The Rest Is History

By: Goalhanger
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  • Summary

  • The world’s most popular history podcast, with Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.therestishistory.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Here are some of our favourite episodes to get you started: WATERGATE/NIXON apple.co/3JrVl5h ALEXANDER THE GREAT apple.co/3Q4FaNk HARDCORE HISTORY'S DAN CARLIN apple.co/3vqkGa3 PUTIN & RUSSIA apple.co/3zMtLfX
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Episodes
  • 524. Charlemagne: Pagan Killer (Part 2)

    524. Charlemagne: Pagan Killer (Part 2)
    Dec 23 2024
    “Here was a program to wet the ambitions of warlords as well as scholars, and to send men into battle beneath the fluttering of banners, the hiss of arrows, and the shadow of carrion crows…” The year is 777 and Charles the Great - Charlemagne - has ruled as joint king of the Franks alongside his brother, Carloman, for nine years. Now though his brother and greatest impediment to sole authority has died under mysterious circumstances. The sole successor to the mighty Carolingian dynasty, then, Charlemagne behaves differently from all the Frankish warlords that have come before him. In the aftermath of the once great Roman Empire, he seems to have modelled himself on the image an Augustus, pushing the already formidable kingdom that he has inherited towards greater and greater dominion. In his sights now are the Saxons, long growing fractious in Germany, and also the terrifying Lombards. The campaigns that ensued would be more ruthless than any before, with Charlemagne himself personally leading his men into battle. But his regime is not only one founded upon the blade of a sword and militaristic might, it is also a religious and educational revolution. It would utterly transform the west forever, introducing widespread writing and learning, and Christianising vast swathes of Europe - poor and elite alike. But Charlemagne’s total dominion of the West was still incomplete. What would happen next? Join Tom and Dominic as they delve deeper into the rise of the mighty Charlemagne: his transition to sole ruler of the Franks, his violent militaristic conquests, and a Christian regime that would change the world. _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Editor: Aaliyah Akude Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • 523. Charlemagne: Return of the Kings (Part 1)

    523. Charlemagne: Return of the Kings (Part 1)
    Dec 19 2024
    The Frankish king, Charlemagne the Great, is one of the titanic figures of European history, simultaneously renowned and shadowy. His rise to supreme power is a staggering story of warring religious empires, betrayal, battle, blindings and brutal conquest. How, then, did this one time Frankish interloper become the father of Europe, progenitor of a Holy Roman Empire whose descendants would rule right up until the time of Napoleon, and Emperor of the West? It begins in 741 AD when, following the death of the Frankish leader Charles Martel - ‘The Hammer’ - his two sons, Carloman and the pious by ruthless Pepin were forced to look to the Pope in Rome, then a subsidiary to the Byzantine empire, to buttress their authority. The Pope too was increasingly embattled at that time, struggling against invasions by the ferocious Germanic Lombards from the north of Italy. Desperate, he called upon Pepin for aid. So it was that, after his brother’s abdication, Pepin was officially anointed by the Pope as the sole King of the Franks, before crossing the Alps and smashing Lombardy. After his death, he would leave his kingdom the foremost power in Western Europe, and in the hands of to his own two sons: Carloman and Charles, later known as Charlemagne. A terrible power struggle would ensue… Join Tom and Dominic for this next instalment of their mighty series on the Franks and the rise of Charlemagne. How would Charles’ and Carloman’s battle for power play out? _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Editor: Aaliyah Akude Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • 522. Warlords of the West: A Clash of Ice and Fire (Part 3)

    522. Warlords of the West: A Clash of Ice and Fire (Part 3)
    Dec 16 2024
    By 711 Europe and the Frankish warlords were facing a graver threat than ever before. Bands of Northern African, nominally Muslim raiders had begun a steady incursion throughout the West, loosely unified under the banner of the Umayyads. Having already taken and plundered the Christian territories of the Goths, their eyes now fell upon the Frankish kingdom in Gaul, by now the greatest power in Europe. It would be a formidable prize if taken. But fortunately for the Franks, their leader was the greatest of their warlords since the rise of Clovis I: the mighty Charles Martel. Finally, the two great hosts - Charles with his allies from Aquitaine and the Umayyads under the leadership of Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi. A world shaking, spear shattering, blood-letting battle would ensue, the outcome of which would come to determine the future of Europe. Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the build up to, climax, and aftermath of the Battle of Tours - one of the most important battles in Western history, which would prove the making of the Franks, and pave the road to the ascent of Charlemagne. _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 2 mins

What listeners say about The Rest Is History

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Profile Image for Lancaster

So good.

I can’t stop listening to these. So interesting and I love the delightful British dry witty intellectual banter. I learn a lot. Highly recommend.

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This podcast is a delight

If you're a history nerd like me or if you're simply curious, this is the podcast for you. The chrmistry between Dominic and Tom is off the charts.

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Love the show

The combination of great historical fact, amazing analysis and laugh out loud humor make this the best podcast on my list. Thank you for making me think and laugh.

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as an American I loved the gentle criticism

well done fellas, I am well-chuffed by this brisk discussion of the American-made disaster that was Vietnam

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Profile Image for Jill A Archer

Murder of Archduke Ferdinand

The humor, banter, attention to detail, comprehension and ability to provide a perspective of what was happening at the times made for a truly brilliant and exciting experience!

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Profile Image for Diana Stephens

Podcast Perfection of the Historical Kind

I’m obsessed with Tom Holland, Dominic Sandbrook, and this podcast! These two historians are a perfect pairing - a mix of serious research with lighthearted presentation. Honestly, there’s something for everyone - Ancient Rome, American Witches, Oppenheimer, Cleopatra, Freemasons, Jesus, London Tours (so funny), even California. I haven’t listen to a book in ages (or any other podcast, really). Beware - Totally Addicting!

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Wonderful on all counts.

History told in an engaging way; which brings the personalities of figures and motivation of nations to life.

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My new favorite history podcast

I never leave reviews but I’m obsessed with this podcast. Tom and Dom are great. I feel like I’m hanging out with two guys - two lads - who love history as much as I do.

I haven’t joined the chat community yet but here I am leaving a review so who knows what I’ll do next.

Highly recommend- Harold Hoss

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Ah the British

What a wonderful exercise in sloppy thinking and Old World privilege. The episode is devoid of any mention of the lack of representation that the colonists endured. There are plenty of apologies for the Britsih transgressions upon the colonists better nature's. If you want a dose of English bloviation I highly recommend this terrible take on the American revolution.

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