I'm off gallivanting in France. I'll be back soon with new episodes.

In this episode, we explore the routier campaigns in the Auvergne and Champagne regions of France, and try to understand how effective institutions help the French, and how the English are still working out the kinks of being routiers. Mentioned in the episode: Kings and Generals episode on the Mongols Timeline: November 1358 Dury and Scott invade …

In this episode, we look at some aspects of how fortifications are defended and the changes that the Hundred Year's War brought on. Mentionned in the episode: Tod's Workshop

In this episode, King Jean and King Edward agree to a new treaty, one harsher than the previous. King Edward also holds weddings for two of his children. Meanwhile, as the Estates-General debates the new treaty, they also discuss a scheme from the King of Denmark. Afterwards, we quickly explore medieval currency. Dates: 1358 November: French fail t…

We see the routiers through the eyes of Hugues de Montgeron. Band invade the Nivernais, Orléans and Auxerre, but are stopped in Burgundy and Champagne. 1358 April Archpriest hired by Marguerite de Flandres to defend Nevers May Bands take city and bridge of Meung June 24: Beaugency is taken October Robert Knolles enters Orléanais 31: the English tak…

In this episode, we look at the situation in the Languedoc, the movements of the companies out of Gascony and into Auvergne, then the Loire, Saône and Rhône valleys, and the rise of the Great Company of the Arnaud de Cervole, the Archpriest Dates: 1355 Last raids of the Count of Armagnac into Gascony; first company comes out of Gascony into Auvergn…

In this episode, the Dauphin is invited back into Paris, and restores his relationship with the Parisians. Charles of Navarre surrounds Paris. The French can’t pay for their King’s ransom. You can reach me at leaopardandlilies @ gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/theleopardandthelily Dates: July 31, 1358: Étienne Marcel dies August 1, 1358: Pari…

In 1357, during the siege at Dinan, Bertrand Du Gesclin was challenged to a duel - this is the story.

The Jacquerie has been crushed, and the Dauphin's army is swelling, as he marches to reclaim Paris from Étienne Marcel's control.

The peasants are mad as hell, and they're not gonna take it anymore! The Great Jacquerie, a large uprising in the north of France, flares up, and is quickly crushed.

In this episode, the Dauphin strikes back. He captures two cities, blocking Paris from one of its sources of food. The Parisian, and the citizens of many other towns, radicalize.

King Jean makes arrangements for the Treaty of London to be ratified. King Charles and Étienne Marcel will have none of it. Their grip on the Dauphin tightens. And Paris is surrounded by hostile forces.

In this episode, Étienne Marcel and Robert Le Coq continue to rule, and the Dauphin struggles to free himself from their power. His supporters and his enemies supporters clash in the streets of Paris.

Charles of Navarre makes a triumphant entry into Paris. His supporters seize control of the Government. Kings Jean and Edward agree to the terms of the First Treaty of London.

In this episode, King Jean travels to, and begins his captivity in, London. King David is released. Prince Charles gets tackled by the Estates-General. King Charles of Navarre is rescued.

In this episode, the King of France tells his subjects to not bother paying their taxes, the government in Paris reminds people that they need to pay taxes, and the siege of Rennes goes on.

The Marches of Brittany, Normandy, Anjou, and Maine are falling into chaos similar to what the south of France has been living through. Too many parties with conflicting agendas are trying to deal with England. King Edward looks on with glee.

Prince Charles skips town and leaves his brother, the Duke of Artois, a very hot potato. He goes to Germany for a successful summit. When he returns to Paris, he submits to the will of the Estates-General as they begin dismantling the Government's operations.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Guy Windsor, sword instructor extraordinaire, to discuss medieval woodworking. https://guywindsor.net/

In this episode, senior officials summon the Estates-General, but their demands, especially those of the normally loyal Third Estate, are harsh.

In this episode, we explore a bit of the world of Chivalry with author Christian Cameron. Books mentioned in this episode: The Long Sword (Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Indigo) Hawkwood's Sword (released soon) (Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Indigo) Tom Swan and the Head of St. George (Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Indigo) Please join us at Intelligent Speech Conference…

In this episode, a guest shows up briefly for a quick reading, we look at the English situation and action after the battle, and the French predicament.

In this episode, the King of France has the Prince of Wales trapped by the nearby town of Poitiers. They engage in one of the great defining battles of the Hundred Years War.

The Duke of Lancaster launches a raid in Normandy, While King Jean II is trying desperately to raise soldiers and funds to repel the invader. Prince Edward launches another chevauché deep into the heart of France, but the King and his sons manage to stop him and pursue him back towards the south.

News of the Prince of Wales chevauchée arrived in England, but the King is busy retaking Berwick-on-Tweed, and then leading the Burnt Candlemass, a large scale raid on the Lowlands. Meanwhile, the Prince organizes is forces, and launches an attack against the unprepared French, taking a number of cities and castles around Gascony, and gaining the s…

In this episode, the French Government convenes the Estates-General to work on a new tax plan for the realm, but implementing taxes in medieval France is very difficult. Charles of Navarre plots with Prince Charles, and the King is now done with his shenanigans.

