The History of England

Was the Third Crusade a success or a failure? While it failed to achieve its objective, it was the most successful after the First Crusade. It rescued Outremer from an eradication that looked all too likely in 1190. The Crusade was controversial even at the time - in the eyes of most of Christendom it made Richard a hero - the victor of Acre and Arsuf. But to Philip's friends, Richard had failed, and betrayed Christendom to the Turk. To my mind it gave Outremer another century of life until the fall of Acre in 1291.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For 50 or so years after the capture of Jerusalem, Outremer was a part of the political and military dance between Christian and Muslim states. Then in 1144, signs of Muslim unity begin to appear through Nur ed Din when Edessa falls, and by 1150 one of the states is wiped off the map. Outremer has passed it's high point. But it's not until the 1170's that Saladin, as leader of unified empire that included Egypt and Syria, was able to really threaten the Christian states. In 1187, after the dramatic battle of Hattin, Jerusalem and most of Outremer falls and is left with just a few toe holds on the coast. in 1190, Saladin's army is looking to finish the job when Richard and Phillip arrive at Acre.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard unexpectedly conquers Cyprus after a storm detours his journey to the Holy Land, putting Isaac Comnenus in chains of silver and selling the island to the Templars. The podcast also explores aristocratic titles in 1190, Richard's marriage to Queen Beringaria in Limassol, and the complex political geography of Outremer during the 12th century.

Richard the Lionheart prepares for his crusade, dealing with anti-Jewish violence. William Longbeard's rise and fall, London's poor collecting blood-soaked soil. King Richard's strategic preparations, raising funds, negotiating alliances, and managing external threats.

To most contemporaries, Richard I was a hero. Since then his reputation has suffered badly, until even Winston Churchill describes him as the worst of our Richards - which given the other two is going some. So we look at how history has treated the guy, his early years, and what he was like. And we look at how to behave in medieval company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1173-4 Henry was faced by a revolt by his wife, children and many of his leading barons. 1183 to his death in 1189 were years where Henry was increasingly beset by his enemies until at the age of 56 he died, faced with the treachery and disloyalty of his family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So here are two completely unconnected subjects then! Henry is responsible for reforms to the process of English justice that had a long lasting impact on English Justice - including the development of Common law and the Jury system. OK, so he wasn't thinking about the long term futuire, all he wanted to do was to bring more royal revenue in, and more quickly; but none the less, a long term impact he had. The events of his reign would also have a long term impact on Irish politics and society. in 1169. Richard  'Strongbow'  FitzGilbert arrived on the coast of Ireland with the Gaelic king of Leinster, and the Anglo Norman invasion was on.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Thomas recanted from his signature of the Constitutions of Clarendon, things got really nasty. Before long, Thomas was in exile, and Henry couldn't care less. But by 1167 the political situation had changed - Henry wanted to crown his son, and the Archbishop of Canterbury wasn't around to do... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 1160's. A time of consolidation of the Angevin Empire, still ruled by a dynamic, young and aggressive Henry. But mainly remembered for the start of the struggle between church and state - or more accurately, the struggle between Henry and Thomas Becket. We start that well trodden paths, with... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the complex reign of Henry II, a ruler marked as both a tyrant and a capable king. Discover how he transformed administration with a professional royal system and improved tax collection. Delve into the intricacies of the Angevin Empire's governance and the significance of strategic locations. Anecdotes reveal the personal side of kingship, while insights into travel and economic innovations paint a vivid picture of the era. The journey through history is as enlightening as it is entertaining!