Podcast about the history of the Normans

October 15, 2009 8:24 PM

Norman Centuriesis a new podcast by Lars Brownworth, best known for his podcast series 12 Byzantine Rulers (previously). Norman Centuries, as the name suggests, recounts the history of the Normans, those literal vikings who gained Normandy and then England, Sicily, Malta, Antioch and, well, a whole heck of a lot of other places too. They were a conquering bunch. First two episodes are out with more to follow. [iTunes link]
posted by Kattullus (18 comments total)

If nothing else, I find Lars Brownworth's voice to be very pleasant to fall asleep too. This is high praise from an insomniac such as myself.
posted by Kattullus at 8:25 PM on October 15 [1 favorite has favorites]

Wow. This podcast is terrible! Both dramatically and historically.
posted by ...possums at 8:37 PM on October 15

Wow. This podcast is terrible! Both dramatically and historically.

Care to elaborate?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:08 PM on October 15

...possums: "Wow. This podcast is terrible! Both dramatically and historically."

Possums, do you have any specifics? I enjoyed the 12 Byzantine Rulers series but I don't know much about history, so I have no way to know if they are accurate or not.

On preview, what Alvy Ampersand said.
posted by McSly at 9:09 PM on October 15

Thanks, Kattullus. At one stage of my childhood, I was given the nickname Rollo. I should not have been as mortified by that as I was at the time.
posted by rdone at 9:49 PM on October 15

12 Byzantine Rulers started a major movement in my life toward the middle ages. Before I first listened to that podcast (which I have since listened to it countless more times) I never gave much thought to that time period, now Istanbul sits atop my "places to go ASAP". I have devoured several books on the topic including a couple old textbooks from high school and college thanks to Lars. This is great news.

Possums would probably say the same about "The Golden Bough" or "Lives of the Noble Greeks" except those weren't podcasts...
posted by GratefulDean at 10:01 PM on October 15

This podcast is an editorial. Very little is supported by facts or references. I can't support my assertions right now but I hope someone might come to my aid tomorrow.
posted by ...possums at 10:20 PM on October 15

Possums would probably say the same about "The Golden Bough" or "Lives of the Noble Greeks"
Not at all.
posted by ...possums at 10:26 PM on October 15

For anyone interested in the later Roman Empire (the Byzantines) I highly recomend John Julius Norwich's three books:

Byzantium: The Early Centuries
Byzantium: The Apogee
Byzantium: The Decline and Fall

This is not light reading, but its worth it. And GratefulDean, Istanbul is definitely on my top places to go list.
posted by Maastrictian at 10:36 PM on October 15 [1 favorite has favorites]

If nothing else, I find Lars Brownworth's voice to be very pleasant to fall asleep too. This is high praise from an insomniac such as myself.

I so do this every night -- podcasts, audiobooks, whatever. Currently on The Invention of Air, and I manage to listen to 6 minutes before I'm out.

On 12 Byzantine rulers -- it definitely sent me on an antiquity kick -- just listened to an audiobook on Alexandria that I loved, as well as the Evolution of God and the Gnostic Gospels. Something about that whole time period fascinates me, I can't get enough of it.

Also, History of Rome is still on going, but it's not as good. He's just finished off the Julio Claudian Dynasty and I think he's on the "year of four emperors" now.
posted by empath at 11:30 PM on October 15

This is not light reading, but its worth it. And GratefulDean, Istanbul is definitely on my top places to go list.

Likewise, and because of those very books.

Thanks for this, if only for the Byzantine link. I missed it the first time around.
posted by vbfg at 2:06 AM on October 16

This podcast is an editorial. Very little is supported by facts or references. I can't support my assertions right now but I hope someone might come to my aid tomorrow.

What? Are you lazy? I believe it's your job to refute the podcast with facts and references (google link). I don't have any handy books on the Normans lying around the house, but I expect there are several listed on google.
posted by Mojojojo at 4:10 AM on October 16

They did set up a number of significant and still extant institutions when they hit the UK. Their Normal wisdom was renowned throughout the world and still leaves a cultural legacy in the UK today.
posted by davemee at 4:23 AM on October 16

No one knows about the black Normans though! Oh hang on...
posted by Not Supplied at 4:58 AM on October 16 [1 favorite has favorites]

Wow. This podcast is terrible! Both dramatically and historically.

Disagree 100% - it's well done popular history. Which means it uses stupid phrases like "dark ages" and "rough and tumble medieval stage" other forgivable mistakes, but the basic outline is mainstream, quotes primary sources liberally, and is free of nationalism.
posted by stbalbach at 8:19 AM on October 16 [2 favorites has favorites]

Worth mentioning that Lars' new Byzantine book has just hit Amazon. I'll be buying it fiarly soon.
posted by Leon at 2:10 PM on October 16

I can't support my assertions right now but I hope someone might come to my aid tomorrow.

Man, I put off favoriting this FPP for that? Good day to you, sir!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 6:09 PM on October 17

The two podcasts were awesome. Hopefully Lars won't get distracted and leave us wanting.
posted by jsavimbi at 1:44 PM on October 30