Western Civ
Episodes
Episode 139: On Knife's Edge
26 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Now months into the siege, Mehmet and Constantine trade blows to determine the fate of Constantinople. Mehmet launches several new attacks, which the ...
Preview: The Search for Atlantis
22 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The lost city of Atlantis. Is there any more romantic archeological find remaining? Is it real? Or, does Atlantis continue to reside merely in Plato's...
Episode 138: To The Breach
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The battle for Constantinople continues as Constantine and Mehmet punch and counter-punch before the Theodosian Walls. This time, the battle extends t...
A History of Veterans Day
11 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today, on Veterans Day, we take a look at why we celebrate veterans when we do and how the holiday developed. And do not forget to thank any veterans ...
Alexander Redux Part Five: Cutting the Knot
08 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bonus episode! A sneak peek inside my new deep-dive series: Alexander Redux! In this ten-part series, we look at the lives of two of the most importan...
Bonus: A History of Halloween
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today's bonus episode is a very scary (not really) history of the third most popular holiday in America: Halloween. From Jack-o-Lanterns to Trick-or-T...
Episode 137: Cannons
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Last time, we reviewed the Theodosian Land Walls and covered the opening moves made by Constantine XI and Mehmet II upon the latter's ascension to pow...
Philip and Alexander: An Interview with Historian Adrian Goldsworthy
18 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with Adrian Goldsworthy about his latest book: Philip and Alexander is available HERE. We talk all things Greek and Macedonian. Tons o...
Episode 136: Opening Moves
09 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Constantine XI and Mehmet II make their opening moves for the battle for Constantinople. Constantine begs for aid, which is slow to come from a mediev...
A History of Western Thought: Socrates
04 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This is a bonus preview of the complete episode I did on the history of western thought covering Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. These three Greek thi...
Episode 135: The Ottomans
25 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we get the other half of the story. This time from the perspective of the Ottomans, occasionally known to history as the Turks. We co...
Preview: A History of Western Thought
13 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In a new Patrons-only (also available for purchase at the website) series, I am covering the history of western civilization but from the perspective ...
Episode 134: The Byzantines
11 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This time, we bring ourselves up to speed on Byzantium before we take that final plunge towards its final demise. This episode covers late medieval By...
Hundred Years War Recap
04 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A quick reap of the Hundred Years War including my analysis of why we should all DEFINITELY study this incredible conflict that straddles the line bet...
Episode 133: The Last Gasp
28 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After the death of Bedford, things begin to unravel quickly for English interests in France. Gunpowder has now replaced the longbow as the preeminent ...
Episode 132: The Witch of Orleans
14 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Led by Bedford, the English in France attempt to snuff out the remaining resistance under the Dauphin. Suddenly, an unexpected challenge rides to the ...
Announcement
12 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A quick announcement regarding some ways to engage with and support the show. Check out our website: westerncivpodcast.com Follow us on Instagram! @we...
Episode 131: King of England, King of France
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Henry V returns to England after his victory at Agincourt to a jubilant population. Parliament quickly votes the king the money to continue the war an...
Episode 130: We Few, We Happy Few
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Hundred Years War continues in this episode as Charles VI descends into madness, France into a quasi-civil war, and Henry IV deals with issues at ...
Episode 129: The End of the Plantagents
03 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
All good things must come to an end. In this episode, we are back in late Medieval England as the two-hundred-year reign of the Plantagenets finally c...
Episode 128: Black 1376
19 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
After Poitiers, Edward III, and his son, the Black Prince were flying high. They had the French King, John II, in captivity, and France was in turmoil...
Free Audiobook!!!
07 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I have fifty copies of my novel, If It Were Done, free to give away on Audible. Please send me an email at [email protected] for the promo c...
Episode 127: The Black Prince
05 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we pick up the Hundred Years War where we left off after the English victory at Crecy. Now, Edward III and his son, Edward the Black ...
