NOTE: I’ve reworked and split this into Episodes 116 and 117—re-recorded and much improved. I’m proud of how they turned out (and very glad I never posted the original version!). Hope you enjoy the new edits, and I’d love to hear what you think!

SEASON 6: The Other Norman Conquest

EPISODE 116: Siege of Palermo, 1064

The crown jewel of Sicily was calling — and the Hauteville brothers answered. In 1064, Robert Guiscard and Count Roger joined forces once again to take the ultimate prize of the island: Palermo. This wasn’t just a military campaign; it was a statement, a challenge to the heart of Muslim Sicily, and a bold play to cement Norman dominance in the Mediterranean. Today, we tell the story of this audacious assault, of grit, strategy, and the relentless ambition of two brothers chasing legacy.

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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 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

We break from our history narrative for this episode (which I have purposely not numbered so as to keep the flow of the narrative), and I hope you all make it to the end. I use this time to go off-script and share with you all some of my thoughts about the podcast so far -- where it's been, where it currently is, and where it might go in the future. I feel like we have hit a level of listenership that needs to be acknowledged and celebrated...and, honestly, I don't know what to do next. And I'm all ears.

So, if you have a few extra minutes, please listen. And please reach out with your thoughts, as well. I appreciate every single one of you more than you know.

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. 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 115: The Battle of Cerami

Some battles live on not just for their violence, but for what they awaken. The Battle of Cerami was just that — a moment of valor, of brilliant leadership, and of seismic consequence. Roger de Hauteville stood his ground against overwhelming odds in what would become the Thermopylae of Norman Sicily. But battles like this leave more than scars and glory — they change landscapes, cultures, and destinies. Today, we tell the story of a clash that shaped the soul of a conquest.

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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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

EPISODE 114: Locking Down Troina

1063 was a make-or-break year for Roger de Hauteville. On this episode, we watch him balance on the knife’s edge of survival and triumph. From rescuing his wife during a local revolt to enduring a brutal siege, Roger’s resolve is tested like never before. And yet, somehow, against the odds, he pushes deeper into Sicily than ever before. This is the year that begins to turn ambition into legacy.

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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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

EPISODE 113: All Over A Girl

An entire civil war…over a girl? What is this, a Mediterranean remake of The Iliad? Nope—just another Tuesday in Norman Italy. In this episode, sibling rivalry hits its peak as the mighty Robert Guiscard and his brother Roger square off over a woman, of all things. Honor, pride, power—sure, those played a role too—but make no mistake, this feud cuts deep. What unfolds isn’t just a spat between brothers; it’s a full-blown civil conflict with long-lasting consequences for their fragile conquest of Sicily.

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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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

EPISODE 112: Conquering the Val Demone

Conquest is momentum—and the Normans had it in spades. On this episode, we follow Robert Guiscard and his younger brother Roger as they push deeper into the rugged heart of Sicily. Their route takes them through a crucial valley, one that would test their resolve and teach Roger the brutal truths of leadership, logistics, and siegecraft. As always, Robert Guiscard leads the way with his signature mix of ambition, brutality, and uncanny instinct. The road to domination winds through this valley, and the Normans are just getting started.

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 

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Buy Me A Coffee!

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

EPISODE 111: Securing Messina

Roger’s Sicilian adventure continues—and this time, it’s real war. With the lessons of conquest fresh in his mind, Roger turns to the city of Messina as his critical first prize. But the Muslim powers of Sicily are far from passive observers—they respond quickly, and with force. Today, we explore how the youngest Hauteville turned strategy into action and overcame the fierce resistance that met him on Sicily’s rocky shores. The Norman foothold is no longer a dream—it’s a battleground.

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 

X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcast

Buy Me A Coffee!

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

EPISODE 110: Roger's First Steps

It's all about Roger—the youngest of the legendary Hauteville brothers—stepping out from his older siblings' shadows and into the blinding sun of Sicilian conquest. As Norman power spreads across the Mediterranean, Roger begins to carve out not just land, but legend. This is where his story truly begins—where ambition meets opportunity, and a new player enters the political game board of 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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Buy Me A Coffee!

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

EPISODE 109: The Norman-Papal Alliance

After catching up with the chaos of Eastern Rome, we begin today’s journey back in southern Italy with the ever-ambitious Robert Guiscard, still scheming his way through southern Italy like a medieval Tony Stark in chainmail. But the real thunderclap comes from within the halls of the Catholic Church. Power is shifting, reforms are surging, and a rising force in Rome is about to redefine what it means to hold the keys to the kingdom. This isn’t just church politics—this is a tectonic reshaping of the medieval world. Trust me, you’ll want to be here for it.

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 

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Buy Me A Coffee!

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 108: Cracks in the Bulwark

For centuries, Constantinople stood like a stone wall between Islamic empires and Christian Europe—absorbing wave after wave of pressure while the West largely ignored the cost. But after the disaster at Manzikert, those cracks in the wall widened. In this episode, we examine the immediate fallout: the chaos in Anatolia, the weakening of imperial authority, and the quiet terror echoing across the empire. The Byzantines had survived disasters before...but this one felt different. This time, the empire was bleeding from within.

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

License code: Y0ZLEPLIZYV2RTMJ