Historically, rising and ruling powers don't stumble into war directly. Instead, their heightened distrust creates a tinderbox where a seemingly minor incident involving a third party (like the assassination in Sarajevo pre-WWI) can escalate uncontrollably into a catastrophic conflict.

Modern British class tensions, particularly between a globalized elite and a nativist working class, are not just economic but a cultural echo of the 1066 Norman Conquest. This historical event established a long-lasting, racialized caste system that continues to frame contemporary political divisions, with wealth and status still correlated with Norman vs. Saxon heritage.

Major philosophical texts are not created in a vacuum; they are often direct products of the author's personal life and historical context. For example, Thomas Hobbes wrote 'Leviathan,' which argues for an authoritarian ruler, only after fleeing the chaos of the English Civil War as a Royalist. This personal context is crucial for understanding the work.

In an era defined by religious warfare, John Law's conversion from Protestantism to Catholicism was a pragmatic business decision, not a spiritual one. This illustrates a remarkably secular and free-thinking mindset, treating religion as a political necessity rather than a deeply held conviction.

In global conflicts, a nation's power dictates its actions and outcomes, not moral righteousness. History shows powerful nations, like the U.S. using nuclear weapons, operate beyond conventional moral constraints, making an understanding of power dynamics more critical than moralizing.

Unlike many mystics who were passive recipients of divine messages, Joan had a conversational and even confrontational relationship with her voices. She would argue back if she disagreed with their counsel, demonstrating a remarkable self-confidence and an active interpretation of her divine mission rather than simple obedience.

The Hundred Years' War was intertwined with a brutal French civil war between the Burgundians and Armagnacs. For many French, including high-ranking clergy, siding with the Anglo-Burgundian alliance was a logical choice for stability against the rival Armagnac faction, not an act of treason.

The English weren't led by incompetent occupiers. John, Duke of Bedford was a wise, feared, and respected administrator who spoke French and maintained a standing army—a rarity for the time. His effective governance makes the subsequent English collapse following Joan's arrival more dramatic and less inevitable.

Faced with the shocking rise of the Arab Empire, Byzantines questioned if their use of religious icons was angering God. The success of the aniconic Arabs suggested that adopting a stricter, image-free worship might be the key to divine favor and military survival.