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Episodes
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
Wednesday Oct 01, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode twenty-nine explains that Charles invaded the Lombard kingdom, and beseiged the Lombard capital through the winter. The Lombard king was exiled to a remote monastery, and Charles announced that he was now king of the Franks and king of the Lombards. Taking a break from his conquest of the Saxons, Charles intervened in a Muslim civil war in al-Andalus, but the intervention was a disaster. Charles had been invited by several rulers in the northeast of the peninsula, but they refused to let his army enter their cities when they realized that Charles intended to stay in the region. Charles returned home, but unleashed his frustration on the Christian Basques, sacking their city Pamplona.
Cast of Characters:
Charles-king of Frankia, formerly king of Neustria, Frisia and northern Austrasia (768-771), eldest son of Pippin
Bernard-duke, illegitimate son of Charles Martel
Adalard-monk, son of Bernard
Roland-Lord of the Breton march, originally called Hroudloand
Desiderius-king of the Lombards (756-774)
Adelchis-son of Desiderius
Arichis-prince of Benevento (774-787), duke of Benvento (758-774), son-in-law of Desiderius
Hrodgaud-duke of Friuli (774-776)
Hadrian I-Pope (772-795)
Abd al-Rahman I-emir of the emirate of Cordoba (756-788), founder of the emirate
Sources:
Charlemagne-Derek Wilson
Charlemagne: Father of a Continent-Alessandro Barbero, translated by Allan Cameron
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
Becoming Charlemagne: Europe, Baghdad, and the Empires of A.D. 800-Jeff Sypeck
King and Emperor: A New Life of Charlemagne-Janet L. Nelson
The Emperor Charlemagne-E. R. Chamberlin
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Twenty-seven explains that the enlarged Frankish kingdom was divided between Pippin's two sons when he died. Charles, the eldest son, made a marriage alliance with the Lombard king, while his younger brother Carloman tried to ally with the papacy. However, Carloman died suddenly, and Charles quickly gained control of his brother's lands. Meanwhile, Desiderius, king of the Lombards, had helped pope Stephen deal with a violent tyrant. Naturally, Stephen was grateful, but he died, and was succeeded by Hadrian, a more aggressive pope who asked for Frankish help against the Lombards.
Cast of Characters:
Charles-king of Frankia, formerly king of Neustria, Frisia and northern Austrasia (768-771), eldest son of Pippin
Carloman-king of southern Austrasia, Provence, Languedoc, Burgundy and Alemannia, younger son of Pippin (768-771)
Bertrada-mother to both Charles and Carloman
Desiderius-king of the Lombards (756-774)
Tasssilo-duke of Bavaria (748-788)
Hadrian I-Pope (772-795)
Stephen III-Pope (768-772)
Constantine II-illegitimate pope (767-768)
Christopher-head notary of the papacy
Sergius-treasurer of the church, Christopher's son
Sources:
Charlemagne-Derek Wilson
Charlemagne: Father of a Continent-Alessandro Barbero, translated by Allan Cameron
Charlemagne-Johannes Fried, Translated by Peter Lewis
Becoming Charlemagne: Europe, Baghdad, and the Empires of A.D. 800-Jeff Sypeck
King and Emperor: A New Life of Charlemagne-Janet L. Nelson
The Emperor Charlemagne-E. R. Chamberlin
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode twenty-six explains that Pippin agreed to support Pope Stephen against the Lombards, and king Aistulf was forced to return territory to Rome, which had become a papal republic. Once the papacy had been made secure against aggressive neighbors, Pippin decided that it was time to regain control of Aquitaine. Pippin was relentless, and campaigned there year after year for most of a decade. Resistance finally ended when the duke was killed by his own men. Ordinarily, the Muslims of al-Andalus would have taken advantage of the situation, but they were preoccupied with a civil war. Finally, Abd al-Rahman established a new emirate, but he was busy strengthening his control over the peninsula.
