Saving History

Saving Castles

Journey through medieval Europe's most extraordinary stories, from legendary knights and epic battles to royal scandals and forgotten heroes. Explore Crusades, Viking raids, castle sieges, Norman conquests, and the Black Death. Discover Charlemagne, Richard the Lionheart, Crusades, and medieval kings and queens who shaped history. Host Monte Schumacher, medieval historian and castle restoration expert, brings 1,000 years of European history to life with expert analysis. New episodes monthly. Where medieval Europe's greatest stories come alive.

  1. 2025-11-19

    Medieval Christmas Battles: When Peace and War Collided | Ep. 93

    December 25th, 1066: William the Conqueror's coronation erupted in chaos as Norman soldiers set fire to London, thinking their duke was being assassinated. Merry Christmas. Medieval Christmas wasn't about peace on earth. It was about power, strategy, and violence barely contained by sacred tradition. Discover why Christmas was the most dangerous time of the medieval year. Discover Medieval Christmas Warfare: How the Church's Truce of God tried and failed to stop Christmas warfareWhy kings chose Christmas Day for coronations and siegesWhen Christmas became the perfect time for assassinationHow William the Conqueror's Christmas coronation sparked riotsWhy Count Joselin lost Edessa by leaving for Christmas celebrationWhat happened when Puritans banned Christmas in 1644How Christmas truces were honored and betrayed throughout medieval Europe Through the eyes of kings, knights, and soldiers, witness how Christmas became a strategic chess game where sacred peace and brutal warfare collided. From Charlemagne's imperial coronation to the murder of Thomas Becket, discover the tension between Christmas as holy day and Christmas as opportunity. Episode Duration: 60 minutes Host: Monte Schumacher - Medieval historian & castle restoration expert More Medieval Content: Website: SavingCastles.comYouTube: @SavingCastlesInstagram: @saving_castles About Saving History: Epic medieval tales revealing Europe's hidden past. 50,000+ monthly listeners. New episodes monthly. #MedievalChristmas #ChristmasHistory #MedievalWarfare #ChristmasTruce #MedievalHistory #Crusades #HistoryPodcast #SavingHistory #MedievalEurope #ChristmasBattles

    48 min
  2. The Hammer of God: Charles Martel's Battle That Saved Christian Europe | Ep.91

    2025-08-22

    The Hammer of God: Charles Martel's Battle That Saved Christian Europe | Ep.91

    The Hammer of God: Charles Martel's Battle That Saved Christian Europe ⚔️ The Battle That Determined Europe's Faith In October 732, two worlds collided on the fields near Tours. From the south came the greatest Muslim army ever assembled in Western Europe—80,000 veteran warriors who had conquered Spain and now threatened to sweep toward Rome itself. Standing in their path was Charles "The Hammer" Martel and his revolutionary Frankish infantry. 🏰 Discover How One Battle Changed Everything: How Charles Martel forged the first professional European army since RomeThe Islamic conquest that swept from Spain to threaten ParisRevolutionary infantry tactics that defeated "invincible" cavalrySeven days of tense standoff before the decisive clashAbd al-Rahman's strategic gamble to conquer Christian EuropeWhy this battle determined the religious future of an entire continent Through detailed analysis of primary sources and battlefield archaeology, witness the clash that stopped Islamic expansion into Europe and established the foundation for medieval Christendom. Charles Martel's tactical genius and strategic vision didn't just win a battle—they preserved a civilization. From the sophisticated siege of Córdoba to the development of heavy infantry formations, this episode reveals how military innovation and determined leadership can alter the course of history when everything hangs in the balance. 🎙️ About Saving History: Monte Schumacher explores medieval warfare and political strategy monthly. 50,000+ listeners. Living the château dream in France's Loire Valley. 🏰 More Medieval Content: Newsletter: SavingCastles.comYouTube: @SavingCastlesInstagram: @saving_castles Episode Duration: 33:12 minutes Host: Monte Schumacher - Medieval historian & military strategy expert

    33 min
  3. Black Plague: The Four Years That Ended the Middle Ages | Ep.89

    2025-08-13

    Black Plague: The Four Years That Ended the Middle Ages | Ep.89

    Black Plague: The Four Years That Ended the Middle Ages 🏰 The Most Pivotal Pandemic in History In October 1347, twelve plague ships limped into Sicily carrying death itself. What followed wasn't just Europe's deadliest pandemic—it was the complete transformation of medieval civilization in just four years. The Black Plague killed one-third of Europe's population and ended the Middle Ages forever. ⚔️ Discover How Four Years Changed Everything: - The Plague Ships Arrival - How Genoese traders brought death from Asia to medieval Europe - Medieval Medicine's Failure - Why castle walls and royal physicians proved utterly helpless - The Church's Crisis - How 40% of English priests died, shattering medieval Christianity - Economic Revolution - Why surviving peasants suddenly gained unprecedented wealth and power - Feudalism's Collapse - How labor shortages ended serfdom and transformed European society - Renaissance Origins - Why this catastrophe gave birth to the modern world Through the eyes of chroniclers, physicians, nobles, and peasants, witness history's great dividing line. Medieval Europe entered 1347 confident in its traditions. Four years later, it had become the foundation of our modern civilization. 🎙️ About Saving History: Join Monte Schumacher on weekly medieval adventures. 50,000+ monthly listeners. New episodes monthly. 🏰 More Medieval Content: SavingCastles.com Episode Duration: 27:15 minutes Host: Monte Schumacher - Medieval historian & castle restoration expert

    27 min

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About

Journey through medieval Europe's most extraordinary stories, from legendary knights and epic battles to royal scandals and forgotten heroes. Explore Crusades, Viking raids, castle sieges, Norman conquests, and the Black Death. Discover Charlemagne, Richard the Lionheart, Crusades, and medieval kings and queens who shaped history. Host Monte Schumacher, medieval historian and castle restoration expert, brings 1,000 years of European history to life with expert analysis. New episodes monthly. Where medieval Europe's greatest stories come alive.

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