Chronicles #33 | Sir Gawain and The Green Knight: Part I Luca Johnson is joined by Nathan Hood to explore the poem's historical context, dynamic alliterative style, and its enchanting portrayal of the court of King Arthur. Watch the video here: lotuseaters.com/premium-chroni…

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT This summer, stay at a castle for 3 days with Pendragon! We’re going to St Briavels, once a medieval fortress with an impressive gatehouse, which is now a YHA, 17-19 July. For £250 bed and board, we may have a go at archery, banqueting and much much more!

On the wilds of Mt Mangdang, Liu Bang spent around a year fending off the wilds (from 210-209BC), drawing potential elites to him and banding together a brotherhood whose loyalty to him would gain him an Empire. When the time was right, he came down from the mountain.

Check out our latest video, where James Sino explores the magnificent ruins of Portchester Castle!

At Pendragon, we're committed to preserving castles. We want to repair, restore and rebuild the rich inheritance of our local communities. Join us in protecting these awe inspiring wonders.

The myth of the 'constrained emperor' modern historians peddle is nonsense. If a policy failed, the execution was blamed, never the decree. This led to situations like the Wanli Emperor's decades of silence, paralysing the entire Ming bureaucracy because no one dared take action

My 23andMe results are back. It turns out "where you're from" is just a proxy for what you value. My breakdown was 60% Legalism, 30% Confucianism, 10% Daoism. My values, so they say, strongly suggest that I am... Chinese. Still in shock that my parents kept this from me.

Beware the false manipulator, the man who wishes to get something from you. They will use "glib talk" and “ingratiating expression”. These are things the Wise man will not use because they need no one.

That fatigue you might sense amongst the people. So few look you in the eye because they look down instead. It's all real, and it's intentional. The people sense their leaders' empty doctrines and sophistry. This is called "Wearying the people".

"Though still a young man, I have already taken on the trait of the elderly, who are always praising time past", Matteo Ricci, letter to Gian Pietro Maffei.

Confucian Foxes vs Legalist Lions: The Power Struggle That Forged China youtu.be/RiVJjCZDCl0

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Mood music for the week. Enya's, The Celts. The video was filmed at Bodiam Castle. Glorious. youtu.be/rGwUpsyDJTk?si…