The Spanish ArPodA

We've met Fortún Garcés before - when he was being captured by Córdoban forces on the battlefield during his father's reign. So what happened in captivity for 20 years? Join us to hear about sneaking away to monasteries, the sin of sloth, and the fascinating Onneca Fortunez in King Fortún of Pamplona's episode! Recommendations Music League The Final Girl Support Group, by Grady Hendrix Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org 

García took the helm during the last few years of Iñigo's life, but in 851 he became king of Pamplona. Join us for shifting alliances, Viking hostages, and the beginning of uncle-niece marriages in García Iñiguez's episode! Recommendations Daiquiri recipe Sprinto Bot on Discord Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org 

Humfrid is out and Bernard is in! Or maybe it's Bernard... or perhaps the other Bernard? Join us for the slow rolling disaster that is the ending of the Carolingian dynasty, complete with a council of Bernards in Count Bernard of Gothia's episode! Recommendations Squishy fidgets Murderbot on Apple TV+ Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org 

Second time's the charm? Charles the Bald attempts to put another Eastern noble into the countyship of Barcelona with Humfrid. Come hear about allies, a bizarre heel turn, and... Zurich? in Count Humfrid of Barcelona's episode!   Recommendations Monkey47 gin "Food for Thought", by Alton Brown Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org 

We're back with a new Count of Barcelona: Odalric! Come hear about the new manager at the Applebee's, lots of letters, and a bad toupee with Odalric!   Recommendations Monkey47 gin "Food for Thought", by Alton Brown Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org 

It's our first Basque king: Iñigo Arista! Come hear about monasteries, half-brothers, and a dude called García the Bad as we rate and review King Iñigo Arista.   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org  Recommendations The Drops app Joe Abercrombie's The First Law trilogy

It's time to learn about the Basques - who are they, where did they come from, and how will they shape the development of Modern Spain? Come hear about an engraved hand, the interaction between highland and lowland, and the rise of Iñigo Arista in our introduction to the Basques!   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org 

Bernard of Septimania is no more, and so in 844 Sunifred takes over the countyship of Barcelona! Come hear about intrigue, feudalism, and the return of the Room of Knives and Poison in Count Sunifred I's episode! Note: there are no recommendations this week because I thought this episode was going to be shorter than it ended up being.   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org 

After Rampó is removed as Count of Barcelona, Louis the Pious installs Bernard of Septimania. Come hear about instruction manuals for a 4-year-old, being bad at court politics, and the luckiest guy alive when we review Count Bernard!   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org  Recommendations Hartwall Long Drink The Botanist Gin

Let's catch up with the Spanish Marches and see how the new Count of Barcelona is getting on: it's Rampó! Come hear about monasteries, a battle that got swept under the rug, and... well, not much else. (Note: our next episode will be released on Thursday).   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org 

Psst, new kingdom just dropped! Welcome to the Spanish Marches, where you'll hear about sieges, peace treaties, and a trial by combat in the first count of Barcelona's episode: it's Count Bera!   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org    Recommendations Lucky Hank, on AMC Babel, by R. F. Kuang

Back to the south we go, where Muhammed is now emir! Come learn about the perils of suggestion boxes, the joys of accounting, and the okayest of kings in Muhammed I's episode!   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org  Recommendations The Irishman (audiobook version) Firefox browser with language translation

Back to the south we go with King Abd al-Rahman II! Come hear about a naval fleet, more children than you can shake a stick at, and the sad lack of Viking cheesemakers in Seville in his episode!   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org  Recommendations Tarte Tatin and Poire Williams The Scholomance Series, by Naomi Novik

The succession carries on mostly peacefully in the south, with Al Hakam I taking over from his father Hisham I. Come hear about vampire rules, eye twitches, and the many layers of King Al Hakam I in his episode!   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org    Recommendations The Good Lord Bird, by James McBride The Murderbot Diaries, by Martha Wells

After the chaos of the Asturians, we return to the south where Al-Andalus has an orderly succession to Hisham I. Come hear about rainy mosque attendance, personal piety, and literally moving the earth in our second emir episode: King Hisham I!   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org    Recommendations Dorfromantik Poker Face

New Year, New Emirate! Welcome to Abd al-Rahman I's episode, where we learn how many hero narratives can fit into one man's life, the Franks show up again, and Peter finally gets his mosque. It's King Abd al-Rahman I!   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org    Recommendations Las Crónicas del Taco, on Netflix Welcome to Chippendales, on Hulu

The Emperor of Spain is here! Teenage Alfonso takes the throne after the death of his father, Ordoño I. How will he fare? Join us for building, alliances, a scheming rebel named "the Galician", and Peter getting very disappointed with the succession in King Alfonso III's episode! Recommendations Google Translate with the camera feature Kyle Kinane's standup Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org 

Ramiro has died after a short reign, and his son Ordoño has taken the throne! Come hear about the downfall of Musa ibn Musa, a surfeit of something tasty, and God's perfect C student in Ordoño I's episode!   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org  Recommendations Baldur's Gate 3 (but this time talk to animals) If Books Could Kill

Back to the North with Ramiro I! He's the son of the guy who forgot he was a deacon, and he is willing to fight for his throne. Come hear about taking the weapons for a walk through the woods, Vikings, and a disturbing penchant for poking people's eyes out in this episode on King Ramiro I!   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org  Recommendations Baldur's Gate 3 Wordle Global

Baby Alfonso is finally on the throne, and boy is his reign a doozy! Come hear about the creation of the Camino de Santiago, lots of Scrabble games, and Peter not knowing where the Pacific Ocean is in King Alfonso II's episode!   Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org    Recommendations The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 A Perfect Manhattan