196 - Giovanni of the Black Bands part 1: birth of a legend
In this episode, we reunite with an old friend of the show — Caterina Sforza, the indomitable “Tigress of Forlì.” From her, we follow the turbulent and violent early life of her son, Giovanni de’ Medi...
21 Okt 202517min
195 - Italian Wars 12 - The sack of Rome (again) and the end of the Sforza (1526 - 1530)
In this episode, we pick up with Emperor Charles V consolidating his power over Italy after the Battle of Pavia (1525), where the French king Francis I was captured. The uneasy Italian states, includi...
7 Okt 202518min
194 - The Italian Wars 11 - Medici pope to Medici pope - Battle of Pavia and Cognac
After three episodes exploring the life of Leonardo da Vinci, we return to the turbulent stage of the Italian Wars. In this episode, we pick up in the early 1520s, a period shaped by papal politics, d...
16 Sep 202516min
What has the printing press ever done for us? - Guest episode by the History of the Germans
This is a guest episode by Dirk Hoffmann of the history of the German podcast, in which he tells us all about the impact of one of the most important inventions in human history, Gutenberg printing pr...
2 Sep 202538min
Summer update
Just to let you know I haven’t disappeared!
16 Aug 20251min
193 - Leonardo Da Vinci part 3 - twilight and legacy
We explore the fascinating intersection between one of the world’s most famous relics and one of its most brilliant minds: Leonardo Da Vinci and the Shroud of Turin. Was Da Vinci somehow connected to ...
29 Juli 202520min
Leonardo Da Vinci part 2 - from Florence to Milan
Early Life & EducationBorn illegitimate, Leonardo spent his youth sketching and observing nature.After moving to Florence, he entered the prestigious workshop of Andrea Verrocchio, where he learned no...
9 Juli 202519min
191 - Leonardo part 1 - birth of genius
Starting from reasons to have a good cry, particularly concerning hair, we then head to Vinci, outside Florence in the mid 1400's to witness the birth and early childhood of Leonardo to see the start ...
24 Juni 202518min
