Episode 202 – Arms and Armour

Nürnberg and Augsburg emerged as Europe’s premier arms and armour in the 15th and 16th centuries through skilled craftsmanship, economic strategy, and technological innovation.

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 exit of the Netherlands from the Holy Roman Empire, this time with a focus on demographics, economics and climate.

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…

Episode 126 – A Brief History of Bremen

Different from the rest with its gutsy antics – sheltering pirates and irritating fellow Hansards. Bremen’s relationship with the Hanseatic League was as stormy as an Atlantic squall

Episode 124– Decline & Fall (Part 2)

The fall of Lübeck from queen of the Baltic in 3 Acts, most of which committed by Jürgen Wullenwever, the populist Burgomaster

Episode 123– Decline & Fall (Part 1)

Wars with Denmark and England dominate the 15th century. Built into these conflicts are internal tensions between the Hanse Cities

Episode 122– Calamitous Victories

Wars with Denmark and England dominate the 15th century. Built into these conflicts are internal tensions between the Hanse Cities