Knights, dragons and beasts: the strange world of medieval romances

Knights, dragons and beasts: the strange worl...

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Zheng Yi Sao: life of the week

Few pirates in history wielded as much power as Zheng Yi Sao, the woman who rose from obscurity to command one of the largest pirate fleets the world has ever seen, challenging the Qing empire's control of the South China Sea. Yet despite her extraordinary achievements, surprisin ...  Show more

The Fifth Crusade: triumph, disaster and the battle for Egypt

In 1217, crusaders launched an ambitious campaign to conquer Egypt, believing it held the key to reclaiming Jerusalem and securing the Holy Land. Historian and author Thomas Smith tells Emily Briffett why the crusaders targeted Egypt, charts the dramatic naval assault that preced ...  Show more

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