In this episode, King Edward takes a short stroll in Picardie, but King Jean left him nothing. On returning to England, the King learned that Berwick-upon-Tweed had fallen to a Scottish army. Meanwhile, in the south of France, the Black Prince led one of the wars biggest and most successful chevauchée, a long range raid of pillaging and destruction…

In this episode, Charles the Bad uses the threat of an alliance with England to gain a strong position to negotiate with the King of France. Again. England changes its plans as a result.

Well... Mostly Scotland. The French Government begins planning the retaking of Charles the Bad's Norman lands, and prepare for a renewed confrontation with England by trying to open a new front in England's back - Scotland. We continue with exploring what was going on between the battle of Neville's Cross and 1355.…

King Edward decides to invade France once more - in Normandy and in Gascony. The command of the southern forces is given to his son, Edward, the Black Prince - his first command. Armies are recruited, ships hired, and finances reordered.

In this episode, we introduce a new character into our narrative, my favourite - Bertrand du Guesclin. We look at is childhood (maybe...), his debut in the jousting lists, then as a guerilla fighter, and finally as a professional soldier.

In this episode, the 1354 peace conference goes well and a way to end the war is negotiated at Guines. King Edward III manages to actually keep a hold on the Anglo-Gascon lords, not so much in Brittany. King Jean learns the truth of Charles the Bad, and rethinks the Treaty of Guines.

Charles of Navarre is planning something big. He has Charles of Spain, the King of France's best friend, assassinated, then takes the initiative by telling everyone about it, and enticing the English in to committing troops on the continent.

A young and ambitious Cardinal attempts to bring peace to England and France, but the war in the south of France and his lack of diplomatic acumen make it very difficult.

Pope Clement is dead, and his successor, Pope Innocent VI, is not so close to the French crown. The young King of Navarre returns to France from his coronation, and we explore his past. There is discontent in the realm, and he might just be the figure to galvanize an opposition.

In this special episode, we're geeking out with the host of The Medieval Podcast, the Five-Minute Medievalist herself, Danièle Cybulkie. We discuss the Middle-Ages, her books, her podcast, Robin Hood, historical fiction, and a bunch of other topics which popped into my mind. Follow her on Twitter (@5MinMedievalist), at Medievalist.net, at buy her b…

The French campaigns of the summer of 1352 are going poorly. So poorly in fact, that King Jean is beginning to panic, and Charles de Blois switches sides.

Neither King Jean nor King Edward can control their subordinates, and fighting continues around Gascony. Charles de Blois returns to look for money to pay his ransom. We delve a little deeper into the story of the English ninjas that seized the fortress at Guines, and the reactions of both kings, as the truce collapses once again.…

The French Government analyzes the situation, and determines that, one of the reasons for its defeats, is that knighthood and chivalry were on the decline. The solution: return to the past, when chivalry ruled the battle field by creating the Order of the Star. We explore the life of Geoffroi de Charny, and some of his philosophy and ideas. Please …

Hi everyone, This not-episode is to explain why there will be no episode this week. I also take the time to talk about the Deed of Alms. Please donate here: www.boarstooth.net/new-events/2020/deed-of-alms

Sir Jean de Beaumanoir, Breton captain of Josselin challenges Brambrocc, captain of the town of Ploërmel to a joust, and Brambrocc counters with an offer of a battle of 30 against 30. One of the great chivalric deeds of arms will unfold.

King Jean names a new Constable, Charles of Spain, who moves on Angoulême. In Brittany, neither side achieves much, and around Calais, after some very mitigated early successes, the English army suffers a defeat.

King Philippe is dead, and we quickly review his reign, including the purchase of the Dauhpiné. His son, Jean, ascends to the throne and to a somewhat of a rocky start.

In this episode, the French and English ambassadors hash out an agreement that would extend the Truce of Calais to August 1351. However, some hostile actions continue, culminating with the naval Battle of Winchelsea.

In this episode, the King of France repudiates the truce, and sends 2 armies to prevent the English from controlling the Atlantic Coast; the Earl of Lancaster heads to Gascony to draw French resources south and force a truce; and King Edward gets a Christmas gift. For questions or comments, you can email me at leopardandlilies@gmail.com, of via the…

The Truce of Calais is still in place, but occupying Calais, Brittany and Gascony is becoming extremely costly for King Edward. Meanwhile, the War of Breton Succession devolves into a chaotic mess of raids and extortion, and fighting continues in Gascony - and all of this fighting is completely out of both King's control.…

In this episode, we look at how medieval scholars dealt with the Great Mortality, and then at the economic upheaval left in the wake of the plague.

Content warning: This episode is rough. It is the period of the Great Mortality, and people react very badly to it. Anti-semitism is rampant, and religious fanatics wander the land, beating themselves bloody. And, others party like there's no tomorrow (which was statistically the case). Feel free to share your comments or questions via email at leo…

In this episode, we talk of rats, disease, host organisms, vectors of infection, where the plague began, how it spread, and how bad it was. Content warning: There are some pretty revolting descriptions. Questions and comments: leopardandlilies @ gmail dot com.

King Edward III returns to England, hosts lavish tournaments, and faces a difficult Parliament. King Philip VI receives the mandate to fully prosecute the war with England from the Estates-General. The Count of Flanders returns and the government of the weavers collapses.