Looking Through the Eyes of a Child: An Experiment in the History of the 11th Century

Abstract

During the 1970s and 1980s a neologism "herstory" was introduced in attempt to encourage historians to make historical studies more female-inclusive. Nowadays, more and more questions are raised about the role of family and parents in shaping the future generations. Therefore, it is within a tiny family unit that the roots of enmity and cruelty should be sought [1]. In our earthly existence there is no closer relationship than the ties within the "Mother-Father-Child" triad. Comparing the 11th century with our days, we will discover why the lessons of that period are important to us today. In historical texts, complicated times are often simplified and reduced by chroniclers to a single factor that, in their eyes, overshadows all the others. It pays special attention to the 800-year parallels between the corresponding epochs and the similarities between metaphors and images characteristic of these eras.