The Middle Ages is an oft-overlooked era in Western Civilization when many of our modern borders, cultures, and traditions came to be. Using in-depth research, the story of our medieval ancestors comes to life in vivid detail with an emphasis on tying the myriad storylines of the time together, to highlight the spider's web of European, African, Islamic and Asian entanglements proving once and for all our modern world was not created in a vacuum.
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Spring, summer and fall of 1081 — There is so much happening on both sides of the Adriatic during this time period. On this episode, we will keep up to date on it all. You won’t want to miss it! Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century, includin…
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Norman versus Eastern Roman. Robert Guiscard versus Alexios Komnenos. The war begins, but Guiscard gets an unexpected surprise before the Battle of Durazzo. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century, including but not limited to the creation of t…
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What were the reasons — besides the flimsy “deposed emperor turned up randomly in my court 600 miles away to ask for help in getting his throne back” — for Robert Guiscard’s invasion of the Balkans and attempt on the crown of Eastern Rome? Beyond that, what was the first step in that invasion and why? Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a doll…
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Schemes, preparations, and solidifications…oh my! Here is another chapter in our tale of a pope and his vassals, which, after a three-episode peek into Eastern Roman history, will directly set up something huge that’s about to happen. We’re turning another corner here as the narratives begin to take a wider view of European politics, but keep an ey…
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On this episode, Alexios Komnenos storms Constantinople in a bid to take the crown of Eastern Rome for himself. Patreon: With subscriptions starting at just one dollar per month, consider joining our Supporting Listeners Patreon group where you can experience whole series not available on the public podcast, including but not limited to Poland’s 11…
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On this episode, we iron out all the details leading up to Alexios Komnenos’s taking of the crown of Eastern Rome. Patreon: With subscriptions starting at just one dollar per month, consider joining our Supporting Listeners Patreon group where you can experience whole series not available on the public podcast, including but not limited to Poland’s…
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NOTE: During this Patreon series called The Book of Alexios, please note that there will be overlap in the episodes between the public podcast and the Patreon Supporting Members podcast. This is intended to help facilitate the merging of these two crucial storylines in (what I hope is) a seamless transition. So, this episode will serve as both publ…
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NOTE: This episode will also serve as Patreon Supporting Listeners Episode 21 (entitled "The Book of Alexios: Chapter 2: Bryennios's Rebellion"), helping to bridge the public series and the Patreon Supporting Listeners series. On this episode, we see Nikephoros III Botanieates make his first moves as emperor in the wake of the devastating Bread Rio…
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128: Some People Just Don't Know When to Go Away
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Individuals, empires, kingdoms, nations…some people just don’t know when to go away. Today’s episode shows us two examples of folks who refuse to see the writing on the wall, and the world is changed irrevocably because of it. We will get a good overview of what’s happening as we approach the end of the 1070’s. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For o…
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The title of this episode is actually an old German phrase. To take a walk to Canossa means to humble oneself to the point of even begging for forgiveness. In American parlance, we say “eating crow.” Where did this come from, this phrase about humbling oneself? Listen and find out. If there was a list of the top five most definitive moments of the …
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While the pope was ramping up hostilities between Rome and the Kingdom of Germany, what was happening in southern Italy and Sicily? We’re checking in on those pesky Southern Normans on this episode before returning to the growing tensions between Gregory VII and Henry IV. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a dollar per month, you can hear mul…
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What happened in the wake of Pope Gregory VII’s Dictatus Papae? Excommunications, assassinations, depositions…oh my! Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the show, so I hope you consider bec…
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This podcast loves historical documents, so when one comes along that requires a full episode, we dive in. Pope Gregory VII is about to change the ecclesiastical and political landscapes of Europe forever. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th centur…
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123: The Holy Satan's First Year, Part II
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We conclude Pope Gregory VII’s first year, a man Peter Damian called “the Holy Satan” – a deceiver within the holiest halls of Western Christendom — for how he manipulated and orchestrated his way to the top of the Catholic Church. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so f…
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From Hildebrand to Gregory VII -- or what monk Peter Damian called him, "The Holy Satan" -- Matilda’s choice of personal savior is in for one helluva first year. This is the first part of that story. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century. Eve…
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A man who was unable to be stopped and a woman who refused to give in — the subjects of this episode are two incredible figures in medieval Italy in the mid- to late-11th century, and would do their level best to change the papal-imperial game going forward. This is their origin story. Oh, and, uh, about Roger Borsa's new role as duke... Members-On…
