The British History Podcast

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 instigation.  War.   The post 474 – Malvoisin, the Evil Neighbor first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

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 were on the same page as him and were supporting the King’s independence from Rome. The post 473 – Stage Management first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025

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 472 – Radicals first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

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 wasn’t interested in doing either of those things, so people were dying in Normandy. The post 471 – How To Lose Friends and Irritate People first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025

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 that you can follow, while also staying true to the order of events. And that’s assuming there is a clear […] The post 470 – Tough Treaty first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2025

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. The post 469 – Robert of Rhuddlan first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 24 February 2025

King Malcom Canmore hit his breaking point. The post 468 – Regicide’s Back On The Menu Boys first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2025

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.

Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2025

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 murder? The post 467 – Saint Anselm first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 25 January 2025

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 Divine had delivered its side of the bargain… well, there was really no point to any of those promises anymore. So […] The post 466 – The Bachelor first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 19 January 2025

Rufus was once again the only brother in England. The post 465 – Anselm Arrives first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 10 January 2025

2024 went out swinging. The post A Quick Update (ft. Nazgûl) first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 4 January 2025

Come get schooled. The post Medieval Education Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 14 December 2024

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 details… and when we take the accounts in total, what immediately becomes clear is that, just because Henry was […] The post 464 – Rufus’ Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Campaign first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 14 December 2024

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 appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 28 November 2024

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 in the way our economy works. It’s also true of how feudal economies worked. The post 462 – Defenestration Nation first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2024

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 most forgettable brother… was often left out.  And this reality was made most clear when their father died… and, […] The post 461 – Destabilizing a Nation: A How-To Guide first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2024

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. The post 460 – The White Tower first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2024

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 mind. The post 459 – Lashing Out first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 11 October 2024

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 Channel, his brothers were also making moves. The post 458 – Henry’s Story first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 27 September 2024

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 two eldest sons up for war. The post 457 – The Bachelor King first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2024

I’ve gotta be honest, some of these spells seem a bit rude. The post Medieval Magic Sample: Shout at the Devil first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 1 September 2024

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 court and count the rest of his problems.. The post 456 – Law and Order: Durham first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 23 August 2024

Got a jealousy problem and a spare leek? Boy, do we ever have a cure for you. The post Medieval Magic Sample: We Read the Latin first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 22 August 2024

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 reported that the King’s army had turned north, towards Rochester. Bishop Odo’s stronghold. The post 455: Odo’s Rebellion: Lord of the Flies first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 14 August 2024

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 reported that the King’s army had turned north, towards Rochester. Bishop Odo’s stronghold. The post 455 – Odo’s Rebellion: Lord of the Flies first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 14 August 2024

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. The post 454 – Odo’s Rebellion: Worst Easter Ever first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 2 August 2024

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 …well, pretty much everyone else. The post 453 – Odo’s Rebellion: The Cold War first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 26 July 2024

We’re joining the Sisterhood of the Travelling Uterus for this one. The post Medieval Medicine Sample: Trotula Edition first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2024

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 culture as a whole. The post 452 – Odo? Oh Yes. first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 2 July 2024

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 Lucky Few first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2024

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 family, which ruled over Normandy, had a history of infighting and civil wars, especially during times of succession. The post 450 – Begin With A Bang first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 14 June 2024

Strap yourselves in. These kids are something else. The post 449 – Chapter Ten: The Boys first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2024

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 seems to face any real consequences… The post 448 – The Death of William the Conqueror first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 25 May 2024

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.

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2024

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 impact on the history of Britain. I want you to really have a good understanding of what is […] The post 447 – The End of the Conquest first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 3 May 2024

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 an excuse to join them. Denmark was preparing an invasion of England … and even William’s brother-in-law, Count Robert […] The post 446 – Death and Taxes first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 27 April 2024

Matilda was dead and now things were coming apart at the seams. The post 445 – Feeding Frenzy first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 19 April 2024

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 he was less crazy than we might think, and I’m going to take a moment […] The post 444 – Holy Beef first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2024

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. It is an intricate web of power struggles, betrayals, and shifting dynamics between church and state that will only grow more complex and dangerous. […] The post 443 – We’re Bigger Than Jesus first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2024

Norman interventionism into their neighbors was only just beginning… and the events at Mynydd Carn gave them just the excuse they needed. The post 442 – Mynydd Carn first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2024

Northumbria was back at it again. The Continental Bishop turned Earl was dead. Most of his men lay slain at Gateshead, or BBQed in that Church. And any left alive were locked inside Durham Castle. The post 441 – God Bothering first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2024

King Malcom and the Scots had spent the last several months raiding the northern reaches of England. They had murdered the English with impunity, took even more as slaves. But eventually they decided they had their fill and returned back to their homeland. And they took with them anything that hadn’t been nailed down. The post 440 – This is Fine first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2024

There was no getting around it. William had been humiliated. The post 439 – Juggling Responsibilities first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2024

The little guy’s rebellion was about to get pretty big. The post 438 – Robert’s Rebellion first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 23 January 2024

The hall exploded into chaos. The knights sitting outside of the firing line stared in shock, trying to process what was happening. Men stuck closer in tried to dive out of the way. The unlucky knights… the men standing right next to Robert when his brothers’ opinions came raining down… Well, they were screaming […] The post 437 – Everyone’s Pissed first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2024

Welcome to the turbulent period of 1076 to 1078, where family tensions, political intrigue, and military challenges force William onto his back heel. And it all starts with the invasion of Dol… something that, in comparison with 1066, should be an easy victory for the aging Conqueror. The post 436 – Taking the Piss first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2023

Once in a while, the Chronicle has a hot take. Here is one of my favorites: “the more men spoke about just law, the more unlawfully they acted.” The scribes dropped that one on the lines for 1087, but it could have easily applied to 1075 and 1076. The post 435 – Trials and Tribulations first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2023

By the mid 1070’s, the House of Normandy was struggling and I’m not talking about William here, I’m talking about his lineage – because as busy as William had been in his cross-channel land grabs, he had still found time to have A LOT of kids. The post 434 – The Boys first appeared on The British History Podcast.

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2023

In 1075 King Bleddyn’s star was on the rise. He ruled over both Gwynedd and Powys. He struck fear into those he met on the battlefield. He had demonstrated himself such a threat that the Normans actually tried to assassinate him…repeatedly. But he was still very much alive, kicking ass and taking heads.

Transcribed - Published: 22 November 2023