"In eleventh-century Europe, kingdoms, like other landed estates, were family firms and, as in modern family businesse…"

"But despite dangers to themselves, rulers and would-be rulers were expected to share the risks when they sent their f…"

"Hunting, like war, was dangerous. One of Rufus’ older brothers, Richard, died as a result of injuries suffered while …"

"There is nothing to indicate that Rufus learned to read or write—unlike Henry, who did, whether because he had origin…"

"The major churches were immensely rich. Approximately one-quarter of the wealth of all England as measured in Domesda…"

"Opinion against ordeals hardened during the twelfth century, and in 1215 the pope prohibited priests from taking part…"

"None of this is to say that Rufus was not homosexual. But if he were, there is no evidence for it. Too many historian…"

"The more I thought about it, the more obsessed I became with the idea of a swimming journey. I started to dream ever …"

"From water level, I observed the mating joined in flight like refuelling aircraft, and the random progress of the clo…"

"It is through trees that we see and hear the wind: woodland people can tell the species of a tree from the sound it m…"