Fortune's Wheel: A Podcast History of Our Medieval Story

Robert Guiscard returns to Apulia, Count Roger deals with his own issues back in Sicily, and Pope Gregory VII is driven into hiding. The period of 1082 - 1084 is a rollercoaster.

SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

EPISODE 140: Unbathed & Unshaven

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 the Kingdom of Poland, what’s happening on the Continent while Duke William is conquering England, and, currently, our series called “The Book of Alexios” detailing all those details of the monumental medieval emperor, Alexios Komnenos, that didn’t make it into the public podcast. 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 to peruse the right “subscription” for you: https://www.patreon.com/FortunesWheelPodcast. 

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SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

EPISODE 139: Henry IV Wants More Than Some Kingdoms

Call this one a historical pit stop. In the whirlwind of 1081, a few crucial threads got lost in the chaos—and that’s on me. This addendum episode fills in the missing pieces, offering key context that deepens everything we’ve been covering. Because let’s face it: history isn’t neat, and it sure as hell isn’t linear. When you realize something’s been skipped or misunderstood, you don’t just press on—you circle back and set it right. Thanks for sticking with the story, bumps and all.

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SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

EPISODE 138: Aftermath of Durazzo

Emperor Alexios I Komnenos is wounded, his army shattered, and the road to Constantinople lies wide open. The Battle of Durazzo didn’t just end in defeat—it exploded into chaos. In this episode, we follow Alexios in the desperate, bloody aftermath: wounded, hunted, and clinging to survival. Does the emperor escape? Or does the Norman tide finally sweep the East? The fate of the empire hangs by a thread—and it's fraying fast.

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If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!

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SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

EPISODE 137: The Battle of Durazzo, 1081

It all comes to a head at Durazzo. Alexios Komnenos and Robert Guiscard face off in a clash that could decide the fate of Eastern Rome. For Guiscard, Durazzo is the key to the empire’s front door; for Alexios, it’s the last lock holding the West at bay. This isn’t just a battle—it’s a test of ambition, endurance, and sheer nerve. If Guiscard wins, Constantinople is next. If he fails, the dream dies on the beach. This is the moment.

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If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!

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SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

EPISODE 136: The Adriatic At War

Spring, summer, and fall of 1081—it's a whirlwind on both sides of the Adriatic. While Robert Guiscard sharpens his blade and tests the defenses of Eastern Rome, Alexios Komnenos races to hold together a collapsing empire. Meanwhile, alliances shift, cities burn, fleets sail, and popes pray for more than just divine intervention. This episode is your front-row seat to the chaos, the strategy, and the high-stakes drama that set the stage for one of the Middle Ages' defining confrontations. Buckle up—1081 doesn’t slow down.

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If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!

NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down of any paywalls! 

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SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

EPISODE 135: Arrival of the...Venetians?

Norman versus Eastern Roman. Robert Guiscard versus Alexios Komnenos. The war for the fate of the Balkans ignites—but just as the Old Fox prepares for a clean sweep, a new player sails into view: the Venetians. Wealthy, well-armed, and annoyingly loyal to Byzantium (for now), they throw a gilded wrench into Guiscard’s invasion plans. Before the Battle of Durazzo even begins, the stakes have changed, and the Normans aren’t the only sharks in the water anymore.

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If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!

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SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

EPISODE 134: The Fall of Corfu

Sure, Robert Guiscard said he was just helping out a sad ex-emperor who wandered into his court with a sob story and a fake crown. But let’s be honest—that was just Norman theater. In this episode, we dig into the real reasons behind Guiscard’s audacious invasion of the Balkans. Prestige, papal politics, Byzantine chaos, and a little something called ambition. The Old Fox wasn’t restoring an emperor—he was testing the locks on the gates of Constantinople. It all begins with one bold move: the capture of Corfu.

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If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!

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SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

EPISODE 133: The Winter of Their Discontent

Schemes, preparations, and solidifications…oh my! We’re back in the West, knee-deep in papal maneuverings and vassal gamesmanship. After a brief Eastern detour, this chapter sets the stage for something massive. The gears of European power are grinding into motion, and our favorite schemer, Duke Robert “the Old Fox,” is sharpening his claws for his most daring gamble yet. The stakes? Everything.

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If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!

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SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

Miniseries: The Book of Alexios: Chapter 6 (will published at a later date)

EPISODE 132: April 4, 1081

This is the moment everything changes. In this episode, young Alexios Komnenos storms the gates of Constantinople—not as a defender, but as a contender. With allies at his back and betrayal in the air, he makes his play for the purple. The empire is bleeding, the people are restless, and the crown of Eastern Rome is up for grabs. Spoiler: Alexios isn’t asking for it. He’s taking it.

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If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!

NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down of any paywalls! 

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SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

Miniseries: The Book of Alexios: Chapter 5 (whole series will be published later)

EPISODE 131: Cheese Week

Before the empire crowned a Komnenos, it celebrated Cheese Week—yes, that Cheese Week. This episode takes a detour into the rich and frankly delicious traditions of pre-Lenten Constantinople, where fasting, feasting, and politics made strange bedfellows. But don’t get too cozy. As the cheese cooled and the candles dimmed, Alexios Komnenos was positioning himself for the ultimate move: taking the crown of Eastern Rome. The prelude is over. Now comes the power grab.

No More Paywalls! How?

If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!

NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down of any paywalls! 

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