We talk to comedian, writer and history buff Mike Shephard about the Medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia and its depiction in modern culture thanks to BBC's The Last Kingdom and History Channel's Vikings. Plus, we uncover the secret history of Alton Towers, the cost of a severed foot in Wergeld and Hitler makes a predictable cameo.

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Controversial wergeld price list comes via "Wergeld: Crime and the compensation culture in Medieval England" Prof Anthony Mussan, University of Exeter, which you can listen to here.

In the first ever episode of the first ever series of Countries That Don't Exist Anymore, we look at the Medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia - from its founding by little Ickle to its eventual stomping on by the Vikings and absorption into Wessex. Find out which Mercian kings made the Top Ten, who King Offa was and why he seemed so keen on Allah and how much wergeld a werewolf was worth.

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode.

Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting.

Full episode transcript here.

What else? Oh yeah. Remember to SUBSCRIBE to keep us existing!

It's Countries That Don't Exist Anymore! The historical entertainment podcast about countries that don't exist anymore. Join Ed and Phil O'Meara as they explore nations lost in the historical fog - from the Kingdom of Mercia to the Republic of West Florida. And some other ones.

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions, comments and unsolicited marketing.

Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting.

What else? Oh yeah. Remember to SUBSCRIBE!