History Profiles

Ollie

Greetings,  This is Ollie from History Profiles, I will be revealing the historical truths behind the lives of some of the most famous and powerful people in the historical world.  Subscribe to keep up to date with all my latest content. Check out all my content: inlet.fm/history-profiles

  1. 1D AGO

    Icel: The Founding King of Mercia and the Angles

    In the early medieval era, Mercia emerged as a dominant kingdom in Britain, founded by Icel, the first King of the Mercians. His lineage traced back to ancient Germanic royalty. Around 515 AD, as Roman influence waned, Icel led his people across the North Sea into a land ripe for conquest, establishing a formidable dynasty, the Iclingas. His descendants included Penda, the last great pagan king, and Offa, a powerful ruler who shaped the English economy. Despite the lack of written records from his time, Icel's legacy lives on in genealogies and the enduring power of his descendants. Music by Alexander Nakarada - CreatorChordsTrack: Celtic Music → "Grundar" by Alexander Nakarada (Royalty Free)Listen here 00:00:00: Introduction00:02:07: Ancestry00:04:24: Life00:07:15: Opinion of Historians00:09:19: Legacy and the Iclingas #Icel #Mercia #Anglo-Saxon #Iclingas #Penda #Offa #Englishhistory #MedievalBritain See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/6985bbcf17fabf32cc99396e Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    15 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Cerdic of Wessex: Father of English Kings

    In the early dawn of post-Roman Britain, Cerdic emerges from legend and history. Recognized by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as the first king of Wessex, he ruled from approximately 519 to 534 AD. His legacy links him as the ancestor of subsequent Wessex kings. However, Cerdic's origins, ethnicity, and very existence are subjects of intense debate, straddling myth and historical memory. Cerdic, in his time, was not known as a “West Saxon” king but as the leader of the Gewissae—a tribal group believed to be Germanic mercenaries settling in Britain post-Roman era. Fascinatingly, Cerdic's name might not be Germanic but Brittonic, possibly derived from Caratīcos, hinting at his potential native Briton roots, with his lineage becoming Anglicised over time. This theory is supported by the names of his descendants—Ceawlin, Cedda, and Cædwalla—reflecting a fusion of cultures. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, composed over three centuries after Cerdic's death during Alfred the Great’s reign, is influenced by time, politics, and myth-making. Still, it immortalizes Cerdic as the first king of Wessex, tracing his lineage back to Woden, the chief god of the Germanic pantheon. Whether Cerdic was a man, myth, or something in between, he remains a pivotal figure in England's formation, where legends melded with kingship. 00:00: Introduction02:09: Cerdic in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle04:57: Opinions of Historians08:14: Legacy #Cerdic #Wessex #Anglo-SaxonChronicle #Englishkings #Gewissae #Cerdic'sancestry #mythandhistory #Brittonicorigins #Woden #Anglo-Saxonhistory See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/6982b670000ba87757641613 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    15 min

  3. JAN 31

    The Legendary Ragnarssons: Sons of Ragnar Explored

    Explore the legendary tales of Ragnar Lothbrok's five famous sons. Delve into riveting stories of Ivar the Boneless, Halfdan Ragnarsson, Ubba Ragnarsson, Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, and Björn Ironside. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction - Ragnar Lothbrok 02:26 Ivar the Boneless - The Cursed Heathen 19:12 Halfdan Ragnarsson - The First Viking King of Northumbria 33:58 Ubba Ragnarsson - Legendary Viking War Lord 42:56 Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye - The Mythical Ancestor of Kings 52:58 Björn Ironside - The Warrior Champion Music by Alexander Nakarada - CreatorChordsTrack: Celtic Music → "Grundar" by Alexander Nakarada (Royalty Free)Listen here Sources: The Gesta Danorum The Saga of Ragnar Lodrok and his Sons Annals of Ireland Annals of Ulster Vulsunga saga The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle 00:00:00: Introduction - Ragnar Lothbrok00:02:26: Ivar the Boneless - The Cursed Heathen00:19:12: Halfdan Ragnarsson - The First Viking King of Northumbria00:33:58: Ubba Ragnarsson - Legendary Viking War Lord00:42:56: Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye - The Mythical Ancestor of Kings00:52:58: Björn Ironside - The Warrior Champion #RagnarLothbrok #IvartheBoneless #HalfdanRagnarsson #UbbaRagnarsson #SigurdSnake-in-the-Eye #BjörnIronside #Viking #Vikinghistory #Norsemythology #Vikinglegends See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/697d707ca0b588c7d4f588d2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 3m

