Emperor Frederick II and His Muslim Subjects

19th century historians stylized Emperor Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire into an epitome of tolerance and diplomacy. This was just the end of centuries of history writing and myth building around his person. They were based on the assumption that he had been on friendly terms with Muslim rulers in the East, an avid scholar of all things Arab, and accepting Islam as a religion equal to Christianity.

Emperor Frederick II

The Man Who Didn’t Want to be King (Part Two)

Prince Valdemar of Denmark was three times nominated for the crowns of two European countries. Instead of becoming a ruling Prince or King, he remained with the Danish navy. What had happened?

Prince Valdemar and Princess Marie of Denmark

Queen Mum: The Official Biography

Bad news first: You have to get through 1,000 pages from cover to cover. The meticulous retelling a life spanning more than a century takes up space. So many words, yet the author managed to skip everything relevant. If you belong to circles where you are expected to have this book lying around, you might want to put four legs on it and use it as a coffee table. Or is that a gin table?

The Man Who Didn’t Want to be King (Part One)

Prince Valdemar of Denmark was three times shortlisted for the crowns of two European countries. Instead of becoming a ruling monarch, he remained with the Danish navy. What had happened?

Prince Valdemar of Denmark