Margaret 5 Widow’s Weeds - Members Only

Though protected by the walls of Pembroke Castle, the death of Margaret’s husband left her vulnerable – something of a catch on the marriage market. Margaret, probably on the advice andRead More

Margaret 4 A Short Marriage - Members Only

Against a background of increasing political turmoil and military violence, Margaret turned 12 and was married in 1455. Despite her tender age, she was soon pregnant as she and EdmundRead More

Sh 33 Thomas Gresham - Members Only

Written up as a sort of national patriotic hero by the Victorians, Thomas Gresham was in fact as hard as nails, a deal maker, a money man, a controller. ButRead More

Margaret Omnibus 1 EPs 1-3 - Members Only

Margaret's reputation, lineage and childhood

Margaret 3 A Short Childhood - Members Only

Margaret's childhood was short, but seemingly happy

Marshal 26 No Finer Knight - Members Only

Just the French and the Grim Reaper to go...

Marshal Omnibus 8 EPs 23-26 - Members Only

From zero to hero and back to zero

25 Guardian - Members Only

As John lay dying at Newark he dictated his will. It laid down that Henry III’s minority should be managed by 13 Ordainers. So how did we get fromRead More

Marshal 24 The Barons’ War - Members Only

Enough was enough. The baron’s decide now is the time to bring their wayward king to heel.

Marshal 23 Rehabilitation - Members Only

John gets his fingers burned and needs friends. This is good news for Marshal – bad news for the Briouse family

Marshal Omnibus 7 EPs 20-22 - Members Only

From Richard I to John, changing fortunes for Marshal

Marshal 22 Irish Magnate - Members Only

A life or death struggle with his king

Marshal 21 Humiliation - Members Only

In 1203 John”s actions broke the loyalty of his French barons in Normandy and Anjou. And in the new world, Marshal got a taste of what living without the king’sRead More

Marshal 20 Unfailing Pride - Members Only

A French cook means a change of master for the Marshal

Marshal Omnibus 6 EPs17-19 - Members Only

William coping with 2 liege lords - Henry II and Richard I

Marshal 19 Coeur de Lion - Members Only

The arrival of a new boss is always a tricky moment. Especially if he thinks you tried to kill him.

Marshal 18 Magnate - Members Only

With the accession of Richard, Marshal faced an uncertain future at the hands of the man who he’d bested in battle. He waited at Fontvraud to hear his fate.Read More

Marshal 16 Holy Land - Members Only

William and his beloved Young King come to the parting of the ways

Marshal Omnibus 5 Eps 14-16 - Members Only

William and his beloved Young King are parted - reunited - and parted again

Marshal 15 The Fall - Members Only

Marshal was at the top of his game, feted and lauded. But success attracts the envious, and pride goes before a fall…

Marshal 14 Hubris - Members Only

William was now a big name on the tournament circuit, and it made him a tidy income. And he indulged himself in more ways than one, and gloried in hisRead More

Sh 31f LLASE Going Nuclear - Members Only

As lords intensified their demands, as pressure on land increased the search was on for more productive ways to farm the land. One impact was the introduction of open field systems andRead More

Sh 31e LLASE The Manor - Members Only

From the 9th century, the need of warfare and resulting taxation drove an ever greater bureaucracy. Meantime trade and population both grew, and towns with it. All these produced profoundRead More

Marshal Omnibus 4 EPs 11-13 - Members Only

William joined the court of the Young King, but it was not a happy place. William would be at Henry’s side throughout, and help his young master find a new role.

Marshal 13 The Circuit - Members Only

Marshal and the Young King were getting hammered. So they needed to sort that out – and still enjoy all the fun of the tournament occasion

Marshal 12 Tournament - Members Only

Henry the Young King needed a career. Maybe the answer lay in the tourney.

Marshal 11 Rebellion - Members Only

The Young King throws his toys out of the pram

Sh 32 Christine de Pisan with Caitlin Chapman - Members Only

Christine de Pizan (1364 – c. 1430) was a prolific and versatile French poet and author. Her diverse writings include numerous poems of courtly love, a biography of Charles V ofRead More

Sh 31d LLASE Warland - Members Only

Away from the Inland estates, the Anglo Saxon peasantry and thegnage often held their lands of ancient right, and the land they held defined their public obligations as well asRead More

Sh 31c Life on the Inland - Members Only

The arrival of resident landowners and the ever present danger of economic disaster would change the way many lived their lives and create the system of serfdom so centralRead More

Marshal Omnibus 3 EPs 8-10 - Members Only

If William’s career was a landscape, this episode would be taking us into the deepest of valleys. From thrusting young esquire, to the pit of despair. And back? WELL you’llRead More

Marshal 10 Rescue - Members Only

William is at a low point. a landless knight, held in captivity, with a hideous leg wound and no bandages. plus, no great value in the ransom market and therefore his futureRead More

Marshal 9 Ambush! - Members Only

Back home in 1168 with fears of the rest of his life as a dull hearth son, William would instead find his way quickly back into danger

Sh 31b LLASE Life on the Scir - Members Only

New petty kingdoms and lordships, scirs, began to form around tribal groups and identities, and then to consolidate into Anglo Saxons kingdoms we will begin to recognise. How were thoseRead More

Eleanor Omnibus 6 EPs 20-24 - Members Only

The last 15 years of Eleanor’s life saw her more able than ever to exercise influence and even to see her daughters; but retirement to Fontevraud was constantly interrupted. TellRead More

Eleanor 24 The End of Days - Members Only

The last years were no less busy than any of the others. And please, feedback here on the poll.

HiT A Knights Tale

By David Crowther 1 year agoJul 07, 2019 2 Comments

A romp, ladies and gentlemen. Chaucer walking naked after betting his shirt, peasants jousting as knights, rock music at medieval jousts. A bit of fun or hideous tosh?

Eleanor 23 John - Members Only

The Struggle for Angevin France is on

Eleanor 22 Retirement - Members Only

In 1193 Richard was held hostage by the Holy Roman Emperor. It was up to Eleanor to get him back before John took his kingdom. Eleanor’s Letters It isRead More

Eleanor 21 Crusade - Members Only

How to manage when you go away and leave your things with an evil brother itching to get his hands on them

Eleanor 20 Freedom - Members Only

In 1189 in Winchester castle, Eleanor saw an entourage approach the gate led by a man from her past – William the Marshal. He had come with news.

Eleanor Omnibus 5 EPs 17-19 - Members Only

In 1173 Eleanor took a decision about whom she would back - husband or sons. She would be paying the consequences for the next 15 years.

Eleanor 18 Captivity - Members Only

Escape to Chartres!

Eleanor 17 Rebellion - Members Only

Henry threw a massive party in the Auvergne and afterwards at Limoges. As he left the party, Raymond of Toulouse gave him a grim warning – and the hangover wasRead More