  4. JAN 27

    Exploring Viking Funerals: Rituals of Power and Transformation

    Across the cold lands of the Viking Age, funerals were more than farewells; they were rituals of power and transformation. These traditions are revealed through Old Norse poetry, Icelandic sagas, and astonished travelers from the Muslim world, who watched these events in disbelief. A warrior's resting place was dictated by their status. Farmers returned to the soil, while chieftains and heroes required grander send-offs. Status influenced death as it did life, yet beneath the Norsemen's iron pride lay a deeper dread of what awaited beyond. Funerals intertwined theater and terror. Sacrifices were staged, woven into narratives where the dead played their final roles. These rites extended for days, characterized by feasting, drinking, and rituals that blurred the line between worlds; drums, chants, and songs echoed beneath the sky. Central to these rites were fire and ships—cremation liberated the spirit, while ship burials carried the dead to eternity. Each rite declared death not as an end, but a passage into legend. Burial mounds became lasting testaments to a chieftain's life, enshrining their deeds and memory. Join us as we delve into Norse funeral practices, exploring their rituals, beliefs, and fears, and discover why, to the Vikings, death and burial held as much significance as life. 00:00: Introduction02:34: Burial Mounds or Barrows05:33: Ship Burials09:19: Ibn Fadlan's account of A Varangian Funeral20:24: Legacy #Vikingfunerals #Norserituals #OldNorsepoetry #Icelandicsagas #VikingAge #shipburials #cremation #burialmounds See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/6978fd4f7e9685ce71cd9f28 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    25 min

  5. JAN 22

    Rediscovering the Lost Deities of Anglo-Saxon England

    Before Christianity's arrival, England thrived with gods, spirits, and ancient rituals. The Anglo-Saxons, who settled between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, practiced a rich tapestry of beliefs now known as Anglo-Saxon paganism—a Germanic faith shared across northwestern Europe. This religion originated from northern Europe's Iron Age traditions and reached Britain with the Anglo-Saxon migrations in the mid-5th century. For centuries, it influenced daily life, from seasonal cycles to kingly authority. As Christianity spread in the 7th and 8th centuries, remnants of the old faith lingered, merging into folklore and memory. We learn about these ancient practices mainly from Christian chroniclers like Bede and Aldhelm, who documented a world their faith aimed to replace. Temples and altars were destroyed, sacred groves vanished, and rituals stopped. Yet, the old beliefs left enduring marks: in the days of the week, named after gods like Woden and Thunor; in royal genealogies linking kings to divine ancestors; and in archaeological treasures like Sutton Hoo, where a helmet with dancing warriors reflects the spiritual imagination of a people who revered both natural and supernatural realms. Join us on a journey to uncover what remains of this once-dominant religion in England: its gods, sacred traditions, and magical rituals that guided life, death, and the invisible forces surrounding them. 00:00 Introduction02:11 Woden (God of Wisdom)04:31 Týr (God of War, Law & the Sky)06:38 Thunor (God of Thunder)08:31 Frīg (Goddess of Marriage, Childbirth & prophecy)10:30 Ing (God of Fertility)12:52 Ēostre (Goddess of Spring & Renewal)14:40 Siġel and Mōna (The Solar and Lunar Deities)16:34 Seaxnēat (The Warrior God of the Saxons)17:53 Shamanism, magic, and witchcraft21:07 Legacy Music by Alexander Nakarada: Grundar (Royalty Free) 00:00: Introduction02:11: Woden (God of Wisdom)04:31: Týr (God of War, Law & the Sky)06:38: Thunor (God of Thunder)08:31: Frīg (Goddess of Marriage, Childbirth & prophecy)10:30: Ing (God of Fertility)12:52: Ēostre (Goddess of Spring & Renewal)14:40: Siġel and Mōna (The Solar and Lunar Deities)16:34: Seaxnēat (The Warrior God of the Saxons)17:53: Shamanism, magic, and witchcraft21:07: Legacy #anglo-saxon #paganism #gods #woden #thunor #frīg #ing #Ēostre #Seaxnēat #shamanism #magic #witchcraft #archaeology #folklore #Christianity See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/697192d86f54d6b81f81bf87 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    26 min

