askhistorians

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I'm a court jester in the 14th century in Europe. What does my role actually entail beyond being silly? Do I have any courtly functions beyond light entertainment?	2218
Humans have been living side-by-side with cats for a very long time. What is the history behind litter boxes / designated bathroom areas for cats?	2077
I'm a 13th century Western or Northern European merchant. I sell spices. How aware am I of the supply chain that brought these spices?	320
Historians - In light of April Fool's Day, I'm curious about how ancient/classical works are treated in regards to satire. Do you historians generally know when something is tongue in cheek?	290
You're a 9th or 10th century merchant travelling along the Volga River route. What languages do you encounter and was there a lingua franca on the river trade networks?	286
I'm a Norman footman called into service. I lost a hand at Hastings. Am I treated any differently than if I had lost my hand at the grist mill back home? Did disabilities acquired in combat have more weight than run-of-the-mill injuries in the Early/High Middle Ages?	269
My understanding is that there's no evidence that Ben Franklin wanted the national bird of the United States to be the turkey. Where did this myth come from and how did it get to be so widespread?	97
Video games, movies, and other fiction set in Medieval European(ish) settings often show sign posts at crossroads pointing to the next settlement along that road. Is there a historical basis for this?	85
Was it common for a farmer to become a statesman in the classical world?	70
If I was, say, a late medieval English peasant, how would I protect my wool clothes, blankets, etc from clothing moths?	58

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