In the week of May 21st in the Middle Ages, Jacopo Pontormo was born, Constantine the Great died, and the Jacquerie Uprising began.
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As you might guess, the office of the Chamberlain has its origins in the king's chamber. But what exactly did a Chamberlain do?
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Pope St. Simplicius
He was pope when the last western Roman Emperor was deposed in 476 C.E. -- a turning point that was long viewed as the beginning of the Middle Ages.
Simplicius could tell you about:
This Week in Medieval History
Monday May 21, 2012
Adhémar of Monteil
Thursday May 17, 2012
When Pope Urban II made his call for the first Crusade, Adhémar of Monteil was the first to step up and ask permission to go. The pope appointed him legate, and though he wasn't officially leader of the expedition, he was the voice of reason and often held the diverse secular leaders together. He died much too soon, but even after death he played an important role.
The image of Adhémar is a detail taken from an illustration in a 13th-century manuscript. It is in the public domain.
Find out more about Adhémar of Monteil in his Who's Who Profile.
This Week in Medieval History
Monday May 14, 2012
In the week of May 14th in the Middle Ages, Henry III was crowned King of England -- again -- and Pope John XII died in the arms of his mistress.
Irene of Athens
Thursday May 10, 2012
She was an extraordinary woman, holding her own in the male-dominated court of the Eastern Roman Empire and playing an important role in the Iconoclastic Controversy. But she won't be winning any mother-of-the-century awards. Find out why in this Who's Who Profile from your Guide.
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