Recent content by Cleio

What you can also do is look up the scientific classification of the particular insects you have in mind, and base their names on these Latin terms. Wikipedia is useful for this. For example, see the entry for ant. The classification is in a column on the right hand side. When doing this...

Of course, a squire might also be knighted following a battle in reward for shown courage.

Can you actually use poison darts/arrows for hunting? Would the use of poison spoil the meat, or make it unsafe to eat?

Another example from history is the Dutch Republic. A bit later than the middle ages (early modern period) but a society centered on the economy. It's governing bodies were elected from the 'regent' class. Sovereignty lay with the provincial states, but matters of national importance, in...

Good point about the alcohol being used to relax and numb the pain. Of course, in Ireland, poitín was (is?) regarded the miracle cure, and not just for humans. I've heard it being mentioned for curing cows as well. (But perhaps this is going a bit of-topic.)

I think the Silmarillion is probably not meant to be read cover to cover, although there are certainly people that enjoy it that way. I'm fascinated with the great detail Tolkien managed in developing all aspects of Middle Earth, and I've enjoyed picking and choosing bits of the Silmarillion to...

Nuns, of course! That makes perfect sense, actually, thanks. On the notion of odd remedies, here in Ireland women used to be recommended to drink a pint of stout (guinness) after childbirth. Modern medicine put a stop to that, but it was later found that it was actually not bad advice...

As an academic, one of the most important things is to know your audience. I have written in the past about the exact same topic for fellow historians with an expertise in the area, for an interdisciplinary group of academics consisting mostly of linguist, and for non-academics, meaning people...

1) It's a fragment of a handwritten seventeenth century document. It's one of the papers I used in my dissertation; I can't remember exactly, but it was probably taken from letter between two seventeenth century military officers. 2) It seemed appropriate for a writing forum, although I use...

Google drive is an alternative to Dropbox as well now. Dropbox saved my PhD dissertation on more than one occasion. I've never relied on it exclusively though. I also used to email regular drafts to myself, and had various copies on my husbands computer as well as at least to external hard...

What an interesting topic! I do have a question, something I've been wondering about since my daughter was born earlier this year and have been meaning to investigate. Currently, childbirth is quite medicalised. Even if you have a natural birth, you more than likely end up in hospital...

If I remember my medieval history, it was also expected of the nobility, especially royalty, to show prowess in military command. After all, they were supposed to be the 'warrior' class. A king, especially, would always have to be a general as well. Princes needed to gain experience in war. All...