Fortune's Wheel: A Podcast History of Our Medieval Story

SEASON 8: The First CrusadeEPISODE 202: Routes & RupturesSteel meets panic at Dorylaeum in 1097, where the Crusade nearly collapses before clawing its way back from annihilation. From that chaos, Tancred and Baldwin peel off and barrel into Cilicia, turning the march southeast into a ruthless side-quest of ambition, betrayal, and opportunistic warfare. This episode follows the moment the holy army stops pretending it’s unified and starts revealing the knives behind the vows.No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down any and all paywalls! Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 8: The First CrusadeEPISODE 201: The Secret Drama of TreacheryNicaea.May – June, 1097.Anna Komnene writes about “the secret drama of treachery,” a hint as to how this formidable Seljuk capital of the new Sultanate of Rum would return to Roman hands. Would it fall by Western efforts…or by some other way? It’s a fascinating story about the opening salvos of the First Crusade, showcasing Western cooperation, Seljuk ferocity, and Byzantine statecraft.No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down any and all paywalls! Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 8: The First CrusadeEPISODE 200: God’s Mercs, Pt. 2Last time, we introduced (or reintroduced) ourselves to Hugh of Vermandois, Godfrey of Bouillon, Baldwin of Boulogne, and, of course, the incomparable Bohemond and his lightning bolt of a nephew, Tancred. This time, we round out these introductions and end right at the beginning, the moment these armies meet and cross the Bosporus. No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down any and all paywalls! Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 8: The First CrusadeEPISODE 199: God’s Mercs, Pt. 1On this episode, we begin a two-parter laying out the principle leaders of the First Crusade. Who were they? What were their stories? What connections did they share? I can’t wait to unpack this part of the series. No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down any and all paywalls! Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 8: The First CrusadeEPISODE 198: Poor People’s CrusadeA tidal wave of zealots, doomsday preachers, and broke knights surges across Europe in the so-called Poor People’s Crusade—burning bright, burning fast, and mostly burning down. From Emicho’s disastrous rampage along the Rhine to the ragged march of Walter Sans Avoir straight into the jaws of Kilij Arslan at Civetot, this is the First Crusade’s explosive prologue. A movement born in frenzy ends in annihilation, leaving a smoking warning flare for the armies yet to come. No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down any and all paywalls! Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 8: The First CrusadeEPISODE 197: The Fez MassacreThis is an older Patreon episode about another Jewish pogrom taking place in Fez in modern Morocco decades before the Rhineland massacres during the Poor People's Crusade. This serves as a bonus episode and not a direct part of my research into the First Crusade.A new episode will be released in a couple days getting us back on track!No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down any and all paywalls! Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 8: The First CrusadeEPISODE 196: Blood on the RhineThe First Crusade hadn’t even started yet, so why was the Rhine flowing red?  No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 8: The First CrusadeEPISODE 195: Did God Will It?Where does a pope get off telling thousands of armed men to march across the known world with a promise of eternal salvation? This wasn’t a whim. It was centuries in the making. Welcome to the origin story of Christian holy war.No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastDonate! Buy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 8: The First CrusadeEPISODE 194: Deus Vult!Clermont., France.November 27, 1095.Pope Urban II lit the match that set Europe ablaze. This episode dives into the conflicting accounts of that speech—where “Deus Vult” became both a prayer and a war cry.No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastDonate! Buy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 8: The First CrusadeEPISODE 193: Eastern Rome on the Eve of CrusadeOn this episode, we hear from Dr. Warren Treadgold -- retired professor, historian, and author -- who has spent a decades-long career studying Byzantine history. In the show's first interview, we discuss Alexios Komnenos, differences between the Christian East and the Latin West, and whether the Crusades themselves were a net positive or net negative. Be sure to Share, Subscribe, and Leave A Comment!No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastDonate! Buy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 8: The First CrusadeEPISODE 192: The World(view) Behind the First CrusadeLet’s take a moment to survey Europe by 1095. What was the world like on the Eve of the First Crusade? What were the various political and economic ideas that flooded out of Western Europe and into the Holy Land? What kinds of technology were these westerners skilled in using, both militarily and in other parts of life? What was trade like? There are endless avenues to go down, and it would behoove us all to do a once-over before proceeding into the epic that was the First Crusade! Oh, and I’ve earthquakes, comets, and even a tornado to mention…who knew?!No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastDonate! Buy Me A Coffee!

