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

SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

Miniseries: Rise of the Komnenoi

EPISODE 101: The Rudderless Empire

Today, we explore the stretch of time between the death of Basil II—one of Eastern Rome's greatest emperors—and the rise of the Komnenian dynasty—one of Eastern Rome's greatest dynasties. This was a period of slow unraveling: emperors came and went, each chipping away at the ironclad legacy Basil had left behind. We'll trace the imperial throne through missteps, marriages, military failures, and the creeping rot of court intrigue. This is the story of how an empire rich in legacy slowly lost its grip—one underwhelming ruler at a time.

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Music:

Music for this episode is called “Cutting Edge” from the talented artist Hemlock!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/cutting-edge

License code: Y0ZLEPLIZYV2RTMJ

SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

Miniseries: Rise of the Komnenoi

EPISODE 100: Popes, Kings, Sailors & One Really Important Road

Today, we set the stage for empire and commerce by diving into the heartbeat of Byzantium—Constantinople—and the ancient road that connected it to the world: the Via Ignatia. We trace its winding route through the mountains of northern Greece, where traders and merchants carried precious goods and ideas across continents. This episode lays the groundwork for understanding how commerce and culture paved the way for empires.

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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 “Cutting Edge” from the talented artist Hemlock!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/cutting-edgeLicense code: Y0ZLEPLIZYV2RTMJ

SEASON 6 (OPENER): Still At It

EPISODE 99: Still At It

Today, we head south once again—back to the chaotic crossroads of southern Italy. The Normans aren't done yet. In fact, they're just getting started. This is the beginning of a new arc in our medieval epic: The Other Norman Conquest, where shifting alliances, ambition, and Mediterranean power plays take center stage.

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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YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel Podcast

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Music:

Music for this episode is called “Cutting Edge” from the talented artist Hemlock!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hemlock/cutting-edge

License code: Y0ZLEPLIZYV2RTMJ

SEASON 5: The Norman Conquest of England

EPISODE 98: The Longest Shadow

We bid farewell to the titan who changed the face of England forever. William the Conqueror—bastard, duke, king, and relentless force of will—meets his end. But even in death, his legacy casts a long and unyielding shadow over Europe. This is the final chapter in a life that reshaped the medieval world.

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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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 5: The Norman Conquest of England

EPISODE 97: Always On the Move

William the Conqueror buries the hatchet with an old rival, proving that even the most iron-fisted kings need allies now and then. Meanwhile, the Normans keep doing what Normans do best: moving, conquering, and reshaping the map of Europe. If there's one thing the 11th century teaches us, it’s that Norman ambition never sleeps.

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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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YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel Podcast

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

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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 96: Everybody Hates Will: Bishops & Barons

Today, we dive into the land grabs, political chess, and ecclesiastical power struggles that defined post-Conquest England. When Bishop Odo of Bayeux—yes, William’s own half-brother—gets a bit too ambitious, it’s Archbishop Lanfranc who brings the hammer down. The result? A trial, a scandal, and a trip to the dungeon. Welcome to the new world, where not even family is off-limits.

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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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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 5: The Norman Conquest of England

EPISODE 95: Everybody Hates Will: A Continental Conspiracy

The continent stirs. As William works to secure his hold on England, enemies old and new emerge from the shadows—plotting not just rebellion, but coordinated resistance. France, Flanders, Anjou… even distant allies begin whispering. The 1070s are far from quiet, and William’s balancing act is about to become a high-wire performance with no safety net.

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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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YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel Podcast

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

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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 94: Everybody Hates Will: The Revolt of the Earls

Just when things start settling down for William—Normandy squared away, England finally quieting—bam! Rebellion. Again. In this episode, a trio of high-ranking English earls decide they’ve had enough of Norman rule. What follows is equal parts drama, betrayal, and a reminder that crowns never sit easy on mortal heads.

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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YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel Podcast

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

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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 93: Shifting Winds

We build the scaffolding for what’s to come. Between 1070 and 1075, the winds of power shift across England and Normandy. Old threats fade, new ones rise, and William finds himself playing both monarch and firefighter—stamping out sparks before they become infernos. It's the calm before the next storm… if you can call anything in the 11th century "calm."

CORRECTION: I apologize for the confusion in this episode pertaining to Archbishop Stigand. I was on a roll and inserted the term "simony" for "plurality." To be clear: Archbishop Stigand was guilty of pluralism due to his simultaneous holding of both Canterbury and Winchester.

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

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

X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcast

Buy Me A Coffee!

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 92: The Siege of Ely

Today, we witness the final chapter in the legend of Hereward the Exile. From the swamps of Ely, the outlaw makes his last desperate stand against Norman rule. And in return? William responds with cold, calculating fury—the kind only a conqueror can deliver. The age of resistance is dying, but it’s going out swinging.

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

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

X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcast

Buy Me A Coffee!

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]