Edward the Elder
Edward the Elder (899-924) is often overlooked given the towering fame of his father and son. When we look at his career, though, we find a king whose actions earn him acclaim and criticism. Credits –...
2 Nov 202415min
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
In the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle we have not only an account of Anglo-Saxon history but also an attempt at identity creation which served part of the mission to forge a new united English identity from th...
19 Okt 202410min
Alfred: the Great?
We look back on the achievements of King Alfred and ask: how do we define someone as 'great'? Credits – Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&inde...
5 Okt 202413min
The Alfredian Renaissance (Part 2)
One day, when he was a boy, the future Alfred the Great, along with his brothers, was pulled aside by his mother, Osburh. She showed them a book filled with English poetry and promised that she would ...
21 Sep 202418min
The Alfredian Renaissance (Part 1)
In addition to his military and political achievements, King Alfred also undertook an ambitious plan for intellectual revival meant to restore learning and piety to his new kingdom. In this episode, w...
31 Aug 202411min
Alfred: King of the Anglo-Saxons
Although he had no way of knowing it, in 878 Alfred secured for Wessex over a decade of peace from Viking attack. In that time, Alfred would set about remaking his kingdom so that it could withstand a...
17 Aug 202420min
The Great Summer Army
As discussed in the previous episode, the Viking invasion of England can be roughly divided into two phases, that which occurred prior to the arrival of the Great Summer Army in 871 and that which occ...
3 Aug 202414min
The Sons of Ragnar
The Great Heathen Army that devastated England in the 860s and 870s was, tradition claims, spear-headed by three of the sons of Ragnar Lothbrok. As discussed last time, legend had it that they invaded...
19 Jul 202411min
