http://www.historyeurope.net en-GB ℗ Carl Rylett A History of Europe from the Ancient Greeks to the First World War Carl Rylett Why does Europe exist as a separate continent at all? What allowed such a diversity of cultures within this small part of the world? What has determined the borders of and within Europe? I will use a series of key battles to help answer these questions by telling the story of Europe through the ages. Europe was, of course, defined not only by wars but such things as migration, economics, dynastic accidents and natural events but to a large extent today’s political and cultural maps have been forged by sheer brute force. And for the purposes of this podcast, I have chosen about forty key battles that will act as milestones in this story I will describe to some extent how each battle was won or lost by particular decisions, tactics, technology or fortune. But the aim of each main narrative will be to place each battle in the context of the overall history of Europe. This overarching view provides a framework, which will help fit specific places and events into the big picture. noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantiumcarlrylett@yahoo.co.ukCarl Rylett Carl Rylett An introduction to the podcast series The year 2014 marks a hundred years since the beginning of the First World War- a war which started in Europe and tore the continent apart. It is a time for reflection on its legacy. This podcast acts as an introduction to the series of podcasts telling the history of Europe from the Ancient Greeks to the First World War Sat, 28 Dec 2013 23:00:00 GMT 8:33 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Ancient Greeks, Persian Empire In 490 BC the Ancient Greeks of Athens fought for their very survival and for their way of life against the Persian Empire. It is important because the Greeks were to help build the foundations of European civilisation Sun, 12 Jan 2014 18:00:00 GMT 19:42 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett A Persian invasion of Greece is repelled by Athens and her allies Part 2 of 2 on the Battle of Marathon, between the Ancient Greeks and the Persian Empire Sun, 19 Jan 2014 18:00:00 GMT 25:02 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Alexander the Great's invasion of Persia, background Part 1 of 2 on the Battle of Gaugamela, 331 BC. Describes the build up to the invasion of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great, with an army of Greeks and Macedonians Sun, 2 Feb 2014 15:00:00 GMT 14:21 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Alexander the Great's conquest of Persia Part 2 of 2 on the Battle of Gaugamela, 331 BC. In 334 BC Alexander the Great's Greek/Macedonian army of conquest marched into Asia. Here I tell the story of the campaign, and Alexander's plans to forge a new Greco-Persian culture Sun, 9 Feb 2014 01:00:00 GMT 20:45 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Hannibal of Carthage wages war against Rome in the Second Punic War Hannibal of Carthage v Scipio Africanus of Rome. In the third century BC the Roman faced its biggest challenge to date - The Punic Wars against the Phoenicians of Carthage. The two sides fought for decades. This podcast describes the build up to the Battle of Zama, the culmination of the Second Punic War. More information at www.historyeurope.net Sun, 23 Feb 2014 13:00:00 GMT 26:30 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Scipio Africanus defeats Hannibal allowing Rome to become masters of the Mediterranean Hannibal of Carthage v Scipio Africanus of Rome. Rome fought back against Hannibal's campaign in Italy and the various revolts they faced. They then launched an invasion of Africa, which led to the decisive Battle of Zama, 202 BC Sun, 2 Mar 2014 13:00:00 GMT 20:01 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Rome's greatest defeat against an alliance of Germanic tribes, background The Roman Empire of Augustus vs an alliance of Germanic tribes. In AD 9 Rome was steadily gaining control over the territory of Germania, north of the Rhine. However, they suffered a devastating defeat, and the loss of three legions in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. Part 1 describes the build-up to this event. More information at www.historyeurope.net Sun, 16 Mar 2014 08:00:00 GMT 12:41 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett A Germanic army destroys three Roman legions The Roman Empire of Augustus vs an alliance of Germanic tribes. Description of the battle, in which Arminius led his German followers on an ambush which destroyed three Roman legions, and contributed to halting Rome’s expansion into northern Europe. Sun, 23 Mar 2014 20:00:00 GMT 21:40 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Constantine the Great, first Christian emperor In the year AD 312, Constantine the Great defeated his main rival for the title of emperor in Western Europe. He is one of the most significant people in history, as the first Christian Emperor, who vigorously promoted the religion Sun, 13 Apr 2014 19:00:00 GMT 26:50 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Last days of Rome, Battle of Adrianople, Sack of Rome AD410, Migration of Germanic tribes into the Empire The western Roman Empire was about to fall. But in 451 AD her soldiers had one last great victory on the battlefield, At the Battle of the Catalaunian Fields the