Episode 202 – Arms and Armour
Germany emerged as Europe’s premier arms and armor center in the 15th and 16th centuries through skilled craftsmanship, economic strategy, and technological innovation.
Episode 201 – Mapping the world
In 1507 two Germans invented America, or at least the name. The question is how and why? Come along to find out.
Episode 200 – Divide and Lose
In 1485 two brothers split the electorate of Saxony in two, creating the distinctly different Länder of Thuringia and Saxony in the process. All that after 20 years of successful joint rule and at the risk of materially reducing their family’s power. Why did they do it?
Episode 199 – How Holland Was Lost to the Holy Roman Empire (Part 2)
The second part of our series on the exiit of the Netherlands from the Holy Roman Empire, this time with a focus on demographics, economics and climate.
The Counts of Flanders
Gravensteen castle in Ghent was the seat of the Counts of Flanders who became serious players on the European stage from the 10th century. The first count was Baldwin who was appointed in 862, allegedly after eloping with emperor Charles the Bald’s daughter. The counts were an ambitious lot and grew their territory step by step. A key breakthrough came in the middle of the 11th century.