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After Palermo, the Hauteville brothers begin to part ways. And it’s doubtful that they were even aware of the time’s historic legacies, much like Christendom at-large wasn’t fully aware of the East-West Schism that occurred in 1054. It just...sorta...happened. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a dollar per month, you can join the many listen…
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Palermo once again is in Duke Robert’s crosshairs. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the show, so I hope you consider becoming a Patreon member! Just follow this link to our Patreon page …
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The Siege of Bari begins and ends in this episode, but it’s not a simple, open-and-shut story. There’s intrigue and emperors and naval battles and trash-talk. This one has it all! Most importantly, though, it has the cunning Duke Robert Guiscard establishing firm control over his long-held but pain in the neck duchy. Members-Only Series on Patreon:…
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Having rewritten this one and broken it up into two episodes (Episode 116 and this one), including re-recording them both…I really feel like this one works! I’m proud of the revisions (and extremely grateful I never posted the first version) and I hope you enjoy the new-and-improved Episodes 116 and 117! I’d love to hear your thoughts on them. As f…
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Having rewritten this one and broken it up into two episodes (Episodes 116 and 117), including re-recording them both…I really feel like this one works! I’m proud of the revisions (and extremely grateful I never posted the first version) and I hope you enjoy the new-and-improved Episodes 116 and 117! I’d love to hear your thoughts on them. Robert G…
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We break from our history narrative for this episode (which I have purposely not numbered so as to keep the flow of the narrative), and I hope you all make it to the end. I use this time to go off-script and share with you all some of my thoughts about the podcast so far -- where it's been, where it currently is, and where it might go in the future…
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This is one of those episodes that creates a benchmark for all the military leaders to come after it. And Roger sets a high benchmark in what amounts to the Thermopylae of the Norman Conquest of Sicily. However, we remember such battles not only for their brilliant military acumen or displays of courage and daring, but for their enduring impacts on…
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1063 was a make-or-break year for Roger’s aspirations in Sicily. On this episode, we will look at how he saved his wife from revolt, survived a devastating siege, and even managed to push further into Sicily than he’d ever done before. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a few bucks per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylin…
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An entire civil war…over a girl? What was this, ancient Troy? Nope, this is what happens when two Hauteville brothers have a disagreement. Just another day in Norman Italy! Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a few bucks per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century. Every dime donated will be …
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It’s all about moving forward when it comes to conquests and life, so that’s what both Robert and Roger do. They move further and further along one of the more important valleys on the mountainous island, a valley that would serve as the Normans’ first proving ground in the larger land-based conquest of Sicily. Roger, needless to say, would learn q…
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Roger learned a lot in the last episode and it was now time to put those lessons to work. Securing Messina was the key to establishing a foothold in Sicily; however, Muslim powers in Sicily flew to Messina’s aid as the Norman threat became real. How did Roger overcome the Muslim challenge to his invasion? Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a …
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It’s all about Roger, the baby of the Hauteville brood, as he takes his first real steps into world of international politics and legend-building. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a few bucks per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the…
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We begin by catching up with our old friend, Robert Guiscard, before ending it with some serious moves made by a rising power within the Catholic Church. No joke. Major changes occur in this one, so tune in! Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a buck per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th centur…
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For centuries, Constantinople served as the frontline bulwark against Muslim expansion. After Manzikert, cracks began forming in those formidable walls, walls that served Christian Europe far more than it ever got credit for. Today, we take a look at the immediate effects of Manzikert. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a few bucks per month,…
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Manzikert! The battle that signaled a wind change for the Eastern Roman Empire. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a single dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the show, so I hope you consider becoming a Patreon member! Just f…
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For young Michael Doukas, everything was going great...until mom stepped in and ruined everything! Members-Only Series on Patreon: For a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the show, so I hope you consider becoming a Patreon member!…
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This episode shows the rare peaceful transition of power in the Middle Ages. However, peaceful though it was, even peace has its drama… Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a few bucks per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the show, so I…
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On this episode, the reign of Isaac I Komnenos. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a few bucks per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the show, so I hope you consider becoming a Patreon member! Just follow this link to our Patreon page …
