Early Modern Europe

The Shifting Sands of Borders: Travel in Early Modern Europe

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Early Modern European Border Crossings: Passports, Customs, and Freedom

Imagine a world where crossing a border wasn’t just a matter of showing a piece of paper, but a complex negotiation with local lords, customs officials, and the ever-watchful eye of burgeoning states. This was the reality for travelers in early modern Europe, a period stretching from the late Middle Ages through the 18th century. … Read more

Written in the Stars? Alphabets and Angels in Early Modern Europe

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Alphabets, Angels, and Stars: Early Modern Europe's Mystical Connections

Now, imagine: Europe, as the Middle Ages bled into the Renaissance. The air thrummed with a peculiar blend of intellectual awakening and deep-seated faith. In this fertile ground, where ancient texts were rediscovered and the heavens were scrutinized with renewed vigor, a fascinating connection began to emerge between the very building blocks of our language … Read more