W European History

When in 1793 hundreds of Hessian Soldiers were sent to fight the French Republic, they had no idea of the horrors awaiting them at the hands of their British Allies.

Dec 26, 2009 - Jan Toms

In 1474, when he was 22 years old, Girolamo Savonarola underwent a fundamental change of mindset , changing from a typical young aristocrat into a zealous ascetic and

Dec 25, 2009 - Brenda Ralph Lewis

The Dreyfus affair was a notorious incident of official, public anti-Semitism that shocked late 19th century France and whose embers have not subsided to this day.

Dec 22, 2009 - John Kirshon

Brief look at origin of Christmas Carols & influence of St Francis of Assisi on celebration of Xmas by the masses. Christianity popularised by Franciscan monks in Europe

Dec 21, 2009 - Dawn Ouedraogo

Indoor greenery from the Winter Solstice until Candlemas ensured the return of vegetation while candles and other household fire anticipated the return of spring.

Dec 21, 2009 - Michael Streich

Don Carlos, Prince of Asturias and heir to King Philip II of Spain, was a fearful example of the damage wrought by inbreeding in the royal House of Habsburg.

Dec 21, 2009 - Brenda Ralph Lewis

Even as Pope Benedict XVI moves to canonize Pius XII, important questions regarding his silence over the Holocaust remain, attributed to 1,500 years of Antisemitism.

Dec 20, 2009 - Michael Streich

The first canonized saint not associated with martyrdom, Martin of Tours left a legacy celebrated by children's lantern parades throughout Germany since the Middle Ages.

Dec 19, 2009 - Michael Streich

Unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany led to Allied occupation as everyday Germans attempted to cope with the utter destruction of cities and the lack of food and hope.

Dec 17, 2009 - Michael Streich

The recently independent Greece chose Prince William of Denmark to be king, and as King George I of Greece he founded a royal dynasty that lasted for over a century.

Dec 16, 2009 - Emily Chauviere

The marriage of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud of Norway, the former Prince Carl of Denmark and Princess Maud of Great Britain, was the foundation of a new royal dynasty.

Dec 16, 2009 - Emily Chauviere

The marriage of King Frederick VIII of Denmark and Princess Louise of Sweden produced the future King Christian X of Denmark and King Haakon VII of Norway.

Dec 16, 2009 - Emily Chauviere

The marriage of King Christian IX of Denmark and Princess Louise of Hesse-Cassel began a dynasty that is still in power and their royal descendants rule throughout Europe

Dec 16, 2009 - Emily Chauviere

Defeating France in 1871 after unifying Germany enabled Otto von Bismarck to create the most militarily powerful nation in Europe, altering the prior balance of power.

Dec 14, 2009 - Michael Streich

Fruiting in mid-winter, the evergreen Mistletoe held symbolism for the ancient Germanic and Celtic tribes and remains popular in modern Christmas traditions.

Dec 14, 2009 - Linda McDonnell