All  

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ Mobile

monarchy

Habsburg family portrait by Martin van Meytens, 1764.        Source: Public Domain

The Rise and Fall of the Habsburg Empire (Video)

The Habsburg Empire , a dynasty spanning nearly 600 years, wielded vast influence over central and Eastern Europe. Unlike other monarchies, the Habsburgs were a family lineage rather than a single...
The three musketeers in Condom, France. Source: Migeli Barrios/Adobe Stock

Who Were the Three Musketeers Based On? (Video)

The Three Musketeers, immortalized in Alexandre Dumas' classic, are deeply rooted in the tumultuous political landscape of 17th-century France. Musketeers, originally armed with muskets but often...
Athelstan presenting a book to St Cuthbert, an illustration in a manuscript of Bede's Life of Saint Cuthbert, probably presented to the saint's shrine in Chester-le-Street by Athelstan when he visited the shrine on his journey to Scotland in 934. It is the oldest surviving portrait of an English king and the manuscript is the oldest surviving made for an English king, circa 930 AD. Source: Public Domain

Æthelstan: The First King of the English (Video)

Æthelstan , grandson of Alfred the Great, emerged as the inaugural English king in 925, marking the pinnacle of Anglo-Saxon consolidation. Following Alfred's reign of turmoil, Æthelstan embarked on a...
Attila the Hun’s death on his wedding night. Source: Public Domain

Disastrous Historical Hitches: 8 Worst Royal Wedding Nights in History

Your wedding is meant to be one of the most special nights of your life. And your wedding night, well, that should be one of the most exciting. Of course, that’s not always the case. Some of history’...
Old photo of one of the tombs in the Nubian cemetery discovered in 1908. 	Source: University of Manchester

Charles II - The King With the Wilder Love Life Than Henry VIII (Video)

Charles II of England, known as the Merry Monarch, led a notorious love life, surpassing even Henry VIII in scandalous affairs. Born in 1630, Charles spent his early years in exile due to his father'...
British Monarchy. Source: bennymarty / Adobe Stock.

How the British Monarchy Has Survived for So Long (Video)

The British monarchy's enduring legacy can be attributed to a blend of tradition and adaptability. Its remarkable longevity highlights its ability to evolve with the times, as well as its adept...
King Louis XIV had many mistresses. Source: Archivist / Adobe Stock.

King Louis XIV Had At Least 20 Mistresses (Video)

In French history, it was a common expectation that monarchs, like King Louis XIV, maintained intriguing love lives . Louis, known for his insatiable desires, fathered over a dozen illegitimate...
Palace of Versailles, France. Source: Mistervlad /Adobe Stock

The Hidden Secrets of the Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most magnificent and historically significant buildings in the world. This stunning palace was once the residence of French kings and queens, and it has a rich...
This is a replica of the stone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, upon which the kings of Scotland were crowned on Moot Hill. In 1296 it was captured by Edward I as spoils of war and taken to Westminster Abbey.  Source: (CrlNvl/CC BY SA 4.0)

Roman Numerals Discovered on Stone of Destiny Ahead of King Charles Coronation

A fresh examination of the Stone of Destiny , considered one of Scotland’s most sacred national treasures, has revealed the presence of markings on its surface that appear to be Roman numerals. This...
Pericles's Funeral Oration, by Philipp Foltz (1852)(Public Domain)

Searching For True Monarchy In Greek Literature

Since the beginning of time monarchs and monarchy have attracted a great deal of attention in the media. Countless works of history have focused on the deeds and misdeeds of political leaders, and...
King Charles I at Carisbrooke Castle, as painted by Eugène Lami in 1829 (Public Domain)

The Recognition Of Monarchy Through History

The well-known story of the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s rebuke at the hands of the petitioner whom he had rebuffed is significant. “ Then, don’t be king! ” was her taunt, illustrating the general...
Why would monarchs abdicate their thrones? These ten stories will give some ideas. Source: Elles Rijsdijk / Adobe Stock