Cast of Characters:
Pippin-king of Frankia (751-768), formerly mayor of the palace of Neustria (741-751) and mayor of the palace of Austrasia (747-751), and the eldest son of Charles the Hammer
Carloman-monk, formerly mayor of the palace of Austrasia (741-747), Pippin's brother
Zacharias-pope (741-752)
Stephen II-pope (752-757)
Paul I-pope (757-767)
Ratchis-king of the Lombards (744-749), formerly duke of Friuli, Aistulf's brother
Aistulf-king of the Lombards (749-756), formerly duke of Friuli, Ratchis' brother
Desiderius-king of the Lombards (756-774), formerly duke of Tuscany
Waifar-duke of Aquitaine (745-768), son of Hunald
Abd al-Rahman I-emir of the emirate of Cordoba (756-788), founder of the emirate
Yusuf ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Fihri-governor of al-Andalus (747-756), former governor of Narbonne
Sources:
The Merovingian Kingdoms: 450-751-Ian Wood
The Franks-Edward James
Charlemagne-Derek Wilson
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
Women in Purple: Rulers of Medieval Byzantium-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode twenty-five explains that tensions had deteriorated between the pope and the emperor. Tired of defiant popes, emperor Leo claimed the diocese of East Illyricum, which included the Balkans, Greece, Crete, Sicily and southern Italy. The administrative division made sense since these regions largely spoke Greek, and were linked economically to Constantinople, but Pope Gregory and his successors resented the loss of authority over regions near Rome. Since Rome and Ravenna no longer supported each other, Liutprand, king of the Lombards, saw an opportunity to expand his influence in southern Italy. Increasingly vulnerable, the papacy worked hard to build a relationship with the Franks to counterbalance the threat of the Lombards.
Cast of Characters:
Charles Martel-duke and prince of the Franks (718-741), mayor of the palace of Austrasia (715-741), and mayor of the palace of Neustria (718-741), illegitimate son of Pippin II
Pippin-king of Frankia (751-768), formerly mayor of the palace of Neustria (741-751) and mayor of the palace of Austrasia (747-751), and the eldest son of Charles the Hammer
Gregory III-pope (731-741)
Zachary-pope (741-752)
Stephen II-pope (752-757)
Eutychius-exarch of Ravenna (727-751)
Constantine V-emperor of Byzantium (741-775)
Liutprand-king of the Lombards (712-744)
Hildeprand-king of the Lombards (744), nephew of Liutprand
Ratchis-king of the Lombards (744-749), duke of Friuli (739-744)
Aistulf-king of the Lombards (749-756), duke of Spoleto (751-756) and duke of Friuli (744-749), brother of Ratchis
Sources:
The Merovingian Kingdoms: 450-751-Ian Wood
The Franks-Edward James
Charlemagne-Derek Wilson
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
Women in Purple: Rulers of Medieval Byzantium-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode twenty-four explains that when Charles the Hammer died, Frankia was divided between his sons Pippin and Carloman. The brothers cooperated to crush attempts by Aquitaine and Alamania to leave Frankia, but Carloman lost a power struggle with Pippin, and entered a monastery in 747. When his half-brother Grifo attempted to make himself duke of Bavaria, Pippin intervened, and placed his young cousin Tassilo on the ducal throne. Pippin was dominant in Frankia, but king sounded better than mayor, so Pope Zacharias was persuaded to support the coronation of Pippin as king of Frankia.
Cast of Characters:
Charles Martel-duke and prince of the Franks (718-741), mayor of the palace of Austrasia (715-741), and mayor of the palace of Neustria (718-741), illegitimate son of Pippin II
Pippin-king of Frankia (751-768), formerly mayor of the palace of Neustria (741-751) and mayor of the palace of Austrasia (747-751), and the eldest son of Charles the Hammer
Carloman-mayor of the palace of Austrasia (741-747), and younger son of Charles the Hammer
Drogo-mayor of the palace of Austrasia (747), and son of Carloman
Grifo-son of Charles the Hammer, Pippin and Carloman's half-brother
Childeric III-king of Frankia (743-754)
Odilo-duke of Bavaria (737-748)
Tassilo-duke of Bavaria (748-788), son of Odilo
Hunald-duke of Aquitaine (735-745), son of Odo
Waifar-duke of Aquitaine (745-768), son of Hunald
Theuderic IV-king of Frankia (721-737)
Childeric III-king of the Franks (743-751)
Zachary-pope (741-752)
Sources:
The Merovingian Kingdoms: 450-751-Ian Wood
The Franks-Edward James
Charlemagne-Derek Wilson
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
The Frankish Kingdoms Under the Carolingians, 751-987-Rosamond McKitterick
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome: A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
Women in Purple: Rulers of Medieval Byzantium-Judith Herrin
The Popes: A History-John Julius Norwich
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
The Republic of St. Peter: The Birth of the Papal State, 680-825-Thomas F. X. Noble
God's Crucible: Islam and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode twenty-three explains that Frankia broke apart soon after Pippin's death. Supported by Frisia, the Neustrians revolted, but Pippin's illegitimate son Charles drove the Frisians out of Austrasia. The Neustrians then allied with Odo, duke of Aquitaine, but were defeated. Odo won a major victory over Muslim invaders from al-Andalus, but was weakened, so Charles burned his way through Aquitaine until Odo submitted. Worse, when the new governor of al-Andalus attacked Aquitaine, Odo had to ask Charles for help, thus acknowledging the Frankish king as his overlord. Together, they defeated the Muslims at Poitiers.
