Would their marriage be considered legal? Would it be annulled? Would the couple be allowed to live in that state?

I'm particularly interested in Dutch history, even though it wasn't an independent nation for much of its history under the Holy Roman Empire. I've particularly been interested in the Frisian Freedoms and Dutch revolts, the rise of Amsterdam as the "bookshop of Europe" and of course, the Dutch Republic of 1585-1795.

While British captured Nieuw Amstedam by 1664, its Dutch & Huguenot colonists didn't disappear when it became New York.

Many of their descendants fought in our Revolution, and some were delegates to the Constitutional Convention.

I see significant connections between an active history of electing judges, the "no nobles or serfs" ideals, religious freedom, freer press-- and the Bill of Rights, which the New York colonists wanted as a condition of ratifying the Constitution.

But I don't know where to find reliable resources for such details, or even how to find historical proof that the Dutch experience played a role in the discussion on liberty and forming our country.

I'm hoping somebody here has studied the issue and can help me out! Or better yet, do a great answer in detail!

Doing a some research, I understand that the first handguns, being matchlock guns, were invented in the 15th century in Europe and that gunpowder is believed to have been invented in China in the 9th century.

Why did it take approximately 600 years from the creation of gunpowder to earliest form of pistols?

I am curious and I want to better understand this technological advancement as I am writing a fictional story where gunpowder had just been created and applied in militaristic ways.

After reading the Wikipedia page about the Boshin War I was surprised by how few people engaged in the major battles compared to those in the Napoleonic Wars or American Civil War. Considering this was for control of all of Japan why were these armies so small but able to bring about so much political change?

Most generally, how did the modern idea of a dedicated police force develop and evolve? By "police force", I mean an institution whose members are ordinary citizens that have been vested with power to oversee, arrest, and even kill others in the purported interest of protecting law-abiding citizens. I would point out the police's strongly hierarchic nature too, and the fact that they are an "other" force acting over and sometimes in opposition to "normal" citizens.

I want to know the history of ideas of what kinds of power and violence are acceptable, and to whom it is acceptable to direct them, in a society. It's probably obvious, but I am coming at this from the context of American police officers' past and current brutality towards racial minorities. Indeed, it was in the wake of George Floyd's murder that I saw the claim about slave-catching patrols that sparked this question.

I understand that some effort was made by the Catholic church to limit enslavement of Christians. Did this mean that slaves in England typically came from pagan or Muslim communities? What information exists through literature or archaeology on the geographic and cultural origins of slaves in medieval Northern Europe?

Whether it actually ever existed or not, I always hear people say the Brazen Bull was made of bronze. Even Wikipedia says that, giving an alternative name as the Bronze Bull. But brazen means made of brass, not of bronze, so I am not sure whether the term is a misnomer, if there are multiple differing accounts, or if it was actually said to be made of brass and not bronze.

It is my understanding that there are few if any surviving musical compositions in Old English, but what about Middle English? The time period when ME was spoken seems to be dominated by musical compositions meant for Latin or German. Where could I learn more?

Hello friends,

I am looking for some reading or audiobook recommendations for a trip I am about to take. It is my first vacation in two decades after finishing undergraduate and graduate work. I have some downtime and would like to learn more about my ancestors who hailed from Scotland, England and the Norse nations. I have a particular interest in learning about the mixing of cultures between the Picts, Welsh, Britons, Angles, Saxons, and "Danes".

I am also interested in learning the stories and practices of Norse and Celtic paganism and to an extent how its practiced today via Neopaganism.

Thanks so much in advance!

I’m in a global history MA program that also combines with my undergrad - I’m probably the youngest person in this program right now (22) meaning I’ll have 3 degrees by the time I’m 23. This freak me out. YES I’m proud, excited, and motivated. But I feel like I’m under qualified compared to people who are much older and experienced? My goal is to become a lecturer through a PhD program while teaching adjunct. I want to start publishing some minor articles in journals to establish some experience, profession, and credibility but I feel like I… can’t 😔

The list of Kings named Charles in France, up to the point I'm asking about goes:

• Charles the Great (Charlemagne)
• Charles the Bald
• Charles the Fat
• Charles the Simple
• Charles the Fair
• Charles the Wise

Originally French Kings didn't have regnal numbers, so Charles the Wise changed that, by declaring he would hereafter be known as Charles V. However, he was the sixth King Charles of France, so why did he choose five as his number? Did he have a reasoning for it, or did he just miscount?

Like, who were the first people to think it's a good idea to drink milk from another species?

One of the appeals of fairy tales like Cinderella is that escapism — a poor, destitute person is rescued by a handsome, wealthy prince. This is, of course, meant to be fantasy, but I was curious if it happened in real life?

I know that Prince William and Harry married commoners, but their wives were already pretty wealthy before marriage. What I’m referring to is the commoner/ peasant who is destitute, devoid of both fame and fortune — true rags. Cinderella was a servant. Disney’s Aladdin was a thief living in a hole.

Were there any royals in history who brought about a real rags-to-riches fairy tale?

Edit: Were. Were there any royals in history. Blasted typos in titles!!

Because of the recent controversies that the little mermaid trailer raised I wanted to ask what was the composition of 13th century Scandinavia?How likely is for an outsider traveler to end up there?

It seems that St. Edward spent most of his time in Normandy until around the 1040s when he went back to England if I am remembering correctly. I am visiting England again in December and want to know if I could visit anywhere of significance to St. Edward, including a place of residence. Thanks!