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Adam's avatar

Hi Dan. I you could drop one Medieval ruler into today's world which king/queen do you think would succeed best in today's political world and why?

Adam

San Francisco, CA

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Nina Manning's avatar

Great question!

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Justine Woodbridge's avatar

Hi Dan, hope you are well. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing you and listening to you at the Althorp Literary Festival. You mentioned that you are working on a book about Castles (hope it’s not a secret, although probably not judging by the amount of photos of you and castles recently). Can you give us any more information about it? I’m quite excited!

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Susanne's avatar

Hi Dan,

Would you like that we had more cermony’s from medieval times, like the conclave that starts next week?

And what kind would you like to see?

Or writing a book about it?

Groetjes Susanne

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Katherine's avatar

If you are indeed writing a book about castles, what makes a good soundtrack to writing books about castles?

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John Street's avatar

Hi Dan, I have just visited the North Lake District over Easter and had a great time with lots of interesting historical sites. I visited Dacre Castle and looked in on the adjacent church. Fascinating stuff; a Viking cross shaft, the tomb of the Dacre knight, a Norman font and then in the churchyard....the Dacre Bears!!??!! Four stone sculptures that are described as bears (one looks a bit like a lion to me!) Have you heard of them and what do you think they represent? William of Malmesbury said that they were to do with Athelstan and him meeting with Owen of Cumbria and Constantine of Scotland, but I trust you far me than old William and would welcome your thoughts! Many thanks, John

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Justine Woodbridge's avatar

This place does sound fascinating.

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John Street's avatar

Well worth a visit and very close to other castles and historical sites: Brougham Castle, King Arthur's Round Table, Mayburgh Henge and Penrith Castle.

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Valérie's avatar

Hello Dan, why was everbody so worked up about John of Gaunt's affair with Katherine Swynford? I thought it was not unusual for a nobleman to have a mistress, what angered people about Gaunt?

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Heather Chambers's avatar

Hi Dan,

Ealier this year a stash of Roman coins was found in the Netherlands:

https://www.the-sun.com/tech/13392613/roman-gold-coins-british-netherlands/

I was amazed that we're still finding things lost 2,000 years ago! So I wonder what long lost artifact or object from history you woud be excited to find?

From Heather

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Britta Wulf's avatar

Hello Taffy,

I've noticed that your next book that will be published in German will not be Lionhearts but a different one. Will you come over to us Krauts to introduce it? Any places and dates fixed yet?

And I have got another 'book'-question this month: When you do the Q&A on your sofa there is one book in the background that attracks me. It's a bright pink title like 'Curious Sex'. What is it about? (I would appreciate an answer of more than one word. 😉)

Many thanks. Take care of yourself.

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Justine Woodbridge's avatar

I wonder what Dan was thinking when he positioned said book?!

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Britta Wulf's avatar

It shows me that I am not the only one who saw the book. 🙂

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Ben Neville's avatar

Hey Dan - thanks as ever!

History is full of befuddling decisions taken by people which on the face of it don’t make much sense and you really wish you could have been there to make heads or tails of their reasoning at the time.

If you could ask one medieval person of note why they acted a certain way in a certain scenario that’s always perplexed you, who would you ask, what would you ask and why?

Cheers, Ben

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Cathy Brown's avatar

Hello Dan, where I live in Collinsville, OK,we have started tornado season. In fact, one went over our house about 3 weeks. We fortunately didn't suffer damage but about 287 houses and business were damaged or destroyed. So, is there any instances of tornadoes or cyclones chronicles in medieval times? They must have thought the world was at and end.

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Steven Batty's avatar

From medieval times who would be Donald Trump?

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Jeanne M Mraz's avatar

Hi Dan. My husband and I are big fans of your “This Is History” podcast and eagerly waiting for Season 7 (the trailer promises big things). I’d like to know why John of Gaunt was so hated that his Savoy Palace was burnt down. I’m reading Helen Carr’s “The Red Prince,” but I thought I’d ask you since you are the guy to go to for all things Plantagenet. Thanks!

Jeanne

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

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Felice Vigil's avatar

Greetings Dan. I am anxiously awaiting Season 7 of "This is History: A Dynasty to Die For". To that end, my question is this, If Richard II had NOT caused Henry of Bolingbroke to lose his lands and been exiled, do you think Henry would have usurped the throne?

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Patty Dennehy's avatar

Hi Dan, which medieval ruler do you consider to be the most groundbreaking? Whether with outlook, policy, allies. Someone who truly shook up the status quo.

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Maureen's avatar

Hi Dan - Just heard about the disagreement over how many male parts are on the Bayeux tapestry-

Humans that is - not horses.

Your thoughts?

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AW's avatar

Hi Dan

Do you have any book recommendations that really dives in to Henry II's conflicts with his sons and Eleanor. The shifting alliances between them all, and the king of France. I'm surprised no one has come up with a miniseries of some kind centered around the Angevins.

Thank you!

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