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On this episode, Constantinople stands on the brink of either great things or absolute collapse. Which will it be? Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a few bucks per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the show, so I hope you consider be…
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No ads on this one. It's the least I can do to repay you all for your incredible patience lately. THANK YOU. On this episode, from Theodora to Michael IV, Constantinople is still looking for a foothold on stability. Can Michael VI do it? Or will it take someone else? Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a few bucks per month, you can hear multi…
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On this episode, Constantinople needs some context before continuing our storyline, before we can fully understand the coming dynasty of emperors, before we can grasp exactly what the Normans ran up against during the 1080’s and 1090’s. Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a few bucks per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storyli…
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100: Popes, Kings, Sailors & One Really Important Road
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WE'VE HIT TRIPLE DIGITS IN OUR EPISODE COUNT!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT! On this episode, Constantinople needs some context before continuing our storyline.Members-Only Series on Patreon:For only a few bucks per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century. Every dime donated will be …
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On this episode, we head back south where we remind ourselves about the Normans in southern Italy and their new, ever-shifting role and place in Mediterranean politics and culture. This is the first episode in a new bend in our medieval narrative we’re calling “The Other Norman Conquest.” Members-Only Series on Patreon: For only a few bucks per mon…
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Today, we come to the end of an era, an era that would begin to define one of the most dominant cultures in history. Members-Only Series on Patreon: Don’t forget to head over to Patreon, as well, to hear an entirely new series on the what’s happening around England and Normandy while William becomes the conqueror of legend! For only a few bucks per…
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William makes amends with a longtime adversary, and an 11th century lession for all: Normans are always on the move. Always. Members-Only Series on Patreon: Don’t forget to head over to Patreon, as well, to hear an entirely new series on the what’s happening around England and Normandy while William becomes the conqueror of legend! For only a few b…
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096: Everybody Hates Will: Bishops & Barons
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Today, we learn more about how land ownership during the Norman Conquest upended ancient traditions, and how William was forced to step in and establish precedent, reprimanding his own brother-in-law in the process. Members-Only Series on Patreon: Don’t forget to head over to Patreon, as well, to hear an entirely new series on the what’s happening …
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095: Everybody Hates Will: A Continental Conspiracy
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Today, William’s haters come out of the woodwork. Members-Only Series on Patreon: Don’t forget to head over to Patreon, as well, to hear an entirely new series on the what’s happening around England and Normandy while William becomes the conqueror of legend! For only a few bucks per month, you can hear these fascinating tales of how seemingly uncon…
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094: Everybody Hates Will: The Revolt of the Earls
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Just when William had Normandy’s control over Maine situated and England was coming to rest into a nice, easy routine…the guy just can’t catch a break. Members-Only Series on Patreon: Recent Patreon Episodes: P12: Was Matilda Really A Monster? P13: Forsaken Son Don’t forget to head over to Patreon, as well, to hear an entirely new series on the wha…
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CORRECTION: I apologize for the confusion in this episode pertaining to Archbishop Stigand. I was on a roll and inserted the term "simony" for "plurality." To be clear: Archbishop Stigand was guilty of pluralism due to his simultaneous holding of both Canterbury and Winchester. Today, we build some context for the next episode focusing on the shift…
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Today, the last part in the tale of an outlaw, one created in the wake of William’s disastrous policies in England. Hereward heads to Ely for what would be, unbeknownst to him, his last stand. William responds in a very William-y way. Members-Only Series on Patreon: Don’t forget to head over to Patreon, as well, to hear an entirely new series on th…
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Today, the second part in the tale of an outlaw, one created in the wake of William’s disastrous policies in England. This one culminates in the sack of a major abbey in East Anglia, equating to a serious threat to William’s rule there and a shout across the kingdom that rebellion was still alive and well among the English. Members-Only Series on P…
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Today, the first part in the tale of an outlaw, one created in the wake of William’s disastrous policies in England. NOTE: Please forgive my voice. It’ll heal and get back to normal in time, but I’ve been struggling with a bout of covid recently hence the delay in recording and publishing episodes. My apologies. Thanks for sticking around. You all …
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Episode 89 / Patreon Episode 11: A Scottish Marriage Something a little special on this one. This is a joint-Patreon Members Only / public podcast episode! We’re taking a look at “circa 1070 Scotland” and how it informs the overall narrative of William’s conquest of England, including Malcolm’s inexpressibly important marriage to Margaret of the Ho…
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Today, another part of the aftermath of the Harrying of the North. Members-Only Series on Patreon: Don’t forget to head over to Patreon, as well, to hear an entirely new series on the what’s happening around England and Normandy while William becomes the conqueror of legend! For only a few bucks per month, you can hear these fascinating tales of ho…
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