Wittenberg to Westphalia

In this week's episode I struggle to see how much French history I can cram into twenty minutes. The answer is about a hundred years as it happens. Rejected ideas for today's episode included naming all the French kings with only one breath, and doing the episode while suspended over a tank full of rabid David Irving fans while local teens threw tennis balls at a target.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Guy III of Spoleto goes on a road trip with his cuz Bishop Gelio and starts crowning himself king of various things. It may seem crazy, but I think you're just jelly, yo.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today we take an in depth look at the final dissolution of the Carolingian Empire. This look is complicated by a variety of factors, not the least of which is the inability of early medieval monks to tell the time.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The young son of Lambert has a brief but eventful reign.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A collaborative episode between Ben and Steve Guerra of the History of the Papacy Podcast, in which the institution of midieval warrior bishops is explored.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Short episode with some housekeeping and really not much else.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In today's episode the Guideschi's view expands beyond local concerns as they increasingly become embroiled in Imperial politics. They have a lover spat with the pope, but he may have just been stressed because he was pretty sure that there was a Saracen under the couch and Charles the Bald wouldn't come and look. A whole lot of teenagers die conveniently.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In today's episode, a wide variety of Germanic nobles ruling over Italy drop dead/are stabbed. Guy of Spolento enters the scene, does a bunch of things, and then dies. His son Lambert makes some people REALLY mad. Outraged, even. I dunno, guys, the Guideschi may not be nice people.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A look at the rise of an important family in the politics of Italy in the Early middle ages. So much cooler than it sounds.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Here we are folks, the start of the last section of the walking tour. This is a big moment, but we aren’t done yet so let’s save the fine words and trembling lips until this whole thing is in the rear-view mirror. This episode focuses on Central Europe, an area core to our series and with a surprising amount of controversy surrounding its early medieval period.         See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

1 year anniversary!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In today's episode, we track the decline of the Roman administration of Italy in the waning days of the empire. Despite famine, plague, and war after war, you cannot put it on the cart as it is not dead yet. Regulations.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ben totaly nerds out on the geology of Italy. The economy is there too I guess but dude this is some crazy stuff.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A pause is taken form the walking tour to look at the political breakup of the empire of Charlemagne. There's a lot of really fun regnal names. The vikings take everyone's stuff.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A look at the geography, economy, and polotics of the Balkans up to 1300. The Hungarians luck out when facing the Mongols. The Byzantines lose track of the ball and the Venetians decide to keep it.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.