The Early Purpose of Chivalry
The origin of chivalry, whether real or imagined, shows that its initial motives were noble. At the beginning, the institution served a useful purpose:...
Understanding Chivalry
Just as our views on history change as we grow older, so too do our ideas about chivalry. In youth, many of us admire...
How Our Views Change with Age
As we grow older, the way we read and think about history changes. In youth, we often read for enjoyment. We admire stories and...
The Pigeons of the Bayezid Mosque
The famous Bayezidiyeh Mosque, also called the Pigeon Mosque, was built in 1497 by Sultan Bayezid II. It gets its nickname from the many...
The Firefighting Equipment and Spectacle
The fire engines used in old Constantinople (now Istanbul) were small and simple. They were so light that four men could easily carry one...
Firemen More Interesting Than Dogs
While the dogs of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) often attract attention, some visitors find the firemen even more interesting. Fires are quite common in the...
