The British History Podcast

<p>For the first time since William the Conqueror, there was going to be a primatial council at Westminster Abbey. This was a HUGE deal. Like… enormous. Anselm had been trying to hold a major reform council for years, but King Rufus had refused. Reform, as you may remember, wasn’t something that the red king was […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/496-thats-me-in-the-corner/">496 – That’s Me In The Corner</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>Ok, let’s return to 1101 and 1102, because Henry’s fight with Anselm, and fight between Henry and the Pope (and the fight between Anselm and the Pope) were …amazingly….only half of the story. </p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/495-power-struggles-part-two/">495 – Power Struggles: Part Two</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>In early February of 1102 Queen Matilda was giving birth. </p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/494-power-struggles-part-one/">494 – Power Struggles: Part One</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>The Treaty penned at Alton had avoided outright war, but it wasn’t truly official. It needed to be finalized at Winchester.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/493-the-price-of-peace/">493 – The Price of Peace</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>In 1668, John Dryden became England’s very first Poet Laureate. But he had a rival. No, not just a rival. A nemesis. This man’s name was Thomas Shadwell, and I can’t overstate how much Dryden hated him.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/492-the-war-for-perception/">492 – The War for Perception</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>Much respect to u/AnnieCamOG for coming up with this title.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/project-1095/">Project 1095</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>Duke Robert Curthose was back in Normandy, having reclaimed the Duchy unopposed… and now he was looking to assert his claim on England.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/491-all-hats-on-deck/">491 – All Hats On Deck</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>King Henry’s first Christmas Court in the closing days of 1100 had felt…off. </p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/490-messengers-from-france/">490 – Messengers from France</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>Ok, let’s face it, last year was a lot. Rampant corruption, threats of war, tyrannical leaders, actual war, a greedy feckless aristocracy, rulers weaponizing the legal system, rulers completely disregarding the legal system, rulers making grandiose promises they had no interest in actually delivering on, international intrigue, at least one incredibly suspicious death, and finally […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/489-from-normandy-with-love/">489 – From Normandy With Love</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>By popular request, we’re releasing the full member’s episode on The Authoritarians.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/bonus-episode-the-authoritarians/">Bonus Episode: The Authoritarians</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>We did it, it’s the year 1100…which means it’s time for us to take a moment and place our story in the broader context of global human history. Now, as always, this won’t be exhaustive… nor ultra detailed. Our only intent is to break the myopia that’s inherent in any history podcast and give you […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/488-the-year-1100/">488 – The Year 1100</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>Edith, the daughter of King Malcolm Canmore, has appeared from time to time in our story and (by this point) she was about 20 years old… and many of those years had been weird ones.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/487-stealing-a-wife-from-god/">487 – Stealing a Wife From God</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>It’s time to hit REI and get some gear… because we’re going on a journey of self discovery in this sample of the newest Member’s Episode.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/pilgrimage-sample/">Pilgrimage Sample</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>The cart carrying the body of King Rufus eventually reached the cathedral at Winchester. And if we are to believe Malmesbury, blood had been dripping from it from the forest all the way into the Cathedral. Though, at some point it must have stopped. I mean, even if no one… ya know… sorted it out, […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/486-stealing-a-crown-from-your-brother/">486 – Stealing a Crown from your Brother</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>Zee runs us through the events and it’s… a lot.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/the-first-crusade-sample/">The First Crusade Sample</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>It was a calm August afternoon in Winchester. The Royal Palace (or potentially the Conqueror’s castle… our scribes aren’t precise when discussing the location, but probably the Palace)… either way, Winchester would have been full of activity, but nothing out of the ordinary. Just Royal functionaries carrying out their duties while the King was away, […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/485-what-happened/">485 – What Happened?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>Ok, when we left off, Rufus threw a big “look at me” celebration… and the prevailing response appears to have been “yeah, man. We see you.” And that wasn’t even the worst part of his year.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/484-final-destination-the-new-forest/">484 – Final Destination: The New Forest</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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, and inevitably…some of these characters aren’t having their contracts renewed.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/483-standing-on-ceremony/">483 – Standing on Ceremony</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/482-eye-for-an-eye/">482 – Eye for an Eye</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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 difficult. Which Rufus and Robert found deeply inconsiderate, so it would have to be brought down or, at the very least it would have to be […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/481-operation-baguette-storm/">481 – Operation Baguette Storm</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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 but simple. Edgar had taken the throne from his Uncle, King Donald III, and to pull that off Edgar had […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/480-all-gas-no-brakes/">480 – All Gas, No Brakes</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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 characteristic of Normandy under Robert, it would be “chaos.”</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/479-be-like-water/">479 – Be Like Water</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>Don’t panic, we aren’t quitting. But we are making a change that might affect you.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/a-quick-update-on-the-show/">A Quick Update on the Show</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>It turns out hustle culture is nothing new.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/medieval-rise-and-grind-sample/">Medieval Rise and Grind Sample</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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… including high ranked figures like Bishop Odo of Bayeux, Count Robert of Flanders, and Stephen of Aumale (who was the forgettable guy that […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/478-a-fire-sale-for-the-faithful/">478 – A Fire Sale for the Faithful</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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 torturing his way through the country.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/477-deus-did-not-vult-the-peoples-crusade/">477 – Deus Did Not Vult: The People’s Crusade</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>And the full version even includes a drinking game! You can hear the full episode by signing up for membership.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/lords-and-landlords-sample/">Lords and Landlords Sample</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/476-the-crackdown/">476 – The Crackdown</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/medieval-urbanization-sample/">Medieval Urbanization Sample</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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 tried to keep themselves awake while on watch… but for the most part, there was no sound except for that of the waves lapping […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/475-the-fall-of-mowbray/">475 – The Fall of Mowbray</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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. </p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/474-malvoisin-the-evil-neighbor/">474 – Malvoisin, the Evil Neighbor</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/473-stage-management/">473 – Stage Management</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/472-radicals/">472 – Radicals</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/471-how-to-lose-friends-and-irritate-people/">471 – How To Lose Friends and Irritate People</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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 […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/470-tough-treaty/">470 – Tough Treaty</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/469-robert-of-rhuddlan/">469 – Robert of Rhuddlan</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>King Malcom Canmore hit his breaking point.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/468-regicides-back-on-the-menu-boys/">468 – Regicide’s Back On The Menu Boys</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>If you think that video games are too violent, wait until you hear about Face Slap.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/medieval-childhoods/">Medieval Childhoods</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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?</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/467-saint-anselm/">467 – Saint Anselm</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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 […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/466-the-bachelor/">466 – The Bachelor</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>Rufus was once again the only brother in England.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/465-anselm-arrives/">465 – Anselm Arrives</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>Come get schooled.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/medieval-education-sample/">Medieval Education Sample</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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 […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/464-rufus-terrible-no-good-very-bad-campaign/">464 – Rufus’ Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Campaign</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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. </p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/463-finding-out/">463 – Finding Out</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/462-defenestration-nation/">462 – Defenestration Nation</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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, […]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/461-destabilizing-a-nation-a-how-to-guide/">461 – Destabilizing a Nation: A How-To Guide</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>

<p>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.</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com/460-the-white-tower/">460 – The White Tower</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.thebritishhistorypodcast.com">The British History Podcast</a>.</p>