Steel and Stone: The Forces That Forged Medieval Europe
In the heart of medieval Europe, where kingdoms rose and crumbled like sandcastles in a storm, war was not a passing storm—it was the weather of the age. From the 9th to the 15th century, warfare wasn’t merely fought on battlefields; it was etched into the stone of castles, sewn into the banners of knights, and whispered through the ranks of feudal armies. Together, these elements created a system of power that defined a continent for centuries. Chapter I: The Knights—Steel-Clad Symbols of Power To the common folk, a knight was a living myth— a mounted warrior clad in glistening armor, sword raised high, sworn to protect, conquer, or sometimes both. But beneath the polished surface was a deeper role. Knights were the elite warriors of the feudal order. Trained from boyhood as pages and squires, they underwent years of rigorous training in swordplay, horsemanship, and chivalry. Their loyalty was bound by oath to a lord, a bond sealed more by land than love. In exchange for their service...