Grimdark History

• The Anarchy

  Inspired by the TV miniseries and novel, Pillars of Earth by Ken Follet today's episode looks at the real history surround a period of time in English history known as The Anarchy. A 20 year long civil war between the grandchildren of William the Conqueror over the throne of England. Rightful ruler of England, Empress Matilda lands in England with a force of no more than a few hundred initial supporters, and over a period of 20 years will tear the country in two as she wars with her cousin, King Stephen over who is the rightful ruler. The events of todays episode come from William of Malmesbury, an English monk who not only lived through the actual events of The Anarchy, but was present in the very room for some of its key moments.As always if you like to reach me to comment on the show or let me know how your day is going you can reach me at [email protected] episode today has also been produced in collaboration with Paul De La Rosa of Double Helix: Blueprint of NationsTwitter: ⁠@HistoryHelix⁠BlueSky: @historyhelix.bsky.socialFacebook:⁠https://www.facebook.com/Doublehelixhistory⁠Instagram: ⁠History_Helix⁠Email: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Revolutionary Era France - France of the 1780's

  Covering the series of events the leads to the tinderbox of French life that enables the French Revolution. From the day-to-day life of the hundreds of thousands of peasants and migrant workers, their meagre subsistence living, to the nobility and growing bourgeois middle class and court of Versailles that has slow turned the French government at every level into a plutocracy able to be bought and sold.For the right price, even ascension into the upper echelons of the noble class is available. By the 1780's no less than 2 new noble families per day had managed to buy their way into the increasingly top heavy world of the ultra rich. Yet, even as the old money and new money nobles squabble over what few realms of advancement are left to them, the peasants and lowest of the professional classes struggle just to leave. With up to 1/2 of of a peasants salary spent just on food, and rarely able to afford a family of 2 or even 3 with income that has not increased in 50 years.Can a Plutocratic government survive, or will the lower classes crushed by the greed of the wealthy rise up and effect change? Let's find out what life was like in 1780's France as we get stuck in on the French Revolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Revolutionary Era France - The Beast of Gévaudan

  From 1764-1767 the Gévaudan region of France was terrorized as a supernatural animal attacked and killed over 100 women and children with dozens more who were attacked but survived. The attacks were especially horrific with several decapitations reported or throats torn out. The rumours swirled of a supernatural wolf or strange hybrid beast stalking the area. Multiple professional hunters organized hundreds and at times thousands of the local population in concerted efforts as they tried and failed to kill The Beast. This podcast covers the Beast of Gévaudan, the hunters involved, the heroic survivors of the attacks and the remarkable story of The Beast as it captured the fascination of all of Europe and especially France, Versailles, and King Louis IV.Books/Research articles used in this episodeMonsters of the Gévaudan, the Making of a Beast by Jay M. Smith, Harvard University Press 2011. ISBN: 978-0-674-04716-7The 1767 French "Rapport Marin" = a Questionable Report about the Examination of an Allegedly Man-eating Wolf (canis lupis) ReasearchGate, pp.1-16 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Sex, Jazz & Ax Murders - The Ax Murderer of New Orleans

  From 1910-1919 New Orleans would undergo a period of rapid social change. WWI would break out, Prohibition was just around the corner. The Spanish Flu was ravaging the country. And, the famed Storyville would be shut down causing an exodus of jazz musicians to the famed Second City of jazz, Chicago. Through this turbulent era of increasing mob violence, increasing prohibition era political activities, the Spanish flu, and the Great Migration of black family from the US South to North a serial killer stalked the streets of New Orleans. For 9 years the killer would break into homes in the middle of the night and attack sleeping families with a hatchet.In this episode we explore the infamous Axman of New Orleans at the close of the Storyville era. The murders, the police investigation, and trials and uncover this bloody part of New Orleans past.Sources Used: Empire of Sin, a Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder and the battle for Modern New OrleansAuthor: Gary Krist Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Uncovering Roman Carlisle - An Interview With an Archaeological Team

  In 208 CE Septimius Severus travelled with his legions, and a massive entourage of as he travelled to Britain to conquer Caledonia. Through the course of his campaign many Roman forts settlements along his path were fortified and, at least temporarily, blessed with the Imperial court as it moved through what is now Carlisle in England.1800 years later flooding in the region revealed a rich legacy of Severus’ time.Frank Geicco, Technical Director of the Uncovering Roman Carlisle archaeological dig and volunteer, Tatiana Becker join me for an interview of some of the fascinating discoveries of Roman life at the northern most border of the Roman Empire. Join me as we discuss Roman life under emperor Septimius Severus and some of the amazing finds uncovered be the team of volunteers.If you would like to help to support the Uncovering Roman Carlisle archaeological dig please visit the below links to help support or learn more about this amazing slice of Roman life being painstakingly worked on by volunteers. Main Website: Uncovering Roman CarlisleFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6139466892735766/To Donate: https://www.uncoveringromancarlisle.co.uk/donateVolunteering (links to Eventbrite, will be updated when new dates are available. Tentatively May 31, 2025 is the next date. Check back often!): https://www.uncoveringromancarlisle.co.uk/get-involvedIf you’d like to see some of the posts of the spring 2025 dig please visit Tatiana Becker’s reddit page to keep track of recent finds: https://www.reddit.com/user/Londunnit/Frank and Anna Geico along with Martin Henig have also authored an amazing book documenting some of the most amazing discoveries from the dig in their book Uncovering Roman Carlisle – Artefacts from a Roman Drain.ISBN: 978-1805170457 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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