Show Notes
It’s September of 1096, and Duke Robert was setting out on Crusade, intent on taking the main pilgrim road to Rome and Norman Italy. Joining him were his retainers, soldiers, and supporters… including high ranked figures like Bishop Odo of Bayeux, Count Robert of Flanders, and Stephen of Aumale (who was the forgettable guy that de Mowbray had tried to install on the throne of England).
More from The British History Podcast
We are about to do something a little unusual for the BHP. We’re going to muddy the timeline. Now, normally we stick to the chronological timeline. We live the story as it unfolds. But the birth of the Exchequer presents us with a bit of a headache because it’s being built right now in the […]
King Henry’s Court was huge. And that makes sense. His predecessor, King Rufus, was a party animal and, as such, his Court had swollen into a massive, roving scene where anyone who wanted power… or just free wine… crowded in through the doors.
The King was triumphant and his older brother was, if we’re taking the King’s word for it, retired and happily living in the lap of luxury… and most of the King’s other enemies were either imprisoned, dead, or keeping their heads down for fear of the King throwing them into the lap of luxury, too.
A sample of our deep dive into the performance and the culture that surrounds the Song of Roland.
Henry had defeated his brother… but he hadn’t defeated Normandy. At least, not yet. Duke Robert still had supporters out there and Falaise was still loyal to the Duke. In fact, Duke Robert’s son, William Clito, was sheltering in Falaise.