AskHistorians

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Horse breeds in the United States practically non-existent until after the American Civil War (1861 – 1865), after which there was an explosion of new horse breeds (Quarter Horse, Standardbred, Saddlebred, Tennessee Walker, Missouri Fox Trotter, etc.). What was the cause for this breed expansion?	37
The 1996 Sokal hoax was "a demonstrative scholarly hoax to investigate whether a leading North American journal of cultural studies would publish an article liberally salted with nonsense if it sounded good, and flattered the editors' ideological preconceptions". How did this hoax impact academia?	37
In the period drama "La Révolution" (2020), which takes place in 1787, one person says of the aristocracy, "It is often said, 'Stay away from donkeys, or you, too, will bray as well.'" In "Pinocchio" (1883), lazy children literally turn into donkeys. Was this view of donkeys widespread in Europe?	36
In Disney's live-action adaptation "Beauty and the Beast" (2017), the Beast is implied to be the son of King Louis XIV of France (1638 – 1715). In the film, Beast's mother died when he was a child, and his father is called a "a cruel, vain tyrant". Did this match Louis's personality in real life?	35
A 2016 scientific study claimed to show that people in the Middle Ages preferred "solid-coloured" horses over spotted horses. Was this a documented trend in the Middle Ages? If so, was this trend related to the rules of heraldry?	34
In the late 1780s, rumours circulated that Prince William, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV) - the son of King George III and Queen Charlotte - engaged in "illicit relations" with women of African descent, or Black slave women, while stationed in the Caribbean. How true are these rumours?	34
Before he married Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, King George III set his sights on marrying Lady Sarah Lennox, the daughter of Charles Lennox, the 2nd Duke of Richmond. Lord Bute, the King's advisor, reportedly vetoed the engagement. Why was Lord Bute against Lady Lennox as a royal bride?	30
King Charles II of England and Scotland had 14 illegitimate children, including seven sons who he made Dukes and Earls. However, Charles was unable to have legitimate children with his wife, Catherine of Braganza; she had three miscarriages. Why didn't Charles II legitimize his illegitimate sons?	25
In both 1621 and 1625, two ships sent by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony back to England were captured and plundered by French privateers and Barbary pirates, respectively. How much did the Pilgrims have to worry about dealing with pirates, especially considering the 1625 corsair raids in England?	24
King Charles II of England (1630 – 1685) was well-known for his love of women; he had countless affairs, flings, and one-off trysts with both aristocrats and commoners alike. He fathered children with seven of them. Aside from being royalty, what caused so many women to have affairs with Charles?	22

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