askhistorians

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The Romans began the use of Glass windows but it was abandoned for centuries and it was over a millennium before it was common again. Why was the technology abandoned in the first place?	3048
Napoleon tried to commit suicide by poison the night before his first abdication. Is there any evidence the poison he consumed could have caused the stomach issues that later killed him?	499
The English Channel has traditionally been an excellent protection for Britain, especially since England has become a naval power. How was France able to land over 8000 troops in Scotland in 1548 despite English naval power?	142
In Shogun, the Jesuit Order is portrayed in a negative light as a highly political organization that would use illegally interfere in global politics like gun running, King-making, etc. I’d there any validation to this view?	126
England and Portugal have the longest military alliance in history. Obviously this has effected geo-politics. How has this alliance affected culture/society in these two countries?	99
How accurate was The Last of the Mohicans in the portrayal of mid 18th century Native Americans?	32
When did the phrase “that’s what she said” as a joke enter popular nomenclature?	24
Cavalry charges happened in the Middle Ages and we know that spears were a good deterrent to cavalry. But I have heard we actually have very little idea of how the charges played out on the field of battle and what that looked like. What do the historical texts tell us of Medieval cavalry charges?	20
I was reading a book and they mentioned nobles establishing "hotels" in Paris in the 1300s. What actually were these hotels and how did they operate?	15
When reading about the Civil War, it always seems like the armies are so spread out to be a detriment to the commanders. Whoever got their soldiers to the battle on time won. Why were the armies so spread out and was there anything done to improve this as the war continued?	13

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