Architecture · Art · Observations · Humour

Which of the squirrels from the stained-glass window of the Renaissance château of Azay-le-Rideau are you today? anonymous poll

The Insatiable one, with two nuts – 77 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 55% The Nimble one, with one nut – 64 👍👍👍👍👍👍 45% 👥 141 people voted so far.

NB! · Architecture · Art · Monarchies · Observations · Humour

A stained-glass window at the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, built by Gilles Berthelot, treasurer to Francis I, or rather by his wife Philippa

A stained-glass window at the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau, built by Gilles Berthelot, treasurer to Francis I, or rather by his wife Philippa. Look at the spiteful squirrels below: it looks like a dig at King Francis and Queen Claude

Observations · Mores · Humour

A hand slipped into a lady's muff as an erotic gesture of the 19th century

My favourite detail: in the nineteenth century, slipping one's hand into a lady's muff was considered a vividly erotic gesture. I cannot vouch for the nineteenth century, but even today it sounds far too forward

Museums · Science · Humour

Armour worn by First World War tank crews as protection from armour splinters

This piece of armour, which looks like the kit of a Chatlanian, was worn during the First World War. And it is only part of a tank crewman's full equipment, which also included a proper chain-mail coat. Why tank crews in particular? Without such armour, under machine-

NB! · Observations · Humour

Obviously, Which Chair I Chose

NB! · Observations · Mores · Humour

Lessons in Hospitality: Should You Invite Me to Dinner, Adorn the Table with Napkins Bearing the Châteaux of France

NB! · Art · Monarchies · Observations · Humour

Monomakh was depicted in a two-tiered hat that looked more like a papal tiara than the Cap of Monomakh, which, according to legend, the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX presented on a golden platter to his grandson Vovka

NB! · Observations · Humour

what is a celebration without an academic council

In a black-and-white photograph, a man in glasses and a suit stands beside an enormous sword that is taller than he is.

NB! · Museums · Observations · Humour

A Zweihänder forged in the early 16th century and the claim that it could cut a man in half

Say "Zweihänder" and everyone knows what you mean. Forged in the early 16th century. They say it could cut a man in half. I suspect it would sooner crush him. Yes, showing off was harder in those days than it is now

Monarchies · Society · Pop Culture · Humour

Supposition that Nicholas I was born of Babkin and Nadezhda Babkina's claim to the throne

If Nicholas I was sired by a Babkin, then Nadezhda Babkina is heir to the Russian throne. Checkmate, conspiracy theorists!

NB! · Archaeology · Moscow · Observations · Humour

Look how slowly and thoroughly they dig. If only one could work there instead of at the Kremlin necropolis :(

Archive · Science · Education · People · Humour

Leopold von Ranke, archival sources and seminars at the University of Berlin

The greatest German historian Leopold von Ranke, who lived to be over ninety, was the author of a great many works: on the history of the papacy, the Reformation, modern history, the sovereigns of southern Europe, and so on. His approach was distinguished by the fact that Ranke did not