My List of Research, So Far
ere're some of the items for which I need to hie me to the library:The Inquisition - hierarchy, major dates, etc.
The Ottoman Empire and its welcome of Jews during the Inquisition
Travel in 1492 - overland? ships on the Meditteranean? passports, papers, etc. between countries?
Foods readily available when travelling on foot across Spain - loquats? oranges? berries? fish?
Flora and fauna in Spain in 1492
Columbus' journey - ports and dates
Judaism in 1492
(other) Major events in 1492 - art, books, etc.
Cistercians vs Benedictines (I've got a monk, and don't know what order he belongs to yet)
Daily schedule in a monastery
Holy days in Judaism and Catholicism throughout the year
If I have the energy, I might even look up moon phases. I was pleasantly surprised to see that, after I had written it as taking place on a Tuesday, I found out that Columbus really did sail on a Tuesday!
Comments
1. The Name of the Rose (either the book or the movie) with Sean Connery and Christian Slater. I love this movie, even though it isn't a happy cheery story. Got a lot about monastic life and the Inquisition.
2. Rent Bethany Hughes' (an historian) DVD The Moors. Here's a blip for you: ‘This ambitious programme marks a turning point for TV historian Bettany Hughes. In telling the story of the rise and fall of Islam in the West, she accuses Spain of systematically writing out its Muslim past…where this programme excels is in weaving a complex tapestry that explains the messy relationship between Islamic and Catholic Spain.’ ABSOLUTELY Facinating stuff, and I think Ms. Hughes is right on about Spain versus the Muslims.
I'd be interested in knowing what you find out about passports. My time period is way after yours, (1901) and I am going to have to look into this. I'm interested in travel in Europe--when did we start requiring passports?
If I think of anything else, I'll let you know!
It has been my experience in Catholicism that the Jesuits were the best educators. The Jesuits were also the order that asked questions, rebelled, etc. The Cistercians are also marvelous educators but not as well-known.
One of St. Benedict's most famous sayings was, "Ora et Labora," which means, "Pray and work." This is the mandate of the order.