In this short update episode, we get a sneak peak at some changes to the show. Specifically, it’s ditching paywalls, what that means for listeners, and how listeners can help the podcast grow. Expect more episodes, more access, and a whole lot more medieval mayhem — plus, a glimpse of what’s coming next as we build toward the epic story of the First Crusade.No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 7: All Roads Lead to ClermontMiniseries: Popes, Emperors, Kings & A CountessEPISODE 166: The Council of Piacenza, Pt.3We expand upon the Council of Piacenza’s agenda and its first four precedent-setting days, and we see on this episode days five, six and seven, along with Conrad III’s very interesting moves in the months after Piacenza.No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down any and all paywalls! Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 7: All Roads Lead to ClermontEPISODE 165: The Council of Piacenza, Pt.2Day Three focuses on a king and a heresy, but Day Four is an explosion of power plays and accusations of depravity of the worst kinds. I kept it as clean as I could, but…LISTENER DISCRETION IS ADVISED ON THIS ONE, folks! No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down of any paywalls! Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 7: All Roads Lead to ClermontEPISODE 164: The Council of Piacenza, Pt.1The world is about to descend upon one mid-sized Tuscan city called Piacenza, and what comes out of this week-long event will not only set the stage for what’s to come (such as the First Crusade, for starters), but also set serious legal and doctrinal precedent for centuries.No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 7: All Roads Lead to ClermontMiniseries: Popes, Emperors, Kings, & A CountessEPISODE 163: Exorcising Her DemonsThe world turns its eyes to a single Tuscan city—Piacenza. Over the course of one monumental week, Church and state collide, grievances are aired, and the groundwork is laid for seismic shifts that will echo for centuries...and it's all thanks to one lady in particular: Matilda of Canossa.No More Paywalls! How?If you believe in what’s happening here – bringing our shared history to life, warts and all, free to the public with absolutely no more paywalls…ever…please consider donating to my caffeine-mediated research and writing through the website/app Buy Me A Coffee! With opportunities for one-time donations and even a monthly donation plan, you can voluntarily contribute to the continuation of this show. I would be eternally grateful!NOTE: DISREGARD ANY MENTION OF PATREON. That account has been closed in the process of tearing down of any paywalls! Social Media:YouTube: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastMeta: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastBuy Me A Coffee!

SEASON 7: All Roads Lead to ClermontMiniseries: Popes, Emperors, Kings & A CountessEPISODE 162: Henry IV Strikes Back!Once again we find Henry IV attempting to take down Countess Matilda of Canossa, and this time he threw as much as he could at her. But will it work? Will he finally take down the one person who has stood in his way all these years?Members-Only Series on Patreon:For only a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century, including but not limited to the creation of the Kingdom of Poland, what’s happening on the Continent while Duke William is conquering England, and, currently, our series called “The Book of Alexios” detailing all those details of the monumental medieval emperor, Alexios Komnenos, that didn’t make it into the public podcast. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the show, so I hope you consider becoming a Patreon member!  Just follow this link to our Patreon page to peruse the right “subscription” for you: https://www.patreon.com/FortunesWheelPodcast. Social Media:YouTube Page: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X (formerly Twitter) Page: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastTOPICS / PEOPLE / PLACES#matildaofcanossa #matildaofmantua #matilidaoftuscany #countessmatilda #duchyoftuscany #mantua #siegeofmantua #henryiv #holyromanemperorhenryiv #heinrichiv #emperorhenryiv #emperorheinrichiv #berthaofsavoy #prassede #eupraxiaofkiev #kiev #kievanrus #holyromanempire #11thcentury #popeurbanii #rome #catholicchurch #catholic #popevictorii #fortuneswheel #fortuneswheelpodcast #jonathonlarosa

