The British History Podcast cover

Podcast

The British History Podcast

Jamie Jeffers

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.

Episodes

250

The British History Podcast · Aug 17, 2026

The Song of Roland Sample

Buckle up for a retelling of the medieval MCU that was driving Crusader culture. The post The Song of Roland Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.

21:11

The British History Podcast · Aug 14, 2026

506 – Chapter Eleven: The Machine

At long last, the struggle was over. The post 506 – Chapter Eleven: The Machine first appeared on The British History Podcast.

3:52

The British History Podcast · Aug 7, 2026

505 – The Battle of Tinchebray

It was the 15th of August, and King Henry was at Bec. He didn’t want to be at Bec, of course. He wanted to be in the field, fighting Robert. However, until the matter …

48:01

The British History Podcast · Jul 30, 2026

504 – At Anslem’s Bec and Call

It was July 21st of 1105 and Henry was in Laigle. Just like he was in the late 1070s. And, just like in the late 1070s, he was in conflict with his older brother. …

41:43

The British History Podcast · Jul 11, 2026

503 – The Holy Ghosting

Curthose and his attendants, what remained of them, were rushing as quickly as they could to Rouen… and he was, presumably, crossing his fingers hoping that the people of that city would welcome him. …

34:02

The British History Podcast · Jun 26, 2026

502 – The Cage Match of Bayeux

Henry, with the help of Bishop Serlo, had just rebranded himself and his knights as the pious leaders of Greater Christian Normandy by going through little more than a ritualized barber shop scene and, …

35:39

The British History Podcast · Jun 10, 2026

An Offa Interview with Rory Naismith

Today we have a special episode with the return of Professor Rory Naismith! You will remember him from his interview on Anglo Saxon Economics and Money, and today he is back to talk with …

1:01:46

The British History Podcast · Jun 6, 2026

501 – Bishop Serlo’s Pop Up Hair Salon

For months, messengers had been arriving from Normandy carrying news of the disorder and chaos that was gripping the Duchy. Now, normally, this would have been good news for King Henry. It was no …

43:20

The British History Podcast · May 17, 2026

500 – 500th Episode AMA Extravaganza

We answer SO many questions. So… so many questions. The post 500 – 500th Episode AMA Extravaganza first appeared on The British History Podcast.

1:04:05

The British History Podcast · Apr 24, 2026

498 – Power and Predictability

The death of Duke Robert’s chief ally, William of Breteuil, and the succession crisis it kicked off, was destabilizing the duchy of Normandy. And while I’m sure it was a relief that King Henry …

46:47

The British History Podcast · Apr 9, 2026

497 – That’s Me In The Spot. Light.

It was 1103 and things were a mess. And…when are they not? But a major reason for this mess was (oddly) William of Breteuil. Now, as you might recall, William of Breteuil was the …

23:48

The British History Podcast · Mar 25, 2026

496 – That’s Me In The Corner

For the first time since William the Conqueror, there was going to be a primatial council at Westminster Abbey. This was a HUGE deal. Like… enormous. Anselm had been trying to hold a major …

37:21

The British History Podcast · Mar 16, 2026

495 – Power Struggles: Part Two

Ok, let’s return to 1101 and 1102, because Henry’s fight with Anselm, and fight between Henry and the Pope (and the fight between Anselm and the Pope) were …amazingly….only half of the story. The …

38:47

The British History Podcast · Mar 1, 2026

494 – Power Struggles: Part One

In early February of 1102 Queen Matilda was giving birth. The post 494 – Power Struggles: Part One first appeared on The British History Podcast.

35:28

The British History Podcast · Feb 23, 2026

493 – The Price of Peace

The Treaty penned at Alton had avoided outright war, but it wasn’t truly official. It needed to be finalized at Winchester. The post 493 – The Price of Peace first appeared on The British …

25:55

The British History Podcast · Feb 12, 2026

492 – The War for Perception

In 1668, John Dryden became England’s very first Poet Laureate. But he had a rival. No, not just a rival. A nemesis. This man’s name was Thomas Shadwell, and I can’t overstate how much …

37:32

The British History Podcast · Feb 12, 2026

Project 1095

Much respect to u/AnnieCamOG for coming up with this title. The post Project 1095 first appeared on The British History Podcast.

10:41

The British History Podcast · Jan 28, 2026

491 – All Hats On Deck

Duke Robert Curthose was back in Normandy, having reclaimed the Duchy unopposed… and now he was looking to assert his claim on England. The post 491 – All Hats On Deck first appeared on …

30:16

The British History Podcast · Jan 16, 2026

490 – Messengers from France

King Henry’s first Christmas Court in the closing days of 1100 had felt…off. The post 490 – Messengers from France first appeared on The British History Podcast.

27:44

The British History Podcast · Jan 9, 2026

489 – From Normandy With Love

Ok, let’s face it, last year was a lot. Rampant corruption, threats of war, tyrannical leaders, actual war, a greedy feckless aristocracy, rulers weaponizing the legal system, rulers completely disregarding the legal system, rulers …

40:53

The British History Podcast · Jan 8, 2026

Bonus Episode: The Authoritarians

By popular request, we’re releasing the full member’s episode on The Authoritarians. The post Bonus Episode: The Authoritarians first appeared on The British History Podcast.

1:26:08

The British History Podcast · Dec 12, 2025

488 – The Year 1100

We did it, it’s the year 1100…which means it’s time for us to take a moment and place our story in the broader context of global human history. Now, as always, this won’t be …

35:24

The British History Podcast · Dec 5, 2025

487 – Stealing a Wife From God

Edith, the daughter of King Malcolm Canmore, has appeared from time to time in our story and (by this point) she was about 20 years old… and many of those years had been weird …

48:16

The British History Podcast · Nov 27, 2025

Pilgrimage Sample

It’s time to hit REI and get some gear… because we’re going on a journey of self discovery in this sample of the newest Member’s Episode. The post Pilgrimage Sample first appeared on The …

16:12

The British History Podcast · Nov 15, 2025

486 – Stealing a Crown from your Brother

The cart carrying the body of King Rufus eventually reached the cathedral at Winchester. And if we are to believe Malmesbury, blood had been dripping from it from the forest all the way into …

38:16

The British History Podcast · Oct 23, 2025

The First Crusade Sample

Zee runs us through the events and it’s… a lot. The post The First Crusade Sample first appeared on The British History Podcast.

7:09

The British History Podcast · Oct 16, 2025

485 – What Happened?

It was a calm August afternoon in Winchester. The Royal Palace (or potentially the Conqueror’s castle… our scribes aren’t precise when discussing the location, but probably the Palace)... either way, Winchester would have been …

38:17

The British History Podcast · Oct 4, 2025

484 – Final Destination: The New Forest

Ok, when we left off, Rufus threw a big “look at me” celebration… and the prevailing response appears to have been “yeah, man. We see you.” And that wasn’t even the worst part of …

1:10:42

The British History Podcast · Sep 12, 2025

483 – Standing on Ceremony

The final two years of the 11th century feel like someone was trying to tie up a bunch of plotlines before the start of season 12. Things are moving fast, everybody is suddenly in …

47:39

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