The British History Podcast The First Crusade Sample
Oct 23, 2025
The podcast dives into the gripping saga of the First Crusade. Tensions spike as Kerbogha's forces encircle hungry crusaders in Antioch. Visionary claims about a Holy Lance spark both skepticism and hope. An excavation leads to the discovery of a lance fragment, lifting spirits among the weary crusaders. Miraculously, reinforcements appear, including celestial beings, paving the way for a stunning victory. It's a tale of desperation, belief, and triumph that shapes medieval history.
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Antioch’s Panic And The Holy Lance
- Zee narrates the chaotic siege of Antioch where crusaders nearly collapse into panic and visions save them.
- Peter of Bartholomew claims St. Andrew revealed the Holy Lance and its discovery revives morale leading to victory.
Ghostly Brothers Urge Fighters Back
- Zee recounts a man trying to scale Antioch's walls who is stopped by the ghost of his dead brother urging him to fight.
- Multiple crusaders report visions, reinforcing a shared supernatural motivation to hold and fight.
Relics As Siege Psychology
- Relics like the Holy Lance provided psychological leverage and legitimized leadership decisions during medieval sieges.
- Bishop Adhemar doubts Peter but Raymond of Saint-Gilles backs the find, showing politics shaped which relics mattered.
