King Henry’s Court was huge. And that makes sense.  His predecessor, King Rufus, was a party animal and, as such, his Court had swollen into a massive, roving scene where anyone who wanted power… or just free wine… crowded in through the doors.

The post 509 – Court Costs first appeared on The British History Podcast.

The King was triumphant and his older brother was, if we’re taking the King’s word for it, retired and happily living in the lap of luxury… and most of the King’s other enemies were either imprisoned, dead, or keeping their heads down for fear of the King throwing them into the lap of luxury, too. 

The post 508 – The Reformation Begins first appeared on The British History Podcast.

A sample of our deep dive into the performance and the culture that surrounds the Song of Roland.

The post Chansons de Geste and 12th Century Performance Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Henry had defeated his brother… but he hadn’t defeated Normandy.  At least, not yet.  Duke Robert still had supporters out there and Falaise was still loyal to the Duke.  In fact, Duke Robert’s son, William Clito, was sheltering in Falaise.

The post 507 – Law and Order: Normandy first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Buckle up for a retelling of the medieval MCU that was driving Crusader culture.

The post The Song of Roland Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.

At long last, the struggle was over.

The post 506 – Chapter Eleven: The Machine first appeared on The British History Podcast.

It was the 15th of August, and King Henry was at Bec. He didn’t want to be at Bec, of course.  He wanted to be in the field, fighting Robert.  However, until the matter with Anselm was resolved, he didn’t dare take to the field.  So here he was.

The post 505 – The Battle of Tinchebray first appeared on The British History Podcast.

It was July 21st of 1105 and Henry was in Laigle. Just like he was in the late 1070s.  And, just like in the late 1070s, he was in conflict with his older brother.  Only this time he wasn’t in the town to do something fun, like pee on Robert from a balcony. No, this […]

The post 504 – At Anslem’s Bec and Call first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Curthose and his attendants, what remained of them, were rushing as quickly as they could to Rouen… and he was, presumably, crossing his fingers hoping that the people of that city would welcome him. And, honestly, after Caen I’d say it was even odds at best.

The post 503 – The Holy Ghosting first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Henry, with the help of Bishop Serlo, had just rebranded himself and his knights as the pious leaders of Greater Christian Normandy by going through little more than a ritualized barber shop scene and, while we know it was just cosplay, the fact is that people fall for bad faith optics all the time Which […]

The post 502 – The Cage Match of Bayeux first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Today we have a special episode with the return of Professor Rory Naismith! You will remember him from his interview on Anglo Saxon Economics and Money, and today he is back to talk with us about his new book on Offa, King of the Mercians.  Professor Rory Naismith is the Professor of Early Medieval History […]

The post An Offa Interview with Rory Naismith first appeared on The British History Podcast.