This podcast episode delves into the Norman Conquest of 1066, focusing on the events leading up to the pivotal battle. The episode begins by establishing the exceptional wealth and centralized governance of 10th-century England under Edgar the Peaceable, contrasting it with the fragmented Frankish kingdoms. It then traces the reign of Æthelred the Unready, highlighting his attempts to manage Viking raids through Danegeld and ultimately resorting to the St. Brice's Day massacre of Danes in England. The episode concludes by setting the stage for the consequences of this massacre and the subsequent invasion by King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark. A key takeaway is the detailed account of the political and social climate of England before 1066, emphasizing its unique characteristics as a relatively wealthy and organized nation-state.
