History Profiles

• Hereward the Wake: The Last English Rebel

  As William the Conqueror heralded Norman rule in England, another figure navigated the misty fenlands with different ambitions. Hereward the Wake, an Anglo-Saxon nobleman, resisted the conqueror to avenge his murdered family. Leading a guerrilla group of warriors and deemed an outlaw by the Normans, Hereward became a symbol of native resistance. Despite his fame, he remains an enigmatic figure. What do we truly know about this rebel who defied William and his armies? Reliable information is limited, primarily preserved in the Peterborough Chronicle and the Gesta Herewardi. The latter, an early twelfth-century Latin translation of a lost Old English account, was reportedly written by Leofric, a priest in Hereward’s household. By the time it was copied, the original was already damaged, with missing sections reconstructed from oral tradition. What survives is a mix of memory, storytelling, and history. The origin of his epithet, “the Wake,” is uncertain. Some trace it to an Old English word meaning “watchful,” while others argue it was later invented by an Anglo-Norman family claiming descent from him. By the fourteenth century, he is clearly recorded as “Hereward the Wake,” although he has also been remembered as “the Outlaw” and “the Exile.” Over time, parts of his story may have intertwined with or inspired elements of the Robin Hood tradition. Yet, regardless of legend, Hereward remains in the English imagination as a champion against Norman tyranny—sometimes hailed as “the last Englishman.” Music by Alexander Nakarada - CreatorChordsTrack: Celtic Music → "Grundar" by Alexander Nakarada (Royalty Free) 00:00:00: Introduction00:02:08: Ancestry & Early Life00:03:09: Exile00:07:41: Return to England & Rebellion00:18:09: Legacy & Historicity #HerewardtheWake #NormanConquest #Anglo-Saxon #medievalEngland #WilliamtheConqueror #rebellion #Englishhistory #guerrillawarfare #RobinHoodlegend #historicalfigures See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/692c8627fbde30bad7301571 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Nakano Takeko: The Courageous Last Female Samurai

  In the final days of Japan's samurai era, Nakano Takeko emerged as a beacon of bravery amidst the Boshin War (1868–1869). As a warrior from the Aizu Domain, she stood firm against the rise of Emperor Meiji's forces. Nakano embodied the enduring spirit of the samurai, even as the era was nearing its end. Leading the Jōshitai, or 'Women's Brigade,' Nakano fought fiercely with her naginata, a traditional weapon of Japan's women warriors. Although not formally recognized by the Aizu army, these women bravely defended their land and honor. During the Battle of Aizu, Nakano's valor left a lasting impression on both sides of the conflict. Tragically, Nakano was mortally wounded by a bullet. In her final act of samurai honor, she asked her sister to behead her to prevent her enemy from claiming her head, ensuring her spirit rested peacefully beneath the trees of Aizu. Her legacy as one of the last female samurai lives on, emblematic of fearless loyalty to the samurai code. 00:00:00: Introduction00:02:54: Early Life00:04:35: The Boshin War00:07:55: Battle of Aizu & Death00:11:45: Legacy #NakanoTakeko #femalesamurai #BoshinWar #AizuDomain #Jōshitai #Japanesehistory #samuraicode See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/6921fa2a28e4af852752fadd Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Legendary Samurai: Heroes of Japan's History

  Explore the stories of Japan's legendary samurai, starting with Taira no Masakado, a descendant of Emperor Kanmu. Known as the first samurai, Masakado defied the central government and became a demigod in local folklore, recognized among the “Three Great Onryō of Japan.” Honda Tadakatsu, a formidable samurai and general, served Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Sengoku and Edo periods. Renowned for his invincibility, Tadakatsu never sustained an injury despite his participation in 57 military campaigns. Dive into the life of Miyamoto Musashi, an undefeated swordsman, strategist, and artist. Famous for his double-bladed technique, Musashi founded the Niten Ichi-ryū swordsmanship style and authored the influential works, The Book of Five Rings and Dokkōdō. 00:00:00: Taira no Masakado (900 - 940)00:42:16: Honda Tadakatsu (1548 - 1610)01:14:33: Miyamoto Musashi (1584 - 1645) #samurai #TairanoMasakado #HondaTadakatsu #MiyamotoMusashi #Japanesehistory #swordsmanship #TokugawaIeyasu #NitenIchi-ryū See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/6918bfa49634c1e2f66a2c67 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Unveiling the Real Robin Hood: Myth or Reality?

