by Helen Kain | Jun 29, 2025 | Medieval (1066–1485), Themes in History
In medieval England, justice was more than a legal process—it was a performance of power. Punishment often took place in full public view, and frequently within the kingdom’s most symbolic spaces. These rituals reinforced divine-right monarchy and served as...
by Helen Kain | Jun 28, 2025 | Castles & Stately Houses, England, Themes in History
Set high on the hill beside the Cathedral, Lincoln Castle has always loomed large—both literally and symbolically. , On a recent visit with my husband, Glenn, and our youngest daughter, Lauren, as we wandered its stone walls and peered into the prison cells, I...
by Helen Kain | Jun 22, 2025 | Cathedral Tapestry, Cathedrals
Forty-two cathedrals, ten years, and one curious Canadian I didn’t set out to build a catalogue of cathedrals. Or stately homes. Or rebellious reformers. Or ecclesiastical power plays. I just liked beautiful places. It began with a trip to Devon and a visit to...
by Helen Kain | Jun 22, 2025 | Medieval (1066–1485), Themes in History
Henry II and Simon de Montfort Walk Into a Parliament… You know what’s tricky about history? The people who make it happen are often the very ones you wouldn’t trust with the keys to your wine cellar. Take Henry II and Simon de Montfort—two of the...
by Helen Kain | Jun 22, 2025 | Fascinating People, Medieval (1066–1485)
To challenge a king, he needed a vision. To rule like one, he needed ambition. Let’s talk about Simon de Montfort—because he’s one of those historical characters who refuses to fit neatly into the box marked “hero” or “villain.” He was a French noble who married into...
by Helen Kain | Jun 22, 2025 | Fascinating People, Medieval (1066–1485)
He built a kingdom on law and loyalty—then watched both fail him. If you’re looking for a medieval king with flair, look elsewhere. Henry II wasn’t flamboyant, he wasn’t pious, and he certainly wasn’t warm. What he was? Smart. Restless. Ruthlessly capable. The kind of...
