Podcasts · History · Education

The British History Podcast

Jamie Jeffers

300 episodes · in order

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.

Episodes page 6 of 6

  1. 473 – Stage Management

    · 39 min · S10 E473

    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…

  2. 474 – Malvoisin, the Evil Neighbor

    · 38 min · S10 E474

    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.

  3. 475 – The Fall of Mowbray

    · 30 min · S10 E475

    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…

  4. Medieval Urbanization Sample

    · 20 min · S10 E475

    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. The post Medieval Urbanization Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  5. 476 – The Crackdown

    · 41 min · S10 E476

    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.

  6. Lords and Landlords Sample

    · 16 min · S10 E476

    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.

  7. 477 – Deus Did Not Vult: The People’s Crusade

    · 55 min · S10 E477

    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…

  8. 478 – A Fire Sale for the Faithful

    · 33 min · S10 E478

    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…

  9. Medieval Rise and Grind Sample

    · 16 min · S10 E478

    It turns out hustle culture is nothing new.

  10. A Quick Update on the Show

    · 1:47 · S10 E478

    Don't panic, we aren't quitting. But we are making a change that might affect you.

  11. 479 – Be Like Water

    · 39 min · S10 E479

    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…

  12. 480 – All Gas, No Brakes

    · 40 min · S10 E480

    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…

  13. 481 – Operation Baguette Storm

    · 48 min · S10 E481

    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…

  14. 482 – Eye for an Eye

    · 27 min · S10 E482

    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.

  15. 483 – Standing on Ceremony

    · 48 min · S10 E483

    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…

  16. 484 – Final Destination: The New Forest

    · 1 h 11 min · S10 E484

    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.

  17. 485 – What Happened?

    · 38 min · S10 E485

    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…

  18. The First Crusade Sample

    · 7:09 · S10 E485

    Zee runs us through the events and it’s… a lot. The post The First Crusade Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  19. 486 – Stealing a Crown from your Brother

    · 38 min · S10 E486

    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…

  20. Pilgrimage Sample

    · 16 min · S10 E486

    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. The post Pilgrimage Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  21. 487 – Stealing a Wife From God

    · 48 min · S10 E487

    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. The post 487 – Stealing a Wife From…

  22. 488 – The Year 1100

    · 35 min · S10 E488

    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…

  23. Bonus Episode: The Authoritarians

    · 1 h 26 min · S10 E488

    By popular request, we’re releasing the full member’s episode on The Authoritarians. The post Bonus Episode: The Authoritarians first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  24. 489 – From Normandy With Love

    · 41 min · S10 E489

    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…

  25. 490 – Messengers from France

    · 28 min · S10 E490

    King Henry’s first Christmas Court in the closing days of 1100 had felt…off. The post 490 – Messengers from France first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  26. 491 – All Hats On Deck

    · 30 min · S10 E491

    Duke Robert Curthose was back in Normandy, having reclaimed the Duchy unopposed… and now he was looking to assert his claim on England. The post 491 – All Hats On Deck first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  27. Project 1095

    · 11 min · S10 E491

    Much respect to u/AnnieCamOG for coming up with this title. The post Project 1095 first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  28. 492 – The War for Perception

    · 38 min · S10 E492

    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. The post 492 –…

  29. 493 – The Price of Peace

    · 26 min · S10 E493

    The Treaty penned at Alton had avoided outright war, but it wasn’t truly official. It needed to be finalized at Winchester. The post 493 – The Price of Peace first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  30. 494 – Power Struggles: Part One

    · 35 min · S10 E494

    In early February of 1102 Queen Matilda was giving birth. The post 494 – Power Struggles: Part One first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  31. 495 – Power Struggles: Part Two

    · 39 min · S10 E495

    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. The post 495 – Power…

  32. 496 – That’s Me In The Corner

    · 37 min · S10 E496

    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…

  33. 497 – That’s Me In The Spot. Light.

