Ursula Kampmann
The Thirty Years’ War – Part 12 (1632)
Religion was of secondary importance in the Thirty Years’ War. It was all about power and money. Ursula Kampmann brings that era alive. Two men are fighting at the beginning of this episode: Wallenstein and Gustavus Adolphus. By the end of this episode, the Swedish king will be dead.
The Thirty Years’ War – Part 3
Both religion and power were the focal points of the Thirty Years’ War that shook the whole of Europe during the 17th century. Ursula Kampmann brings that era alive. Today you will read about Frederick’s fight for Bohemia and Ferdinand’s fight for the imperial crown.
The Thirty Years’ War – Part 2
Both religion and power were the focal points of the Thirty Years’ War that shook the whole of Europe during the 17th century. Ursula Kampmann brings that era alive. Today you will learn how the (Second) Defenestration of Prague happened.
Human faces, part 28: Fight for Sicily
Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? Find out why the Houses of Anjou and Aragón fought for Sicily and how Ferdinand of Aragón cleverly used coins for propagandistic purposes in this episode.
Human faces, part 27: Stupor Mundi
Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? A particularly clever mind was hidden in Frederick’s II head, whose inexhaustible thirst for knowledge earned him the nickname “Stupor Mundi”, wonder of the world.
Human faces, part 26: Viva il popolo
Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? John the Baptist paid for his convictions with his head. The Florentines honour his courage on their coinage.
Human faces, part 25: The Saint of Halberstadt
Why was the human head the motif on coins for centuries, no, for millennia? And why did that change in the last 200 years? This episode’s coin features the head of Saint Stephen, who once saved the Bishopric of Halberstadt from its liquidation.
Human faces, part 24: The woman in charge of Zurich
Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? That whoever was holding the office of the abbess at the Fraumünster in Zurich in the Middle Ages was in an immensely powerful position is remembered on today’s coin.
How much for a castle?
What do you think, how much did it cost to build a castle in the Middle Ages? What would it cost to build the exact same castle today? And how much of a small town’s income would the costs have taken up? This article gives you the answers to these questions.
Human Faces Part 23: Beginnings of the War of Roses or the idle king
Why is it that for centuries – or rather thousands of years – the head has served as the motif for the side of a coin? And why has this changed in the last 200 years? In this episode, we will look at Henry’s VI coin portrait and tell his story.