“A great many things keep happening, some good, some bad” (Gregory of Tours 539-594)
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The Podcast
A narrative retelling of German history from the coronation of Henry the Fowler in 919 AD to German Reunification in 1990. Weekly 20-30 minute episodes are available here and with all major providers of fine audio entertainment.
The music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.
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Blogposts and Transcripts
EPISODE 129 – Hermann von Salza
In the new season of the History of the Germans podcast, we look at the Teutonic Knights. It will explore their origins, their key role in German, Polish, and Russian history, and their transition from a hospital congregation to a military order. Expect tales of heroic battles, chivalric entertainment, twisted theology, and astute commercial activity…
EPISODE 128 – A Chivalric order
In the new season of the History of the Germans podcast, we look at the Teutonic Knights. It will explore their origins, their key role in German, Polish, and Russian history, and their transition from a hospital congregation to a military order. Expect tales of heroic battles, chivalric entertainment, twisted theology, and astute commercial activity…
EPISODE 127 – Art and Culture of the Hanse
Art and culture of the Hanse is defined by the splendour of its town halls and the soaring spires of its parish churches, but there is more…
Season 6: The Hanseatic League (1143-1669)
The Hanse of the Merchants of the Holy Roman Empire described itself as neither a corporation, nor an organisation nor any definable entity at all.
But still it existed and it dominated the Baltic Sea for centuries, not only economically but also militarily and politically. They chose kings and made others disappear. They opened trade routes and forced cities and rulers to grant them privileges.
But underneath ran a network of medium sized merchants who helped each other out with information, trading and storing each other’s goods and handling their finances. The Hanse is unique in not one but every conceivable way….
“It is always easier to hoist the banner of war but a lot more costly taking it down in honour”
Hinrich Castorp, Burgomaster of Lubeck (1452-1512)
Support the Show
The History of the Germans Podcast has been advertising free since the very beginning and will remain so. The point of the exercise is not to make me rich (there are many smarter ways to do that), but to make the whole of German history more accessible, in particular to English speakers. But Podcasting is hard work. Each episode takes me about 2- 2.5 working days to prepare and record. So if I want to keep the podcast ad-free and keep my marriage going, I need to make this economically viable. And that is where you fine people come in. If you feel the urge to support this endeavour, are in need for some heartfelt gratitude or just want to have some great extra HotG stuff, choose a membership level that suits your wallet – please!
Reichsritter/Edelfrau
£2 per month
A Reichsritter (Imperial Knight) protects the poor, defends the church and serves the emperor freely and truly. He does not expect anything in return, apart from honour and respect. Nor does an Edelfrau (Dame) debase herself to barter for goods in return for her generosity.
Only an exchange of gifts is suitable for such august personalities, so please receive the occasional bonus episode as a token of the Podcast’s appreciation.
- Heartfelt Gratitude
- Bonus Episodes about German Art, Architecture and Literature
- Posing questions in the Q&A sessions at the end of each season
Reichsfuerst
£4 Per MontH
As Peer of the Realm your great privilege is a seat in the Reichstag where you can deliberate the affairs of the day and advise on future policy. The peers of the ream included not just counts and dukes, but also bishops and mighty abbesses
- Sincere and Heartfelt Gratitude
- Bonus Episodes about German Art, Architecture and Literature
- Having your (first) name called out at the start of an episode
- Posing questions in the Q&A sessions at the end of each season
- You can suggest specific topics to be included into an episode
Kurfuerst
£8 Per Month
The noblest of rights of a Prince Elector is to choose. The History of the Germans Podcasts offers you the opportunity here to choose to be even more generous than Imperial Knights/Dames and Peers of the Realm.
The Empire being impecunious ever since your ancestors have broken central power during the Investiture Conflict, there is sadly not much in added benefit that can be offered. We hope you recognise your good fortune and give according to your might.
- Eternal, Sincere and Heartfelt Gratitude
- Bonus Episodes about German Art, Architecture and Literature
- Having your (first) name called out at the start of an episode
- Posing questions in the Q&A sessions at the end of each season
- You can suggest specific topics to be included into an episode
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Hard to believe the Hanseatic League season is over now – thought now would be a good time to leave a comment. I saw this podcast on a friend’s social media back in January and caught up on it over a few months (to be up to date once the north-east focused episodes started coming out), and wanted to say thanks so much for all your work.
Having been under quite a lot of stress earlier this year, I found that going for walks very early in the morning while listening to this podcast (as well as a couple of other history ones, though I’d say yours is comfortably the best) did wonders for keeping my mental state much more in balance than it would have been otherwise in the midst of university study. Additionally I’ve had a somewhat rough couple of months recently and the regular release of episodes has continually provided something to look forward to each week. I would be in a worse place if this didn’t exist.
I’ve really enjoyed all the seasons so far – some of my personal favourite episodes would be 101 (on Gottschalk and Adalbert), 124 Decline and Fall Part 2 (loved the tragedy format) and 126 on Bremen (talking about the cathedral, statue and guildhall in the square tied together the aspects of history brilliantly), and I could definitely say the same about many of the older episodes but haven’t listened to them as recently. Really looking forward to the next season!
(not sure if this comment went through the first time – ignore if so)
Hard to believe the Hanseatic League season is over now – thought now would be a good time to leave a comment. I saw this podcast on a friend’s social media back in January and caught up on it over a few months (to be up to date once the north-east focused episodes started coming out), and wanted to say thanks so much for all your work.
Having been under quite a lot of stress earlier this year, I found that going for walks very early in the morning while listening to this podcast (as well as a couple of other history ones, though I’d say yours is comfortably the best) did wonders for keeping my mental state much more in balance than it would have been otherwise in the midst of university study. Additionally I’ve had a somewhat rough couple of months recently and the regular release of episodes has continually provided something to look forward to each week. I would be in a worse place if this didn’t exist.
I’ve really enjoyed all the seasons so far – some of my personal favourite episodes would be 101 (on Gottschalk and Adalbert), 124 Decline and Fall Part 2 (loved the tragedy format) and 126 on Bremen (talking about the cathedral, statue and guildhall in the square tied together the aspects of history brilliantly), and I could definitely say the same about many of the older episodes but haven’t listened to them as recently. Really looking forward to the next season!
Just discovered this podcast and it has become part of my morning workout. I also joined on Patreon, so it doesn’t just suddenly end, like The History of Russia podcast did after Peter the Great.