Cast of Characters:
Charles Martel-duke and prince of the Franks (718-741), mayor of the palace of Austrasia (715-741), and mayor of the palace of Neustria (718-741), illegitimate son of Pippin II
Plectrude-regent of Theodald, mayor of the palace of Austrasia, widow of Pippin II
Theodald-mayor of the palace of Austrasia (714-716), son of Grimoald and Theudesinda (daughter of Radbod)
Ragenfred-mayor of the palace of Neustria (715-718)
Radbod-king of Frisia (680-719)
Clothar IV-king of Austrasia (717-718)
Chilperic II-king of the Franks (715-721), formerly a monk named Daniel, possibly the son of Childeric II
Theuderic IV-king of the Franks (721-737), son of Dagobert III
Liutprand-king of the Lombards (712-744)
Odo-duke of Aquitaine (700-735)
Hunald-duke of Aquitaine (735-745)
Al-Samh ibn Malik al-Khawlani-governor of al-Andalus (719-721)
Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd Allah al-Ghafiqi-governor of al-Andalus (730-732)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Franks-Edward James
The Merovingian Kingdoms: 450-751-Ian Wood
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
God's Crucible: Islamd and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
The Great Arab Conquests: How the Spread of Islam Changed the World We Live In-Hugh Kennedy
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
In God's Path: The Arab Conquests and the Creation of a Islamic Empire-Robert G. Hoyland
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Twenty-two explains that the new Muslim caliphate had conquered North Africa, which had been controlled by the eastern Roman empire. An expedition across the Strait of Gibraltar to the southern part of the Iberian peninsula proved surprisingly successful when the Visigoth king died in battle. The major Visigoth nobles failed to unite behind a successor, so the Muslims were able to conquer most of the peninsula in a few years, replacing the Visigoths as the rulers of Hispania. Meanwhile, Frankia had been reunited by Pippin, the mayor of Austrasia.
Cast of Characters:
Wittiza-king of the Visigoths in Hispania (702-710)
Ruderic-king of the Visigoths in Hispania (710-711)
Musa b. Nusayr-governor of Ifriqiya (province of North Africa in the Muslim caliphate)
Tariq b. Ziyad-governor of Tangier
Theodemir-Visigoth duke of Murcia
Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik-caliph (715-717)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Franks-Edward James
The Merovingian Kingdoms: 450-751-Ian Wood
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
God's Crucible: Islamd and the Making of Europe, 570-1215-David Levering Lewis
Muslim Spain and Portugal: A Political History of al-Andalus-Hugh Kennedy
The Great Arab Conquests: How the Spread of Islam Changed the World We Live In-Hugh Kennedy
Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain-Brian A. Catlos
In God's Path: The Arab Conquests and the Creation of a Islamic Empire-Robert G. Hoyland
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
Thursday Aug 14, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Twenty-one explains that duke Pippin had become mayor of the palace of Austrasia due to his help overthrowing Brunhild, but his son Grimoald overreached when he put his own son on the throne rather than the legitimate son of the recently deceased king. Grimoald was killed by the king's brother Clovi, who reunited Austrasia and Neustria. Then he died young, and the two kingdoms were divided between his two young sons, enabling the mayors to become the power behind the throne. Grimoald's nephew Pippin II became the mayor of Austrasia, and then won a decisive victory against the Neustrians at Tertry, reuniting Frankia, while a series of weak kings served as figureheads.
