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Medieval warfare happened in the 1600s but is recreated in modern times in "wars" held several times a year around the country. This public radio story describes a medieval “war” held in Wisconsin held by the SCA—the Society for Creative Anachronism. Participants create their own weapons and armor and gather by the thousands to do battle. You will hear what it sounds like and feels like to be part of one of these recreated battles.
Story Length: 2:44
Aubrey Ralph, distributed by PRX
AIR DATE: 12/08/2010
A rare collection of paintings by Michelangelo was on display at the Muscarelle Museum at the College of William and Mary in 2013 in Williamsburg, Virginia. This public radio story reflects on Michelangelo's life but also looks at what makes his work so special. It focuses on the drawing of Cleopatra, which depicts her in two ways, beautiful and ugly.
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Joan of Arc was an uneducated girl who followed the voices of angels and worked to free France from England’s domination. When she was captured by the English, she was burned at the stake. Later she was pronounced a Catholic Saint. Listen to learn how her religious and political legacy still inspire French politicians today.
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The Amish are a Christian religious group who are known for their isolation and rejection of modern technology. Popular culture has shaped our understanding of the Amish community, from the Harrison Ford movie Witness to TLC’s show Breaking Amish. But this lens on the Amish doesn’t show the complexities of their religious culture. Listen to learn more about the Amish and their complicated but thoughtful relationship with technology.
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In Medieval England, British King John was at war with a group of English Barons because he extracted money from them to fight a war with France. To appease the Barons, the king wrote the Magna Carta, which essentially says the King cannot arbitrarily collect taxes from Barons. This revolutionary document, signed in 1215, limited the power of the monarchy and outlined the basic principles of the modern judicial system. The Pope invalidated the document just ten weeks later but its ideas have lived on and served as the basis of portions of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Listen to learn how the British library celebrated the 800th anniversary of this revolutionary document.
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