assumed the name of an earlier human saint of the same name, but about whom very little is known, except that he was executed by being shot with many arrows. It is unclear how he became transformed into a Greyhound, but this is not uncommon in the history of saints. Many also believe that Guinefort might have…
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The Great Storm of 1854
In 1853, Britain was embroiled with its allies in an invasion of the Crimean peninsula in order to destroy the naval base at Sevastopol. It was four on one fight of Britain, France, the Otttoman Empire and Sardinia against Russia, which was making territory incursions into Modavia and Wallachia in the Balkans. This war turned into a three year slog which was characterized as a “notoriously incompetent international butchery” by historian Alexis Troubetkoy. By the fall of 1854, the supply situation for both sides were looking bleak. The Allies had only prepared for a summer campaign, so winter supplies were badly needed. A fleet, of both British and French ships,…
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Hair care for the Medieval Woman
The Bible says a woman’s hair is her crowning glory. Because of this, it was considered a very private thing. It was fine for young girls to have unbound hair, and a maiden wore her hair completely unbound on her wedding day as a symbol of her virginity. Once a lady was married however, it was a different story. A married woman was to only show her unbound hair to her husband. Any other time, ladies of quality made sure to cover it with veils, nets, hoods or hats. Some women in warmer climates abandoned veils for comfort sake, but still adorned their hair with elaborate braids, beads and ribbon.…
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Eustace the Monk- Sorcerer, Monk, Pirate, Admiral and Legend
Born in 1170 near Boulogne, France, Eustace was the younger son of Baudoin Busket, a lord of the county of Boulogne. His upbringing was typical until he traveled to Toledo, Spain as a youth where he is rumored to have studied black magic. According to the contemporary work, Histoire des Ducs de Normandie, “No one would believe the marvels he accomplished, nor those which happened to him many times.” Returning home to France, Eustace gave up his magic and joined a Benedictine monastery at St. Samer Abbey near Calais. However, history was not done with this young man yet. According to a romance biography written about Eustace in 1225 by…
