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The Board is Set The Norman invasion of 1066 not only changed the course of English history forever, it would shape the future of France for centuries to come as well. The new English aristocracy formed under the feudal Franco-Norman conquerors ensured far reaching territorial claims on both sides of the English Channel. Roughly half of modern France's western territory would eventually come under their sway along with the formerly Saxon ruled...

Tools of the Raid Great axes were a staple of Northern European warfare from the 9th through 11th centuries. They could reach over six feet in length and weigh up to six pounds, typically sporting light, thin blades. The two most prevalent examples being the earlier Type L and the later Type M as categorized by Petersen's Typology. It was in this time that the humble axe stood shoulder to shoulder with the mightiest spear and sword. Some of the...

The Viking age was notorious for the prevalence of pillaging and raiding. Practically no coastal settlement was safe from the hoards of Norsemen crossing the high seas in their long-boats, wrecking havoc on the people they pillaged, and draining them of their resources, and in particular, gold and silver. Jewellery, and other fineries, were as intwined with the culture as the pieces themselves, being used as status symbols, decoration, and even c...