The British History Podcast 451 – The Lucky Few
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Jun 25, 2024 The podcast delves into the historical analysis of a character's passing in the Norman aristocracy, highlighting themes of wealth and greed. It discusses King William's tax policies and their impact on culture, power dynamics, and the concentration of wealth. The transition of wealth and power under King Rufus's rule is analyzed, along with his political strategies and family dynamics.
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The Unattended Funeral
- Jamie considered titling the previous episode "The Gang Goes to a Funeral".
- However, the attendees skipped the funeral, prompting Orderic Vitalis to discuss the meaning of death.
Tax Policy as Culture
- William the Conqueror amassed significant wealth by taxing the poor and powerless.
- This wealth transfer to the Norman aristocracy is a key aspect of Norman culture and power.
The Harrogild's Return
- William the Conqueror revived the Harrogild (army tax) in 1067, a tax previously abolished in 1051.
- This tax and its exemptions were tools to incentivize loyalty and punish enemies.