The Rest Is History

By: Goalhanger
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  • Summary

  • The world’s most popular history podcast, with Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.therestishistory.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Here are some of our favourite episodes to get you started: WATERGATE/NIXON apple.co/3JrVl5h ALEXANDER THE GREAT apple.co/3Q4FaNk HARDCORE HISTORY'S DAN CARLIN apple.co/3vqkGa3 PUTIN & RUSSIA apple.co/3zMtLfX
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Episodes
  • 525. Charlemagne: Emperor of the West (Part 3)

    525. Charlemagne: Emperor of the West (Part 3)
    Dec 25 2024
    “And from that moment on, he was addressed as emperor and Augustus!” The coronation of Charlemagne on Christmas Day 800 AD, is one of the landmark moments in all world history. More than three centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire in the West, the emperors had returned once more, and a Caesar ruled in Rome. But how did this legendary event come to pass? For many years Charlemagne, though a formidable figure, had been but one power player in the game of empires, competing with the emperor of Constantinople and the new Pope in Rome. Then, in 797 a spectacular crisis struck Constantinople. The cruel and politically feckless emperor, Constantine VI, was ruthlessly usurped by his mother, Irene, who became the first and only ruling empress in the whole sweep of Roman history. In the West though, her rule as a woman was not acknowledged. To Charlemagne, then, it seemed the perfect opportunity to claim the vacant throne. What unfolded after this would see Rome and Constantinople lock horns in a terrible power struggle, involving blindings, mutilation and political scheming. With Charlemagne acting as arbiter between them, would he take the ultimate step and become, for the first time since 476 AD, the emperor in Rome? Join Tom and Dominic for the climax of their epic series on Charlemagne: the Frankish king turned emperor, who transformed the western world forever. What would become of his mighty empire, faced with Saracen pirates, vikings and division? _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Editor: Aaliyah Akude Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • 524. Charlemagne: Pagan Killer (Part 2)

    524. Charlemagne: Pagan Killer (Part 2)
    Dec 23 2024
    “Here was a program to wet the ambitions of warlords as well as scholars, and to send men into battle beneath the fluttering of banners, the hiss of arrows, and the shadow of carrion crows…” The year is 777 and Charles the Great - Charlemagne - has ruled as joint king of the Franks alongside his brother, Carloman, for nine years. Now though his brother and greatest impediment to sole authority has died under mysterious circumstances. The sole successor to the mighty Carolingian dynasty, then, Charlemagne behaves differently from all the Frankish warlords that have come before him. In the aftermath of the once great Roman Empire, he seems to have modelled himself on the image an Augustus, pushing the already formidable kingdom that he has inherited towards greater and greater dominion. In his sights now are the Saxons, long growing fractious in Germany, and also the terrifying Lombards. The campaigns that ensued would be more ruthless than any before, with Charlemagne himself personally leading his men into battle. But his regime is not only one founded upon the blade of a sword and militaristic might, it is also a religious and educational revolution. It would utterly transform the west forever, introducing widespread writing and learning, and Christianising vast swathes of Europe - poor and elite alike. But Charlemagne’s total dominion of the West was still incomplete. What would happen next? Join Tom and Dominic as they delve deeper into the rise of the mighty Charlemagne: his transition to sole ruler of the Franks, his violent militaristic conquests, and a Christian regime that would change the world. _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Editor: Aaliyah Akude Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • 523. Charlemagne: Return of the Kings (Part 1)

    523. Charlemagne: Return of the Kings (Part 1)
    Dec 19 2024
    The Frankish king, Charlemagne the Great, is one of the titanic figures of European history, simultaneously renowned and shadowy. His rise to supreme power is a staggering story of warring religious empires, betrayal, battle, blindings and brutal conquest. How, then, did this one time Frankish interloper become the father of Europe, progenitor of a Holy Roman Empire whose descendants would rule right up until the time of Napoleon, and Emperor of the West? It begins in 741 AD when, following the death of the Frankish leader Charles Martel - ‘The Hammer’ - his two sons, Carloman and the pious by ruthless Pepin were forced to look to the Pope in Rome, then a subsidiary to the Byzantine empire, to buttress their authority. The Pope too was increasingly embattled at that time, struggling against invasions by the ferocious Germanic Lombards from the north of Italy. Desperate, he called upon Pepin for aid. So it was that, after his brother’s abdication, Pepin was officially anointed by the Pope as the sole King of the Franks, before crossing the Alps and smashing Lombardy. After his death, he would leave his kingdom the foremost power in Western Europe, and in the hands of to his own two sons: Carloman and Charles, later known as Charlemagne. A terrible power struggle would ensue… Join Tom and Dominic for this next instalment of their mighty series on the Franks and the rise of Charlemagne. How would Charles’ and Carloman’s battle for power play out? _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Editor: Aaliyah Akude Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 mins

What listeners say about The Rest Is History

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Profile Image for Chelle

Informative, educational and entertaining!!

I've always enjoyed the books written by Tom and Dominic so I gave the podcast a go. Best decision, I thoroughly enjoy listening to them and their guests. Really fascinating breadth of subjects and genuinely warm and witty delivery. 5 stars, would recommend!

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Profile Image for Rosie J

Please delete my last review .. its rubbish

This episode is great the narrators are excellent, funny and witty whilst informative and thought provoking. So thought provoking I triggered myself (stupidly) as my previous review is unkind and I unfortunately focused on the final minutes of speculation about potential future civil war in developed democratic nations rather than the whole piece which was great.

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Profile Image for Tsarina

does exactly what it says on the tin

This is an excellent podcast. informative, erudite, sometimes funny, and, crucially, no annoying presenters. Super.

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perfect podcast

so interesting and gently fun. couldn't fault it. Costa Rica my favourite country now.

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Perfect podcast

Love this podcast, perfect mix of humour and learning. I listen during my weekend walks and also on holiday. Please keep them coming 👍.

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Profile Image for Polly

Wonderful!

Great subjects, music and gentle voices amazing how the listener just drifts into it. Perfect to listen to at any time.

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Superb episode

Sensitively told,. Incredibly moving story, I found the second half of the show very powerful

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Fabulous podcast series

I have learnt so much from these interesting, educational and entertaining podcasts. I am now officially hooked on The Rest is History. A big thank you to Messrs Sandbrook and Holland for making history accessible and fun.

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Profile Image for L A Le Tissier

Recent convert to historical study

This podcast is such an excellent and thought provoking way of delving into a wide range of events both ancient and modern. Always leaves you looking for more. A virtual ‘amuse-bouche’ for a budding historian.

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Great Storytelling

Brings history to life. It’s full of humorous stories. I just wanted to say how great this podcast is, but it’s making me write a whole 15 words!

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