Supplemental: The Black Death and the Rise of Modern Medicine
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode, we take a quick look at how the Black Death altered medieval European medical practices, including changes in medical education...
Announcement!
17 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Three quick announcements: A new website coming! New (Totally Free) Book Available Call for Educational Experiences Related to the Hundred Years Wa...
Black Death Recap
15 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I provide a complete recap of the Black Plague story arc from beginning to end in a highly condensed format. This episode covers the ...
Episode 126: The Long Shadow
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we examine in more detail the short and long-term consequences of the plague. The Black Death has been credited with bringing about th...
Supplemental: Medieval Leisure and Sport
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this bonus episode we look at games, sports and tournaments in the Middle Ages. Check my newest historical fiction novel on Alexander the Great: ...
Episode 125: The Flagellants
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we finish our historical story arc for the Black Death. Last time, we watched as the first cycle of plague died out on the Russian Ste...
The Great (Medieval) English Bake Off
15 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today we take a look at food, cooking, and baking in the Middle Ages. We are going to focus on England and France because the types of food available ...
Episode 124: The End of the Line
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue to follow the Black Death as it ravages medieval Europe. In 1348 the Black Plague hits London and devastates its populati...
Supplemental: Let's Get Gothic!
04 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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Supplemental: Let's Build a Cathedral!
29 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
While we all shelter in place, I thought I would put out a few fun supplemental episodes on cultural topics that I have not been able to fit into the ...
Episode 123: The Summer of Death
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We return to the plague narrative proper in this episode. Edward III sits victorious upon the medieval English throne fresh from victories in France. ...
Episode 122: The Hundred Years War
13 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We back the narrative up a little bit this time to catch up with England and France before continuing with the Black Death. In this episode, Edward II...
Episode 121: The Perils of the Papacy
28 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We continue tracking the Black Death as it moves from Italy to France in this episode. First we follow the plague to Marseilles and see our first anti...
Episode 120: The Final Word
14 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue our Black Death narrative. Last time we considered the impact of the plague on medieval Genoa and Venice. This time we tu...
Episode 119: Dealing In Death
31 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we follow the Black Death as it moves from Sicily to Italy - striking the Italian cities of Genoa and Venice.
Episode 118: First Blood
17 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We resume our narrative proper and take up the story of the Black Death in this episode. Now, the Black Death finally arrives in Europe in 1347 via, a...
Episode 117: The Conditions of a Pandemic
03 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this final introductory episode to the Black Death, we consider the ecological factors that made Europe especially susceptible to plague in the Fou...
Episode 116: The Science of Death
20 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we begin our Black Death narrative arc with a look at the plague itself. We will cover what causes the plague and what made the Black...
Supplemental: Europe on the Eve of the Black Death
06 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this supplemental episode, we take a whirlwind tour of Europe at roughly the year 1350, when the plague will begin to hit Europe. We cover quickly ...
Episode 115: The Favorite
22 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we follow the hapless reign of King Edward II of England. King Edward would find himself dominated by one court favorite after another...
Episode 114: Edward Longshanks and Philip the Fair
08 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we continue our look at the High Medieval period in France and England. When we last left off, the deaths of two Kings, Henry II in En...
Episode 113: Henry III
25 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As the title suggests, we are heading back to western Europe for this episode. When we last left England, King John had died in the midst of a civil w...
Episode 112: All That Remains
11 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we head back to 1204 and pick up the narrative of the Byzantine Empire after the sack of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade. The sac...
Episode 111: The Last Crusade
27 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we see the Mamluks bring the crusader states to their final end and the end of the crusading epoch in Europe. Then, I do my level best...
Episode 110: Pax Mongolica
13 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we conclude our brief Mongol storyline. We cover how the Mongol Empire transitions from one global empire to several, massive nation-s...
Episode 109: Mongol World War
30 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the newly titled, Genghis Khan, sees the Mongol horde explode out of the steppe against China. Then, a chance event leads the Mongols...
