Images

A portrait of King John of England (r. 1199-1216 CE) from the National Portrait Gallery in London. The portrait was created by an unknown artist c. 1597 - 1618 CE. Oil on panel 578 mm x 451 mm (22 3/4 in x 17 3/4 in).

Plan of Beaumaris Castle, located on Anglesey, Wales, and built from 1295 CE by Edward I of England (r. 1272-1307 CE).

The outer circuit wall of Beaumaris Castle, located on Anglesey, Wales, and built from 1295 CE by Edward I of England (r. 1272-1307 CE).

Two pages from the Galland manuscript, the oldest text of The Thousand and One Nights. Arabic manuscript, 14th century CE. Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris

Illustration of a manticore; detail of a miniature from the Rochester Bestiary, BL Royal 12 F xiii, f. 24v. Late 1200s CE. Held and digitised by the British Library.

New Year's Image, Persepolis

A portrait of Henry II of England (r. 1154-1189 CE). C. 1620 CE (National Portrait Gallery, London)

Abduction of Zal by the Simurgh From the Sarai Albums Tabriz, c. 1370 CE Hazine 2153, folio 23a Kept at Topkapı Palace Museum

Scene from Shahnameh: Rustam (or Rustum) shoots Isfandiyar in the eyes with a double-pointed arrow, from manuscript Ms. or. fol. 4251, Berlin State Library

The traditional Freiberg Christmas Market. The picture was taken in December 2009.