Empress Matilda emerged as a key contender for the English crown during the chaos of The Anarchy.

This relentless civil war, spanning 1138 to 1153 in England and Normandy, led both regions into near-total collapse. Law and order vanished, leaving the land in fear and suffering. A chronicler of the time remarked, "Christ and his saints were asleep during this period." Even by medieval standards, the devastation was exceptional.

At the heart of this turmoil stood Empress Matilda—a woman of indomitable will, ambition, and royal lineage. Despite betrayals and resistance, she fought determinedly to claim the throne she believed was hers.

This is the saga of Empress Matilda.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Honda Tadakatsu was a legendary Japanese samurai, general, and daimyo known for his unwavering loyalty to Japan's three great unifiers. He gained prominence during the Sengoku period, a time of civil strife and social upheaval. As the Ashikaga shogunate's power declined, regional daimyos asserted more political authority, commanding stronger armies.

Despite the ceremonial significance of the Shogun title, the nation fell into constant warfare as the influence of shoguns waned. Amid this chaos, Honda Tadakatsu emerged as a legendary figure, celebrated for his unmatched swordsmanship and unwavering bravery. Remarkably, he fought in 57 battles without a single wound, earning the title "The Warrior who surpassed Death itself." His distinctive armor, featuring a helmet with great antlers, symbolized his fearless spirit and audacity in battle.

Honda Tadakatsu was one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Tokugawa, the elite samurai generals who supported Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Shogun who ended the Sengoku period. This episode delves into the life and legacy of Honda Tadakatsu, the warrior who defied death.

00:00 Introduction

02:35 Early Life

04:39 Battle of Anegawa

09:02 Campaign against Takeda clan

11:41 The Battle of Mikatagahara

15:18 The End of the Takeda Clan

19:24 Events after the Death of Oda Nobunaga

24:37 Four Heavenly Kings of Tokugawa

26:32 Sekigahara Campaign

30:07 Death & Legacy

All credit for the music goes to: No Copyright Music

Track: Under the moonlight (Matouqin) NCM version

Music provided by YouTube Free Music Library (NCM)

Watch: Under the moonlight (Matouqin)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blackbeard, originally named Edward Teach, stands as one of history’s most iconic pirates. In the early 18th century, during the Golden Age of Piracy, he created a formidable reputation across the Caribbean and American coastlines. Commanding the powerful Queen Anne’s Revenge, Blackbeard was infamous for his menacing look—fiery eyes, a thick black beard, and slow-burning fuses under his hat, resembling a sea demon. Though brutal, he was equally shrewd, often using fear as a strategic tool. His rule was brief yet impactful, concluding in a dramatic 1718 battle. Even after death, Blackbeard remains emblematic of piracy.

00:00 Introduction
01:00 Early life
02:44 Rise to power
06:06 Life as a pirate
11:47 A Small break from piracy
14:26 Blackbeard's final battle

All credit for the music goes to: Mistika
Link

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explore the reigns of legendary Anglo-Saxon kings, including Penda of Mercia, Offa of Mercia, and Alfred the Great, before England's unification.

00:00:00 Penda of Mercia (Reign 626 – 655)
00:27:51 Offa of Mercia (Reign 757 – 796)
00:46:22 Alfred the Great (Reign 871 – 899)

Music by: Noel Malekar
Watch on YouTube

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

King Haakon the Good is celebrated as Norway's first Christian monarch. When he ascended to the throne, Norway was predominantly pagan, yet his reign is remembered for justice, compassion, and wisdom, earning him the title "the Good." As the youngest son of Harald Fairhair, Haakon was not expected to rule, but fate intervened. Through fairness and wise laws, he gained the Norwegians' admiration. Upon his death, it was said Norway would never see his like again. This is his inspiring story.

Timeline:

Music by Noel Malekar can be heard here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When the Roman legions departed from Britain in 410, they left behind not only ruins but also a legacy. This paved the way for a unique Romano-British culture, blending Roman advancements in agriculture, urban planning, and monumental architecture with ancient Celtic traditions.