Momentary Monarchs: 10 Rulers Who Turned Their Back On The Throne

Throughout history, there have been numerous monarchs - some good, some bad, and many largely forgotten. Some monarchs, like Queen Elizabeth II, ruled for decades, but the reign of many others was...
King Charles I was beheaded with one blow of the axe blade. The identity of the executioner is unknown, as the official executioner credibly denied responsibility. Source: Nomad_Soul / Adobe Stock

King Charles I: The Only English Monarch Executed for Treason

Quite a few European monarchs met their fates at the end of an executioner's axe. One of the most famous examples is King Charles I of England, sentenced to death for treason. Unlike many executions...
The death of Queen Elizabeth II has triggered conversation about the royal line of succession. Source: PolizeiBerlin / CC BY-SA 4.0

The Queen’s Death Sparks Conversation Around Royal Line of Succession

In 1953, 8,251 guests from 181 countries and territories participated in the coronation of Elizabeth II. With her passing, her oldest son, Charles, takes over as monarch and be formally proclaimed...
The then Prince Charles visiting Canada, 2014. Source: Korona Lacasse / CC BY 2.0

King Charles III: What’s in a Name? More Than You Think

Ready to assume the English throne following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, the former Prince of Wales has chosen the name King Charles III as his official title. His ascent to the...
Queen Elizabeth II, The Second Longest-Reigning Monarch in History Dies

Queen Elizabeth II, the Second Longest-Reigning Monarch in History, Dies

Today, Thursday 8th of September, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Commonwealth has passed away peacefully at her country home, Balmoral. The news comes just...
King of Malaysia Yang di-Pertuan Agong (center). Source: Wazari Wazir / Flickr

Malaysia Has a Rotating Monarchy Where 9 Royal Families Take Turns to Rule

Malaysia has one of the most interesting political systems, which, although a modern construct, is rooted in pre-colonial historical origins. With eight sultans and one raja (king) swapping the...
Queen Elizabeth II. Source: Open Government License

Queen Elizabeth II Becomes Second Longest-Reigning Monarch in History

As the United Kingdom recovers from the jubilee celebrations which took place from the 2nd to the 5th June 2022, commemorating seventy years since Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne, the queen has...
Illustration of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castille, who feature in one of the card games. Source: Ciudades en Juego

Spanish Card Games Bring the Kings and Queens of Spain to Life

History is naturally captivating, filled with mind-boggling plot twists and all the elements that make for fantastic fiction. Or at least, history can be captivating when, and only when, it is taught...
Imperial succession in Japan is up in the air as the choices get more complicated: could be a woman or a young man. Japanese Emperor Naruhito at his enthronement ceremony in Kyoto, October 2019.		Source: Imperial Household Agency / CC BY 4.0

Japan’s Succession Crisis: No Male Heirs Means Ancient Monarchy May Soon Disappear!

The Japanese monarchy is the oldest continuous monarchy in the world, but it faces a clear succession crisis in the 21st century. Imperial descendance and inheritance is only passed through male...
Do you have royal genes? Source: master1305 / Adobe Stock

Do You Have Royal Genes? Almost Certainly, Statisticians Say

For the past 18 seasons, viewers of the BBC television show “Who Do You Think You Are?” have been watching with interest as guests from all walks of life discover surprising facts about their genetic...
Shureimon Gate in Shuri castle, home to the former Ryukyu Kingdom, in Okinawa. Source: f11photo /Adobe Stock

Ryukyu Kingdom: Castles, Customs, and China and Japan's Rivalry

As far as Asian nations and their histories go, one of the most interesting places that grabs everyone’s attention is Japan. The islands of Japan were always home to many lords, kingdoms, and...
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the emperor's ceremony of enthronement to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

A New Japanese Emperor Takes To The Chrysanthemum Throne

The Chrysanthemum Throne is the throne of the Emperor of Japan and a metonym referring to the Japanese monarchy itself. The Japanese imperial family has recently been in the news, due to the...
The Cathedral of the Dormition is an 11th century cathedral in Kutaisi, Georgia of the Bagrationi dynasty. Photo source: viii / Adobe Stock.

The Bagrationi Dynasty – A Millennium of Christian Power

The Bagrationi (sometimes Hellenized as Bagratid) dynasty was the ruling dynasty of Georgia for over a millennium. This dynasty was founded during the Middle Ages and ruled the country until the...

Pages