Abstract The paper examines the events experienced by Eleanor of Aquitaine and her first husband Louis while on route to Jerusalem during the Second Crusade. Although Louis would be viewed favorably for his efforts, Eleanor would be plagued for the rest of her life with rumors of impropriety and incest.
From the Paper "Pernoud records the couple's stay at Antioch in much the same way as Seward. However, Pernoud seems to give more credence to the possibility that an unnatural closeness may have existed between Eleanor and her Uncle. ?If we adhere to historical fact, it seems unquestionable that Eleanor acquired a bad reputation at Antioch.?(Pernoud,72) He states that the charge of incest was leveled by the chronicler, "William of Tyr, who cannot be dismissed lightly" (Pernoud,72) Despite this assertion, Pernoud also insinuates that Eleanor's reputation may have been the result of her open disputes and disagreements with her husband Louis while displaying complete agreement with her Uncle. Seward does not mention William of Tyr by name, his account states that the only chronicler to make this allegation wrote of them forty-years later. Seward also relays that contemporary authorities have found no evidence to conclude the possibility of incestuous behavior on behalf of Eleanor or her Uncle. "
Tags: antioche, aquitaine, armour, christianity, constantinople, crusade, eleanor, france, holy, jerusalem, knights, land, louis, queen, religion, war
Abstract An analysis of how weapons have developed in the 20th century and the affect that they have had on the many wars fought in this century. It gives examples of different types of explosives, firearms, tanks, aeroplanes, submarines etc and explains how each of these has changed the character of war and battles.
From the Paper "Wars have always varied from one era to another, and one major reason for that variance is the weaponry of that time. Strategies and weapons revolve around the technology of the time. In the Twentieth Century there were many new weapons invented, which significantly changed the ways wars that were fought. These weapons range from handheld grenades, to nuclear warheads. They also include new transportation modes such as submarines or airplanes. Each weapon affected wars, some more profoundly than others. "
Abstract This paper looks at the most common types of weapons used in combat by medieval fighters from 480-1487 A.D. It evaluates what they were made of, their uses, how deadly they were in combat as well as different tactics used in battle at the time. Medieval weapons served two important purposes. Some of them, such as armor and shields, existed to protect the wearer, others existed solely to do bodily harm and were extremely deadly. Razor sharp swords could slice a man in halfor sever a limb whereas arrows could kill, mutilate or set wooden buildings and thatched roofs on fire in an instant. Lances could kill a man, or remove him from his horse for the foot soldiers to deal with. Siege weapons could lay utter waste to a town ? decimating the people within. Medieval weapons were created to cause havoc and they did. They were early weapons of destruction and they served their purpose well.
From the Paper "The hauberk was central to the armour a knight wore. It was usually knee length, and slit on the front and back to allow the rider to sit on a horse. It would be worn over a padded undergarment. This mailshirt weighed about 25 pounds. There was also a hood made of similar material worn underneath the mail helmet. Later in the twelfth century, a type of mail mitten was developed to protect the hands, and a long "surcoat" or "coat armour" was added over the mailshirt for additional protection, especially from the hot sun. Chausses, or mail leggings were also added, and developments in the thirteenth century led to the "great helm" a large helmet with a flat top protecting the head and some of the neck."
Abstract This paper examines the development of the tank. The paper discusses the apparent short-sightedness of the United States military in terms of producing enough tanks to meet the challenges made by the Germans. The paper contends the development of the tank as field artillery had a profound impact on the conduct of war between 1776 and 1918.
From the Paper "Six years after that crude Hotchkiss-build steam engine ?tank,? the British, not the Americans, recognized the need for, design, and built the first motorized armoured fighting vehicle, according to TheFreedictionary.com (TFD). In February 1915 the British set up the Landship Committee to look into designing a ?massive troop transporter,? and they established as requirements an armoured vehicle that would travel 4 MPH, climb a 5-foot high parapet, cross an 8-foot wide trench, and be armed with machine guns and cannons."
Abstract The paper takes a historical narrative form that recounts the events that led to the weakening of the most prevailing religion in Europe during the year 1000 - Christianity and Catholicism. The paper then looks at the actions of the said secular authority made as a response to the challenges it faced during that time.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Body
The Early Struggle and the Crusades
The Reformation And The Counter-Reformation
Conclusion
From the Paper "Religion plays a vital role in the formation of an individual's personality. In that same way, it also has a major role in the construction and the development of nations.
In Europe, religion and secular authority has an important function in various aspects of the state and the administration. Secular authorities served as a fundamental power that influenced various aspects of living such as the social, economical, as well as the political arena. Despite the authority, it assumes however, it cannot be denied that it has faced numerous challenges over the years of its reign."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses that with modern warfare, the tank has become an integral part in the air-land doctrine which gives an attacking army an all-out capability of mopping up the battlefield after air and sea strikes. The writer notes that tanks enable opposing forces to minimize casualties and preserve its infantries from massive attrition, since armor-to-armor battle could already determine the victor in the modern battlefield by merely showing the armor strength. The writer concludes that there is no doubt that tanks are here to stay and with the advent of emerging information technologies, these armored beasts can be integrated with high technology giving it other strategic, operational and tactical roles its founding fathers never dreamed could happen.
From the Paper "Warfare has been with humankind since the dawn of its existence. As cave dwellers, they relied on sticks and stones not only to hunt and forage for food but to battle threats from vicious beasts and rival groups. The discovery of fire and the ability to create it improve man's means sustenance by learning not only to cook the food hunted and gathered but by using fire to ward of interlopers or burn adversaries. As man improves his tools, his ways and means of hunting and fighting became more sophisticated and the distance covered by his weapons of choice went further. From the hand-launched spear, the bow and arrow, and slingshot was developed giving the man-hunter the opportunity to attack his prey at a distance without compromising his position or at the safety of his hide."
