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Viking raiders are often depicted in history as brutal and ruthless conquerors. Contrary to this, however, what was the impression many contemporaries had when they encountered these fearsome Nordic warriors?

Answer: Surprisingly, they often noted the Vikings excessive, even ‘unhealthy’, obsession with cleanliness. For Vikings never travelled anywhere without soaps, combs and skin-buffers, and took a bath once a week – a practice considered singularly excessive by early medieval standards.

Source: Loose Cannons by Graeme Donald

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1908 – King Carlos I of Portugal and his heir, Prince Luis Filipe are assassinated by Republican sympathizers in Lisbon.

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“In Russia a man is a called reactionary if he objects to having his property stolen and his wife and children murdered.”

Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British statesman

Source: The Wicket Wit of Winston Churchill by Dominique Enright

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HistoryWow’s Featured Historical Figure of Note

Marcus Porcius Cato (234-149BCE)

Roman statesman, soldier and writer of virtue, simplicity and wisdom. He condemned the luxury of his time and was nicknamed “the censor”. He became Consul in 195BCE, took part in the defeat of Hannibal at Zama, held command in Sardinia and Spain, and in 191 BCE assisted the Greeks in overthrowing Antiochus III at Thermopolyae.

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