Emperors vs. Popes

Emperors vs. Popes

Author: iHeartPodcasts April 11, 2023 Duration: 26:57

Chris explores the period of Gregorian popes, or papal monarchs. This is when several popes took on emperors in the battle to be the ultimate authority in Europe.  

Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts and School of Humans. It is a Curiosity Podcast.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Ever wonder how the quiet, everyday lives of people a thousand years ago set the stage for the world we know today? Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World digs into that very question, moving beyond the familiar tales of kings and castles to uncover the profound ideas and simmering tensions that truly forged our modern era. Each episode is a compact, deep dive into a single story or theme-from the surprising intellectual exchanges in medieval universities to the complex political struggles between empires and city-states. You'll hear how seemingly distant events, like a trade dispute or a religious debate, created ripples that shaped laws, borders, and even our contemporary thinking. This iHeartPodcasts production is designed for anyone curious about the connective tissue of history, offering rich context in a manageable half-hour format. Tune in to discover the hidden engines of change during a period far more dynamic and influential than it often gets credit for.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 14

Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World
Podcast Episodes
Founding Son: Episode 6 - The Last of Earth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:57
John Quincy Adams finally defeats the Gag rule, but his feud with Andrew Jackson lasts until the bitter end. And Congressman Abraham Lincoln witnesses from the House floor the dramatic final hours of Adams' life. Foundin…
Black Death [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:30
The Black Death was a medical catastrophe, with the majority of deaths occurring in children under 16. It took 300 years for the population to recover. But the plague also impacted social, economic, political, and religi…
Revolts, Religious Chaos, and A New World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:25
As the end of The Middle Ages nears, peasants revolt after being blamed for the Black Death, and the Catholic Church endures a wave of turmoil. But Chris points out moments of hope as the world opens up for exploration.…
Knights And Legends [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:59
Chris dives into some of the most popular topics from this era, including the rules of engagement for knights, the castle-building economy, chivalry, and the legend of King Arthur. Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medie…
The Crusades [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:13
Jerusalem is a critical pilgrimage site and scholarly center, especially during the Middle Ages. Chris explains why it’s holy land for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and he chronicles the several crusades during these ye…
Medieval Nation-Building [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:55
Chris gives a status update on France, England, Germany, and Spain during this critical Medieval period. He talks about why the King of France is above the law and how the Magna Carta relates to modern-day due process. H…
Spiritual Awakening [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:55
In the 12th century, there was an intellectual revolution that included a pursuit of questions, an evangelical awakening, and the church decrying the dangers of heresy. Chris explains this pivotal time of the Renaissance…
City Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:29
Working and living in a Medieval city was a lot different than the countryside. There were merchants, guilds, and trade that relied on money, not bartering. Chris gives us a sense of city life, and even explains how loan…
Charlemagne's Renaissance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:01
In this episode, we learn about the rule and Renaissance of the emperor Charlemagne. Chris also tells us about the lives of monks and nuns, and how being mediocre in early Medieval times was actually a good thing. Half-H…
Peasant Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:31
Feudalism was a key part of how society worked in the Middle Ages, as 80% of the population at the time was tied to farming. Chris breaks down life in the countryside and how innovations led to an agricultural revolution…