Miles Standish was one of the Pilgrims who founded Plymouth Rock, a British colony that would be a progenitor to the United States of America. He was a kind and courageous warrior. Standish was known for fighting against evil, yet never allowing appearances to beguile him away from righteousness. When life beckoned him to fulfillContinue reading “Heroes From History: Miles Standish”
Tag Archives: European history
Iconic Weapons: Stiletto
The stiletto is a classic weapon that may have evolved from the rondel dagger, or “dagger of mercy,” used by knights in the Middle Ages to penetrate armor and finish downed opponents. Thus, it seems to be somewhat of a scaled down version of a rondel dagger, often featuring an unsharpened blade that could beContinue reading “Iconic Weapons: Stiletto”
The Hero with No Name
This is a ballad I am working on to tell the tale of John of Austria (1547-1578), also known as Don Juan de Austria. Born out of wedlock, he was the son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and the half-brother of King Phillip II of Spain. He was a brave and enduring man, scornedContinue reading “The Hero with No Name”
The Happy Warrior: A Haiku Series
The story of Wojtek the Bear was such an inspiring and wholesome story that I felt it only fitting to add a poetry post on the topic. Seeing as Wojtek was a soldier, I felt it most fitting to write a haiku series. Since haiku was developed by the warrior samurai as a form ofContinue reading “The Happy Warrior: A Haiku Series”
Heroes From History: Wojtek the Bear
Wojtek – meaning “Happy Warrior” in Polish – was a Syrian brown bear who was enlisted in the Polish Army during the Second World War. He was the only non-human to ever receive an enlisted position with an official rank and payroll in a human military, at least during WWII, and potentially ever. Wojtek wasContinue reading “Heroes From History: Wojtek the Bear”
Heroes From History: Frank Howley
Frank L. Howley was an American brigadier general who served during the Cold War and was crucial in saving West Germany from starvation at the hands of a communist blockade. He was born on February 3, 1903 in Hampton, New Jersey. He formed a successful advertising agency and joined the Officer Reserve Corps in 1932Continue reading “Heroes From History: Frank Howley”
Skies on Fire
The Battle of Britain was a series of aerial conflicts over Britain from July-September 1940. The German Luftwaffe was tasked with establishing aerial supremacy over Great Britain in preparation for a naval invasion. Adolf Hitler had assumed the British would surrender after their complete evacuation from the European mainland and the capitulation of France. AsContinue reading “Skies on Fire”
The Sword of the Cross
This weekend was the 810th anniversary of the Battle of Las Navas De Tolosa. On July 16th, 1212, the Reconquista defeated the Muslim invaders of Spain and marked a turning point in the liberation of the country. Spain had been occupied by Muslim slavers for five centuries, with a small resistance movement slowly taking backContinue reading “The Sword of the Cross”
Historical Events: The First Great Awakening
The First Great Awakening was a spiritual revival which began as early as the 1720s in England and the Colonies, continuing on to as late as the 1760s. The movement is primarily recognized as having taken place in the 1730s and 1740s. Prominent figures in the First Great Awakening included George Whitefield, John Wesley, andContinue reading “Historical Events: The First Great Awakening”
Iconic Weapons: The Messer
The “messer,” meaning “long knife” in German, is a weapon which was prominent in Germanic territories during the Renaissance era. It was called this for its hilt, which was constructed with a full tang and lacked a pommel, making it akin to a very large knife. The weapon was used throughout the 15th and 16thContinue reading “Iconic Weapons: The Messer”
The Pensive Warrior 