How the Duchess of Aquitaine’s choices created a western Empire
The Angevins 1155-1217
HiT Kingdom of Heaven
Ridley Scott’s 2005 historical epic came soon after the massive success of Gladiator, and consciously aimed to repeat it’s success. It didn’t manage it, but the Director’s Cut was better received,Read More
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
The accession of Richard was to be either Marshal's downfall - or the making of him
Marshal 17 To the Devil - Members Only
'God’s legs, Marshal, don’t kill me! It wouldn’t be right – I’m quite unarmed'
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
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
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
Marshal 8 Expulsion - Members Only
After a brief moment of glory at Neufchatel William was back on the transfer list, and the life of a Hearth Son was starring back at him. But wait - maybe this tourney at St Jammes would be the thing?
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.
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 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 19 Squabbles - Members Only
There is no let up to the family feuding. In fact it gets worse.
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
Eleanor 16 The Devil’s Brood - Members Only
Henry and Eleanor were well aware of the potential problem of all those boys. So they tried to sort things out for their brood nice and early.
Eleanor Omnibus 4 EPs 14-16 - Members Only
The 1160s and into the 1170s saw growing children, and a growing distance between Eleanor and Henry. Both would promise trouble
Eleanor 14 Home Rule - Members Only
Eleanor is At Home to the shedlingas
Marshal Omnibus 2 Eps 4-7 - Members Only
Marshal goes from green esquire to green knight
Marshal 7 Knight - Members Only
War is hell, but for a young 12th century esquire it's the kind of hell they need
Eleanor 13 Home - Members Only
A new strategy was needed to govern Aquitaine
Eleanor Omnibus 3 Eps 10-13 - Members Only
From 1152 to 1172, from Poitiers to Poitiers
Marshal 6 Court and Kit - Members Only
The life and kit of the aspirant esquire
Eleanor 12 Partners - Members Only
The Toulouse Campaign and the start of tension
HiT Robin and his Various Hoods
Glen Longwell joins Wolf and I to compare and contrast 3 Robin Hood movies. Plus we had some questions so hie thee to the Facebook group to pitch in. WeRead More
Marshal 5 Tancarville - Members Only
Around 1160, William left home to the sound of his family’s tears, and travelled to Tancarville to learn the skills of courtesie.
Eleanor 11 Power - Members Only
Queen of England: Power or pawn?
Marshal 4 Fathers and Sons - Members Only
The story of John Marshal, William’s father with a big of wandering around in the genesis of the legendary King Arthur, king of the Britons.