Calvin writes about medieval history with a particular focus on the Church and early medieval source material. He is also interested in the ancient world and its influence on medieval societies.
Areas of Expertise
Pope Gregory VII and the Investiture Controversy That Shook Medieval Europe
The Investiture Controversy was the first great struggle between Church and State, with the biggest conflict featuring Pope Gregory VII and Henry IV of Germany.
Get to Know Venerable Bede, the Father of English History
The Venerable Bede was the foremost pre-Norman conquest intellectual in England, and perhaps the most important figure in Anglo-Saxon history.
The House of Bourbon: From Absolutism to the French Revolution
Discover the history of the French monarchy from the accession of Henri IV Bourbon in 1589 to the execution of Louis XVI in 1793.
Why Was Cluny Abbey Once the Heart of Western Christendom?
Cluny Abbey was the birthplace of one of the most influential religious reform movements of the Middle Ages.
The Valois Dynasty: Crisis, Triumph, and Downfall
Discover the history of the French monarchy between 1314 and 1589, from the accession of the first Valois king to the murder of Henry III.
How Did the Capetian Dynasty Turn France Into a Superpower?
Discover the history of the French monarchy from 987 and 1314, a period in which the Capetian Dynasty raised the French Crown to great heights.
The French Monarchy: From Clovis to the Capetians
Discover the roots of the French monarchy, starting with a Frank named Clovis who won control of large parts of crumbling Roman Gaul.
Alfred the Great and the Most Important Battle in English History
The Battle of Edington (878), fought by Alfred the Great against his Viking adversaries has a strong claim to be the most important battle in England’s history.