This episode is all about culture. How did cultural products play into the political game in the Frankish kingdoms? How did they affect the upper classes? What kind of works are we even talking about? In a place where politics is so dangerous e...

This episode is all about the aftermath of Chlothar's victory and consolidation of the Frankish kingdoms. There was once again a single Merovingian in charge, and we will explore how he sought to establish his authority and how the elites of th...

This episode we finally reach the end of Brunhild's story. She's been a major player in Merovingian politics for decades, but here her story ends as we enter a new period of Merovingian history.

This episode will see the final phase of the conflict between the brother kings, Theudebert II of Austrasia and Theuderic II of Burgundy. Only one can be victorious. Who will come out on top? What will be the consequences for the Frankish kingd...

This episode is about a conflict between Queen Brunhild and the popular holy man Columbanus. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this power hungry queen and strict Irish monk didn't get along and they fought to pull King Theuderic in different directions.

In this episode we're going to talk about a failed marriage, jealous queens, angry kings, and an international coalition. Plus some Late Antique ethnicities, just for fun.

This episode focusses on discussions of ethnicity and their reality in the Merovingian period. Using Fredegar's discussion of the Frankish Bertoald and the Roman Protadius we'll look at pre-modern concepts of race and how they were used in Mero...

This episode is about the conflicts between Chlothar II, king of Neustria, Theudebert II, king of Austrasia, and Theuderic II, king of Burgundy. All three were young, ambitious, and desperately wanted to be the one to unite the Frankish realm.

This episode is about Brunhild and her second fall from grace. The conflict between her and the Austrasian court will spark a new period in her life, one that is darker and more controversial.

This episode we dive into Fredegar's work, looking at a few examples from early in his chronicle to compare his style to Gregory's and get a sense of what to expect moving forward.

This episode is all about Brunhild. One of the most controversial figures, in a period with nothing but controversial figures, we'll take a look at her governing style, some of the attacks against her, and some of her worst actions.

This episode, like the title suggests, is about the death of two Merovingian kings. Specifically Guntram and Childebert II, both very significant rulers. We'll discuss the legacy of Guntram and then delve into what Childebert got up to before h...

Special episode this week, as we celebrate ten thousand downloads! This episode I work my way through the Merovingian family tree and share my hot takes on each of the figures, both ones we've already met and those we've yet to meet.

In this episode we discuss the transition from Gregory to Fredegar, as well as some of the controversies and issues with Fredegar's work. Plus we'll meet some of the academics whose work will be important moving forward.

This episode we bid a fond farewell to our friend Gregory, whose histories finally stop around 590-591. We discuss aspects of his life and work and how he would probably like to be remembered. Goodbye Gregory, you've been a fascinating companio...

This episode is all about faith, power and revelations. As Christianity moved through it's rebellious youth phase the church tried to clamp down on and control the fervour of its many fresh converts. The faith was still fairly fresh outside of ...

This episode is all about justice, in all its forms from differing perspectives. Justice will come for noble rebels, for Guntram against his enemies in Neustria, and even Fredegund will dip her toe into the waters of justice. It'll be in intere...

This episode is all about the trial of Egidius, bishop of Rheims. Egidius was one of the last major figures left that had opposed Brunhild and held influence during Childebert's minority. In this episode we'll see how he tries to defend his act...

In this episode we cover a rollercoaster of a military campaign, a concerted effort by our major source to keep tarnishing a queen's reputation and the final end of the revolt of Saint Radegund's Convent of the Holy Cross. Ambition and brutalit...

This episode is mostly about things going wrong. Diplomacy, war, keeping the peace, the Merovingians prove that they're not necessarily on top of things and their systems are more than a little flawed.

This episode is all about the revolt in the nunnery of Saint Radegund. With the influential queen gone how will her followers handle her complicated and provocatively legacy? Spoiler alert, poorly.

This week we cover the Conspiracy of Septimima, a curious case of intrigue, propaganda and murky details. We'll discuss the factors and context that muddy the waters around the conspiracy, and ask how much is fact and how much is fiction.

This episode is a collection of three stories that Gregory of Tours tells in his Histories. They cover a broad range of topics like war, domestic politics, religious radicalism, female empowerment and murder. Classic stuff from the Merovingians...

This week its all about tax and the economy, as we discuss the changes from the late Roman Empire into its successor kingdoms in the west. And, of course, Gregory will have some stories to demonstrate the changes through his eyes.

This episode is all about marriage, specifically political marriages in the Merovingian era. The Merovingians had a mixed track record with political marriages, and while they were important tools for diplomacy they also came with risks.