The British History Podcast
The BHP is a chronological retelling of the history of Britain with a particular focus upon the lives of the people. You won’t find a dry recounting of dates and battles here, but instead you’ll learn about who these people were and how their desires, fears, and flaws shaped the scope of this island at the edge of the world. And some of those desires are downright scandalous.
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Episodes (52)
483 – Standing on Ceremony
The final two years of the 11th century feel like someone was trying to tie up a bunch of plotlines before the start of season 12. Things are moving fast, everybody is suddenly in different countries,...
482 – Eye for an Eye
Alright. When we left off, I mentioned that while Rufus was in Normandy, things in England had been getting interesting in his absence. Let’s start with Bishop Walkelin.
The post 482 – Eye for an Eye...
The post 482 – Eye for an Eye...
481 – Operation Baguette Storm
When we left off, Rufus and Robert of Belleme were marching upon Maine. Specifically, Count Helias’ fortress at Danguel. This fortress made military incursions and raids into Maine insanely...
480 – All Gas, No Brakes
Alright, so when we left off Edgar (the eldest living son of Malcolm Canmore) had claimed the throne of Scotland. But, in classic medieval style, the way that Edgar had gone about that was anything...
479 – Be Like Water
For years, Normandy had been wracked with internal conflict, war, and political unrest. The Duchy had nearly been the end of Duke Robert countless times… and if there was a single defining...
A Quick Update on the Show
Don’t panic, we aren’t quitting. But we are making a change that might affect you.
The post A Quick Update on the Show first appeared on The British History Podcast.
The post A Quick Update on the Show first appeared on The British History Podcast.
Medieval Rise and Grind Sample
It turns out hustle culture is nothing new.
The post Medieval Rise and Grind Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.
The post Medieval Rise and Grind Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.
478 – A Fire Sale for the Faithful
It’s September of 1096, and Duke Robert was setting out on Crusade, intent on taking the main pilgrim road to Rome and Norman Italy. Joining him were his retainers, soldiers, and supporters…...
477 – Deus Did Not Vult: The People’s Crusade
Everyone in England was angry with Rufus. He was fining, taxing, and now torturing his way through the country. And Rufus was mad at everyone in England. Which was why he was fining, taxing, and...
Lords and Landlords Sample
And the full version even includes a drinking game! You can hear the full episode by signing up for membership.
The post Lords and Landlords Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.
The post Lords and Landlords Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.
476 – The Crackdown
In 1096, Robert de Mowbray, the former Earl of Northumbria, was living in Windsor. And he better get comfy, because his majesty seemed quite happy to keep him there as a permanent resident.
The post...
The post...
Medieval Urbanization Sample
We strive in this one to prove you can be urban without being urbane. You can hear the full episode by signing up for membership.
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The post Medieval Urbanization Sample first appeared on The British...
475 – The Fall of Mowbray
Night fell… and gradually, everything within Bamburgh and the Malvoisin went quiet. Sure, there were the occasional patrols, and the occasional muffled voice as two people shared a moment, or simply...
474 – Malvoisin, the Evil Neighbor
Rufus was marching North to directly challenge de Mowbray and anyone foolish enough to follow him. And of course he was. There was only one response this King was ever going to have to de Mowbray’s...
473 – Stage Management
So, when we left off, Anselm finally had his Pallium, and Rufus got… well… Rufus got all the independence and freedom from Church interference that he could have hoped for. Even better, his Bishops...
472 – Radicals
We have spent a lot of time with the situation between Anselm and Rufus, and all their messy interpersonal drama, but we haven’t really discussed the true elephant in the room. Radicalism.
The post...
The post...
471 – How To Lose Friends and Irritate People
It was January of 1095 and Rufus was still at war with his eldest brother, Duke Robert. A war that could have been avoided if the Red King had simply kept his word… or even just apologized. But he...
470 – Tough Treaty
As I’ve mentioned a few times… we are discussing one of those periods of history where everything was kind of happening all at once. This presents a challenge when trying to create a clear narrative...
469 – Robert of Rhuddlan
In the space of less than a year, the Norman barons had surged deep into Wales and were further entrenching themselves using castles and other fortifications.
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The post 469 – Robert of Rhuddlan first...
468 – Regicide’s Back On The Menu Boys
King Malcom Canmore hit his breaking point.
The post 468 – Regicide’s Back On The Menu Boys first appeared on The British History Podcast.
The post 468 – Regicide’s Back On The Menu Boys first appeared on The British History Podcast.
Medieval Childhoods
If you think that video games are too violent, wait until you hear about Face Slap.
The post Medieval Childhoods first appeared on The British History Podcast.
The post Medieval Childhoods first appeared on The British History Podcast.
467 – Saint Anselm
Ok, I know at the end of that last episode I kinda sorta promised you a fight. And we are definitely going to have one. But we are pausing real quick to cover some SERIOUSLY good gossip…and possibly a...
466 – The Bachelor
All of those promises Rufus made to be a better man had finally convinced God. After about two months of being bedridden, the King finally recovered from his mysterious illness. And now that the...
465 – Anselm Arrives
Rufus was once again the only brother in England.
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The post 465 – Anselm Arrives first appeared on The British History Podcast.
Medieval Education Sample
Come get schooled.
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The post Medieval Education Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.
464 – Rufus’ Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Campaign
We don’t really know precisely what Henry got up to once he fled Mont Saint Michel. What few records we have are incomplete and some contradictory. But from those records we /are/ able to glean some...
