Pretty much everyone has heard about Marco Polo and his thirteenth-century journey from Italy to China. But just as the Polos were making their way east, two other intrepid travellers were making the journey in reverse. This week, Danièle speaks with Thomas A. Carlson about two Eastern Christian monks who made their way from China all the way to Western Europe, and this unique account of what medieval Europe and its kings looked like from the outside.<br /><br />This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

Richard Duke of Gloucester has the crown in his sights. But first, he needs to clear the room.&nbsp; Allies become enemies. Councillors are arrested. Lord Hastings is dead. And Edward IV’s heirs are locked in the Tower of London.&nbsp; Then Richard needs to sell himself. A preacher declares Edward IV’s children illegitimate while Richard positions himself as the antidote to his brother’s salacious decadence. Richard’s going to be England’s pious, orderly, righteous king. Or so he claims.&nbsp; The heirs locked in the tower slowly slip from public view — and history has never stopped asking about where they went.&nbsp; – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. It’s where you get your bonus episodes, and on this week’s episode Dan tries to understand why Elizabeth Woodville handed her son over to Richard III from sanctuary at Westminster Abbey. Plus, learn more about how Richard tried to legitimate his claims to the throne by sullying his deceased brother’s reputation.&nbsp; – A Sony Music Entertainment production.&nbsp; Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts&nbsp; To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]&nbsp; Learn more about your ad choices.&nbsp; Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices&nbsp; –– Presented by Dan Jones&nbsp; Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Junior Producer - Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer - Louisa Field&nbsp; Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri&nbsp; Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan&nbsp; Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Civil war in Egypt concludes after nearly a decade of strife, with Cleopatra II seeking support from the Seleucids before being reunited with her brother and daughter in 124. Ptolemy VIII's death in 116 puts to an end one of the most ruthless and cunning politicians of the Hellenistic period, and the poisonous effects of his fifty-year career sets the tone of the dynasty for the remainder of its history. Episode Notes: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/07/23/124-ptolemaic-egypt-sound-and-fury/) Episode Transcript: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/124-ptolemaic-egypt-sound-and-fury-transcript.pdf) Family Tree - Reign of Ptolemy VIII: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/reign-of-ptolemy-viii.pdf) Social Media: Twitter (https://twitter.com/HellenisticPod) Facebook (www.facebook.com/hellenisticagepodcast/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hellenistic_age_podcast/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/hellenisticpod.bsky.social) Show Merchandise: Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/HellenisticAgePod) ImperialWares (https://tinyurl.com/ybmpk7xd) Redbubble (https://www.redbubble.com/people/HellenisticPod/shop?asc=u) Donations: Patreon (https://patreon.com/TheHellenisticAgePodcast) Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/hellenisticagepodcast) Amazon Book Wish List (https://tinyurl.com/vfw6ask)

In honour of 350 episodes of The Medieval Podcast, Danièle celebrates the amazing progress that's been made in Medieval Studies since 2019.<br /><br />This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

Το επεισόδιο ασχολείται με τα προεόρτια και με την ίδια τη μάχη της Αδριανούπολης. Ένα κοσμοϊστορικό γεγονός που επηρέασε την κατοπινή ιστορία της Ευρώπης.  Οι Ούννοι και οι κατακερματισμένοι Γότθοι Η μεγάλη μετανάστευση των Γότθων και η ένωση τους.  Η αναστάτωση στη Θράκη και οι επιδρομές.  Η επέμβαση του Ουάλη και η μεγάλη μάχη.

Edward IV finally has it all. With his enemies vanquished, the Yorkist king can now focus on what really matters to him — pleasure. But, after one fateful fishing trip, he drops dead at 41. The kingdom is now left to his 12-year-old son, Edward V.&nbsp; It’s not like England hasn’t seen this before. After all, Henry VI ascended to the throne at nine-months-old. So the realm expects another royal council to steer things on Edward’s behalf until he gets older. And there’s a long list of nobles who are more than happy to shepherd the young king.&nbsp; This includes Edward IV’s brother, Richard Duke of Gloucester, who has other plans. Diabolical plans that will change the course of Plantagenet — and indeed English history — forever.&nbsp; – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. It’s where you get your bonus episodes, and on this week’s episode Dan tells us about why Edward’s gluttony was his undoing, and just how much life the Yorkist king packed into his 41 years. Plus: Hear about what links Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth II in the afterlife.&nbsp; – A Sony Music Entertainment production.&nbsp; Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts&nbsp; To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]&nbsp; Learn more about your ad choices.&nbsp; Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices&nbsp; –– Presented by Dan Jones&nbsp; Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Junior Producer - Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer - Louisa Field&nbsp; Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri&nbsp; Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan&nbsp; Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s summertime and your friendly neighbourhood medievalist is taking a much-needed week off, so here's a blast from the not-so-distant past. This episode was recorded live at the International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds in 2023 with everyone’s <i>other </i>favourite medievalist: Eleanor Janega.<br /><br />This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