Cast of Characters:
Pippin-mayor of the palace of Austrasia, formerly a duke in Austrasia
Grimoald-mayor of the palace of Austrasia, son of Pippin
Sigebert III-king of Austrasia (633-656)
Childebert-king of Austrasia (656-657), adoptive son of Sigebert, son of Grimoald
Clovis II-king of Frankia (657), king of Neustria and Burgundy (639-657), younger brother of Sigebert
Bathild-regent of Neustria and Burgundy for her son Clothar III (657-664), former slave
Clothar III-king of Neustria and Burgundy (657-673), eldest son of Clovis II
Childeric II-king of Frankia (673-675), king of Austrasia (662-675), middle son of Clovis II
Theuderic III-king of Frankia (679-691), king of Neustria and Burgundy (675-691, youngest son of Clovis II
Dagobert II-king of Austrasia (676-679), son of Sigebert III, possibly an imposter
Pippin II-mayor of the palace of Austrasia (680-714), mayor of the palace of Neustria and Burgundy (687-695), nephew of Grimoald
Grimoald II-mayor of the palace of Neustria (695-714), son of Pippin II
Clovis IV-king of Frankia (691-695), older son of Theuderic III
Childebert III-king of Frankia (695-711), younger son of Theuderic III
Dagobert III-king of Frankia (711-715), son of Childebert III
Radbod-king of Frisia (680-719)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Franks-Edward James
The Merovingian Kingdoms: 450-751-Ian Wood
The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry that Forged the Medieval World-Shelley Puhak
The Carolingians: A Family Who Forged Europe-Pierre Riche, Translated by Michael Idomir Allen
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Twenty explains that the three kingdoms were ruled by children, and their respective regents kept the peace as the children grew up. In theory, Theudebert and Theuderic could have combined against Clothar, but the brothers were more interested in fighting each other. Eventually, Theuderic allied with Clothar against his older brother and gained control of both Burgundy and Austrasia after killing Theudebert. While Clothar had gained some lands, he knew that Theuderic would soon decide to unite Frankia under a single king, him. However, Theuderic died of something, leaving Bunhild regent for her great-grandson. Unfortunately, several powerful nobles in Austrasia decided that it was time for new leadership, and allied with Clothar. Brunhild was executed, and Clothar became king of Frankia.
Cast of Characters:
Clothar II-king of Greater Frankia (613-629), king of Neustria (584-629), son of Chilperic and Fredegund
Fredegund-queen of Neustria (568-584), wife of Chilperic
Dagobert-king of Neustria and Burgundy (629-639), king of Austrasia (623-634), son of Clothar
Brunhild-queen of Austrasia (567-575), wife of Sigibert, daughter of Athangild, king of Hispania
Theudebert II-king of Austrasia (595-612), older son of Childebert II, grandson of Brunhild
Theuderic II-king of Burgundy (595-613), king of Austrasia (612-613), younger son of Childebert II, grandson of Brunhild
Sigebert II-king of Burgundy and Austrasia (613), son of Theuderic II
Waranchar-mayor of the palace of Burgundy
Pippin-mayor of the palace of Austrasia, formerly a duke in Austrasia
Arnulf-bishop of Metz
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Franks-Edward James
The Merovingian Kingdoms: 450-751-Ian Wood
The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry that Forged the Medieval World-Shelley Puhak
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
Rome Resurgent: War and Empire in the Age of Justinian-Peter Heather
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Nineteen explains that several Austrasian dukes plotted to assassinate Childebert, and seize power by ruling through his young sons, but Guntram learned of the plot, and warned Childebert. The dukes were executed, and their supporters were exiled from court. Believing that Fredegund as regent of Neustria was a threat, Childebert and Guntram made a formal alliance between their two kingdoms. Aside from a failed invasion of Hispania, Guntram had to deal with a revolt by nuns led by two former princesses, who had lost a power struggle over control of an influential abbey. When Fredegund died, her son Clothar was too young to rule, so Austrasia and Burgundy forced him to sign over most of his lands.
Cast of Characters:
Guntram-king of Burgundy (561-592), son of Clothar
Chilperic-king of Neustria (561-584), son of Clothar
Fredegund-queen of Neustria (568-584), wife of Chipleric
Brunhild-queen of Austrasia (567-575), wife of Sigibert, daughter of Athangild, king of Hispania
Childebert-son of Sigibert and Brunhild, heir to the throne of Austrasia
Liuvigild-king of Hispania (569-586)
Hermengild-eldest son of Liuvigild
Reccared-younger son of Liuvigild
Basina-nun, daughter of Chilperic and his first wife Audovera
Clotilde-nun, daughter of Charibert
Ursio-duke in Austrasia
Berthefred-duke in Austrasia
Rauching-duke of Soissons, duke in Austrasia, formerly duke in Neustria
Egidius-bishop of Reims, former regent of Austrasia
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
The Franks-Edward James
The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry that Forged the Medieval World-Shelley Puhak
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
Rome Resurgent: War and Empire in the Age of Justinian-Peter Heather
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625