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Harold Godwinson’s sons, continuing their family’s tradition of piracy, return to England with a fleet from Ireland to challenge the crown. Despite the questionable success of this approach in the past, they inflict generational damage on the southern English coast, highlighting a mix of political motivation and opportunistic plunder. The campaign, however, ends disastrously for […]

The post 412 – The B Word first appeared on The British History Podcast.

The 1069 turmoil in the North of England sees a chaotic blend of failed leadership, noble mismanagement, and dramatic confrontations with King William. A successful rebellion quickly disintegrates into a farcical retreat as English nobles, initially seizing the moment, falter spectacularly in their strategic endeavors. William, seemingly untroubled, returns to his southern domain, throwing an […]

The post 411 – Tell it to St. Peter first appeared on The British History Podcast.

In 1069, William the Conqueror’s sudden assault on York with a formidable army takes the city by surprise, exploiting strategies learned from previous battles. The city’s defenders, comprising mostly non-combatants, are thrown into chaos, highlighting the harsh realities of warfare on civilian populations. The narrative further delves into the political complexities of the time, including […]

The post 410 – The F Word first appeared on The British History Podcast.

In 1068, a pivotal moment unfolds in Northumbria, where the assassination of Earl Robert at Durham sparks a large-scale rebellion against Norman rule. This event signifies a shift in English resistance, transforming disparate uprisings into a coordinated army ready for rebellion. The construction of a castle in Durham underlines the strategic shift, emphasizing preparedness and […]

The post 409 – The First Sparks first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Happy New Year!  It was 1069… nice… and as the new year dawned…things in England were getting a bit weird.

The post 408 – Kerosene first appeared on The British History Podcast.

I feel for the English commoners in the late 1060’s.  They had nothing to do with the arrival of the Normans… everything they suffered was the result of the actions of the nobles.  Exclusively.  

The post 407 – Robbing the Hood first appeared on The British History Podcast.

In early 1068… as William was preparing for the tactical Coronation of Matilda…  the three sons of Harold Godwinson were in Ireland. They had come to meet with King Diarmad of Dublin and prepare  an invasion force to re-take England.

The post 406 – King’s Rook Takes Pawn first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Here is the beginning of Hereward the Wake.  And to tell this story, we have to begin with the legend, because nothing in this story is straightforward. Probably because at least some of it is true. 

The post 405 – Hereward the Wake: The Bourne Identity first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Earl Osulf II of Bamburgh was a Northumbrian, and he had earned his seat ruling over the region North of the Tyne in true Northumbrian fashion. 

The post 402 – Fire Sale first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Feudalism had officially come to England, courtesy of the Normans…

The post 400 – William: This is Fine first appeared on The British History Podcast.