destructive armies of Attila and the Huns were kept at bay and prevented from overrunning Western Europe Sun, 4 May 2014 18:00:00 GMT 21:45 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Last days of Rome, General Aetius, Huns The rise of the Roman army commander Aetius who would face Attila and the Huns in the Battle of the Catalaunian Fields in the twilight of Empire Sun, 11 May 2014 08:00:00 GMT 15:04 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Last days of Rome, Attila the Hun Attila and the Huns vs Aetius and the Roman Empire, with their respective allies Sun, 18 May 2014 18:00:00 GMT 28:33 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Byzantium, Persia, Rise of Islam In the 620's the Eastern Roman Empire faced several threats, most notably the Persian Empire. Part 1 focuses on the conflict between Constantinople and Persia. This provides the context for the Rise of Islam in the 630's leading to the decisive Battle of Yarmouk in 636 AD between the Roman Emperor Heraclius and the Arab invaders. Sun, 15 Jun 2014 08:00:00 GMT 27:40 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett An Arab army defeats the Byzantines in an epic six day battle The Rise of Islam in the 630’s threatened the existence of two ancient superpowers - the Persian and Roman Empires. In 636 AD the decisive battle took place between the Arabs led by Khalid ibn al-Walid and the Byzantine/Roman Empire of Heraklius- the Battle of Yarmouk. More details at www.historyeurope.net Sun, 22 Jun 2014 23:00:00 GMT 30:03 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Charles Martel, King of the Franks, checks the Muslim advance in western Europe The Franks of Charles Martel vs Islamic Umayyad Caliphate. From the mid seventh century the Muslim armies conquered lands from Spain to Persia forming a powerful new world empire. In 732 AD a large Muslim raiding party in southern France was confronted by the leader of the Franks, a Germanic people who over the previous couple of centuries had take control of the area of modern day France. This is the story of the great battle that ensued. More details at www.historyeurope.net Sun, 20 Jul 2014 23:00:00 GMT 38:29 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Britain after the Roman Empire On September 18th the people of Scotland will vote to decide whether to stay part of the United Kingdom or whether to form an independent nation. This is the story of the early formation of the kingdoms of Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire, leading to the different regional identities that exist on the isles today. Mon, 25 Aug 2014 18:00:00 GMT 11:30 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Alfred the Great turns the tide against the Vikings In the ninth century the Vikings repeatedly attacked Britain, overcoming all Anglo-Saxon kingdoms except for Wessex. King Alfred the Great of Wessex, not only managed to defend his kingdom but to turn the tide against the Vikings and build the foundations of the state of England Sun, 31 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT 17:17 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Athelstan of Wessex confronts an alliance of Scots, Vikings and northern Britons In AD 937 took place 'the Great Battle' of early medieval Britain, a time when the political and cultural map of the isles was forming, which lasts till today. The King of Wessex, Athelstan, grandson of King Alfred the Great, was forced to confront an alliance of Scots, Vikings and northern Britons in his attempt to become King of all Britain www.historyeurope.net Sun, 07 Sep 2014 22:30:00 GMT 21:33 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Otto I the Great of Germany In the year 955 was fought a crucial battle for central Europe, which proved highly significant for the early histories of Germany and Hungary. Here I describe the build-up to the Battle of Lechfeld www.historyeurope.net Sun, 26 Oct 2014 12:30:00 GMT 18:48 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Otto I defeats a Hungarian army Concluding part of the Battle of Lechfeld, 955 AD. Otto the Great assembles an army of fellow Germans and Bohemians to defeat a force of Hungarian raiders. His victory proved decisive in the shaping of central Europe www.historyeurope.net Sat, 01 Nov 2014 12:30:00 GMT 17:59 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Bulgaria, Byzantium and their complex relationship A focus on southeastern Europe. The history of early Bulgaria and its relationship with the Byzantine Empire, often one of peace and cultural exchange, but also involving military conflict including the Battle of Kleidion in 1014 AD www.historyeurope.net Sun, 30 Nov 2014 17:15:00 GMT 28:50 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Italy after the Fall of Rome During the next four podcasts I will tell the history of Italy from between the fall of Rome up until 1053, the year of an important battle between Pope Leo IX and Norman invaders of Italy. These centuries witnessed a long struggle for power between various sides, with many shifts of fortune. The Battle of Civitate marks the point at which the Normans firmly established themselves in Italy and so reshaped the politics of the peninsula. www.historyeurope.net Tue, 30 Dec 2014 22:00:00 GMT 22:41 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Papacy and German Emperors of early Middle Ages The popes of the eleventh and early twelfth century were hardly living by the standards set by their religion. In spite of this this they still enjoyed considerable reverence among the leaders of Christendom. A papal alliance with the German Emperors, which proved highly valuable but sometimes very difficult, became a key element of medieval Italian history. www.historyeurope.net Sun, 11 Jan 2015 18:00:00 GMT 18:11 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Normans in Italy The Normans arrive in Italy first as pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land, then as mercenaries. It is not long before they begin to acquire territories and titles on the peninsula in their own right. www.historyeurope.net Sun, 18 Jan 2015 17:00:00 GMT 17:13 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett The Normans defeat an army assembled by Pope Leo IX and conquer southern Italy In the first half of the eleventh century, the Normans gained much territory in Italy but in so doing had made many enemies. In 1054 Pope Leo IX brought together a force of Lombards, Germans and Byzantines to confront them. The Normans won an overwhelming victory and effectively conquered the southern half of the peninsula www.historyeurope.net Sun, 25 Jan 2015 11:30:00 GMT 24:19 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett The Battle of Hastings, background The most famous battle on English soil in 1066, between the Normans and Anglo-Saxons. Part 1 gives a summary of English and Norman history leading up to that fateful year www.historyeurope.net Sun, 22 Feb 2015 10:00:00 GMT 21:05 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett William the Conquerer earns his nickname defeating the Anglo-Saxons led by Harold Godwinson The newly crowned King of England, Harold Godwinson faced two invasions within days, firstly from the viking Harold Hardrada in the north, and then William Duke of Normandy on the south coast. This is the story of probably the most important battle ever fought on English soil. www.historyeurope.net Sun, 01 Mar 2015 01:00:00 GMT 27:18 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett The Seljuk Turks inflict a catastrophic defeat on the Byzantines In 1071 the Byzantine Empire, weakened by the mismanagement of a series of weak emperors, suffered a catastrophic defeat at the hands of the Seljuk Turks, newly arrived in the region. www.historyeurope.net Sun, 29 Mar 2015 19:00:00 GMT 31:18 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Early Medieval Muslim Spain, Cordoba The History of early medieval Spain from the Islamic conquest in 711 to the establishment of the magnificent Caliphate of Cordoba, and the first successful Christian resistance which will ultimately lead to the reconquest, or Reconquista, of the Iberian peninsula www.historyeurope.net Sat, 02 May 2015 14:00:00 GMT 38:19 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Muslim Spain, Reconquista, Rise of Castile and Aragon The golden age of Muslim Spain, the military dictatorship of Almanzor, the collapse of the caliphate into petty kingdoms (taifas), Sancho III El Mayor of Navarre, and the rise of Castile and Aragon www.historyeurope.net Sun, 10 May 2015 14:00:00 GMT 41:20 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett El Cid, Crusaders in Spain, Aragon vs Muslim Zaragoza The early Medieval Spain of El Cid. The story of King Ferdinand I of Leon and Castile and his sons Sancho and Alfonso, as depicted in the epic Hollywood film. Plus, the conflict between Aragon and Muslim Zaragoza, the arrival of crusaders from across the Pyrenees, and the Siege of Barbastro www.historyeurope.net Fri, 15 May 2015 23:30:00 GMT 29:17 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Alfonso VI captures Toledo from the Muslims and makes it his new capital of Castile The capture of Toledo, the capital of the old Visigothic kingdom, by Alfonso VI The Brave from the Muslims. Also the final days of El Cid www.historyeurope.net Sat, 23 May 2015 09:30:00 GMT 22:40 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett First Crusade, background, Investiture Controversy, Robert Guiscard Build-up to the First Crusade. The Investiture Controversy between Emperor Henry IV and Pope Gregory VII, plus the growing influence of the Normans under Robert Guiscard, and the reasons behind the call to crusade by Pope Urban II www.historyeurope.net Sat, 13 Jun 2015 13:00:00 GMT 26:42 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Build-up to First Crusade, Byzantine Empire Build-up to the First Crusade from the perspective of the Byzantine Empire, the Turks in Asia Minor and the Levant, the area about to be invaded. www.historyeurope.net Fri, 19 Jun 2015 23:50:00 GMT 24:27 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett First Crusaders reach Antioch, Edessa Christian warriors from around Europe converge on the Holy Land to fight the First Crusade. Despite many challenges the campaign starts well at the siege of Nicaea before reaching Antioch. One group, led by Baldwin of Flanders splits off from the main army and captures Edessa www.historyeurope.net Fri, 26 Jun 2015 23:30:00 GMT 23:12 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett First Crusaders capture Jerusalem The army of the First Crusade arrives at the Holy City of Jerusalem www.historyeurope.net Fri, 3 Jul 2015 21:00:00 GMT 34:46 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Crusaders