Columbus leaves Spain

Christopher Columbus Interview 1505 A.D.

Q: What did you expect to find on your expeditions?

A: My original plan for the expeditions was to find a water route to Asia. But, instead I stumbled across a group of tropical islands. I was shocked, but excited. I left 40 men on the newly discovered islands and returned to Spain, where I was greeted with an enthusiastic welcome.

Q: What was the outcome of your voyages?

A: For the most part it was a happy outcome, I had discovered a new world that had never been seen before. There were limitless opportunities for people. So much more could be discovered and settled. There was a bright future for the world. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for my future. Upon arrival from my last voyage, I had found that I had not only lost my title as Chief Governor in the Indies, but I had also lost my greatest supporter, Queen Isabella. With no more money to support another expedition, I have left the exploring of the limitless new world to others.

"Christopher Columbus." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.

Magna Carta

King John Interview 1218 A.D.

Q: What was the reasoning for the Magna Carta?

A: My people believed that style of leading them was wrong. They believed that they had not been given their deserved rights. They had wanted more representation in the Government. I had made some decisions that had angered them. My quarrel with Pope Innocent III resulted in suspension of church services in England. This did not make my people happy. A few years ago, nobles in England came together and wrote a document full of promises that I must keep to them. After much consideration, I decided to sign it.

Q: What was the importance of this signing?

A: After signing the document, the people got the individual rights they had desired. The signing helped to form a court of nobles that would balance my power with theirs. The people are much happier now that they have a say in the government. Its been quite hard for me to cope with the new changes, but it will work out soon. This document forever changed the way government worked in England.

"Magna Carta (1215)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.

The Crusades

Pope Urban II Interview 1101 A.D.

Q: What was your reasoning for launching the Crusades?

A: The land of our savior had been under the rule of Muslim people for many years. It was my obligation to take it back. I knew that God would have wanted me to be in control of the land of our ancestors. The city that Christ called home had to be under Christian rule.

Q: How did you carry out the mission of taking Jerusalem?

A: First, I gathered an army of powerful soldiers from all over the Holy Roman Empire. The planned out route required the men to travel east to Constantinople and then into Arabia. Once they made it to Jerusalem they surrounded the city and starved the people within. When enough time passed, my men pushed into the city and took it over.

Q: What was the outcome of this crusade?

A: I had some of my men bring back anything they could find. Though there was no treasure, they had books and documents that explained a society so advanced. These writings helped us to learn new things about a civilization we never even dreamed of. The Crusades were a huge turning point in the civilization of the west.

"The Crusades (Overview)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 11 Nov. 2010.

William the Conquerer

William Interview 1086 A.D.

Q: How did you obtain the throne?

A: My biggest obstacle in taking power was overthrowing King Harold II, who was currently King at the time. I had had a great following and a large army by 1066. Harold had defeated the Norwegian King, who had wished to rule England as well, and returned to England. I moved my army North into England and we took over at the battle of Hastings. I was then crowned King.

Q: What are some of the accomplishments you have made since you've been king?

A: One of my greatest accomplishments was the surveying of the kingdom. This kept an accurate system of taxing in the kingdom. It kept count of the people, land, and animals. I also helped to strengthen the central base of Government in the Kingdom.

"William the Conqueror." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 10 Nov. 2010.
                     

Great Schism

Emperor Constantine IX Interview 1055 A.D.

Q: What caused problems between the Patriarch in Constantinople and the Pope in Rome?

A: Originally the dispute between the Patriarch, Michael Cerularius, and the Pope, Leo IX was over a land in southern Italy. Originally, the land in southern Italy belonged to the Greeks and the Patriarch, but the Pope came to me asking for land claims in the south. This small quarrel led to a huge fight between these two men.

Q: What the outcome of this fight?

After throwing back many arguments between each other the two decided to have each other excommunicated. This outcome is very important because ever since this the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church have been divided from each other. I have a feeling that they won't be making up any time soon.

"Schism of 1054." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 10 Nov. 2010

Charlemagne

Charlemagne Interview 813 A.D.

Q: How did you come to power?

A: When my father died in 768, my brother Carloman and I were left to rule his land. The land was split between us. Though I got the bigger part, my part was more undeveloped and revolts began to rise up. I was very angry that my brother offered no assistance. But uh...he mysteriously uh...died somehow in 771. It was sad, but I got total power over the whole Empire!

Q: What hardships have you faced in throughout your rule?

A: The biggest threat/hardship that is still continuing is the Viking people's attacks on my empire. They are unforgiving people that will kill anyone and destroy anything for money and land. I don't know what to do about them. I have been trying to keep a strong Christian Kingship, but there are many pagan revolts in my kingdom. I think it is about time I passed the empire on.

"Charlemagne." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 8 Nov. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>

Battle of Tours

Charles "The Hammer" Martel Interview 733 A.D.

Q: What was the point of fighting the battle?

A: The Muslim peoples from the south had been raiding Frankish areas for some time. The Frankish people were worried that they would further their conquest into our areas in the hope of spreading Islam. The Duke of Aquitaine, Odo, had been defeated by the invaders in a nearby settlement, so I rounded up my men and we pushed the invaders back into Spain.

Q: Why is your victory here important?

The victory at Tours was a very important point in history. If I wouldn't have won the Muslims might have taken over and spread their religion. I saved Christianity in the North. My victory also gave me some political and military popularity.

"Battle of Tours." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2010. Web. 7 Nov. 2010. <http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/>