A grieving George Duke of Clarence wants someone to blame for the tragic death of his wife and spare heir.&nbsp; Isabel Neville, Duchess of Clarence, dies during childbirth in December 1476. Their infant son dies shortly afterward.&nbsp; It’s a moment that would push anyone to the brink, but in George’s hands, it turns bloody. He sets his sights on two low-ranking staff members in the Clarence household, creates a kangaroo court, and sends them to the gallows.&nbsp; This act of extrajudicial killing isn’t seen as a lapse from someone wracked with grief, but something entirely in keeping with what many see in George: someone who is greedy, volatile, and profoundly disloyal.&nbsp; It’s these qualities that make King Edward IV realise England won’t be at peace with George alive. So naturally, he reaches for a supply of Portuguese wine to sort things out once and for all.&nbsp; – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. It’s where you get your bonus episodes, and on this week’s episode Dan explains why the ‘rule of law’ could be made brittle for certain nobles under Edward IV’s reign. Plus, we hear about whether George Duke of Clarence was a medieval gold digger, and why he decides to play “silly buggers” with a crystal ball.&nbsp; – A Sony Music Entertainment production.&nbsp; Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts&nbsp; To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]&nbsp; Learn more about your ad choices.&nbsp; Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices&nbsp; –– Presented by Dan Jones&nbsp; Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Associate Producer - Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer - Louisa Field&nbsp; Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri&nbsp; Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan&nbsp; Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

<p>Just in time for America’s 250th birthday, follow Dan Taberski (<em>Hysterical, 9/12, Missing Richard Simmons</em>) as he sets off on his most complicated quest yet: to reclaim the manifesto and write his own. Dan attempts to rescue the manifesto as a form from the sweaty clutches of cynical politicians and mass shooters and return it to its rightful place: with the artists, the warriors, the visionaries, and the mildly crazy regular folks with something to say, the passion to say it, and the courage to do something about it.&nbsp;</p><p>From Audible Originals and Please &amp; Thanks Productions, this 6-part series explores the power of the manifesto and asks: Can we get inspired again… and can we do it without a bullet?</p><p>Listen to Dan Taberski's Manifesto wherever you get your podcasts. Or binge all episodes of Manifesto ad-free right now on Audible. Start your Audible subscription in the Audible App or on Apple Podcasts.&nbsp;</p><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy</a> and California Privacy Notice at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info</a>.</p>

Although death is just a natural and expected part of life – especially in the Middle Ages – it’s also an event that forever alters the lives of those left behind. For medieval women, widowhood changed everything. This week, Danièle speaks with Anna Wainwright about what it was like to be an Italian widow in the fifteenth century, how widowhood and politics went together, and the rise of widows as popular writers.<br /><br />This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

In 1475, nobody wants a Henry V impersonator, but Edward IV goes ahead and does his best impression anyway.  Edward, buoyant from vanquishing his enemies at home, now wants to re-unite the kingdom against its longtime enemy: France. He wants the family heirlooms back: Normandy and Gascony.  So he assembles the biggest army in living memory — about 13,000 strong — and launches an assault on Paris, via Calais and Agincourt. Another Duke of Burgundy allies with England, too.  But Edward IV is no Henry V. Edward’s first allegiance is to pleasure, and it’s a fact the French King, Louis XI, ruthlessly exploits.  – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. It’s where you get your bonus episodes, and on this week’s episode Dan reveals whether the Hundred Years’ War was actually over by Edward IV’s invasion. Plus, more on why Henry Tudor’s the new pawn to be traded between Edward, Louis XI, and the Duke of Burgundy.  – A Sony Music Entertainment production.  Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts  To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [email protected]  Learn more about your ad choices.  Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices  –– Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Junior Producer - Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer - Louisa Field Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the army of Antiochus VII goes down in Media, Demetrius II returns to Syria after being released from Parthian captivity. Nobody is particularly happy to see him, including his (former) wife Cleopatra Thea, and the Syrians' hatred of their former king inspires the arrival of a Ptolemaic-backed claimant to the throne, Alexander II Zabinas. With three husbands having come and gone, Cleopatra makes her own bid for power as the sole ruler of kingdom, willing to eliminate any who oppose her - including her own children. Episode Notes: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/07/02/123-the-seleucid-empire-wrath-of-the-goddess/) Episode Transcript: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/123-the-seleucid-empire-wrath-of-the-goddess-transcript.pdf) Family Tree - Demetrius II to Antiochus VIII: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/reign-of-demetrius-ii-to-antiochus-viii.pdf) Social Media: Twitter (https://twitter.com/HellenisticPod) Facebook (www.facebook.com/hellenisticagepodcast/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hellenistic_age_podcast/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/hellenisticpod.bsky.social) Show Merchandise: Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/HellenisticAgePod) ImperialWares (https://tinyurl.com/ybmpk7xd) Redbubble (https://www.redbubble.com/people/HellenisticPod/shop?asc=u) Donations: Patreon (https://patreon.com/TheHellenisticAgePodcast) Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/hellenisticagepodcast) Amazon Book Wish List (https://tinyurl.com/vfw6ask)