  6. JAN 15

    The Legendary Winged Hussars: Europe's Elite Cavalry

    The Winged Hussars were an elite heavy cavalry unit serving Poland and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1503 to 1702. Their name derives from the impressive feathered wings on their backs, designed to instill fear and confusion in enemies during charges. Renowned for their effectiveness, they often defeated forces much larger than their own. For generations, these elite warriors marked their prominence in Polish cavalry, earning the nickname “angels of death” on the battlefield. They played pivotal roles in many of Europe’s iconic battles. After their military service ended, the hussars transitioned to ceremonial duties, concluding a remarkable military era. Music: "VOICE OF PRAYER" by Noel Malekar Watch the video here. 00:00:00: Introduction00:01:20: Origins00:03:12: Armour & Weapons00:05:52: Battle of Kircholm (1605)00:09:32: Battle of Klushino (1610)00:13:39: Battle of Khotyn (1673)00:15:41: Battle of Vienna (1683)00:18:24: Battle of Kliszów (1702)00:21:00: End of an Era & Legacy #WingedHussars #Polishhistory #elitecavalry #angelsofdeath #cavalrycharge #BattleofKircholm #BattleofKlushino #BattleofKhotyn #BattleofVienna #BattleofKliszów #militaryhistory See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/69692b498f887fa6fca82f98 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    24 min

  7. JAN 9

    Niklot: Defender of Paganism Against Crusaders

    Niklot, the steadfast prince of the Obotrites, stood firm as Europe's pagan era faded. As the mid-12th century ushered in forced baptisms and surrender, Niklot chose defiance. Leading the Wendish lands along the Baltic frontier, he faced relentless forces: Saxon lords, Danish kings, and the Wendish Crusade's holy banners cloaking conquest in salvation's guise. Niklot, unyielding and independent, defended sacred groves and ancient customs, fighting for memory, identity, and belief. While others converted for power, Niklot waged war not for glory, but for his people's right to exist on their terms. He was ultimately ambushed, his lance failing against knights, leading to his demise. Centuries later, Niklot is remembered as the last great pagan defender of the western Slavs, a symbol of resistance against overwhelming odds. Though his enemies claimed the land, his legacy endures, a testament to those who stood against Europe's tumultuous conversion. 00:00 Introduction 01:48 Background & Rise to Power 04:17 The Wendish Crusade (1147) 09:07 Death In Battle 12:19 Legacy Music by Alexander Nakarada - CreatorChords Track: Celtic Music → "Grundar" by Alexander Nakarada (Royalty Free) Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZjpLQYAnr8 Music: "VOICE OF PRAYER" by "Noel Malekar" Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSpEjSoiZ6c 00:00: Introduction01:48: Background & Rise to Power04:17: The Wendish Crusade (1147)09:07: Death In Battle12:19: Legacy #Niklot #Obotrites #pagan #WendishCrusade #Europeanhistory #Slavs #medievalhistory #resistance #Balticfrontier See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/696188771e976ebf9099a685 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    18 min

  8. JAN 6

    Achilles: Mythology's Supreme Warrior

    In the rich tapestry of ancient Greek mythology, Achilles shines as a symbol of unparalleled martial skill and divine anger. Before his legendary birth, the cosmos danced as Zeus and Poseidon competed for Thetis, a water goddess, in marriage. Themis, the goddess of law, shared a prophecy that Thetis would have a son whose glory would outshine his father. Understanding the prophecy, Zeus and Poseidon stepped back from pursuing Thetis. Fate led to Thetis marrying Peleus, King of the Myrmidons, resulting in the birth of Achilles, both mortal and divine. Chapters: 00:00 Achilles: The Unyielding Fury01:27 The Chosen One04:02 The Trojan War Beckons05:38 The Wrath of Achilles09:11 Prince Hector, Champion of Troy14:10 Achilles Duels the Demi-God Memnon17:42 The Tragic Turn19:00 Legacy Music credit to: Savfk - MusicLink 00:00: Achilles: The Unyielding Fury01:27: The Chosen One04:02: The Trojan War Beckons05:38: The Wrath of Achilles09:11: Prince Hector, Champion of Troy14:10: Achilles Duels the Demi-God Memnon17:42: The Tragic Turn19:00: Legacy #Achilles #Greekmythology #warrior #TrojanWar #Thetis #Zeus #Poseidon #Hector #Myrmidons #Memnon #Iliad See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/695d4dcf15a8fdb9afd72fac Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    23 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Greetings,  This is Ollie from History Profiles, I will be revealing the historical truths behind the lives of some of the most famous and powerful people in the historical world.  Subscribe to keep up to date with all my latest content. Check out all my content: inlet.fm/history-profiles

Information

  • Creator
    Ollie
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    287

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