The Vikings terrorised coastal Europe in their longboats, plundering and killing as they went. Some of them were offered a deal: they could accept land and settle in France, in exchange for defending the area from other raiders. These Vikings became known as Normans, and while the name changed, the game remained the same. They begin arriving in Italy, and soon become the most coveted military muscle for hire. The Pope himself becomes their hostage and the daughter of a Norman almost becomes the Byzantine Empress. This is a tale of the high Middle Ages, full of pilgrims and pillagers, popes, kings, battles and emperors.
Key Terms: Robert Guiscard, Sichelgaita, Leo IX, Battle of Civitate, Lombards
You can find more details about the making of this episode, including sources, on my Patreon page: patreon.com/evaschubert
You can also listen to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you stream audio.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1M358EVcid9x6WilD7HNjV
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/villains-and-virgins-history-podcast/id1517874816
Libsyn: https://villainsandvirgins.libsyn.com/the-peasants-war-part-1-before-the-bloodbath