Medieval History

Seeing the success of the "Ancient History" thread I decided that we should make a "Medieval History" thread.

I likes the Holy Roman Empire, with their badass knights

I like the Holy Roman Empire too. In fact my ancestor was Frederick Barbarossa.
I also like the Latin Empire which lasted for 57 years!

Do you have proof? If not, I'll still take your word for it, i'm sure he has a bunch of ancestors.

I didn't say it was tiny, I just said that it lasted for such a short period.

He's Dutch, all countries like enormous compared to ours. Well, except Belgium, and those miniature states that really can't be counted as countries anyway.

Byzantium all the way.

Damn right.

The Byzantine Empire was badass.

If we count the "Dark ages", yes Byzantium was pretty badass all the way until 1071 (Manzikert), after that they were targeted by pretty much everyone wanting a piece of Constantinople, not only the Muslims but the crusaders as well (see Latin Empire).
I also think that the Reconquista is pretty much the most epic theater of war in the entire middle ages.

Spain was a badass empire take out the inquisition that no one expects and you got a nice empire, although I give respect to the brave dutchmen who won there independence.

I don't know, I think the teutonic crusades were pretty badass.

But the Reconquista involved more than two (Teutonic Order and Livonian Order) holy orders unlike the Baltic. =P

(Knights of Santiago, Knights of Montesa, Knights Templar [they had a chapter house in Portugal])

The Middle Ages were interesting indeed, in which the Greek remnants of the Roman Empire finally succumbed to the Muslims, and the rise of power of the Ottomans began. The Spanish, united after the Reconquista became one of the major naval powers, with England being another large power. Eventually, France recovered as well. Of course, this period saw the rise of the most badass family in human history as well.

Also, from when to when are we talking, exactly? The 500-1500 period?

I guess we should talk about all but the more interesting period of medieval history for me at least starts with Charlemagne and his empire.

Yes, I count the Renaissance ending the Middle Ages.

The Teutonic Order was a band of badass motherfuckers. In fact, I think simply being in the Middle Ages you become badass.