In this episode of Uncommon Folk, we uncover the extraordinary story of Kaloyan of Bulgaria, the forgotten warrior-tsar who defied empires and reshaped the Balkans. From his bold alliance with the Pope to his stunning victory over the Latin Empire at the Battle of Adrianople, Kaloyan's reign was marked by cunning diplomacy, military brilliance, and a relentless pursuit of Bulgarian sovereignty. Join us as we explore his rise to power, his battles against Crusaders and Byzantines, and the legacy he left behind in a world of shifting alliances and broken empires. This is the story of a ruler who refused to be forgotten.
Uncommon Folk is a history podcast covering the lesser known heroes, villains and fascinating figures of the past. Together, each month, we'll uncover the untold stories and hidden legends that have shaped our world, revealing drama, intrigue and more. Explore the names that amateur historians will not know, and celebrate the Uncommon Folk who deserve their place in the spotlight.
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Credits:
Research by Regan Foy
Sound engineering by Tom Parkes
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Music & SFX:
Fanfare announcement.wav by zagi2
Bonfire Flames by Electroviolence
S24-21 Battering ram an large heavy door.wav by craigsmith
JM_AMB_EXT_Church Bell 02 - Calling for ceremonial.wav by Julien_Matthey
Male Death Cry 5.wav by F.M.Audio
Porre_Stabbing_Knife_Various.wav by LamaMakesMusic
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Bibliography:
These sources helped to provide information on Kaloyan's life and story. If you'd like to learn more, feel free to read up via any of the links below.
Asbridge, Thomas. The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land. Simon & Schuster, 2010.
Curta, Florin. Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500–1250. Cambridge University Press, 2006.
Fine, John V.A. Jr. The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press, 1987.
Madgearu, Alexandru. The Asanids: The Political and Military History of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1280). Brill, 2017.
Nicolle, David. The Fourth Crusade 1202–04: The Betrayal of Byzantium. Osprey Publishing, 2011.
Treadgold, Warren. A History of the Byzantine State and Society. Stanford University Press, 1997.
Turner, Samuel E. "The Battle of Adrianople (1205 AD)." Archaeology in Bulgaria and Beyond, 2015.
"Uprising of Asen and Peter." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
"Second Bulgarian Empire." Encyclopedia MDPI.
"Battle of Adrianople (1205)." Wikiwand.
"Byzantine-Bulgarian Relations, 1204–1261: A Historical Overview." Mapping Eastern Europe. Princeton University.
"Bulgaria - Medieval, Orthodox, Balkan." Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Bulgaria/The-second-Bulgarian-empire
"Byzantine Empire - Byzantine Decline and Subjection to Western Influences (1025–1260)." Encyclopædia Britannica.
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