A book of poetry I'm reading (Groom Falconer by Norman Dubie) has referenced 'Medici falcons' a couple of times in different poems, but through various google searches I haven't been able to find anything to suggest that the Medici family actually kept falcons. It seems possible, as I have discovered that falconry was a popular pass time of wealthy individuals around the time that the Medici family was prominent, but still, no concrete info. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Bonus: Another poem contains the lines: "Piero de' Medici, disappointed with the sun, / Had gone to bed with his first cousin / Who as a girl / Had roasted and eaten her favorite falcon." Can anyone verify if there is any truth in this potentially historical scene, and if so, who might this first cousin have been?

It seems to me that a lance would be great for knocking someone off of their horse, or breaking through enemy lines. However, after that, I feel like it would be broken or would be yanked out of the user's hands. In other words, it seems like you could ever use your lance once. Is this correct? What happens after the knight strikes home with their lance?

So first of all, how hard was it to become a sailor? How about in a position of power? Was it a good life with good opportunities? Would just joining to work on the ship lend itself to one day become the ships captain?

Could someone give me a rundown of the militaries, including troop numbers, of the great powers of the time? I was thinking Britain, Portugal, Spain, Ottomans, China, etc. Thanks

I hear about his impact in Egypt, Persia, and Middle East regularly, but I'm having trouble finding any sources (which is understandable) about Alexander's time in India, and the Indus River Valley outside of the Battle of Hydaspes. After reading N.G.L. Hammond's book "The Genius of Alexander the Great" I have a little better understanding, but socially, and culturally did Alexander have that large of an impact in the Indian subcontinent?

I'm sorry, English isn't my first language and I'm having trouble articulating what I mean. Perhaps primitive isn't the best word. What I'm getting at are ancient societies from before any kind of globalization.

While reading through the recent forum about the Great Wall of China I saw a few parallels between China's dilemma contending with the Mongols and The Byzantine struggle against similar foes in the Arabs and Turks. China chose a to put up a big wall which despite some limitations did offer some decisive advantages such as control of the battlefield and early warnings. What I want to know is did the Byzantines consider the advantages of long fortifications on its eastern borders? Were there any Byzantine 'Great Wall' projects in planning or put into practice?

I wouldn't be surprised if Byzantium was well acquainted with concept since they had a historical precedent with the Roman walls, they had diplomatic and trade relations with China and may have had knowledge of the Great Wall and had already proved themselves accomplished wall builders after putting up the Theodosian Walls.

Pasta is not something I imagine as stereotypical German fare. However, since German has the word "nudeln", it would seem to indicate that pasta is sometimes eaten.

When did pasta get introduced to Germans? Is this due to Italian influence or immigration?

My history teacher, asked a question today, about who won the War of 1812. He says that he was taught that it was a draw, and his father-in-law says that he was taught that the U.S. lost. Yet today our textbooks say that the U.S. won. So, clear up any discussion? Who won?

My little brother who is in junior high was asking me how truthful Marco polos stories were because in his social class a lot of the students were saying he was a liar since he never mentioned the Great Wall of china or how his autobiography was written by a fiction writer. He currently has a substitute teacher who has been giving very vague statements and not giving him any solid answers.

What I'm asking is how truthful these statements are and if there is sufficient evidence of his travels to prove that he did discover Asia?

I recently started reading about the First (and second) Mexican empires and had this question in the back of my mind the whole time. Why were the Mexicans so hell bent on having a European as monarch? And why did Ferdinand decline the offer of Mexico becoming a Commonwealth?

Edit: I'll expand the question in hopes someone will see it.

The injection of a European royal in the second empire makes sence to me since Napoleon III was looking to push his influence in the Americas and having a member of his blood line in Mexico gave him a in and a puppet from which to expand his influence. But for the first empire, I would assume (probably incorrectly) that the recent independence would fuel a more nationalistic idea of a Mexican being crowned Emperor like how Iturbide was eventually crowned.

Were the Christian realms in southeastern Europe easy prey for some reason or another? Was there something revolutionary about the Ottoman military? Please shed light on all possible explanations you are able to comment on!

I'm sorry for how specific the question is. I'm researching about the life of Eberhard of Friuli, who ruled the Duchy and march of Friuli in the late periods of the Carolingian Empire. He is now regarded as a Saint.

While reading about his life, I find references to a place where he hold court, and spend his last days, Musiestro, a "castello" near Treviso I presume. Problem is, no source bother to say where this place is, and there's no reference anywhere to this place's existance outside of Eberhard's own biographies. Any Italian historian knows anything about this historical place, where is located, or his name in our days?

Thank you in advance.

I understand that it would depend on which beach head (Omaha, Utah,ect) but is there an overall estimate of the German forces?

I just got done watching Pride and Prejudice for probably the 20th time in my life, and it always makes me wonder why Mrs. Bennet would call her husband Mr. Bennet? And with Mr. Darcy, on occasion he would just be called "Darcy" by male friends rather than Fitzwilliam.

Was this a form of address that only gentle people would use, and when would someone be on a first name basis; for instance, when would Elizabeth (after marriage) call Mr. Darcy Fitzwilliam?

Lastly, when did this begin? Did people during the 18th century practice the same thing, or would men and women call each other by their first names during that time?

Thanks!

I was wondering, what was the average cost of a London prostitute in 1888? Do we have any accounts of the average per time fee and per week income? How did this vary across the UK? I'm also wondering, what amount did the illegal prostitutuon business contribute to the UK economy?

In all the movies and stories there are barbed wire fences and barricades set up in between trenches. Are these accurate depictions of battle scenes during WWI? I cant imagine soliders would run out in the middle of combat to construct a barbed wire fence. Were they set up prior to digging the trench?