Episodes
Oct. 3, 2023
Quick annoucement - demolition work in progress
Just a few seconds to let you knwo that we are almost ready to get back on track, but we need for the surroundings to go back so some minimal for of tranquility
Sept. 12, 2023
160 - Federico Da Montefeltro and bits getting cut off
We linger yet another episode in the Middle Ages to take a look at the Duchy of Urbino and in particular the "condottiero" Federico da Montefeltro, he of th eodd shped nose. There is also a murder mystery surrounding the deat...
July 26, 2023
Summer announcement - listen even if you haven't cought up
Just a quick annoucement to update on goings on in the AHoI family life as well as plans for the near future
June 13, 2023
159 - Life, death and sex in the middle ages
We take a look at what life was like in the middle ages for the average Giuseppe and Lucrezia, from birth to death, sickness, medicine, work, free time, travel and sex and all the naughtiness connected to it.
May 23, 2023
158 - The Este of Ferrara
We take a look at a brief summary of one of the oldest dynasties in Europe, the House of Este who are the ancestors also of the House of Windsor rulers of the United Kingdom. In particular we look at the Italian branch, from ...
May 9, 2023
Interview: Artemisia Gentileschi with Lori from "Her Half of History"
We were lucky enough for Lori from the Her Half of History podcast to come and talk about the 17th century female Roman artist Artemisia Gentileschi . She overcame great trauma and injustice at a young age to become one of th...
April 25, 2023
25th April - Liberation
On the 78th anniversary of Italy's liberation from Nazism and Fascism, we publish a repeat from 2020 on family memories and the importance of this day.
April 12, 2023
157 - Venice out of the middle ages and into uncertainty (1454 - 1492)
After the peace of Lodi, the relative stability on the peninsula allows Venice to concentrate on the Ottomans again and the inevitable first war breaks out in 1463 . Before that, we see one of the few doge's to actually be de...
March 28, 2023
156 - Venice tangles with the Turks and messes with Milan (1416 - 1454)
Venice, after trying to avoid it, goes to war with the Turks and at the Battle of Gallipoli a spectacular victory is won... but by who? Then, we see how Venice used an ex ,mercenary captain of Milan against his old employers,...
March 14, 2023
155 - Venice has trouble with the neighbours (1400 - 1416)
We come round to Venice to see how they were doing at the start of the 15th century , dealing with neighbours such as the duchy of Milan under Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Padua under the Da Carrara and the formidable Sigismund ki...
Feb. 28, 2023
154 Trentino Alto Adige (up to 1509)
Since we have never been there in the podcast, we take some time to go back and give a very general overview of the northern Italian region of Trentino Alto Adige, perched up north between the duchy of Milan and the Republic ...
Feb. 14, 2023
153 - The assassination of Galeazzo Maria and the Moore takes control (1468 - 1494)
Duke of Milan Galeazzo Maria Sforza continues with his expensive naughty ways until he is assassinated in 1476. His son Gian Galeazzo becomes duke under the regency of his mother, Bona of Savoy, until his uncle Ludovico, know...
Jan. 31, 2023
152 - Duke Francesco Sforza and his sex-crazed son (1450 - 1568)
Shortly after becoming duke, Francesco Sforza has to deal with a war against Venice, but then the peace of Lodi and the Italic league allow him some time to consolidate his power and start building projects in Milan, as well ...
Jan. 17, 2023
151 - Milan from Visconti to Sforza (1447 - 1450)
After the death of Duke Filippo Maria Visconti of Milan, a succession crisis has everyone in on the game and Venice gobbling up cities. In the end, will Bianca Maria Visconti and her husband, Francesco Sforza , manage to stak...
Jan. 10, 2023
5th anniversary
On 3rd January we celebrated the 5th anniversary of the "A History of Italy" podcast. In this special episode we will talk about: How the podcast is doing and where it's going The Italian 2022 elections and Meloni government ...
Dec. 20, 2022
150 - Decline of the Savoy and the Holy Shroud of Turin (1451 - 1490)
We go back to the north west to visit with Piedmont and the house of Savoy to take them out of the 15th century as they go through a period of decline with the rising power of France threatening their independence. It is in t...
Dec. 13, 2022
149 The Genoa of Columbus (1442 - 1492)
We close out the 15th century for Genoa with things not looking too great thanks to the advancing Ottomans in the Eastern Mediterranean and in parallel follow the life of one of Genoa's most famous sons, Christopher Columbus ...
Dec. 6, 2022
148 - Peak and twilight of the Magnificent (1478 - 1492)
After the failed Pazzi conspiracy and its bloody vengeful aftermath, Lorenzo has to face war against pope Sixtus IV AND Naples AND Urbino. As if that wasn't enough also plague and more plots. Then, would you believe it, anoth...
Nov. 15, 2022
147 - The conpiracy of the crazies (1476 - 1478)
Things heat up as the animosity between the Medici and pope Sixtus IV leads to one of the most infamous conspiracies in history: the Pazzi conspiracy, set up to kill Giuliano and Lorenzo De Medici and overthrow the Signoria, ...
Nov. 8, 2022
Interview with Philippa Gregory on Maria Beatrice D'Este
We got the chance to talk to bestselling author, Philippa Gregory, about one of the characters of her new book, Dawnlands,Maria Beatrice D'Este, a real historical figure as well as a character, daughter of Duke Alfonso IV of...
Oct. 31, 2022
Halloween special: Azzurrina, the ghost of Montebello
We imagine the story behind the ghost of Montebello Castle, supposedly that of Gwendalina, nicknamed "Azzurrina", (little blue) due to her strange blueish hair. The little girl is said to have vanished without a trace in 1375...
Oct. 28, 2022
F100: 04 The March on Rome
One hundred years ago, a series of events between 24th and 31st October 1922 culminated in Fascist leader Benito Mussolini taking power in what is known as "The March on Rome". Did the Black shirts actually take Rome by forc...
Oct. 19, 2022
146 - Lorenzo vs Sixtus and America's beautiful cousin (1471 - 1476)
The rivalry between Lorenzo de Medici and pope Sixtus IV, Francesco della Rovere starts to heat up as they clash over lands and resources, reaching very dangerous levels. Meanwhile the Medici brothers find time for another gr...
Oct. 4, 2022
145 - Fleeting youth, Lorenzo de Medici's early years (1468 - 1471)
Before the responsibility of government is handed over to him at his father's death and before getting married the statesman, banker, lover of philosophy and poet Lorenzo De Medici takes a few last opportunities at carefree y...