History of the Germans from the Middle Ages to Reunification cover art

History of the Germans from the Middle Ages to Reunification

History of the Germans from the Middle Ages to Reunification

By: Dirk Hoffmann-Becking
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A narrative history of the German people from the Middle Ages to Reunification in 1991. Episodes are 25-35 min long and drop on Thursday mornings. "A great many things keep happening, some good, some bad". Gregory of Tours (539-594) So far we have covered: Ottonian Emperors (# 1- 21) - Henry the Fowler (#1) - Otto I (#2-8) - Otto II (#9-11) - Otto II (#11-14) - Henry II (#15-17) - Germany in 1000 (#18-21) Salian Emperors(#22-42) - Konrad II (#22- 25) - Henry III (#26-29) - Henry IV/Canossa (#30-39) - Henry V (#40-42) - Concordat of Worms (#42) Early Hohenstaufen (#43-69) - Lothar III (#43-46) - Konrad III (#47-49) - Frederick Barbarossa (#50-69) Late Hohenstaufen (#70-94) - Henry VI (#70-72) - Philipp of Swabia (#73-74) - Otto IV (#74-75) - Frederick II (#75-90) - Epilogue (#91-94) Colonisation of the East (#95-108) The Hanseatic League (#109-127) The Teutonic Knights (#128-137) From the Interregnum to the Golden Bull (#138 -185) - Rudolf von Habsburg (#139-141) - Adolf von Nassau (#142) - Albrecht von Habsburg (#143) - Heinrich VII (#144-148) - Ludwig the Bavarian (#149-153) - Karl IV (#154-163) The Reformation before the Reformation - Wenceslaus the Lazy (#165) - The Western Schism (#166/167) - The Ottomans (#168) - Sigismund (#169-#184 The Empire in the 15th Century - Mainz & Hessen #186 - Printing #187-#188 - Universities #190 - Wittelsbachs #189, #196-#199 - Baden, Wuerrtemberg, Augsburg, Fugger (#191-195) - Maps & Arms (#201-#202) The Fall and Rise of the House of Habsburg - Early Habsburgs (#203-#207) - Albrecht II (#208) - Friedrich III (#209-#215) - Maximilian I (#215-Copyright 2026 Dirk Hoffmann-Becking Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • History of the Germans - Trailer

    History of the Germans - Trailer
    Jan 12 2021
    Hello and welcome to the History of the Germans Podcast, the podcast that does exactly what it says on the tin. What you get here is a narrative history of the German people from the early Middle Ages to German Reunification in 1991 in 35-40 minute episodes coming out every Thursday.We are 200 episodes in, but do not worry, you do not need to listen to all 200 for it to make sense. The show is now split into seasons which are almost stand alone. So you can listen to any one of theose and skip the rest. Let me tell you a little bit about these season.... The music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.As always:Homepage with maps, photos, transcripts and blog: www.historyofthegermans.comIf you wish to support the show go to: Support • History of the Germans PodcastFor do it yourself merchandise go to: Merchandise • History of the Germans PodcastFacebook: @HOTGPod Threads: @history_of_the_germans_podcastBluesky: @hotgpod.bsky.socialInstagram: history_of_the_germansTwitter: @germanshistoryTo make it easier for you to share the podcast, I have created separate playlists for some of the seasons that are set up as individual podcasts. they have the exact same episodes as in the History of the Germans, but they may be a helpful device for those who want to concentrate on only one season.So far I have:The OttoniansSalian Emperors and Investiture ControversyFredrick Barbarossa and Early HohenstaufenFrederick II Stupor MundiSaxony and Eastward ExpansionThe Hanseatic LeagueThe Teutonic KnightsThe Holy Roman Empire 1250-1356The Reformation before the ReformationThe Empire in the 15th centuryThe Fall and Rise of the Habsburgs
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    6 mins
  • From Julius Caesar to the end of the Roman Empire - Prologue (Part 1)

    From Julius Caesar to the end of the Roman Empire - Prologue (Part 1)
    Jan 13 2021

    Germany was invented by Julius Caesar who also believed Moose had no knees. Herman the German was an officer in the legions, ritual car washing dates back to the 1 century BC and Constantine relied on Frankish soldiers to gain control of the Roman empire. These and other stories about the first 500 years of German(ic) history are part of the Prologue in which I attempt to run through the first 1000 years of German history before 919 AD when the main narrative of the History of the Germans Podcast really starts.

    The music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.

    As always:

    Homepage with maps, photos, transcripts and blog: www.historyofthegermans.com

    Facebook: @HOTGPod

    Twitter: @germanshistory

    Instagram: history_of_the_germans

    Reddit: u/historyofthegermans

    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Historyofthegermans
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    27 mins
  • From Romulus Augustulus to Pippin the Short - Prologue (Part 2)

    From Romulus Augustulus to Pippin the Short - Prologue (Part 2)
    Jan 14 2021
    Part 2 of our Prologue to the History of the Germans kicks off with the last western emperor, Romulus Augustulus handing over the insignia of his reign to his German general Odoacer. The next two centuries are dominated by hair-obsessed crime lords, some long-haired gingers, others bearded Lombards. Clovis, first "King of France" and descendant of sea monster, chooses the correct faith to be baptised in. His descendants wade through blood and incest until replaced by Charles "the Hammer" Martel whose son Pippin strikes a bargain with the devil Pope.Again, speed was of the essence so forgive me the occasional simplifications and omissions (Don't be angry Theoderic, we know you were the one good one!)The music for the show is Flute Sonata in E-flat major, H.545 by Carl Phillip Emmanuel Bach (or some claim it as BWV 1031 Johann Sebastian Bach) performed and arranged by Michel Rondeau under Common Creative Licence 3.0.As always:Homepage with maps, photos, transcripts and blog: www.historyofthegermans.comIf you wish to support the show go to: Support • History of the Germans PodcastFor do it yourself merchandise go to: Merchandise • History of the Germans PodcastFacebook: @HOTGPod Threads: @history_of_the_germans_podcastBluesky: @hotgpod.bsky.socialInstagram: history_of_the_germansTwitter: @germanshistoryTo make it easier for you to share the podcast, I have created separate playlists for some of the seasons that are set up as individual podcasts. they have the exact same episodes as in the History of the Germans, but they may be a helpful device for those who want to concentrate on only one season.So far I have:The OttoniansSalian Emperors and Investiture ControversyFredrick Barbarossa and Early HohenstaufenFrederick II Stupor MundiSaxony and Eastward ExpansionThe Hanseatic LeagueThe Teutonic KnightsThe Holy Roman Empire 1250-1356The Reformation before the ReformationThe Empire in the 15th centuryThe Fall and Rise of the Habsburgs
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    24 mins
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This is a great series! Well researched, endearingly narrated and genuinely engaging historical account of Germany. Probably the best of it's kind I have ever come across for German history!

Compelling and engaging history

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A well researched podcast and engagingly narrated. I like the fact that it's easy to follow the narrative without being overwhelmed by names, titles and dates etc. The touches of dry humour also help.

A Brilliant podcast history series

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