History of the Germans

The year is 919 AD and things are not going well. The mighty empire of Charlemagne has splintered into a multitude of puny kingdoms. Its feeble rulers are being pushed around by their formidable barons. The frontiers are breached. In the north the Vikings and Danes are ransacking towns and villages along the coasts and even deep inland. In the east the Slavs are burning Hamburg. And in the south the most terrifying of them all, the Magyars, a steppe tribe like the Huns and the Mongols, are marauding all the way from Bavaria to Northern Spain. Cometh the time, cometh the man/woman?Takeaways: The podcast introduces the tumultuous historical context of East Francia in 919 AD. Henry, Duke of Saxony, was elected king amidst a fractured political landscape. Henry's strategic alliances with other dukes significantly strengthened East Francia's unity. The Holy Lance was obtained by Henry, believed to provide divine support in battles. Henry's military reforms transformed the peasant infantry into a professional fighting force. The victory against the Hungarians in 933 marked a pivotal moment for Henry's reign. Chapters:00:04 - Introduction to the History of the Germans00:27 - The Crumbling Kingdoms of 919 AD04:24 - The Election of Henry the Fowler06:16 - Unifying the Kingdom: Henry's Strategy27:07 - The Battle Against the Hungarians30:42 - Henry's Legacy and Final Reforms32:23 - Outro and Next Episode PreviewThe music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.As always:Homepage with maps, photos, transcripts and blog: www.historyofthegermans.comIf you wish to support the show go to: Support • History of the Germans PodcastFacebook: @HOTGPod Threads: @history_of_the_germans_podcastBluesky: @hotgpod.bsky.socialInstagram: history_of_the_germansTwitter: @germanshistoryTo make it easier for you to share the podcast, I have created separate playlists for some of the seasons that are set up as individual podcasts. they have the exact same episodes as in the History of the Germans, but they may be a helpful device for those who want to concentrate on only one season. So far I have:The OttoniansSalian Emperors and Investiture ControversyFredrick Barbarossa and Early HohenstaufenFrederick II Stupor MundiSaxony and Eastward ExpansionThe Hanseatic LeagueThe Teutonic KnightsThe Holy Roman Empire 1250-1356The Reformation before the Reformation

Dive into the fascinating world of Charlemagne, a ruler who reshaped Europe. Discover how he not only conquered lands but also revived literacy and preserved ancient texts during the Carolingian Renaissance. Explore his military campaigns, particularly the Saxon War, motivated by both resource needs and a divine mission. Learn about his significant reforms, his coronation as the first Roman Emperor in centuries, and the challenges that followed after his empire was divided among his heirs. A rich tapestry of history awaits!

The fall of the Roman Empire marks a chaotic shift towards the Dark Ages, with population declines and power struggles among crime-lord-like leaders. Clovis emerges as the first 'King of France,' marrying politics and religion in a bloody rise. Meanwhile, Charles Martel rises in influence, paving the way for his son Pippin, who navigates the complex relationship with papal authority to secure his rule. The interplay of bloodshed, betrayal, and ambition sets the stage for an intriguing historical saga.

Germany was invented by Julius Caesar who also believed Moose had no knees. Herman the German was an officer in the legions, ritual car washing dates back to the 1 century BC and Constantine relied on Frankish soldiers to gain control of the Roman empire. These and other stories about the first 500 years of German(ic) history are part of the Prologue in which I attempt to run through the first 1000 years of German history before 919 AD when the main narrative of the History of the Germans Podcast really starts. The music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.As always: Homepage with maps, photos, transcripts and blog: www.historyofthegermans.comFacebook: @HOTGPod Twitter: @germanshistoryInstagram: history_of_the_germansReddit: u/historyofthegermansPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/Historyofthegermans

Hello and welcome to the History of the Germans Podcast, the podcast that does exactly what it says on the tin. What you get here is a narrative history of the German people from the early Middle Ages to German Reunification in 1991 in 35-40 minute episodes coming out every Thursday.We are 200 episodes in, but do not worry, you do not need to listen to all 200 for it to make sense. The show is now split into seasons which are almost stand alone. So you can listen to any one of theose and skip the rest. Let me tell you a little bit about these season.... The music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.As always:Homepage with maps, photos, transcripts and blog: www.historyofthegermans.comIf you wish to support the show go to: Support • History of the Germans PodcastFacebook: @HOTGPod Threads: @history_of_the_germans_podcastBluesky: @hotgpod.bsky.socialInstagram: history_of_the_germansTwitter: @germanshistoryTo make it easier for you to share the podcast, I have created separate playlists for some of the seasons that are set up as individual podcasts. they have the exact same episodes as in the History of the Germans, but they may be a helpful device for those who want to concentrate on only one season. So far I have:The OttoniansSalian Emperors and Investiture ControversyFredrick Barbarossa and Early HohenstaufenFrederick II Stupor MundiSaxony and Eastward ExpansionThe Hanseatic LeagueThe Teutonic KnightsThe Holy Roman Empire 1250-1356The Reformation before the Reformation