Soon after Rome's departure, invaders from across the North Sea descended upon Britannia's shores. The Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, hailing from present-day Germany and Denmark, took advantage of the weakened land. Within a generation, these tribes controlled much of Britannia, displacing the Romano-British to the fringes.

Amidst this turmoil, new kingdoms such as Deira, Bernicia, Mercia, Wessex, Kent, and East Anglia emerged, marking the beginnings of England. This episode recounts the journeys of warriors, kings, and seafarers who crossed stormy waters to conquer and settle this land, ruling for over five centuries until the Norman invasion of 1066.

00:00 Introduction
01:57 Hengest & Horsa of Kent
07:38 Wuffa of East Anglia
10:30 Cerdic of Wessex
12:18 Icel of Mercia
15:49 Ida of Bernicia
17:48 Ælla of Deira
19:40 Conclusion

Music by: Noel Malekar
Watch the video here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 9th century, Ireland was a landscape of fragmented realms, each fiercely independent with its own ancient bloodlines. Five great overkingdoms held sway over lesser domains, yet no single ruler unified the island. This disunity left Ireland vulnerable to external threats.

With the onset of the Viking Age, Ireland faced two hundred years of Norse raids and warfare. Monasteries were plundered, sacred grounds scorched, and peace shattered as northern warriors stormed the land. While some kings resisted, others allied with the Vikings for power.

Among these invaders, Olaf the White emerged as a pivotal figure in Irish history. Revered as a godly descendant, Olaf established himself as the first King of Dublin, forming a Norse stronghold that would influence Ireland's trajectory for generations. Known as Amlaíb Conung, the "King of the Foreigners," his name evoked fear throughout Ireland.

The Saga of the Ere-Dwellers hailed him as "the greatest War King West over the sea." This is the story of Olaf the White.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Delve into the captivating lives of legendary Viking berserkers. Explore the stories of fierce warriors like Egill Skallagrímsson, Haakon the Powerful, and Styrbjörn the Strong.

Enjoy music by Savfk - listen here.

Music by Noel Malekar - listen here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator, became legendary for surviving brutal battles, with his name reverberating across Rome and its provinces. Despite his fame, his life was akin to slavery, fueling his desire for freedom.

His enduring legacy stems from his escape with fellow gladiators, forming a force of runaway slaves that challenged Roman power, igniting the Third Servile War. From humble origins, Spartacus defied Rome with an army capable of resisting, and at times, defeating Roman legions.

The true aim of the rebellion is debated among historians: fleeing to freedom or ambitions to seize Rome. Regardless, Spartacus is immortalized in history as a symbol of resistance and hope, celebrated by writers and artists for his bravery and resolve.

Spartacus rose from a shackled slave to a gladiator and liberator, ultimately falling in battle against Rome's might. This is his story.

Timeline:

00:00 Introduction

01:51 Early Life

03:40 Life as a Gladiator & Escape

07:35 The Battle of Mount Vesuvius

10:29 Battle of Picenum

15:39 Battle of the Silarius River & Death

Music by Savfk - Music. Listen here.

Sources: The Parallel Lives by Plutarch. Read here.

The Histories of Appian. Read here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explore the legendary tale of Styrbjörn the Strong, a prince of Sweden known for his fierce and indomitable spirit. Born into the royal lineage, Styrbjörn was a force of nature from a young age, renowned for his wild demeanor and refusal to embrace peace.

Cast out from his homeland, Styrbjörn turned to the sea, embarking on epic Viking voyages. His most notable conquest was overcoming the formidable Jomsvikings, a warrior band feared across Nordic lands. By defeating them, Styrbjörn cemented his place in history, even subjugating the Danish King Harald Bluetooth.

This episode delves into the life and exploits of Styrbjörn, the exiled prince whose legacy still echoes in Norse mythology.

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction

02:13 Ancestry & Early life

09:20 Styrbjörn Defeats the Jomsvikings

13:49 The Battle of Fýrisvellir

17:00 Legacy

All music credits to: Savfk - Music. Watch on YouTube.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices