A Chronological History of Britain
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Rufus was marching North to directly challenge de Mowbray and anyone foolish enough to follow him. And of course he was. There was only one response this King was ever going to have to de Mowbray’s instigation. War.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
So, when we left off, Anselm finally had his Pallium, and Rufus got… well… Rufus got all the independence and freedom from Church interference that he could have hoped for. Even better, his Bishops were on the same page as him and were supporting the King’s independence from Rome.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
We have spent a lot of time with the situation between Anselm and Rufus, and all their messy interpersonal drama, but we haven’t really discussed the true elephant in the room.
Radicalism.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
It was January of 1095 and Rufus was still at war with his eldest brother, Duke Robert. A war that could have been avoided if the Red King had simply kept his word… or even just apologized.
But he wasn’t interested in doing either of those things, so people were dying in Normandy.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
As I’ve mentioned a few times… we are discussing one of those periods of history where everything was kind of happening all at once. This presents a challenge when trying to create a clear narrative that you can follow, while also staying true to the order of events.
And that’s assuming there is a clear order of events. This period of history is also poorly recorded and recreating the correct timeline is really difficult in some cases.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In the space of less than a year, the Norman barons had surged deep into Wales and were further entrenching themselves using castles and other fortifications.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
If you think that video games are too violent, wait until you hear about Face Slap.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Ok, I know at the end of that last episode I kinda sorta promised you a fight. And we are definitely going to have one.
But we are pausing real quick to cover some SERIOUSLY good gossip…and possibly a murder?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
All of those promises Rufus made to be a better man had finally convinced God. After about two months of being bedridden, the King finally recovered from his mysterious illness.
And now that the Divine had delivered its side of the bargain… well, there was really no point to any of those promises anymore. So Rufus immediately set about invalidating all his penitential acts.