  From the moment his name was first uttered, Robin Hood captured imaginations as the outlaw who defied authority to champion the poor. But was Robin Hood an actual person—a master archer in the flesh—or merely a legendary figure crafted through generations of storytelling? Numerous theories have aimed to reveal his true identity, yet no definitive proof has emerged to confirm the man behind the legend. What remain are five ancient ballads that shape our understanding of England's most iconic outlaw: Robin Hood and the Monk, Robin Hood and the Potter, Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne, Robin Hoode his Death, and A Geste of Robyn Hoode. In this episode, we examine these primary sources to trace the origins of the legend. What do they reveal about Robin's life, his loyal allies, and his battle against tyranny? And we contemplate a question that has captivated historians for ages: Was Robin Hood a real person—or simply the ideal hero for a world that yearned for one? Embark on a journey into the depths of Sherwood Forest to unravel the truth behind the Robin Hood legend. Music by Alexander Nakarada - CreatorChords Track: Celtic Music → "Grundar" by Alexander Nakarada (Royalty Free)Link 00:00:00: Introduction00:01:27: Robin Hood and the Monk (1450)00:03:44: A Geste of Robyn Hode (1470–1500)00:06:12: Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne (1475)00:09:58: Robin Hood and the Potter (1503)00:12:34: Robin Hood his Death (1600s)00:15:04: Conclusion #RobinHood #outlaw #legend #historicalfigure #SherwoodForest #ballads #medieval #folklore #myth #England See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/69122837da4e169acabd086f Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Björn Ironside: The Legendary Viking Raider

  Björn Ironside, a legendary Norse chieftain and king of Sweden, was renowned for his warrior spirit and as the son of famed Viking hero Ragnar Lothbrok. His exploits in England, West Francia, and the Mediterranean are well-documented in history. Björn's legacy is chronicled in medieval sources like the Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok, The Tale of Ragnar’s Sons, Gesta Danorum, Hervarar Saga, and Gesta Normannorum Ducum. Though semi-legendary, his memory lingers in saga, song, and stone. Björn's barrow, a great burial mound in Uppland, Sweden, once marked by a runestone, connects us to Viking kings and mythical heroes. Join us as we explore ancient sources recounting Björn Ironside's life, delve into the origins of his fearsome name, and trace his legendary exploits. We maintain the individuality of each account, honoring the unique narratives. 00:00 Introduction01:33 The Gesta Danorum04:16 The Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok & his Sons05:37 The Chronicon Fontanellense06:55 The Annals of Bertinius07:45 Gesta Normannorum Ducum17:47 Fornaldarsögur Norðurlanda32:32 Hervarar saga33:46 Burial Mound of Björn Ironside Music by Alexander Nakarada - CreatorChordsTrack: Celtic Music → "Grundar" by Alexander Nakarada (Royalty Free)Link 00:00:00: Introduction00:01:33: The Gesta Danorum00:04:16: The Saga of Ragnar Lodbrok & his Sons00:05:37: The Chronicon Fontanellense00:06:55: The Annals of Bertinius00:07:45: Gesta Normannorum Ducum00:17:47: Fornaldarsögur Norðurlanda00:32:32: Hervarar saga00:33:46: Burial Mound of Björn Ironside #BjörnIronside #Vikinghistory #Norsechieftain #RagnarLothbrok #medievalsources #Vikingraids #Swedishhistory #GestaDanorum #HervararSaga #Vikinglegends See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/6908edf5e285dac3cced1dea Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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