cover of episode 550. The Road to 1066: Rise of the Normans (Part 3)

550. The Road to 1066: Rise of the Normans (Part 3)

2025/3/24
logo of podcast The Rest Is History

The Rest Is History
AI Chapters Transcript
Chapters
The Normans were a formidable and expansionist people originating from Normandy, driven by a desire for lordship and a knack for cavalry warfare. Their early ventures into southern Italy and beyond showcased their ambition and military prowess.
  • Normans originally hailed from a narrow region filled with woods and fruit trees.
  • They expanded due to overpopulation, becoming mercenaries and conquerors rather than settling into service of others.
  • Their reputation was one of brutality and strength, similar to the Romans and Mongols.
  • Normans were particularly skilled in horse-based warfare, which would evolve into knighthood.
  • Their mercenary activities took them to Italy, where they switched allegiances frequently.
  • Normans began carving out territories in southern Italy, impressing even local monks with their prowess.

Shownotes Transcript

Born into a world of treachery, violence and death, William of Normandy defied all expectations, forging a legacy that lasts to this day. Born out of wedlock and dismissed as an upstart, he was originally known as William the Bastard. Inheriting the Duchy of Normandy at just eight years old, William was faced with betrayal, bloodshed, and anarchy. From the restless Normans, who expanded across Europe as mercenaries and horsemen, to the growing threat of Anjou, the early years of his reign were blighted by power struggles. Following the brutal murder of his guardians, and with Normandy on the brink of collapse, William was forced to survive in a world without loyalty, where ambition was the ultimate currency. Meanwhile, across the Channel, the English throne was in turmoil, as the sons of Æthelred the Unready fought for survival and power…

Join Tom and Dominic as they trace William’s rise from a vulnerable child to a formidable young duke, setting the stage for the ultimate confrontation: his claim to the English crown.

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Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude

Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor

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