States 1099-1144 The first years of the Crusaders States between the First and Second Crusades. The Fall of Edessa in 1144 www.historyeurope.net Sat, 1 Aug 2015 12:30:00 GMT 31:09 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Second Crusade The Second Crusade (1145-1449), triggered by the Fall of Edessa. Conrad III of Germany and Louis VII of France lead the military campaign to boost the Crusader States in the Levant www.historyeurope.net Sat, 8 Aug 2015 16:00:00 GMT 32:37 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Saladin and the Kingdom of Jerusalem, the struggle for Egypt The emergence of Saladin as preeminent Muslim ruler of the Levant, and the struggle for Egypt between Saladin and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. www.historyeurope.net Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:00:00 GMT 21:55 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Saladin defeats the Christians The Battle of Hattin fought on 4th July between Saladin and a considerable Christian army was a major turning point in the history of the Crusader States www.historyeurope.net Sat, 22 Aug 2015 23:00:00 GMT 39:29 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Third Crusade, Richard Lionheart, Saladin After the disaster at Hattin in 1187 Saladin appeared on the verge of completely wiping out the Crusader States from the Middle East. Instead he was met by stubborn resistance at Tyre, and the Acre. And when the kings of France and England arrived at Acre the tide began to turn in favour of the Christians, who now set the sights on recapturing Jerusalem. www.historyeurope.net Sat, 26 Sep 2015 10:30:00 GMT 34:38 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Fourth Crusade, Venice, Byzantium In the year 1204, Constantinople, the largest and most splendid city by far in Europe was sacked, not by Muslims but by fellow Christians - and not only sacked but gutted by fire and indiscriminate violence. Part 1 describes the build-up and first steps of the crusade, including a history of early Venice. www.historyeurope.net Sat, 17 Oct 2015 19:20:00 GMT 38:44 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Fourth Crusade, Venice, Byzantium When crusaders arrived at Constantinople in 1203 they gazed in wonder, having never imagined that there could be so fine a place in the world. The 'Queen of Cities', founded by Constantine The Great in the early fourth century, had become imbued over the centuries with legends and Christian myths that gave the place a spiritual aura to match its physical grandeur. Yet in 1204 the city would be violently sacked and the once mighty Empire brought to its knees. www.historyeurope.net Sat, 24 Oct 2015 11:55:00 GMT 53:20 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Angevin Empire, Henry I, Henry II, The Anarchy William the Conqueror's conquest of England in 1066 and the division of his lands between England and Normandy sowed the seeds for centuries of Anglo-French conflict. This episode covers the reigns of Henry I of England, the Anarchy (civil war over Henry's succession) and the formation of the Angevin Empire of France and England under Henry II www.historyeurope.net Sat, 21 Nov 2015 11:55:00 GMT 23:14 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Medieval France, Louis VII The story of France in the High Middle Ages, the reigns of Louis VI and Louis VII. As the twelfth century opened the kings of France barely controlled much land beyond Paris, but these two monarchs began to build the foundations for the French kings' great rise in power and prestige. www.historyeurope.net Fri, 27 Nov 2015 22:35:00 GMT 20:16 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett Medieval France, Sons of Henry II of England rebel against their father The sons of King Henry II of England, impatient for power of their own and encouraged by Louis VII and then Philip II Augustus of France, rebel against their father and end up damaging the cause of their dynasty, the Plantagenets. www.historyeurope.net Thu, 03 Dec 2015 22:35:00 GMT 30:22 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett King John of England loses Normandy King John of England in his first year or two of rule achieved some successes, but his lack of tact and diplomacy, plus poor decision-making lost him many allies in France. The focus of the escalating conflict between the Plantagenets and Capetians became Chateau Gaillard, a magnificent fortress in the key borderlands between Normandy and the French royal demesne around Paris. www.historyeurope.net Sat, 12 Dec 2015 14:20:00 GMT 28:42 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium Carl Rylett End of 100 Years War, Battles of Formigny and Castillon 1449-1453 A recent guest episode for the History of England podcast on the End of the Hundred Years War, in brief the years after Agincourt 1415, but focusing on the last four years from 1449-1453 and the Battles of Formigny and Castillon. In England the victories at Agincourt, Crecy and Poitiers are well known, but less so, the events around the end of the war, and how the French eventually drove the English from all the continent, except for Calais. www.historyeurope.net Wed, 6 Jan 2016 22:40:00 GMT 39:29 carlrylett@yahoo.co.uk (Carl Rylett)noHistory,Europe,Battles,First,World,War,Ancient,Greece,Medieval,Britain,France,Germany,Spain,Italy,Hungary,Poland,Bulgaria,Byzantium