askhistorians

Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
The word "housewife," was already in use in the 1750s, such as in Martha Bradley's cookbook, "The British Housewife." Where did the term come from? Was it an attempt to make a class differentiation? How old is the term?	1
The trope of Crusaders bringing ideas and valuable things back from the holy land is common. But how impactful was this mass sojourn in the Middle East on Europe? Was there much tangible change? And how did the returning crusaders haul spices and other valuables back with them?	1
Thomas Cromwell banned the eating of Christmas Pudding and festive holiday merriment like carols and carousing. He wanted people to fast and pray instead of feast and make merry. Did anyone listen to him? Were there five very unfestive Christmases? Did things roar back after the restoration?	1
Google's Bard tells me that the GDP of the Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 13th century was an estimated 2.66 million hyperpyra, or $13.3 billion in today's dollars. That's more than England ($1.3 billion), France ($5 billion), or the Holy Roman Empire ($4.4 billion). Was Jerusalem really this rich?	1
In the Christianizing Roman Empire, pagan strongholds still made beautiful statues, while Christian cities stopped. Is this true?	1
Was beech syrup collected in large amounts in Central and Southern Europe prior to the importation of sugar, similar to how Native Americans used Maple syrup? How far back does its use go?	1
Should we see the Portuguese and Spanish Atlantic trade and colonization efforts, and the technological advancement that enabled it, as stemming from jealousy of Venice's hold on Mediterranean trade? Were they frustrated and forced to think outside the box?	1
What's the deal with the ancient Romans requiring their prostitutes to be blond? Was this "protection" for darker-haired locals? A reinforcement of the idea that Gauls and northern Europeans were barbarians to be used?	1
How common was government corruption in 19th-century America? Was the legendary theft and bribery of the Bureau of Indian Affairs the exception or the rule? Was the same thing going on in the armed forces and civilian government?	1
The Kingdom of Sicily conquered a large swath of North Africa in 1146–1148 A.D. Was this related to the crusades going on in this time period? Was there a religious dimension at all? Were there many Christians left in North Africa by the 12th century?	1

« < > »