Episode 108: The Great Khan
17 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time on this podcast, we really leave Europe and the Near East. Genghis Khan has had a greater impact on the world than perhaps any othe...
Episode 107: The Hostage King
26 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers the crusade of King Louis IX of France which started out with a lot of promise and ends... well, I guess the title kind of gives t...
Episode 106: Stupor Mundi (Part Two)
12 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers the second half of Frederick II's reign as Holy Roman Emperor, King of Southern Italy, and King of Sicily. I try to answer the que...
Episode 105: Stupor Mundi (Part One)
28 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers roughly the first half of Frederick II's reign from his regency through his crusade to recover Jerusalem. We will also discuss Car...
Episode 104: A Brothers Tale
14 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we cover the Norman conquests of Southern Italy and Sicily between roughly 1025 and 1100. A series of brothers from the house Hautevil...
Episode 103: The Lionheart and the Devil
31 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we follow the reigns of King Richard I and King John as they battle to maintain their Plantagenent Empire against King Philip of Franc...
Episode 102: The Fourth Crusade - A Whole New Low
17 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers the disaster that was the Fourth Crusade. Pope Innocent III will try and reinvigorate crusading and wind up sacking one of the mos...
Episode 101: Byzantine Update
03 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we take a look at the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries from the Byzantine perspective. We will go from the death of Basil II through the...
Episode 100: Endgame
20 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we wrap-up the Third Crusade. Richard the Lionheart will battle Saladin to very end for Jerusalem. We will see how Richard's misunders...
Episode 99: Battlefield Acre
05 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Richard the Lionheart, King of England and the Angevin Empire, arrived in the Holy Land in June, 1191. When he arrived he found the crusaders already ...
Episode 98: The Surging Wave
22 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we set the stage for the Third Crusade. Frederick Barbarossa will make an overland march to Asia Minor while Richard I and Philip Augu...
Episode 97: Frederick Barbarossa
10 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we follow the career and reign of the ruler widely considered to be Germany's greatest medieval Monarch: Frederick Barbarossa. In tota...
Episode 96: Saladin and the Leper King
15 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Saladin cements his hold over the Near East by subduing Damascus, Aleppo, and Mosul. Then he turns his attention to the Crusader State...
Episode 95: The Goodness of the Faith
01 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we turn back to the Near East as the fortunes of the Crusader States continue to fall. Nur al-Din presses his empire further and furth...
Episode 94: The Perils of Prosperity
18 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When we last left off, Henry of Normandy and Aquitaine had just become King Henry II of England. Now, in this episode, we will follow the reign of one...
Episode 93: A Royal Mess
04 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we return to our narrative though not to the Crusades. We will head back to the year 1095 when the First Crusade was launched and set ...
Supplemental: Early Medieval Music
21 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this supplemental episode we examine music in the Early Middle Ages. Essentially, this comes down to Gregorian Chanting (Religious) and secular mus...
Supplemental: Early Medieval Architecture
07 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I cover some of the major architectural trends of the early to mid-Middle Ages. So, yeah, castles and churches. Website: www.westernc...
92: Calling All Arms
23 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The West kicks into gear in a last-ditch effort to save the crusader states. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodc...
Episode 91: The Crusader States (Part Two)
13 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we take a look at the Counties of Edessa and Tripoli and give a quick overview of life in the Near East during the Crusades. Finally, ...
Episode 90: The Crusader States Part One
29 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we follow the development of the four key Crusader States after the unexpected success of the First Crusade. King Baldwin I leads the ...
Episode 89: The Holy City
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode the First Crusade finally reaches Jerusalem. Once again, it turns into a make-or-break for the European invaders.
Episode 88: Fortress Antioch
28 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we follow the First Crusader as the crusader army swings south into Asia Minor and approaches the formidable city of Antioch. At Anti...
Episode 87: Into Asia
14 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In 1095 Pope Urban declared a "pilgrimage" to the Holy Land. In this episode we start with his declaration and then follow the First Crusade as it mov...
