I know that the bulk of Iran and Azerbaijan converted to Twelver Shiism under the Safavids, but did that include southern Iraq before the Ottomans took it or was that conversion later?

Allthough I don't know that much about the war in Africa during WW2 i rarely read something about the civilian casualties. Were there fewer civilian casualties or is it just something that historybooks tends to not highlight?

Hello

I am historical enthusiast, more specifically with medieval times. For a long time now, i have been reading books both historical and fictional, and i have decided that i would like to try and write one as well.

I have never written one before, nor have i had any sort of teaching on how to write one.

This is simply something i wish to do for myself, and perhaps share with my friends and family.

The story and characters will be fictional, but the world the story takes place in, i am trying to make as historically accurate as possible.

The question i have is a rather complicated one, but i will appreciate any sort of advice, comments, or suggestions i am given.

One of the main focuses in my story, is a school (or more specifically, an academy), built by a king. It's purpose, to train those who are not members of aristocracy, those who would probably never be able to become true knights. They would be trained however, by actual knights. Meaning that they would have the skills and the abilities of a real knight, but not the actual title.

Obviously, joining such an academy, would mean swearing to lay down their lives for their kingdom, should the need arrive.

Now, my question...

Having searched the internet, i was unable to find anything even remotely similar to this recorded in our history. So, would something like this, even be in the realm of possibilities?

Would something like this actually be possible to pull off? A king, opening a school for simple folk, those willing to defend their country, to be trained and taught by real knights, to fight and think like knights, but not have the actual title.

I'm sorry about the long post, and my grammar mistakes, english isn't my first language.

Thank you.

I know it's fiction, but is it inspired by true history or completely fiction?

A colleague has mentioned Devon (which is where he is from) supported the House of York and it made me wonder about what other houses and regions supported.

These days it seems there is quiet a bit controversy every time a black comic book character.

What was the reaction of the comic book community when characters like Black Panther, Luke Cage were introduced? How about Green Lantern John Stewart that replaced Green Lantern Hal Jordan?

As I understand it, doctrinal education, particularly in the periods before the printing press, was quite poor. With many members of even the clergy having a loose grasp on it all. This led to something like a personalization or localization of 'Christian' rituals. What might some of those rituals have been?

Beyond things like easter and the Christmas tree. What are some more day to day rituals one might perform?

Secondly: what are some antiquated rituals that are specifically Christian in origin that may seem at odds with a modern interpretation of Christianity?

I loved the history of Rome podcasts and would love a lengthy tome that goes into greater detail. Particularly about the evolution of class divisions over time and economic perspectives that relate.

As I'm not a historian, I'm not looking for a primary source, so what would be a good Layman's guide to the aforementioned subjects?

PS - Thanks to all the mods that make this sub better every year.

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As a big fan of George R.R. Martin's books, I always wondered this. In the Game of Thrones books, the land is made up of seven kingdoms unified by force hundreds of years ago into one state led by a new monarchy. Each kingdom is made up of a couple dozen noble and royal houses, and virtually all characters we meet are members of one of these houses.

They routinely refer to them as entities like this:

Character: "House Stark would never stand by for that to happen. The whole of the North will call their banners and rise to war."

Character: "Their time is over, and House Targaryan is gone. I'll kill every Targaryan I get my hands upon."

Character: "Well, be that as it may, I am a Lannister of House Lannister, and a Lannister always pays his debts."

Martin is a huge student of history, especially the War of the Roses era -- it's an inspiration for his books. Did people in history actually speak in any such way, routinely referring to powerful houses and families in such a formal manner? I sort of assumed it was a fictional cultural thing in the books, but I'm curious.

On an episode of Tudor Monastery Farm one of the presenters, Ruth Goodman, says that alexanders are delicious and once were quite popular in Britain but they aren't consumed much anymore - I have been able to find no explanation as to why this is. Why did they fall out of favour?

I've been looking into this and I can't find much on it. I'm also curious not just about the impact of the French Revolutionary Wars (and subsequent/correlating conflicts, including the Napoleonic Wars, though I'm mainly interested in this earlier period), but the impact of other events related to those wars - political developments, etc. - on Spanish America; and the roles, if any, played by the Spanish American colonies.

Obviously there are certain effects, such as the treaties ceding to France the Spanish half of Hispanola, or the Louisiana Territory, and as we enter the 1810s and later the independence wars start sparking off, but other changes and influences are particularly what I'm interested in.

Sorry if it's a little vague/wide spanning, and thanks in advance!

I'd imagine it'd just be for the sake of easier governing, but correct me if I'm wrong

*7h edit: Thanks for the answers everyone, along with the one downvote.

I am curious about broadening my knowledge on how current political ideologies formed and the less-talked about factors of divisiveness between Democrats and Republicans, and how we resulted in a two-party system, or other insightful books that could make me a far more educated voter.

Thanks.

Hi there....I'm trying to get some more info on the background of this handsome gentleman. It's from a painting that was painted on a German stretcher in the late 1800's, and purchased in Canada. In the region of Canada where I'm from, native headdresses are usually black and white, not multicoloured like this, and don't have such elaborate additions like the flowers. I'm also wondering about the gorgette across the front of the neck. I thought it might be part of a British uniform, but I've also seen aboriginal versions of this using shells. Any direction would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

I'm not sure how to explain the context of this question. Homosexuality was considered a mental illness in the first half of the 20th century. I often get told homosexuals were put in concentration camps. But was there a specific reason? Or were they just put in among other people considered insane?

Might a physically able general see any direct combat or would they be strictly kept at a distance in which they can effectively command?

I'm thinking along the lines of Northeastern or Mid Atlantic tribes.