SEASON 5: The Norman Conquest of England

Miniseries: Matilda of Flanders

EPISODE 78: Behind Every Great Man, Pt. 1

William - finally! - meets his match. In this first episode of a new miniseries, we meet Matilda of Flanders—not yet a queen, but already a force to be reckoned with. As a teenage noblewoman in the powerful House of Flanders, Matilda was well-positioned to make a prestigious marriage… just not to him. Today, we explore how a clever, ambitious young woman came to be courted by the illegitimate Duke of Normandy—and how that proposal may not have gone quite as planned.

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Music for this episode is called “Psycho” by Alex Besss (not a typo on the last name). Check him out at https://uppbeat.io/t/alex-besss/psycho [License code: Z56NEGWX66PXWD2G]

SEASON 5: The Norman Conquest of England

EPISODE 77: The Ties That Bind

In light of the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II of England, we trace the remarkable lineage of Matilda of Flanders—from her pivotal role as Queen of England beside William the Conqueror to her far-off royal descendant, Queen Elizabeth II. What connects these two formidable women across nearly a thousand years? More than you might think. Join us as we uncover the legacy of one of medieval Europe’s most influential women.

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Music:

Music for this episode is called “Psycho” by Alex Besss (not a typo on the last name). Check him out at https://uppbeat.io/t/alex-besss/psycho [License code: Z56NEGWX66PXWD2G]

SEASON 5: The Norman Conquest of England

EPISODE 76: The Matriarch

With Harold Godwinson dead at Hastings and his brothers slain alongside him, the once-mighty House of Godwine teeters on the edge of ruin. In the shadows of defeat, it’s their mother—Gytha—who emerges as the family’s anchor. Today, we follow her desperate attempt to hold her shattered house together as they flee a kingdom no longer theirs.

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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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Music:

Music for this episode is called “Psycho” by Alex Besss (not a typo on the last name). Check him out at https://uppbeat.io/t/alex-besss/psycho [License code: Z56NEGWX66PXWD2G]

SEASON 5: The Norman Conquest of England

EPISODE 75: Sparks

No sooner has William of Normandy become King of England than the realm begins to rise up against him. While William returns to Normandy to secure his continental holdings, England erupts in rebellion. From north to south, resistance spreads—and the Conquest faces its first real test.

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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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Music:

Music for this episode is called “Psycho” by Alex Besss (not a typo on the last name). Check him out at https://uppbeat.io/t/alex-besss/psycho [License code: Z56NEGWX66PXWD2G]

SEASON 5: The Norman Conquest of England

EPISODE 74: The Coronation of King William I

After months of bloodshed, strategy, and political maneuvering, Duke William of Normandy finally claims the prize he crossed the Channel for—he becomes King William I of England. But this isn’t just about a crown. It’s the beginning of a seismic shift in English history. 

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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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Music:

Music for this episode is called “Psycho” by Alex Besss (not a typo on the last name). Check him out at https://uppbeat.io/t/alex-besss/psycho [License code: Z56NEGWX66PXWD2G]

SEASON 5: The Norman Conquest of England

EPISODE 73: London Calling

With Harold dead and the English leadership fractured, Duke William begins his calculated march north from Hastings. His eyes are set on London—but rather than charge the city, he circles it like a hawk, testing its defenses and looking for an opening to claim the crown of England. The Conquest isn’t over. It’s only just begun.

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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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Music:

Music for this episode is called “Psycho” by Alex Besss (not a typo on the last name). Check him out at https://uppbeat.io/t/alex-besss/psycho [License code: Z56NEGWX66PXWD2G]

SEASON 5 (OPENER): The Norman Conquest of England

EPISODE 72: An English Catastrophe

After the dust settled at Hastings, England stood stunned. King Harold was dead—but who, if anyone, would rise to resist Duke William? What did the battlefield look like the day after? Who had the authority, the strength, or even the courage to claim the crown in October 1066? Today, we explore the chaos, the questions, and the uncertain future of a conquered kingdom.

Useful Links Mentioned in the Episode:

Injuries From Medieval Arrows Just As Horrific As Gunshot Wounds. Heritage Daily. (2020, May 7). Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://www.heritagedaily.com/2020/05/injuries-from-medieval-arrows-just-as-horrific-as-gunshot-wounds/128492

Martin Foys | Published in History Today Volume 66 Issue 10 October 2016. (2016, October 10). Shot through the eye and who's to blame? History Today. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://www.historytoday.com/shot-through-eye-and-who%E2%80%99s-blame

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! 

Social Media:

YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel Podcast

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Music:

Music for this episode is called “Psycho” by Alex Besss (not a typo on the last name). Check him out at https://uppbeat.io/t/alex-besss/psycho [License code: Z56NEGWX66PXWD2G]

SEASON 4 (FINALE): The Mediterranean Prepares

EPISODE 71: El Cid, Pt. 5: Valencia

Rodrigo Díaz ends his story the only way he could—his way. Today, we ride into the unforgettable conclusion of Spain’s greatest hero, the legendary El Cid. Part history, part myth, all epic.

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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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Music:

Music for this episode is called “Al Andalus” by the incredibly talented (as you’ll hear) Shane Ivers. Check him out at https://www.silvermansound.com.

SEASON 4: The Mediterranean Prepares

EPISODE 70: El Cid, Pt. 4: The Road to Valencia

We’re entering the final act of a story centuries in the making. From the heights of Córdoba to the dust of Zaragoza, the Iberian Peninsula is now a battleground of faith, power, and legacy. As the Reconquista surges forward, we begin the closing chapters in the life of Spain’s greatest legendary warrior—El Cid.

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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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Buy Me A Coffee!

Music:

Music for this episode is called “Al Andalus” by the incredibly talented (as you’ll hear) Shane Ivers. Check him out at https://www.silvermansound.com.

SEASON 4: The Mediterranean Prepares

EPISODE 69: El Cid, Pt. 3: The Battle of Sagrajas

El Cid rides again—this time in exile, defending Zaragoza against his former countrymen. As Alfonso VI tightens his grip on Iberia, word spreads of a looming storm in the south. In Algeciras, a dark tide rises that will reshape the peninsula—and it all begins here, a decade before the First Crusade.

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!

Social Media:

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Meta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 

X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcast

Buy Me A Coffee!

Music:

Music for this episode is called “Al Andalus” by the incredibly talented (as you’ll hear) Shane Ivers. Check him out at https://www.silvermansound.com.