SEASON 7: All Roads Lead to ClermontMiniseries: Popes, Emperors, Kings & A CountessEPISODE 161: Rise of Pope Urban IIPope Urban II’s story begins long before he was pope, when he was simply Odo of Chatillon, but this episode will focus on his impressive ascendancy through the Catholic ranks to be the answer to what the Christian world was looking for as the 11th century came to a close.Members-Only Series on Patreon:For only a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century, including but not limited to the creation of the Kingdom of Poland, what’s happening on the Continent while Duke William is conquering England, and, currently, our series called “The Book of Alexios” detailing all those details of the monumental medieval emperor, Alexios Komnenos, that didn’t make it into the public podcast. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the show, so I hope you consider becoming a Patreon member!  Just follow this link to our Patreon page to peruse the right “subscription” for you: https://www.patreon.com/FortunesWheelPodcast. Social Media:YouTube Page: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X (formerly Twitter) Page: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastTOPICS / PEOPLE / PLACES#PopeUrbanII #OdoofChatillon #AbbotOdoofCluny# #Cluny #CluniacReforms #GregorianReforms #PopeVictorIII #AbbotDesiderius #MonteCassino #Montecassino #MontecassinoAbbey #AntipopeClementIII #ClementIII #Conrad #ConradtheYounger #HenryIV #HeinrichIV #HolyRomanEmperorHenryIV #HolyRomanEmperorHeinrichIV #MatildaofTuscany #MatildaofCanossa #CountessMatilda #PopeGregoryVII #GregoryVII #Hildebrand #AlexiosKomnenos #EmperorAlexiosI #Salerno #Normans #NormansintheSouth #Normandy #Sicily #Iberia #Clermont #DuchyofTuscany #WesternChristendom #FirstCrusade #InvestitureControversy #AlmoravidConquest #Almoravids #KingdomofPoland #KievanRus #EupraxiaofKiev #EmpressAdelaide #EmpressAdelheid #JonathonLaRosa #FortunesWheel

SEASON 7: All Roads Lead to ClermontMiniseries: Popes, Emperors, Kings & A CountessEPISODE 160: Pope Victor IIIConrad the Younger, Matilda of Tuscany, and Desiderius of Monte Cassino…these are the foci of our next thread leading up to the First Crusade!Members-Only Series on Patreon:For only a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century, including but not limited to the creation of the Kingdom of Poland, what’s happening on the Continent while Duke William is conquering England, and, currently, our series called “The Book of Alexios” detailing all those details of the monumental medieval emperor, Alexios Komnenos, that didn’t make it into the public podcast. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the show, so I hope you consider becoming a Patreon member!  Just follow this link to our Patreon page to peruse the right “subscription” for you: https://www.patreon.com/FortunesWheelPodcast. Social Media:YouTube Page: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X (formerly Twitter) Page: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcastTOPICS / PEOPLE / PLACES#PopeVictorIII #AbbotDesiderius #MonteCassino #Montecassino #MontecassinoAbbey #AlfanoofSalerno #KingWilliamIIofEngland #WilliamRufus #RobertCurthose #HenryBeauclerc #Conrad #ConradtheYounger #HenryIV #HeinrichIV #HolyRomanEmperorHenryIV #HolyRomanEmperorHeinrichIV #MatildaofTuscany #MatildaofCanossa #CountessMatilda #PopeGregoryVII #GregoryVII #Hildebrand #AlexiosKomnenos #EmperorAlexiosI #Salerno #Normans #NormansintheSouth #Normandy #Sicily #Iberia #AdriaticSea #KingdomofHungary #Clermont #DuchyofTuscany #WesternChristendom #FirstCrusade #InvestitureControversy #AlmoravidConquest #Almoravids #KingdomofPoland #JonathonLaRosa #FortunesWheel

SEASON 7: All Roads Lead to ClermontMiniseries: Southern Italy and Sicily, 1085 - 1095EPISODE 159: Rebellions & Conquests: Hauteville Edition, Pt2Roger Borsa and Bohemond hold onto a tenuous peace, while their uncle Count Roger faces challenges back in Sicily. Maybe a little vacay to the island of Malta could do the trick…Members-Only Series on Patreon:For only a dollar per month, you can hear multiple varying stories and storylines so far through the 11th century, including but not limited to the creation of the Kingdom of Poland, what’s happening on the Continent while Duke William is conquering England, and, currently, our series called “The Book of Alexios” detailing all those details of the monumental medieval emperor, Alexios Komnenos, that didn’t make it into the public podcast. Every dime donated will be put directly back into the show, so I hope you consider becoming a Patreon member!  Just follow this link to our Patreon page to peruse the right “subscription” for you: https://www.patreon.com/FortunesWheelPodcast. Social Media:YouTube Page: Fortune’s Wheel PodcastFacebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/fortunes.wheel.3 X (formerly Twitter) Page: https://twitter.com/WheelPodcast