European Culture

Painted and glazed ceramic bowls have featured prominently in Royal Doulton production since the early 1900s. However, the bowl's appearance alone cannot be used to identify an authentic Royal...

Classical Rome is a civilization that was located in southern Europe and the Mediterranean about two centuries ago. It has had a significant impact on modern day society through its influences in...

A sauna is a small room or house that uses heat to induce perspiration. This is traditionally done these days by pouring water over heated rocks.

Iron Age Shoes was a manufacturer of safety shoes such as steel toe work boots among others. The brand was well-known for protective footwear in factories. Iron Age held a large part of the North...

Finland is a Scandinavian country bordered by Norway, Sweden, Russia and the Gulfs of Finland and Bothnia. Finland's climate is more temperate then other nations at the same latitude, enabling...

Scottish culture is experiencing a renaissance via novels, movies and festivals, with celebrities being seen on the red carpet wearing kilts. Scottish highlands dress is varied. Apparel can range...

The years 30 BC to 30 AD saw some of the most important events in ancient Roman history. These occurrences were highly influential in both Rome's immense prosperity and its tragic decline.

The "Viking" (Wiking) Division was the nickname for the 5th SS Panzer Division, a German combat formation made up of foreign volunteers during the Second World War. The SS issued silver signet...

The knight's dubbing ceremony was the one in which a knight-in-training became a knight. It included many years of skills training beginning at age 8 and culminating in the shoulder tapping---or...

Hunting and playing games was an integral part of life in the early Renaissance. Hunting provided not only a source of food but was also a popular pastime among the wealthy. Games, on other hand,...

As the world feels smaller and smaller, we find ourselves having to communicate with people in places we've never imagined. Learning another language can be frustrating, though, because the books...

A coat of arms, also called an armorial bearing, is a design historically used to identify European knights. Over the course of time, coats of arms have been used in many countries for a variety...

The study of Western morals begins with the ancient Greeks; they thought virtue could be found in logic and wisdom. Their theories have been incorporated, modified and rejected by the theories of...

Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean have been strained by years of conflict and economic instability. Much of this stems from the region's years of control by larger powers such as the Ottomans...

James Watt was a Scottish inventor, mathematical-instrument maker and a mechanical engineer. Most known for his accomplishments with the steam engine, Watt helped move science and engineering...

Heraldic emblems were used on the family crest (the coat of arms) of each knight in the Middle Ages in Europe and England. The symbols and other design elements on their shields had a particular...

The weaponry of old is replaced by more technological advancements as time goes by, but the purpose of these weapons remains the same: to win wars by destroying the enemy. In medieval times, the...

In the past, Hieronymus Bosch's art has been variously described as the work of a social critic, a heretic and an intellectual whose works appealed to highly learned elite viewers. Despite all the...

The early modern period was a time of great societal changes. Europe awoke from its medieval slumber and looked forward to an era of enlightenment. This was true in many aspects of society, and...

Here is how to find your ancestors' coat of arms. Most lineages don't have a ancestor who bore arms, but some do. In all countries coats of arms are inherited from the father. Remember, don't...

The benefits of the age-old practice of traditional Finnish sauna are many. In the United States, most saunas can be found in gyms, health spas and resorts.

UK citizenship is one of the six forms of British nationality. Such citizenship grants one the right to apply for and receive a British passport and live legally in Britain without any special...

As Rome acquired importance and stature in the ancient world, the Romans looked to another great culture of the time, the Greeks, for architectural inspiration. The Romans took Grecian ideas and...

In many parts of Europe, you must pass a driving test in a manual transmission car to obtain a driver's license so you can legally drive. In the U.S., this is not a requirement, as most cars here...

Living abroad can be very difficult at times, but also very rewarding. As an American, I have been living and working in Europe continuously since 2003. With drive and determination, it's possible...

Launceston is the second largest city in Tasmania, Australia. Its population in 2009 was 68,000. It sits on the waterfront and is known for its cultural scene and parkland. The city is compact....

Daggers are a type of long knife, used for ceremonies and combat in the days before firearms. They were often intended as hold-out weapons in combat, complementing a sword or battleaxe. Hundreds...

The word "Renaissance" is the French word for "rebirth." The Renaissance refers to the rebirth of humanism during the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries in Europe. The Renaissance period was a time...

Protection in battle always has been a concern for warriors, and those who fought in medieval times were no different. Leather or metal armor provided a way to reduce risk of injury and survive to...

Medieval castles were elaborate structures geared for defense. They were fortresses, intended to be self-sufficient in times of siege and attack, but were also busy hives of activity where...

A chatelaine is a pin that was worn at the waist by American and European women during the 18th and 19th centuries, from which various hand sewing tools were hung.

Medieval castles were not built just for show; they fulfilled an important function--protecting the lord and his household. Castles were most popular during medieval times, when people lived under...

The medieval era lasted from roughly A.D. 800 to A.D.1400. Warfare was constant during this period. William the Conqueror took over England in 1066, bringing about the advent of feudalism. ...

The Middle Ages is a fascinating era to study indeed. Many plays, movies and books have been written about this period in history. The Middle Ages took place between A.D. 500 to 1500 after the...

Balaclavas are a popular item of clothing, particularly in winter and in areas with cold climates. They can be worn in a number of ways, depending on what part of the head the wearer needs...

The cheapest places to live in the UK can often be the most rundown and dangerous as well. However, there are some bargains to be found in the British Isles. Towns like Blaenau Gwent, in Wales,...

The Middle Ages were turbulent times and knights had the duty of protecting the kingdom and maintaining the peace. Medieval European countries were broken into territories and fifes, warring...

The Romantic Movement, also known as Romanticism, began in Western Europe in the later half of the 18th century and remained popular well into the early 19th century. It was considered a change in...

Every culture has a history and, in the case of many northern and eastern Europeans, their lineages can be traced back in time to a group known to historians as The Saxons. This nomadic tribe are...

History is chock full of individuals who are regarded as heroes to a people or land while proving to be the bane of their enemies. Despite a less than noble upbringing, Normandy's own William the...

Armor in medieval times shielded both common foot soldiers and knights from injuries in battle. Often, a soldier's armor was all that stood between him and a shower of arrows or the swipe of a...

When you hear the term "brocade," you may instantly imagine your grandmother's gaudy, flowered couch. But brocade isn't just for grannies. This rich and versatile cloth dates back to ancient...

Clothing in the Middle Ages went from plain to fancy as new technologies made fabric easier to manufacture and trade brought influences from foreign lands.

The Finnish Sauna is a great cultural institution. It cures what ails you and fullfils a social need. This article is about how to maximize the joy that a sauna can bring.

The Renaissance was a "new birth" of interest in the fine arts such as classic writings and music. The Renaissance began in Italy but soon spread throughout Europe. This age of arts also changed...

Basel is a city on the Rhine River bordering both Germany and France. Sources first mention Roman fortifications at the site in 374 A.D. as "Basilia." Today it is one of the largest cities in...

The medieval period offers a wide variety of clothing styles and types, ranging from simple woolen tunics worn by the peasantry to elaborate and luscious gowns and finely crafted armor. This...

According to the Marriage Act of England, there are two types of weddings that can be conducted in England, religious or civil ceremonies. The only difference is religious ceremonies are...

Buying shoes in Europe can be challenging due to their different size measurements in men and women's foot wear. Although European shoes are made in a similar fashion to those in the U.S.,...

Heraldry comes from the combination of two German words meaning "army" and "champion." Heraldry was the medieval practice that used colors, symbols and mottoes to recognize and distinguish a...