Ep. 33: Investiture Controversy (1065-1122) - Canossa Finally!
It is time - we are finally going to Canossa. Expect imperial power to disappear in smoke, greedy mothers-in-laws, frozen passes, hoisted horses and tobogganing empresses. All that ends with the endur...
7 Okt 202132min
Ep. 32: Investiture Controversy (1065-1122) - Hildebrand, not Pope but False Monk
The rise of the papacy since 1046 is almost linear. The popes throw off the chokehold of the roman aristocracy, they take over leadership of the church reform movement from the emperors, and by the en...
30 Sep 202146min
Ep. 31: Investiture Controversy (1065-1122) - The (second) Saxon War
In 1065 king Henry IV begins his personal rule. After 9 years of regency., the last 3 of which under a government of barons headed by archbishop Anno of Cologne, imperial power is much diminished. Pre...
23 Sep 202137min
Ep. 30: Investiture Controversy (1065-1122) - Three Roads to Canossa
Emperor Henry III is dead. The realm is now in the hands of his widow, Agnes of Poitou who rules on behalf of the six-year-old king Henry IV. Agnes is no Theophanu and no Adelheid. Not that she is inc...
16 Sep 202143min
Ep. 29: Henry III (1039-1056) - The Medieval Empire at its Zenith
In 1046 Henry III reached the zenith of his rule. He deposed three unworthy popes and replaced them with serious churchmen who will bring the necessary reforms about. Domestically he is in control of ...
26 Aug 202129min
Ep. 28: Henry III (1039-1056) - Three Popes with One Stone
In 1046 Henry III finally has time to go to Rome and claim the imperial crown. All he wants is get in, get crowned and get out before the Malaria season. He encounters a problem when he finds out that...
19 Aug 202134min
Ep. 27: Henry III (1039-1056) - Peace in Our Time
The main role of a medieval monarch is to bring peace to his subjects. Peace is not so much absence of major international conflict, but protection from feuding lords. Whilst in France central power i...
12 Aug 202126min
Ep. 26: Henry III (1039-1056) - Comin' in Smoothly
For the first time in almost 70 years the transition from one king/emperor to the next is smooth. Konrad II was not only one of the most successful medieval rulers, he also managed to live long enough...
5 Aug 202128min
