It is my understanding that the Mannheim Orchestra was one of the first large orchestras full of professionals. The Oxford History of Western Music describes this orchestra as "an army of generals", and says that around 2/3 of the musicians were considered virtuosos.

What was the average member's education?

How were they compensated?

How were they recruited?

Did the court provide them with living quarters, and either way, what were they like?

Were these musicians considered lower- middle- or upper-class?

Are there any surviving (even fragmented) letters/journals/memoirs of orchestra members?

I was having a discussion with my friend who claimed that the only reason more soldiers weren't dressed in full plate mail was due to it being prohibitively expensive. He claimed that if they could have afforded it, generals would have had their entire army dressed the same as knights, since that armor is the best.

I argued that mobility was probably an issue that generals were aware of, so they wanted some lightly armored 'quick attack' troops and others who were heavily armored.

Is there any truth to either of our theories? Thanks!

Having read more than a few books on medieval England I have come across the phrase "mysterious illness" dozens of times, but no further explanation, or even a description is ever given.

As I understand it he and Catherine of Aragon wed in 1501, then went to the Marches to establish their household. Shortly after, both fell ill with the same "mysterious illness". Catherine recovered, but Arthur did not.

Are there contemporary sources that describe the illness in general? Are there any modern sources that make educated guesses on its nature?

Where did this originate?

Alternatively where might I find some good primary sources on it? Thanks

Hey guys,

I'm looking for some books about the Roman military because I find this quite interesting.

I already did some googling but I honestly don't know what books to read so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thx in advance!

Honestly it seems a bit bizarre and humiliating to me. What if she hates the new government's agenda. Why should she be forced to vocalize it?

I was thinking about how "normal" it would be for a mother or a father to who already lost 5 or 6 children to lose another one, and how the family and society itself reacted to these deaths.

Thanks in advance for any answers you can give me!

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Arabic, Indian, Thai, and Chinese artists observed elephants first-hand and created paintings reflecting them. How likely was it that European artists needed to base a painting on only a description by western travelers? Did trade caravans/explorers carry artwork across Europe/Asia?

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This question has bothered me for some time. Both Canada and Russia have vast regions with a temperate climate. Both have been subjected to extensive immigration policies yet both are (from what I hear) net importers instead of exporters of food. Every once in a while it is said that the ground would be unsuitable for cultivation but this has never been expanded upon which increases my curiosity.

What religion did the Norsemen of Vinland live in this short lived North American settlement? Their old Polytheistic religion, or was Christianity already practiced by the Scandinavian explorers by then?

I was considering this piece of Presidential trivia recently when I realized this seems to be the answer. I can't find any specific reference to this question online, but the rest of the early Presidents seem to have met in the 1770s, or 1769 for Washington and Jefferson, while the younger Adams was born in 1767. If my conclusion is right this might make for a fun trick question when discussing Presidential facts!

What it says on the tin. If you convert prices to 2016 dollars, even better.