askhistorians

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In 2013, DNA proved Napoleon had at least one illegitimate child: Alexandre, who grew up to be Minister of Foreign Affairs for Napoleon III. Did people know about it during his life? And how was the relationship between the two relatives, considering Alexandre maybe had a better claim to the throne?	2231
Napoleon's only son (Napoleon II) survived him, but died in Austria at the age of 21, too soon to leave his mark on history. However, 21 is old enough to have a mind of his own: do we know about his political thoughts and ambitions? What was going on in his mind about his own position and future?	1914
Alexander the Great famously had a dog named Peritas. If I went back in time to give him a treat (or to any other dog from his age), would I notice something weird in his looks or behaviour, other than not recognizing the breed?	1772
The first King of Portugal was a Medieval Erasmus kid: the son of a Burgundian knight and a Castillian noblewoman, he ruled over a population speaking Galaico-Portuguese and Arabic. Do we know what languages he spoke, and if he had an accent? Wasn't he seen as a foreigner in the eyes of the natives?	1041
King Afonso VI of Portugal was made powerless in 1668 after a public trial (with 55 witnesses) centered on proving his sexual impotence. What do we know about this trial? Was there a precedent, or was it purely politically motivated? What was the evidence ultimately used to justify a Regency?	617
I'm a Jew living in the Iberian Peninsula in the 1490s. Suddenly, the King decides to expel all Jews from his country. How am I notified, and how am I forced to do it? Who provides transport? Do I have time to gather my family and possessions, and decide with my community where our exile will be?	395
What is the history of the modern Medieval Fairs so common in many European countries? And why are they called 'Renaissance Fairs' in the US? Why the American fascination with the Renaissance, at the same time ignoring other aspects of the age?	118
Did the first submarine inventors understand that if they dived too deep, their frail vessels would be crushed? And did they realize it after some unfortunate incidents, or through theory before anyone got killed?	105
Tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Lys, the worst Portuguese military defeat since 1578. It's an important and traumatic event in the history of Portugal, but was it important in the big picture? Or was is it rather insignificant in the general history of the Great War?	62
Contemporary accounts of the Portuguese Reconquista seem to be extremely rare and lacking detail. And yet, for the Conquest of Lisbon in 1147, we have a detailed day-by-day eyewitness account of the events. To put it simply, I doubt it's authenticity. What is the view among historians about it?	50

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