155 - Venice has trouble with the neighbours (1400 - 1416)
We come round to Venice to see how they were doing at the start of the 15th century, dealing with neighbours such as the duchy of Milan under Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Padua under the Da Carrara and the formidable Sigismund king of Hungary and his general Pippo Spano. Before that we take some time to have a look at the political structure of the ruling oligarchy, from the doge whose wive has an amusing name down, and take a look at the city... and its pigs
14 Mars 202316min
154 Trentino Alto Adige (up to 1509)
Since we have never been there in the podcast, we take some time to go back and give a very general overview of the northern Italian region of Trentino Alto Adige, perched up north between the duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice with reference to the time we are in. We go through Romans, Goths, Byzantines, Lombards, Franks to get to the bishop-counts that characterise this area, such as George of Lichtenstein or Federico Vanga. We then see how Venice started to encroach and hear about a rather spectacular feat of overland fleet travel engineering.
28 Feb 202318min
153 - The assassination of Galeazzo Maria and the Moore takes control (1468 - 1494)
Duke of Milan Galeazzo Maria Sforza continues with his expensive naughty ways until he is assassinated in 1476. His son Gian Galeazzo becomes duke under the regency of his mother, Bona of Savoy, until his uncle Ludovico, known as "il Moro" the Moore takes over as Italy heads towards the aptly named, "Italian Wars".Meanwhile a certain Leonardo da Vinci worked on a portrait of Ludovico Sforza's ladyfriend Cecilia Gallerani who is turned into "The lady with the ermine".
14 Feb 202326min
152 - Duke Francesco Sforza and his sex-crazed son (1450 - 1568)
Shortly after becoming duke, Francesco Sforza has to deal with a war against Venice, but then the peace of Lodi and the Italic league allow him some time to consolidate his power and start building projects in Milan, as well as chase after women, ending his life with a total of 35 children, only 8 of which were legitimate. His son Galeazzo Maria takes over and the only things he seems good at are spending money and satisfying his desires.
31 Jan 202319min
151 - Milan from Visconti to Sforza (1447 - 1450)
After the death of Duke Filippo Maria Visconti of Milan, a succession crisis has everyone in on the game and Venice gobbling up cities. In the end, will Bianca Maria Visconti and her husband, Francesco Sforza, manage to stake her claim?Also some naughtiness in the bedroom going on here.
17 Jan 202321min
5th anniversary
On 3rd January we celebrated the 5th anniversary of the "A History of Italy" podcast.In this special episode we will talk about:How the podcast is doing and where it's goingThe Italian 2022 elections and Meloni governmentCorrespondence from listenersA short version of my life storyAnd we end with the acclaimed sketch of San Marino
10 Jan 202326min
150 - Decline of the Savoy and the Holy Shroud of Turin (1451 - 1490)
We go back to the north west to visit with Piedmont and the house of Savoy to take them out of the 15th century as they go through a period of decline with the rising power of France threatening their independence. It is in this period, in 1553, that the Savoy acquire the Holy Shroud, which was supposed to have been the burial cloth of Jesus Christ himself... or was it just one of histories most elaborate middle aged hoaxes?
20 Dec 202220min
149 The Genoa of Columbus (1442 - 1492)
We close out the 15th century for Genoa with things not looking too great thanks to the advancing Ottomans in the Eastern Mediterranean and in parallel follow the life of one of Genoa's most famous sons, Christopher Columbus in his early life and follow the adventures of his body after his death before reflecting on his legacy.
13 Dec 202218min