    · 24 min · S10 E497

    It was 1103 and things were a mess. And…when are they not? But a major reason for this mess was (oddly) William of Breteuil. Now, as you might recall, William of Breteuil was the firstborn son of the Conqueror’s close…

  34. 498 – Power and Predictability

    · 47 min · S10 E498

    The death of Duke Robert’s chief ally, William of Breteuil, and the succession crisis it kicked off, was destabilizing the duchy of Normandy. And while I’m sure it was a relief that King Henry and Robert of Meulan had…

  35. 499 – William of Mortain and How Some People Never Have Enough Wealth

    · 33 min · S10 E499

    Some families are just…the worst. You know how it is, there’s the one or two in there that are half decent, but mostly you avoid them too because the rest of the family is just awful. The post 499 – William of Mortain…

  36. 500 – 500th Episode AMA Extravaganza

    · 1 h 04 min · S10 E500

    We answer SO many questions. So… so many questions. The post 500 – 500th Episode AMA Extravaganza first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  37. 501 – Bishop Serlo’s Pop Up Hair Salon

    · 43 min · S10 E501

    For months, messengers had been arriving from Normandy carrying news of the disorder and chaos that was gripping the Duchy. Now, normally, this would have been good news for King Henry. It was no secret that the King…

  38. An Offa Interview with Rory Naismith

    · 1 h 02 min · S10 E501

    Today we have a special episode with the return of Professor Rory Naismith! You will remember him from his interview on Anglo Saxon Economics and Money, and today he is back to talk with us about his new book on Offa,…

  39. 502 – The Cage Match of Bayeux

    · 36 min · S10 E502

    Henry, with the help of Bishop Serlo, had just rebranded himself and his knights as the pious leaders of Greater Christian Normandy by going through little more than a ritualized barber shop scene and, while we know it…

  40. 503 – The Holy Ghosting

    · 34 min · S10 E503

    Curthose and his attendants, what remained of them, were rushing as quickly as they could to Rouen… and he was, presumably, crossing his fingers hoping that the people of that city would welcome him. And, honestly,…

  41. 504 – At Anslem’s Bec and Call

    · 42 min · S10 E504

    It was July 21st of 1105 and Henry was in Laigle. Just like he was in the late 1070s. And, just like in the late 1070s, he was in conflict with his older brother. Only this time he wasn’t in the town to do something…

  42. 505 – The Battle of Tinchebray

    · 48 min · S10 E505

    It was the 15th of August, and King Henry was at Bec. He didn’t want to be at Bec, of course. He wanted to be in the field, fighting Robert. However, until the matter with Anselm was resolved, he didn’t dare take to…

  43. 506 – Chapter Eleven: The Machine

    · 3:52 · S11 E506

    At long last, the struggle was over. The post 506 – Chapter Eleven: The Machine first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  44. The Song of Roland Sample

    · 21 min · S11 E506

    Buckle up for a retelling of the medieval MCU that was driving Crusader culture. The post The Song of Roland Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  45. 507 – Law and Order: Normandy

    · 32 min · S11 E507

    Henry had defeated his brother… but he hadn’t defeated Normandy. At least, not yet. Duke Robert still had supporters out there and Falaise was still loyal to the Duke. In fact, Duke Robert’s son, William Clito, was…

  46. Chansons de Geste and 12th Century Performance Sample

    · 20 min · S11 E507

    A sample of our deep dive into the performance and the culture that surrounds the Song of Roland. The post Chansons de Geste and 12th Century Performance Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.

  47. 508 – The Reformation Begins

    · 1 h 03 min · S11 E508

    The King was triumphant and his older brother was, if we’re taking the King’s word for it, retired and happily living in the lap of luxury… and most of the King’s other enemies were either imprisoned, dead, or keeping…

  48. 509 – Court Costs

    · 34 min · S11 E509

    King Henry’s Court was huge. And that makes sense. His predecessor, King Rufus, was a party animal and, as such, his Court had swollen into a massive, roving scene where anyone who wanted power… or just free wine……

  49. 510 – Exchequers and ExBalancers: Part One

    · 49 min · S11 E510

    We are about to do something a little unusual for the BHP. We’re going to muddy the timeline. Now, normally we stick to the chronological timeline. We live the story as it unfolds. But the birth of the Exchequer…

  50. 511 – Exchequers and ExBalancers: Part Two

    · 1 h 03 min · S11 E511

    Congratulations Sheriff, you’ve made it through the crucible. Literally. Now, granted, you’ve lost some money along the way. Percentages were shaved off because of the purity of the silver. Coins were tossed out…

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