Anglo-Saxon England

After Osred's death in 716, Northumbria entered a period of political upheaval which eventually saw the emergence of a new dynasty to claim the throne. This family, descendants of Leodwald, quickly achieved prominence during a period of peaceful foreign relations and cultural dynamism. But just as quickly as they rose, equally quickly they fell back into the bloody feuding which typified Northumbrian politics at this time and thus brought to an end the first brief interlude of peace in Northumbria's gradual decline. Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdeninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8Ddening Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we look at fallout of Nechtansmere and the end of Athelfrithing domination of Northumbrian politics. Ironically, this coincided with one of the more famous kings of the dynasty, famed for his wisdom and piety. But wisdom and piety cannot save a crumbling powerbase or end subjugation to external powers. Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdeninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8Ddening Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the life and intellectual world of the influential Anglo-Saxon scholar Bede, who laid the foundation for English scholarship. Explore his quiet yet productive life, his works that established Anglo-Saxons on a global stage, and the impact of his writings on theology and scholarship.

This week we step back from royal politics to look at some of the main saints to emerge from Northumbria in the 7th C. We also look at how the distinctive culture that these people fostered set the scene of the flourishing of intellectual activity that would become known as the Northumbrian Golden Age. Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdeninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8Ddening Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following the death of Oswald, Northumbria was reduced to a fragmented vassal of Mercia. But that was changed under the leadership of Oswald's brother, Oswiu. Oswiu reunited Northumbria and led it to a new period of power and hegemony... that all came crashing down very quickly and left the king reeling. Under him and his son, Ecgfrith, Northumbria's decline began; not because they were weak kings, quite the opposite, but because in the personality driven world of Anglo-Saxon politics, eventually even a strong king will be overwhelmed by events and glory forever slip from his grasp. Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdeninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8Ddening Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the death of Edwin, Northumbria was thrown into chaos by the ravages of Cadwallon who swiftly deposed the kings who rose to replace him. But, in 633, a young Northumbrian noble returned from exile in western Scotland and defeated the rampaging Welsh king. He soon established himself as a new overlord of the Northumbrians and exerted great political and religious power across Britain. He was Oswald, the first great saint-king of Anglo-Saxon England. Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdeninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8Ddening Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet King Edwin of Northumbria, the first Christian king who shaped Anglo-Saxon England. Explore his rise to power, conquests, legacy of justice, and conversion to Christianity. Learn about the historical complexities and power struggles of Northumbria, as well as the spread of Christianity in the region under Edwin's reign.

Explore the pivotal moment in Anglo-Saxon history with the conversion of England in 597. Discover Pope Gregory's influence on evangelizing England, the conflict between British bishops and Augustine, and the challenges of early Christian conversion. Dive into religious conversions in Kent and Essex, setting the stage for intriguing political and religious complexities.

Exploring the foundations of Anglo-Saxon kingship, princely burials in the 6th century, lavish Sutton Hoo burial with military regalia, emergence of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, evolution of rulership and centralization, multiple law codes by kings, role of charters in defining land ownership and kingship, development of land rights and royal monopoly on charter production by Mercian kings

This week we take a dive into the mysterious and often complicated world of Anglo-Saxon paganism. We discuss what we mean by 'paganism' today and look at the ways people have attempted to reconstruct the beliefs of the pre-Christian Anglo-Saxons. The results may be unexpected, but they are guaranteed to be interesting.  Music: 'Wælheall' by Hrōðmund Wōdeninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQfdqIyqJ4g&list=LL&index=5&ab_channel=Hr%C5%8D%C3%B0mundW%C5%8Ddening Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices