Podcast Episodes
Back to Search
The Year 900
Season 6 Episode 250
It’s the year 900. We’ve closed out another century, and the 900’s are looking as tumultuous as the 800’s. But before we move forward in our story of…
9 years, 1 month ago
Kenneth MacAlpin and the Birth of Scotland
Season 6 Episode 249
We’ve reached the end of an era. It was late 899, and Alfred (who has been our central figure for dozens of episodes) was at last at rest. But with h…
9 years, 1 month ago
The Death of Alfred the Great
Season 6 Episode 248
By 897, everything Alfred had known…. changed. He was barely in his 20s when he took the throne and he hadn’t had a chance to stop for a breath for t…
9 years, 2 months ago
Our Wooden Wall
Season 6 Episode 247
The Danes encamped at Bridgnorth had been campaigning for years. Many had come here with Haesten and the Appledore fleet. They were the veterans of t…
9 years, 2 months ago
The Hard Edge of Soft Power
Season 6 Episode 246
When I write an episode I begin by looking at what has happened in the past, then at what will come in the future, and only after that do I allow mys…
9 years, 3 months ago
King Alfred: Infrastructure is Sexy
Season 6 Episode 245
For the Viking army fleeing Shoebury, there wasn’t much to look forward to in a winter holiday at Chester. It would be wet. It would be cold. It woul…
9 years, 3 months ago
Haesten's Advance
Season 6 Episode 244
“Then came the king’s troops, and routed the enemy, broke down the work, took all that was therein money, women, and children and brought all to Lond…
9 years, 4 months ago
The Sieges of AEthelred of Mercia
Season 6 Episode 243
Imagine that you’re in your 20s. You are a member of the royal dynasty… the next in line for the throne. But your future court is filled with powerfu…
9 years, 4 months ago
Edward AEtheling at Farnham
Season 6 Episode 242
892 was not a very good year. Alfred’s gambit to pacify the forces of Hastein through the power of baptism and gifts had failed utterly, and now they…
9 years, 4 months ago
Haesten
Season 6 Episode 241
What was Alfred’s reaction to the news of a massive viking fleet crossing the channel? Was it a surprise? Did he just expect it at this point? Was he…
9 years, 5 months ago