Villains and Virgins History Podcast

The story of how Constantinople was assaulted and sacked by the army of the Fourth Crusade is horrifying. Constantinople was the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, and it was full of Eastern Christians. So how did the army of the Fourth Crusade, who thought they were going to fight Muslims and reconquer Jerusalem, end up looting churches and assaulting nuns? A naive prince, a cunning Venetian Doge, and two emperors who fled into the night are part of the spiral that leaves French knights fighting the Varangian Guard. The shocking attack on the city was a turning point: it redefined the potential targets for crusader violence, which would soon be unleashed in France, and it shattered the power of the Eastern Roman Empire. Support this podcast on Patreon and get ad-free episodes, live video Q&A with Eva Schubert, and immediate access to our continuously growing library of special member-only bonus episodes. More info at https://www.patreon.com/evaschubert If you enjoyed this, check out my series on the First, Second, and Third Crusades, available in both your podcast player and on YouTube... 1st Crusade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnOZJsYzx1k&list=PLteESDDVIavR-8R7p6ZTFVo5NhCJBblB_ 2nd Crusade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_yn_iyHsHE&list=PLteESDDVIavT9n0q_5d8xrt9A6LhlsoEl 3rd Crusade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-zaN0_xDjU&list=PLteESDDVIavSf0NWjBx3Hl9pJ5tyjJTy_ Thanks Eva Schubert VillainsAndVirgins.com

The Third Crusade involves two of the most well known figures of any crusade: Richard I, the Lionheart, King of England, and Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, Sultan of Egypt and Syria. These two men each command an army, and the fate of the Near East hangs in the balance. After the Siege of Acre, the army of the Third Crusade takes the road to Jerusalem. Along the way they will face Saladin, and have an encounter with the Assassins. Their quest to take the city involves epic battles, murder, surprising camaraderie, and scandalous marriage proposals. This is the story which founded legends.

Richard the Lionheart is one of the most famous English kings and he made his reputation on the Third Crusade. In this episode we take a closer look at the man behind the legend. His mother was the famous Eleanor of Aquitaine, and his father was the easily angered Henry II. Richard's early career as a feudal enforcer made him an expert in siege warfare. The fall of Jerusalem triggers the call for the Third Crusade, but scandal, infighting, and a massive fight with France keep Richard tied up for two years before he can fulfill his Crusader oath. Richard will finally be crowned King of England and take the road to Jerusalem, joining the King of France, and the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. Support this podcast on Patreon: Patreon.com/evaschubert Tour link: https://geeknationtours.com/tours/villains-and-virgins-tudor-tour-with-eva-schubert/

The Knights Templar are one of the most famous medieval orders. They combined legendary discipline and bravery in battle with the ascetic habits of monks. Then they were publicly disgraced in a show trial and soon after the Pope dissolved the Order. But some Templars survived, and even thrived in other parts of Europe, particularly in Portugal. This episode is a sweeping ride through the Reconquista, the founding of Portugal, and the new identity that saved these knights. It also covers a famous Templar named Gualdim Pais who fought in the Siege of Ascalon, and brought his experience back to Portugal to fight a legendary battle years later.

Santa Claus is a very strange figure when you think about it. Where does he come from and why does he fly through the sky handing out presents at night? This episode traces the connection with an old Norse god and an Anatolian bishop from the 3rd century, and explores the gritty reality of life in the Roman empire for ordinary people. You will never look at old Saint Nick the same way again.

The sword is more than just a weapon. It has been used to dub knights and legitimise kings, determine guilt and settle matters of honour. From the ancient Romans and the Song of Roland to dueling culture and German Mensur matches, this cultural history traces the legends and traditions that have given the sword its enduring mystique.

King Henry II was a man with a terrible temper. He was determined to have absolute control of his subjects, but one unlikely man stood up to him. In this episode women are seized from convents and forcibly married, messengers suffer grisly punishments, and a good number of body parts are forcibly removed when the king flies into a rage. This is the story of archbishop Thomas Becket who stood up to the vengeful Plantaganet king.

The dwindling army of the Second Crusade arrives in Antioch, where a quarrel over military strategy is influenced by rumours of a sex scandal involving the Queen of France. The Crusaders make some very bad decisions, leading to a failed attack and a humiliating retreat. Find out why the Second Crusade was such a dismal failure. Support this podcast on Patreon.com/evaschubert For details of an upcoming history tour with Eva go to: https://geeknationtours.com/tours/villains-and-virgins-tudor-tour-with-eva-schubert/

The Second Crusade would be a disaster, but why did it happen and how did it get started? The call to arms was preached by a closet dwelling ascetic who happened to be the leading churchman of his generation-- none other than Bernard of Clairveaux. In this episode we meet Eleanor of Aquitaine, the queen who ruled both France and then England, and went on crusade. A horrifying mass death, a guilty royal conscience, and one of the most notorious womanisers of the Middle Ages are all part of the story in this episode.

The Knights Templar are surrounded by legends and conspiracy theories. Who were they actually? This episode tracks the Templars from their inception as an order of warrior monks in the Crusader state of Jerusalem, to their astonishing expansion into an international organisation of enormous wealth and power. Along the way we encounter Crusader kings, Bernard of Clairveaux, the white slave trade, the Knights Hospitaller, and the Assassins. Footnote: In this episode I mention Krak de Chevalier among the Templar castles because it is perhaps the most stunning example of Crusader fortresses. However, unlike the other castles I have mentioned by name, Krak de Chevalier was used by the Hospitaller Knights, a brother order to the Templars.

The Crusaders narrowly escape annihilation when they attempt to fight their way out of Antioch. Some men credit the miracle of the Holy Lance for their amazing escape. Divisions emerge amongst the nobles, while the army starves. Some Crusaders turn to cannibalism, and a fiery trial by ordeal ends the career of a peasant preacher. The Crusadering army finally arrives at the walls of Jerusalem in 1099, and the stories of what they do when they get inside are hair raising. Faith, violence, hate, and ambition are all rolled together in this dramatic episode.

The First Crusade became the stuff of legend soon after it finished. Western knights headed to Constantinople and ultimately to Jerusalem, to rescue pilgrimage sites from the control of Muslim invaders. The crusade involved close to 100,000 people from Western Europe heading east, in a journey that would cover thousands of miles, mostly on foot. It's often told as a struggle of East vs. West, and Christianity against Islam. The history is more complicated. What set so many knights off on this journey to the east? Why did so many ordinary people make the crusade? Find out in this episode. Related episodes include: The Great Schism The Normans in Italy

The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is exploding in popularity these days, but the modern travellers are part of a tradition that is over 1000 years old. How did the Camino begin? Why did medieval people go on pilgrimages anyway? From drinking wine used to wash skulls, to pilgrims in chains, this episode explores the world of medieval Christianity, and the surprising traditions around pilgrimage, including why the Camino is booming today. Support this podcast on Patreon at: patreon.com/evaschubert