Episode 86: The Gathering Storm
31 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we begin the Crusades. Specifically, we need to catch up on Byzantium a little bit since we left off with Michael IV in the middle of ...
Supplemental: Medieval Art Part Two
03 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we wrap-up our survey of Early Medieval Art by looking at the changes brought about by the transition to the Middle Ages particularly ...
Supplemental: Early Medieval Art Part One
20 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are going to begin our look at Early Medieval Art by considered Late Classical and specifically Roman influences on artistic expres...
85:Early Medieval Italy
11 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Last time we covered some of the major social and political trends sweeping Italy in the Early Middle Ages. This time we dig into the specifics and ta...
Episode 84: Social and Political Transformation in Medieval Italy
22 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we take a break from the political narrative to focus on some of the key social and economic changes that are taking shape in Northern...
Episode 83: Holier Than Thou
08 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we continue our examination of the Holy Roman Empire between 973 and 1106. We pick up the story with Otto II and then follow Otto III ...
Episode 82: The Holy Roman Empire
24 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we start our in-depth look at the Holy Roman Empire. This episode covers the time period from the collapse of the unified Carolingian ...
Episode 81: The Governors of the World
15 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we conclude our close look at the Papacy by picking up the story at the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 and following the Vicars of Ch...
80
01 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Audition Template: 1 Mono Host track (with Speech Volume Leveler), 1 Mono Interview track (with Speech Volume Leveler), 1 Stereo Sound FX with effects...
Episode 79: Al-Andalus
16 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we swing south to the Iberian Peninsula to catch up on Islamic Spain and the small, Christian Kingdoms that surround it. We begin wit...
Episode 78: Low Tide
02 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we return to what we will loosely be calling "France". The Carolingian Empire is forever gone. In its place are a patchwork of small k...
Episode 77: The Norman Conquest Part Four
16 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode William the Conqueror cleans up the last few rebellions in England, only to turn around see his possessions back on the continent unde...
Episode 76: The Norman Invasion Part Three
02 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Between 1066 and 1074 William the Conqueror fights off a series of rebellions in England to solidify his rule.
Episode 75: The Norman Invasion Part Two
19 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we follow Harold Hardrada and William of Normandy across the seas to England to battle Harold Godwinson for the throne. When the dust ...
Episode 74: The Norman Conquest Part One
01 Jan 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We resume our narrative in this episode circa 1000 AD in the Kingdoms of England and Normandy. Things are not going well in England. A series of inept...
Episode 73: Why 1000?
15 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we step back again from the narrative to consider the major demographic changes which swept Europe during the High Middle Ages (1000 ...
Episode 71: What Exactly is the "Dark Ages"?
01 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we consider the question: what are the Dark Ages? And specifically, when should the Early Middle Ages be said to begin?
Episode 70: The Magyars
17 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Medieval Hungary (865 - 1035)
Episode 69: The End of the Carolingian Empire
03 Nov 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The empire of Charlemagne finally collapses for good.
Voices: Norse Mythology
27 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Binding of Fenrir Wolf
Episode 68: The Fury of the Northmen (Part Three)
20 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Age of Viking Exploration
Episode 67: Byzantine Apoge
06 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Eastern Empire: 855 - 1043 AD
Episode 66: Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf
22 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we swing back to Ireland and explore the fascinating story of the battle that took place on Good Friday, 1014 AD.
Episode 65: Alfred the Great
08 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we examine England in the Viking Age. In the late Ninth Century England was nearly overrun by the Northmen. Only the tiny Anglo-Saxon...
Episode 64: The Fury of the Northmen (Part Two)
25 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Rus and Byzantium (900 -1030 AD)
Episode 63: Iconoclasm
11 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
This episode traces Byzantine History from the middle of the Seventh Century through the reign of Leo V in the middle of the Eighth Century.
Episode 62: The Fury of the Northmen (Part One)
28 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we trace the Viking Invasions of the Ninth and Tenth Centuries as they ravage Francia.