The Squall from the East

 This is my latest contribution to the Discussions section on the Academia site.

The Mongol invasion of Central Europe in 1241-1242 took the western leaders aback. Gruesome and spine-chilling, the victorious campaign of the steppe army sent shock waves across the continent. That was a powerful lesson that the Latin decision-makers would never forget. The campaign is assessed in terms of its strategic goals and viewed through the eyes of survivors. The author supplies several factors explaining the momentous withdrawal of the winners from the occupied territories.

You may read the article https://www.academia.edu/40613981/The_Squall_from_the_East

I also uploaded another extract where I attempt to cover the diplomatic correspondence between Great Khan Guyuk and Pope Innocent IV.  

The paper explores the attempt of the Apostolic See to keep an eye on the Mongols after their disastrous campaign against Central Europe. The Holy Father forwarded epistles to talk some sense into steppe predators and coax them into baptism. The Great Khans, in their turn, took advantage of bilateral relations to convince the Vicar of Christ and all European kings to submit to the Tartars. The dialogue between the blind and the deaf failed but managed to buy critical time. 

You may peruse it https://www.academia.edu/40815844/The_Suspension_Bridge_across_the_Abyss

I am waiting for an answer from the Academia Letters, a new journal where they publish short articles on multiple topics. I sent them a new piece, The Monster Galley, the story of a quinquereme, a five-oared galley designed by an amateur naval architect Vettor Fausto. This is part of my new project about medieval watercraft. I am still working on the section devoted to galleys. I have written a draft of the first two chapters and am developing the material focused on naval guns. The last chapter will center on merchant galleys. 

I hope that in the late summer- early fall I will upload a few chapters of my third project.