Tag Archives: Middle Ages

White Paper: Historical Context as Interpretive Framework in the Brother Cadfael Series: Understanding the Medieval Detective and His Ethical Posture

Posted on December 12, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary Ellis Peters’s Brother Cadfael novels occupy a unique literary space: they are at once historical fiction, detective narrative, and moral meditation set against the backdrop of the English civil war known as The Anarchy (1135–1154). Their enduring appeal … Continue reading →

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The North Sea Empire in the Early Eleventh Century: A White Paper on Its Military, Political, and Economic History

Posted on December 2, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive Summary The early eleventh-century North Sea Empire—principally associated with King Cnut the Great (r. 1016–1035)—represented one of the most ambitious and short-lived thalassocratic unions of medieval Europe. Encompassing England, Denmark, Norway, and intermittent influence over Sweden and parts of … Continue reading →

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White Paper: The Political and Military History of the Kingdom of Strathclyde

Posted on September 29, 2025 by nathanalbright

Introduction The Kingdom of Strathclyde, sometimes called Alt Clut (“Rock of the Clyde”) after its fortress base at Dumbarton Rock, was one of the most enduring Brittonic successor states to Roman Britain. Existing from at least the 5th century until … Continue reading →

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The Kingdom of the Picts: A White Paper on Political and Military History

Posted on September 27, 2025 by nathanalbright

Executive summary From late Roman times to the mid-9th century, the peoples later called “Picts” forged powerful polities north of the Forth, culminating in the over-kingdom of Fortriu and a period of regional hegemony. Their ascendancy was punctuated by decisive … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Year 1000

Posted on September 8, 2024 by nathanalbright

The Year 1000: When Explorers Connected The World–And Globalization Began, by Valerie Hansen At the core of this book there are at least two essential shortcomings. These shortcomings do not make the book impossible to enjoy; it remains an enjoyable … Continue reading →

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Book Review: 1066

Posted on February 14, 2024 by nathanalbright

1066: A Guide To The Battles And The Campaigns, by Michael Livingston & Kelly DeVries In reading this book, I had a thought that a company like Viking Tours would want to take advantage of the information in this book. I am … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Last Duel

Posted on December 21, 2023 by nathanalbright

The Last Duel: A True Story Of Crime, Scandal, And Trial By Combat In Medieval France, by Eric Jager One of the most interesting aspects of this book is that the man who won the last duel authorized as part of … Continue reading →

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Master Of None

Posted on December 31, 2020 by nathanalbright

There is a widespread expression that points out in vivid detail the fate of those who try to do too much with too little focus, and that is the saying that someone is a jack of all trades and a … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Terry Jones’ Medieval Lives

Posted on December 31, 2020 by nathanalbright

Terry Jones’ Medieval Lives: The Book Of The BBC Series, by Terry Jones and Alan Ereira In many ways, this book is an entertaining volume, even though it seeks to present itself as something more than mere entertainment. As any … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Struggle For Mastery

Posted on December 31, 2020 by nathanalbright

The Struggle For Mastery: The Penguin History Of Britain 1066-1284, by David Carpenter Between 1066 and 1284 there was a great deal of conflict within the British Isles over mastery. Through England had long been more powerful than the other … Continue reading →

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