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What was Cavalleggeri?

Introduction Cavalleggeri were an inferior category of cavalry during the classic period of feudal cavalry. This included knife-armed cavalry, lancers’ pages and mounted crossbowmen. Later, cavalleggeri became a subsidiary arm of the gendarmerie (refer to Light Cavalry). In 1498, Louis XII of France gave this name (chevau-léger) to his mounted companies, forming a sort of… Read More

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What was the Gonfalone of the Church?

Introduction The Banner of the Holy Roman Church (Latin: Vexillum; Italian: Gonfalone di Santa Romana Chiesa, occasionally Vessilio di San Pietro, “Standard of Saint Peter”) was the battle standard of the Papal States during the Renaissance and a symbol of the Catholic Church. The office of the Gonfalonier of the Church was originally intended to… Read More

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What was the Gonfalonier of the Church?

Introduction The gonfalonier of the Church or papal gonfalonier (Italian: Gonfaloniere della Chiesa, “standard-bearer”; Latin: Vexillifer Ecclesiæ) was a military and political office of the Papal States. Refer to Gonfalone of the Church. Background Originating from the use of the Papal banner during combat, the office later became largely ceremonial and political. At his nomination,… Read More

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What was the Captain General of the Church?

Introduction The captain general of the Church (Italian: Capitano generale della Chiesa) was the de facto commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Papal States during the Middle Ages. Background The post was usually conferred on an Italian or other noble with a professional military reputation or (later) a relative of the pope. The parallel… Read More

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Who was Adolphus Washington Greely?

Introduction Adolphus Washington Greely FRSGS (27 March 1844 to 20 October 1935) was a United States Army officer and polar explorer. He attained the rank of major general and was a recipient of the Medal of Honour. A native of Newburyport, Massachusetts and an 1860 graduate of Brown High School (now Newburyport High School), in… Read More

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What is the Anti-Secession Law (2005)?

Introduction The Anti-Secession Law (Chinese: 《反分裂国家法》) is a law of the People’s Republic of China, passed by the 3rd Session of the 10th National People’s Congress. It was ratified on 14 March 2005, and went into effect immediately. President Hu Jintao promulgated the law with Presidential Decree No. 34. Although the law, at ten articles,… Read More