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The British History Podcast

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Jamie Jeffers

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 histories of England, Scotland, and Wales.

#424

405 – Hereward the Wake: The Bourne Identity

Here is the beginning of Hereward the Wake. And to tell this story, we have to begin with the legend, because nothing in this story is straightforward. Probably because at least some of it is true. ... Read more

17 Nov 2022

1 HR 03 MINS

1:03:00

17 Nov 2022

#423

404 – The Coronation of Queen Matilda

Gytha and her supporters had fled into the Severn Estuary, and it was the final nail in the coffin of the Exeter rebellion. With no help coming, they were forced to negotiate a peace. But this wasn’t exactly a victory for William, either. He’d been on the throne for scarcely over a year, and he’d […] ... Read more

03 Nov 2022

31 MINS

31:29

03 Nov 2022

#422

403 – The Siege of Exeter

Exeter stood in open defiance against William and his army. ... Read more

20 Oct 2022

33 MINS

33:42

20 Oct 2022

#421

402 – Fire Sale

Earl Osulf II of Bamburgh was a Northumbrian, and he had earned his seat ruling over the region North of the Tyne in true Northumbrian fashion. ... Read more

24 Sep 2022

44 MINS

44:24

24 Sep 2022

#420

401 – Norms and Normans

Last week we left off with Dover with some good old fashioned french on french violence… Count Eustace had attacked and attempted to seize the Southern Town… and lost. In fact, he had lost so badly that his poor young nephew (who had never fought in battle before but, trusting his uncle, joined him on […] ... Read more

16 Sep 2022

37 MINS

37:35

16 Sep 2022

#419

400 – William: This is Fine

Feudalism had officially come to England, courtesy of the Normans… ... Read more

09 Sep 2022

33 MINS

33:35

09 Sep 2022

#418

399 – Into the Wild

1067 was a time of incredible change within England. Fortresses were being constructed everywhere. Existing fortresses were seized and then manned by foreign mercenaries. Estates and farms in the surrounding areas were being seized and handed over to many of these same foreigners. ... Read more

01 Sep 2022

35 MINS

35:45

01 Sep 2022

#417

398 – William: Winning Friends and Influencing People Is For Suckers

Do you remember the holy man who asked Edgar the AEtheling to confirm him as the Abbot of Peterborough, just after the Battle of Hastings? Well, that guy’s name was Brand. The previous Abbot of Peterborough, Leofric, had actually marched to Hastings with Harold. But Leofric didn’t make it. So the job fell to Brand, […] ... Read more

20 Aug 2022

37 MINS

37:21

20 Aug 2022

#416

397 – William: The Devil Inside

It was Christmas Day of 1066 and England was crowning it’s new King. In celebration, the King’s men…heavily armed and backed by divine authority, were going from building to building… taking whatever they wanted, doing whatever they felt like to the people inside, and then lighting it all on fire. The first act of Norman […] ... Read more

08 Aug 2022

35 MINS

35:08

08 Aug 2022

#415

396 – King William I of England

Duke William was experienced at wielding terror. Whether he was at home or on campaign, William often employed terror tactics. The people of France were well aware of this, and now the English were learning his skill first hand. ... Read more

27 Jul 2022

54 MINS

54:22

27 Jul 2022

#414

395 – Rearranging the Deck chairs on HMS England

It was autumn of 1066 and after weeks of deliberation, political wrangling, and arguing the English nobility had finally selected their next King. This may seem like a long time, considering there was a whole invasion happening at the time. And it was. But, to be fair, the politics were very confusing. ... Read more

05 Jul 2022

46 MINS

46:52

05 Jul 2022

#413

394 – Godwinson’s Revenge

The Battle of Hastings had been brutal – even for the Normans. The invading army had suffered terrible losses. ... Read more

10 Jun 2022

44 MINS

44:31

10 Jun 2022

#412

393 – To Kill a Legend

Here is how you probably heard the story of the Battle of Hastings. William the Conqueror boarded a ship, won a battle at Hastings, and was crowned King. Kingdom. Conqueror. Conquered. ... Read more

20 May 2022

32 MINS

32:39

20 May 2022

#411

392 – The Night is Dark and Full of Terrors

Chaos. The orderly rhythm of attacks… and the steady wall of the war hedge had dissolved, and it was replaced by a raging melee. ... Read more

12 May 2022

24 MINS

24:09

12 May 2022

#410

A Quick Update From Zee

A New Shoptalk Just Dropped ... Read more

02 May 2022

01 MINS

01:19

02 May 2022

#409

Chapter 9 – The Normans

The King is dead. ... Read more

28 Apr 2022

03 MINS

03:42

28 Apr 2022

#408

391 – The Battle of Hastings

Stamford Bridge had been a nightmare. Thousands of dead… untold numbers of wounded. And the fallout was just beginning. All over Britain, all over Europe, families would slowly be learning the fate of their loved ones. Word was spreading across England and up to Orkney. Out to Flanders, and Norway. ... Read more

18 Apr 2022

3 HR 23 MINS

3:23:42

18 Apr 2022

#407

390 – Stamford Bridge

King Harold, his Huscarls, and the fyrd of Wessex were driving north as fast as they could. ... Read more

20 Mar 2022

1 HR 17 MINS

1:17:06

20 Mar 2022

#406

389 – The Tyrant and the Muddy Crossing

The shores of Saint Valery must have been quite the sight. Looking at the records, which discuss the size of this fleet and other notes that let us estimate the size of the original fleet launched from the River Dives, and comparing those to the records of the fleet following it’s mooring at Saint Valery…historians […] ... Read more

27 Feb 2022

1 HR 00 MINS

1:00:57

27 Feb 2022

#405

388 – The Stupid Before The Storm

We left off in the Court of Harald Hardrada. And you probably feel like you know a lot about this man by now. There’s the stories about the empress, and his time as a Varagian, and about his reputation as a seductive warrior poet. And all of the “oh my god this guy is hot” […] ... Read more

11 Feb 2022

41 MINS

41:43

11 Feb 2022

#404

387 – The Douche is Cast

War was coming. That much was clear. ... Read more

28 Jan 2022

39 MINS

39:34

28 Jan 2022

#403

386 – God’s Messenger

William had secured his promises. Each Baron and lesser noble of Normandy swore to serve him faithfully and take part the invasion of England. And William made sure the nerds wrote every single oath down on paper. ... Read more

18 Jan 2022

41 MINS

41:17

18 Jan 2022

#402

385 – The Audacity of Boats

Ok nerds, take this down. Dear Harry, I was saddened to hear of King Edward’s death. but, I am writing to inform you that my beloved cousin promised me the throne a while back. Don’t worry if this is news to you, it was a secret so I understand if you are a little surprised. […] ... Read more

06 Jan 2022

50 MINS

50:14