Santa Claus is a very strange figure when you think about it. Where does he come from and why does he fly through the sky handing out presents at night? This episode traces the connection with an old Norse god and an Anatolian bishop from the 3rd century, and explores the gritty reality of life in the Roman empire for ordinary people. You will never look at old Saint Nick the same way again.

What did life look like for the average soldier in the Roman army? In this episode we get into the details of packs, march speed, camp construction, and food on the march. Many of the procedures for new recruits in the Roman military machine sound shockingly familiar. The penalties for breaking the rules were extremely severe. Come along on the march with Legionary Valerius and experience a taste of life in the Roman legions.

Special thanks to Roger Meara and Chris Cameron @thelegionary72 for supplying images and footage for this episode.

The sword is more than just a weapon. It has been used to dub knights and legitimise kings, determine guilt and settle matters of honour. From the ancient Romans and the Song of Roland to dueling culture and German Mensur matches, this cultural history traces the legends and traditions that have given the sword its enduring mystique.

The horrific murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in his own cathedral shocked Europe and immediately created one of the most famous martyrs in English history. The story begins with Thomas Becket in exile in France, fleeing the anger of Henry II of England. Despite being the king's pick for Archbishop of Canterbury, he has refused to cooperate with the king's plans for the church. An international game of diplomacy ensues, with the King of France and the Pope heavily involved in an effort to reconcile the two men. King Henry takes extraordinary measures to avoid church punishments, including demanding a loyalty oath from every man in his kingdom. Eventually he promises to reinstate Thomas Becket and make peace... only months before the murder of the century.

King Henry II was a man with a terrible temper. He was determined to have absolute control of his subjects, but one unlikely man stood up to him. In this episode women are seized from convents and forcibly married, messengers suffer grisly punishments, and a good number of body parts are forcibly removed when the king flies into a rage. This is the story of archbishop Thomas Becket who stood up to the vengeful Plantaganet king.

This is the story of how one woman changed the balance of power in Western Europe, by divorcing one man and marrying another. Eleanor of Aquitaine is the Queen of France, but has been alienated from her husband. Her campaign for an end to that marriage led to a shocking remarriage with a much younger man, and the beginning of the Plantaganet dynasty in England. Along the way we discover why our favorite tales of knightly romance, from Lancelot and Guinevere to Tristan and Isolde, are connected to Eleanor and her enormous influence.

The dwindling army of the Second Crusade arrives in Antioch, where a quarrel over military strategy is influenced by rumours of a sex scandal involving the Queen of France. The Crusaders make some very bad decisions, leading to a failed attack and a humiliating retreat. Find out why the Second Crusade was such a dismal failure.

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For details of an upcoming history tour with Eva go to: https://geeknationtours.com/tours/villains-and-virgins-tudor-tour-with-eva-schubert/

The Second Crusade leaves Europe under the command of two kings, fielding the largest number of men in a generation. Eleanor of Aquitaine rides with her husband, King Louis VII of France, while Conrad Hohenstaufen leads forces from the Holy Roman Empire. What follows is not glorious victory, but embarrassment and disaster on an epic scale. The fingers of blame point in all directions, as the Crusaders learn that the road to Jerusalem is littered with bad decisions -- and bones.