The British History Podcast

New Members Episode and a Site Update

409 – The First Sparks

Earl Robert lay dead at Durham. Along with 700 of his men. At least. The Chronicle bumps the numbers up a bit, claiming Earl Robert had died 900 of his soldiers at Durham. Either way, that’s a lot of dead ...

407 – Robbing the Hood

I feel for the English commoners in the late 1060’s. They had nothing to do with the arrival of the Normans… everything they suffered was the result of the actions of the nobles. Exclusively.

Dispatches From The Front

405 – Hereward the Wake: The Bourne Identity

Here is the beginning of Hereward the Wake. And to tell this story, we have to begin with the legend. Because nothing in this story is straightforward. Probably because at least some of it is true.

403 – The Siege of Exeter

Exeter stood in open defiance against William and his army.

402 – Fire Sale

Earl Osulf II of Bamburgh was a Northumbrian, and he had earned his seat ruling over the region North of the Tyne in true Northumbrian fashion.

400 – William: This is Fine

Feudalism had officially come to England, courtesy of the Normans…

398 – William: Winning Friends and Influencing People Is For Suckers

Do you remember the holy man who asked Edgar the AEtheling to confirm him as the Abbot of Peterborough, just after the Battle of Hastings?

396 – King William I of England

Duke William was experienced at wielding terror. Whether he was at home or on campaign, William often employed terror tactics. The people of France were well aware of this, and now the English were learning his skill first hand.

394 – Godwinson’s Revenge

The Battle of Hastings had been brutal - even for the Normans. The invading army had suffered terrible losses.

392 – The Night is Dark and Full of Terrors

Chaos. The orderly rhythm of attacks… and the steady wall of the war hedge had dissolved, and it was replaced by a raging melee.

Chapter 9 – The Normans

The King is dead.

390 – Stamford Bridge

King Harold, his Huscarls, and the fyrd of Wessex were driving north as fast as they could.

388 – The Stupid Before The Storm

We left off in the Court of Harald Hardrada. And you probably feel like you know a lot about this man by now.

386 – God’s Messenger

William had secured his promises. Each Baron and lesser noble of Normandy swore to serve him faithfully and take part the invasion of England. And William made sure the nerds wrote every single oath down on paper.

384 – King Harold Godwinson

Edward was dead. Harold was King. Edith was sidelined. And as far as the Vita Edwardii was concerned, this was the moment where the wheels came completely off the wagon.

2021 Halloween Special

A 14th century monk

381 – Weekend at William’s

Well, their King had been assassinated and their lands were carved up between rival nobles who were subservient to England.

379 – Everybody Is Killing Everybody Else And Nobody Is Talking About It: Part 2

Earl AElfgar and his alliance with King Gruffydd of Wales was likely the one true barrier that stood between Harold Godwinson and the throne of England.

377 – The King of Wales

Water, and the ability to control water ways, was an important aspect in the Welsh imagination. In fact, the importance of Welsh power on the seas even appears in the Mabinogion.

375 – Life and Death Politics. But Mostly Death.

For the first time in a long time, Wales was experiencing a time of internal peace, thanks in large part to its unification under King Gruffydd.

373 – The First King

Earl AElfgar was having a rough time. The clergy and local lords of East Anglia had never really warmed up to him since his appointment to the post in 1053. Their loyalty to Harold went so deep that we can ...

371 – Naked Ambition

Godwin was dead, and now Harold Godwinson found himself leading the family. Befitting this new role, he was due to inherit the wealthy and politically potent Earldom of Wessex. His father’s Earldom. And according to the Vita Edwardi, the Kingdom ...

Bonus Episode from the Archive: The Poet’s Curse

This is an old one, but it was specifically requested. Please forgive the audio quality and delivery.