It was a time in the nation's history that 'was steeped in' bloodshed. [=a time when there was a lot of bloodshed]
Prior to his trip, he spent a few weeks 'steeping himself in' the language. [=learning a lot about the language]
an area 'steeped in' history [=an area where many important historical events occurred]
(..) The proletarian infant mortality rate has dropped by per cent. Incidences of leukaemia, tuberculosis and meningitis have dropped considerably. Improved diet has been responsible for a dramatic decrease in rickets. Eye diseases show a steep drop. So too do deaths from pneumonia and smallpox. (..)1984 1984