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Saving History

Saving History

Saving Castles 77 Episodes Nov 19, 2025

Saving History is a podcast that journeys through medieval Europe's most extraordinary stories, covering legendary knights, epic battles, royal scandals, and forgotten heroes. It explores topics like the Crusades, Viking raids, castle sieges, Norman conquests, and the Black Death. Host Monte Schumacher, a medieval historian and castle restoration expert, brings 1,000 years of European history to life with expert analysis. New episodes are released monthly.

Episodes

Medieval Christmas Battles: When Peace and War Collided | Ep. 93
Medieval Christmas Battles: When Peace and War Collided | Ep. 93 Nov 19, 2025 00:47:57 December 25th, 1066: William the Conqueror's coronation erupted in chaos as Norman soldiers set fire to London, thinking their duke was being assassinated. Merry Christmas.Medieval Christmas wasn't about peace on earth. It was about power, strategy, and violence barely contained by sacred tradition. Discover why Christmas was the most dangerous time of the medieval year.Discover Medieval Christmas
Rhodes to Malta: The Knights Impossible Revenge | Ep. 92
Rhodes to Malta: The Knights Impossible Revenge | Ep. 92 Aug 31, 2025 01:08:00 Rhodes to Malta: The Knights' 42-Year Quest for Impossible RevengeThe Ultimate Medieval Revenge EpicFrom devastating defeat to impossible victory - the complete story of how 600 Knights defied the Ottoman Empire across four decades. In 1522, the Knights Hospitaller lost Rhodes to Suleiman the Magnificent. In 1565, they faced him again at Malta and achieved the ultimate vindication.Experience t
The Hammer of God: Charles Martel's Battle That Saved Christian Europe | Ep.91
The Hammer of God: Charles Martel's Battle That Saved Christian Europe | Ep.91 Aug 22, 2025 00:33:11 The Hammer of God: Charles Martel's Battle That Saved Christian Europe⚔️ The Battle That Determined Europe's FaithIn October 732, two worlds collided on the fields near Tours. From the south came the greatest Muslim army ever assembled in Western Europe—80,000 veteran warriors who had conquered Spain and now threatened to sweep toward Rome itself. Standing in their path was Charles "T
The Poisoner's Crown: Lucrezia Borgia and Renaissance Power | Ep.90
The Poisoner's Crown: Lucrezia Borgia and Renaissance Power | Ep.90 Aug 20, 2025 00:28:35 The Poisoner's Crown: Lucrezia Borgia and Renaissance Power🏰 History's Most Misunderstood WomanWas Lucrezia Borgia really Renaissance Italy's master poisoner? For 500 years, she's been called a seductive murderess and symbol of papal corruption. But modern scholarship reveals almost everything we've been told is wrong.⚔️ Discover the Real Story:How a pope's illegitimate dau
Black Plague: The Four Years That Ended the Middle Ages | Ep.89
Black Plague: The Four Years That Ended the Middle Ages | Ep.89 Aug 13, 2025 00:27:14 Black Plague: The Four Years That Ended the Middle Ages🏰 The Most Pivotal Pandemic in HistoryIn October 1347, twelve plague ships limped into Sicily carrying death itself. What followed wasn't just Europe's deadliest pandemic—it was the complete transformation of medieval civilization in just four years. The Black Plague killed one-third of Europe's population and ended the Middle Ages
Frederick II: The Wonder of the World - From Orphan to Europe's Most Powerful Emperor | Ep.88
Frederick II: The Wonder of the World - From Orphan to Europe's Most Powerful Emperor | Ep.88 May 10, 2025 00:45:42 Frederick II: The Wonder of the World 👑From orphaned street child to Europe's most powerful emperorOrphaned at age 4 in 1198 Sicily, Frederick II defied impossible odds to become "Stupor Mundi." This forgotten child revolutionized medieval Europe through genius and controversy.⚔️ Discover Medieval Genius:• How diplomacy reclaimed Jerusalem when crusades failed• Why he built Europe's first secular
After Show: Siege and Legacy of Château Gaillard | Ep.87
After Show: Siege and Legacy of Château Gaillard | Ep.87 Jan 29, 2025 00:18:58 Join us for an engaging after show discussion of our recent episode: "Richard the Lionheart's Perfect Castle and Phillip's Greatest Siege".We'll unpack Richard the Lionheart's revolutionary castle design, debate Philip's siege tactics, and explore how this pivotal moment transformed medieval warfare. From the controversial decision to maintain a winter siege to the in
Richard the Lionheart's Perfect Castle and Phillip's Greatest Siege | Ep.86
Richard the Lionheart's Perfect Castle and Phillip's Greatest Siege | Ep.86 Jan 28, 2025 00:39:44 Richard the Lionheart's Perfect Castle and Phillip's Greatest Siege From revolutionary fortress design to history's most dramatic siegeBuilt in 1196 as the "perfect castle," Château Gaillard faced its ultimate test in 1203. Two kings' fate hung in the balance as revolutionary siege tactics met medieval engineering genius.Discover Medieval Warfare:• How Richard designed th
A Deep Dive Into Our Saving History Podcast | Ep.85
A Deep Dive Into Our Saving History Podcast | Ep.85 Dec 26, 2024 00:14:33 Join us for an in-depth discussion about the Saving History podcast. Don't forget to subscribe.
The Hidden Origin of Medieval Christmas | Ep.84
The Hidden Origin of Medieval Christmas | Ep.84 Dec 9, 2024 00:55:54 The Hidden Origin of Medieval Christmas From pagan rituals to Christian celebrations in medieval EuropeDecember 1066: William the Conqueror chose Christmas Day for his coronation, transforming how medieval Europe celebrated the season. Discover the hidden stories behind traditions we still follow today.Discover Medieval Christmas:• How pagan Yule traditions merged with Christianity• Why medieval f
Unveiling the Mysteries of Napoleon's Era | Ep. 83
Unveiling the Mysteries of Napoleon's Era | Ep. 83 Nov 24, 2024 00:39:59 Unveiling the Mysteries of Napoleon's EraFrom secret love letters to enigmatic Sphinxes reshaping EuropeParis 1804: While Napoleon crowned himself Emperor, mysterious Sphinxes watched from the Tuileries Palace. Discover the hidden stories behind fashion, cuisine, and covert diplomacy that defined an epoch.Discover Napoleonic Secrets:• What the enigmatic Tuileries Sphinxes truly symbolized• How
Charlemagne: The Ripple Effects of a King | Ep.82
Charlemagne: The Ripple Effects of a King | Ep.82 Nov 3, 2024 00:31:08 Charlemagne: The Ripple Effects of a KingFrom tribal kingdoms to the foundation of modern EuropeChristmas Day 800: Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne Emperor, creating the Holy Roman Empire. One king's vision transformed a fractured continent into the foundation of modern European civilization.Discover Charlemagne's Legacy:• How military innovations conquered half of Europe• Why diplomatic s

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