The creation of universities is one of the greatest and most lasting achievements of medieval Europe, establishing a model that is today the standard form of higher education throughout the world.
These have helped to improve society for centuries!
While other institutions of learning existed before (such as monastic schools) both in Europe and outside of it, medieval universities were a totally new concept as they were organized like guilds of students and masters which allowed them to be independent of local authorities!
This is what the concept of "universitas" referred to originally, a guild.
These medieval universities did not refer to some specific building resembling a modern day campus, but were an organization.
Teaching happened in homes of teachers, public places or rented halls.
These guilds and unions of students and teachers were able to protect themselves against local laws and customs.
For example many academics were foreigners from elsewhere and had to fight against various city laws that discriminated against foreign residents.
This led to many "town versus gown" disputes in the early history of universities. Sometimes riots took place!
But eventually universities were able to successfully establish themselves as independent entities with their own code of conduct and discipline.
The decentralized nature of medieval West contributed to the rise of these institutions.
And in turn, universities connected Europeans and contributed to a sense of common identity. Lectures were in Latin and academics could study and teach anywhere in Europe.
Movements of students and teachers resulted in emergence of new universities in nearby towns and cities.
The medieval universities helped to enable an academic community that transcended state borders.
Eventually, this model of education would spread all over the world!
"Silence!"
They listen to the teacher and learn.
Medieval lectures didn't look that much different than today!
This image depicts a university lecture from around 1400.
A meeting of doctors at the university of Paris!
From 16th century.
By the end of middle ages in 1500, there were already over 60 universities in Europe.
Amazing institutions and simply an amazing story in which everyone won and entire humanity benefited!
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Built between 1441 and 1493 during what is considered as the "Valencian Golden Age", these "Quart Towers" guarded the entrance to the city of Valencia as part of the old medieval wall.
In 1562 they became used as a gunpowder store until they were converted into women's prison in 1626.
They imprisoned female prostitutes here.
In 17th century they also became known as the Lime Towers because lime was only allowed to be transported into the city through this gate.
The legendary plague doctor Doctor Schnabel (Doctor Beak) from Rome!
An engraving made in 1656 by Paul Fürst from Nuremberg, depicting a fictional plague doctor with protective gear during the outbreak of plague in Rome that year.
It includes a satirical poem.
The "macaronic" (mixture of languages used for puns, in this case Latin and German) poem begins with the famous words:
"Vos Creditis, als eine fabel, quod scribitur vom Doctor Schnabel"
(You believe it’s just a fable, what is written about Doctor Beak).
The poem continues...
"He flees the contagion
and gets his wages from it.
He seeks corpses to make a living,
like a Crow in a garbage heap.
Ah, believe it, and don’t look away from here,
because the plague rules over Rome."
They copied the cross of Burgundy from the Spanish tercios.
Władysław IV Vasa who became king in 1634 was a big admirer of Spanish military ever since he met Ambrosio Spinola in Breda in 1624 and saw the famous tercios in person.
The Kraków militia with the banner of cross of Burgundy!
This old symbol with origins in medieval Duchy of Burgundy that came to Spain through Habsburgs became a symbol of the Catholic cause in 17th century, having been used by both the Habsburgs and the Polish.
Władysław would implement military reforms to westernize his army.
This included the adoption of pike infantry, modernizing the artillery and improving the Commonwealth Navy.
He was an experienced warrior himself and fought battles against Ottomans, Muscovites and Swedes.
Why did the famous Polish "Winged Hussars" have wings?
Where did the wings originate from and did they have any practical purpose? 🧵
The Polish hussars became famous for their wings and are mostly depicted with wings attached to their back in modern portrayals of them.
But originally, wings were attached to shields, saddles or even to rider's arm!
Let's take a look at the evolution of hussar wings.
Hussars were originally Serbian mercenaries from the Balkans.
They imitated the Ottoman light cavalry shock troops such as the feared delis and served for Hungarians in 15th century, most famously for the Black Army of Matthias Corvinus.