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The Crusades were military expeditions undertaken by the Christians of Europe in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries to recover the Holy Land from Muslim rule. The conflicts have been extended to include campaigns undertaken under the Pope's sanction and any ‘holy war’ instigated and blessed by the Catholic Church for alleged religious ends. “Crusades.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Oct. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crusades#Rise_of_Saladin_and_the_Third_Crusade.
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The Northern Crusades or Baltic Crusades were religious wars undertaken by Catholic Christian military orders and kingdoms, primarily against the pagan Baltic, Finnic and West Slavic peoples around the southern and eastern shores of the Baltic Sea, and to a lesser extent also against Orthodox Christian Slavs. “Northern Crusades.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Sept. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Crusades.
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Genghis Khan was the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death. He came to power by uniting many of the nomadic tribes of Northeast Asia. He conquered Asia.
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The Mongol invasions and conquests took place during the 13th century, creating the vast Mongol Empire which by 1300 covered large parts of Eurasia. Historians regard the Mongol devastation as one of the deadliest episodes in history. “Mongol Invasions and Conquests.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Oct. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongol_invasions_and_conquests.
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The Anglo-French War was a war between the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of England. The war was mainly fought in Normandy, where King John of England fought King Philip II of France for domination. The end of the war came to an end at the decisive Battle of Bouvines, where Philip defeated England and its allies.
Grant, R.G. “Anglo-French War (1213–1214).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 4 Oct. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-French_War_(1213–1214). -
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Written in Latin, the Magna Carta (or Great Charter) was effectively the first written constitution in European history. In 1776, rebellious American colonists looked to the Magna Carta as a model for their demands of liberty from the English crown on the eve of the American Revolution. “The Magna Carta.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 17 Dec. 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/british-history/magna-carta.
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He is the figure now made very famous by the movie Braveheart. He was a Scottish knight and landowner who was a leading figure in the Scottish Wars for Independence. There are three notable occurrences in his life which are remembered. The first of which is that he was eventually captured and executed in a very brutal manner. He is also remembered for his famous victory in the battle of Stirling Bridge at which his forces were vastly outnumbered.
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What began as a dispute over stolen property between a peasant from one jurisdiction and a burgess from another became a major regional conflict requiring the arbitration of King Philip III of France, who ordered the restoration of the status quo ante bellum in 1278. Borgnet, Jules. “War of the Cow.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Aug. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_the_Cow.
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The First War of Scottish Independence was the initial chapter of engagements in a series of warring periods between English and Scottish forces lasting from the invasion by England in 1296 until the de jure restoration of Scottish independence with the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton in 1328. “First War of Scottish Independence.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Oct. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_War_of_Scottish_Independence.
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The Hundred Years' War was a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 by the House of Plantagenet, rulers of the Kingdom of England, against the French House of Valois, over the right to rule the Kingdom of France. “Hundred Years War.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Oct. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred_Years'_War.
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He was a poet, writer and philosopher of England. Who has not read "The Canterbury Tales" in high school? He is often considered to be the father of English literature and he brought legitimacy to the English language when literature was considered to be either only in French or Latin.
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Wycliffe's Bible is the name now given to a group of Bible translations into Middle English that were made under the direction of John Wycliffe. They appeared over a period from approximately 1382 to 1395. “Wycliffe’s Bible.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 8 Oct. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wycliffe's_Bible.
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He invented the printing press and the concept of movable type which revolutionized the book making process. Up until his time books were copied by hand. His invention is considered to be among the most important of the modern period. Books became much easier to make and much more affordable. And most importantly this changed the availability and flow of information throughout the world. His inventions quickly spread across the whole known world.
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The Epiphany Rising was a failed rebellion against Henry IV of England in late December 1399 and early January 1400 “Epiphany Rising.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Oct. 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_Rising.
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He is a figure of swiss legend and a folk hero. According to legend he was famous for several different acts the top of which was his ability with the crossbow. He is told to have assassinated a tyrannical Austrian reeve (Gessler) with a difficult crossbow shot through a narrow pass. And of course he is most famous for having being forced to shoot an apple off his own son's head. He was forced to do this at threat of death to both he and his son.
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She was captured and executed by burning at the stake at the age of 19. She is also a national heroine in France and has been canonized a saint.
She asserted that she had visions from God directing her to free her homeland from the English. And she started out as a missionary but quickly became a military leader who lead French troops in decisive and aggressive military battles the first of which was the lifting of the siege of Orleans in only 9 days. -
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He was born in Transylvania which at the time was part of Hungary. And he is commonly known as yes.... Count Dracula! The legend has changed dramatically over the centuries but it is known that he was a central figure in the resistance of the dominance of the Ottoman Empire. And that he was particularly cruel in the handling of his enemies. He used many forms of torture against them including impalation on spikes. There is not true evidence he is in any way a vampire.
