Charles J. Lockett
Ever since Charles was a lad, he’s been a history obsessive – he spent his summer holidays dragging his family around Welsh castles! He pursued that passion through University, studying Early-Modern Europe and the French Revolutions, receiving his MA in Politics from the University of Sheffield. Nowadays, he is a historical writer and researcher specializing in Medieval and Early Modern history, based in Yorkshire, UK. In his spare time, he is a Dungeon Master, aspiring fantasy novelist and cat dad.
Articles by Charles J. Lockett
When Did The Reconquista End? Isabella and Ferdinand in GranadaThe fall of Granada in 1491 ended the seven-century-long process of Reconquista — but its promised religious toleration was quickly shredded amid a rising tide of Christian extremism.
Ferdinand and Isabella: The Marriage That Unified SpainThe Kingdom of Spain charts its origin in the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella in 1469. Their union, and their rule, triggered a war that forged the modern world.
The Kingdom of Spain charts its origin in the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella in 1469. Their union, and their rule, triggered a war that forged the modern world.
The Changing Face of Medieval Spain: From Rome to ReconquistaThe history of Medieval Spain is one of a realm at the borders between two worlds — and the long process of military Reconquista disguises a complex cultural interplay between them.
The history of Medieval Spain is one of a realm at the borders between two worlds — and the long process of military Reconquista disguises a complex cultural interplay between them.
The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 and the Song of the “Cutty Wren”The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 saw the world turned upside-down. Rural peasants joined forces with urban workers to address the injustices of their day — but were heartlessly betrayed.
The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 saw the world turned upside-down. Rural peasants joined forces with urban workers to address the injustices of their day — but were heartlessly betrayed.
The “Song of Roland”: Frankish Knight and the Crusader MythThe Song of Roland is a Medieval chivalric epic, an 11th-century action-thriller — but delve beneath the surface, and it becomes a complex tale of pseudo-history, Islamophobia, and Crusader ideology.
The Song of Roland is a Medieval chivalric epic, an 11th-century action-thriller — but delve beneath the surface, and it becomes a complex tale of pseudo-history, Islamophobia, and Crusader ideology.
The Terrible 14th Century That Led to the Peasants’ RevoltEven for the Medieval Era, the 14th century was exceptionally bad. Constant crises tore apart the foundations of feudalism and set the scene for the Peasants’ Revolt.
Masters of War: Outrageous Late Medieval ArmorThe 15th and 16th centuries saw the fashion for wildly decorated Late Medieval armor — and the armorers who made it became the rockstars of their age.
The 15th and 16th centuries saw the fashion for wildly decorated Late Medieval armor — and the armorers who made it became the rockstars of their age.
The Evolution of Medieval Armor: Maille, Leather & PlateThe armor of the Middle Ages represents a window into the medieval mind. By looking at the evolution of medieval armor, we can understand historical change on a grand scale.
When Was the First Gun Invented? Early History of the GunThe Renaissance era saw the rise of the first guns in Western Europe, and they changed the face of warfare forever. This is a story of fire and steel.
The Renaissance era saw the rise of the first guns in Western Europe, and they changed the face of warfare forever. This is a story of fire and steel.
The Holy Roman Empire in 3 Key LeadersA series of Emperors ruled central Europe for 800 years. The Holy Roman Empire is often overlooked – but its claim as the inheritor of Rome has merit.
The Varangian Guard: Who Were the Vikings of Byzantium?Hailing from Russia, Scandinavia, and Anglo-Saxon England, the feared Varangian Guard struck terror into the hearts of the Byzantine Emperor’s enemies. This is their world-spanning history.
Hailing from Russia, Scandinavia, and Anglo-Saxon England, the feared Varangian Guard struck terror into the hearts of the Byzantine Emperor’s enemies. This is their world-spanning history.
How Accurate Are the Viking Sagas?The Viking sagas are deeply compelling mythologies, but epics like the Volsunga saga also preserve some elements of historical fact.
The Viking sagas are deeply compelling mythologies, but epics like the Volsunga saga also preserve some elements of historical fact.