The British History Podcast

Jamie Jeffers 806 - Chansons de Geste and 12th Century Performance Sample

The BHP is a chronological retelling of the history of Britain with a particular focus upon the lives of the people. You won’t find a dry recounting of dates and battles here, but instead you’ll learn about who these people were and how their desires, fears, and flaws shaped the scope of this island at the edge of the world. And some of those desires are downright scandalous.

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Episodes

11 Sep 2026

03 Sep 2026

17 Aug 2026

14 Aug 2026

King Henry I reaches an agreement with Archbishop Anselm to secure his return to England, but the peace is short-lived as Henry's campaign in Normandy leads him into a trap at the abbey of Saint-Pierre. Following the destruction of the abbey, Henry continues an aggressive military campaign, facing resistance from powerful commanders and conducting a siege at Tinchebray. The conflict escalates into a direct confrontation between Henry and his brother, Duke Robert. Using religious propaganda to frame Robert as unpious, Henry employs strategic maneuvers—including dismounting his knights—to achieve a decisive victory at the Battle of Tinchebray, resulting in the defeat and capture of Duke Robert.

07 Aug 2026

This episode explores the intense political and personal tensions between King Henry I and Archbishop Anselm in the early 12th century. It details the complex negotiations at Legley, the resolution of the investiture controversy through papal compromise, and the renewed friction caused by Henry's controversial clerical taxation to fund his Norman conquests. The narrative also delves into the personal dynamics between Henry, his brother Duke Robert, and Anselm, examining how medieval chroniclers like Edmer used religious symbolism and biblical parallels—such as the miraculous delivery of a partridge—to frame political conflicts and divine intervention.

30 Jul 2026