463 – Finding Out
After Robert kicked Henry out of Rouen, the Duke tried to restabilize his position in Normandy. And his first move was to make an alliance with Robert of Belleme.
The post 463 – Finding Out first...
The post 463 – Finding Out first...
462 – Defenestration Nation
You’ve probably heard the phrase “it takes money to make money,” and while usually the person telling you that is just trying to sell you something you don’t need….there is some truth to it. At least...
461 – Destabilizing a Nation: A How-To Guide
We’ve been spending a lot of time with Rufus and Robert. And that was the way things were back in the 11th century, too. Rufus and Robert got the attention, while Henry… the youngest, and apparently...
460 – The White Tower
It’s one of the most famous landmarks in the world. The White Tower, or more recently, the Tower of London. If you’ve visited London you likely took time to go see it.
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The post 460 – The White Tower...
459 – Lashing Out
With Count Henry and Robert of Belleme imprisoned under his tender care, Bishop Odo had free rein to guide the impressionable Duke Robert in whatever direction he wanted. And he had a direction in...
458 – Henry’s Story
The last two episodes have been focused on how King William Rufus handled the aftermath of the rebellion, and the political moves being made. But Rufus didn’t exist in a vacuum… and across the...
457 – The Bachelor King
William the Conqueror had not set his sons up for success, and at the heart of it was land. Obviously, the way he distributed those lands in his Will had been a bit of a disaster, as it had set his...
Medieval Magic Sample: Shout at the Devil
I’ve gotta be honest, some of these spells seem a bit rude.
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The post Medieval Magic Sample: Shout at the Devil first appeared on The British History Podcast.
456 – Law and Order: Durham
William Rufus’ first year as King had probably not gone down as he hoped. And as Bishop Odo and his co-conspirators boarded their ships and sought sanctuary in Normandy…Rufus could only return to...
Medieval Magic Sample: We Read the Latin
Got a jealousy problem and a spare leek? Boy, do we ever have a cure for you.
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The post Medieval Magic Sample: We Read the Latin first appeared on The British History Podcast.
455 – Odo’s Rebellion: Lord of the Flies
Word of Rufus’ army, and the destruction of the rebel forces at Tunbridge, had no doubt reached Pevensey and its commander, Robert of Mortain… and I think it’s highly likely that the messengers also...
454 – Odo’s Rebellion: Worst Easter Ever
It was Easter of 1088. This was, typically, a time when the most powerful figures of England would gather at Court. But this wasn’t a typical year.
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The post 454 – Odo’s Rebellion: Worst Easter...
453 – Odo’s Rebellion: The Cold War
Primogeniture, the practice of handing all wealth and power from father to the eldest son, had done a lot to consolidate power along single family lines. But it created all manner of problems for...
Medieval Medicine Sample: Trotula Edition
We’re joining the Sisterhood of the Travelling Uterus for this one.
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The post Medieval Medicine Sample: Trotula Edition first appeared on The British History Podcast.
452 – Odo? Oh Yes.
Somewhere around the time William the First was bursting out of his tomb like roasted chestnut and William the Second was making it rain with his dead dad’s money….something was turning in western...
451 – The Lucky Few
You know, I almost titled the last episode “The Gang Goes To A Funeral” but the trouble was that the gang /didn’t/ go to the funeral. All of them decided they had somewhere else to be.
The post 451...
The post 451...
450 – Begin With A Bang
It was early September of 1087, and for weeks…nearly two months, in fact… people had been discussing William’s impending death, and worrying about what would happen next. And for good reason. This...
449 – Chapter Ten: The Boys
Strap yourselves in. These kids are something else.
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The post 449 – Chapter Ten: The Boys first appeared on The British History Podcast.
448 – The Death of William the Conqueror
The story of William and the conquest has been a long road, and I’ve heard from some of you that this season has been challenging to listen to. I get it. No matter how awful William is he never...
Medieval Medicine Sample
That’s right, just like big pharma, we’re giving out a free sample.
The post Medieval Medicine Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.
The post Medieval Medicine Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.
447 – The End of the Conquest
If the last few episodes have seemed a little confusing, then you’re hearing them right. Europe at the end of the 11th century was a rapidly changing world and it is all going to have a profound...
446 – Death and Taxes
When we left off, things were looking pretty bad for William and William’s hope of a legacy. Maine was once again in rebellion against Normandy. But this time half of France seemed to be looking for...
445 – Feeding Frenzy
Matilda was dead and now things were coming apart at the seams.
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The post 445 – Feeding Frenzy first appeared on The British History Podcast.
444 – Holy Beef
Based on the e-mails I have been getting, some of you are having a hard time understanding why on god’s green earth did Odo think he could just trot down to Rome and become the new Pope. The truth is...
443 – We’re Bigger Than Jesus
In this episode we delve into the tumultuous reign of King Gruffydd ap Cynan of Gwynedd and the political intricacies of William’s relationship with Matilda and his ambitious half-brother, Bishop Odo....
442 – Mynydd Carn
Norman interventionism into their neighbors was only just beginning… and the events at Mynydd Carn gave them just the excuse they needed.
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The post 442 – Mynydd Carn first appeared on The British...
About this Podcast
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 The British History Podcast, Inc. All rights reserved.
Language
en
Categories
History, Education, Courses, Society & Culture, Documentary