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Wittenberg to Westphalia

Benjamin Jacobs·126 episodes

HistorySocietyCultureSolo history narrativeMedieval EuropeSerialized arcsOccasional interviewsWry humorContext-heavy

A history podcast that aims to cover the birth of the European state system by examining the Early Modern Period of European history. Along the way, the podcast will delve into the geography, economy, politics, ideas, and culture of the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period to give the listener a view into the lives of the people who lived the events. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why listen

Wittenberg to Westphalia is for listeners who like their medieval and early modern history detailed, funny, and unafraid of detours through geography, economics, church politics, and everyday life. Benjamin Jacobs builds the long road toward the European state system one episode at a time, mixing solo narrative with occasional interviews and specials. It is especially rewarding if you enjoy serialized history podcasts where the context matters as much as the famous turning points.

Series(6)

Episodes

57 min
May 22, 2026Episode 103
The Lamentable Tragic Tale of Godfrey the Hunchback, Update Part I

A bit of a reset episode after a long gap in which I got some new sources. Going back over the early years of Hildebrand, a bit of catch up on the house of Tuscany, etc. This is part one of two three.https://www.popeularhistory.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 2 min
Nov 5, 2025Episode 102
Greeting Gregory

In today's episode we run through the election of Gregory the 7, watch Henry do something clever and seemingly break up the Saxon rebellion, all while Milan is in total chaos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

43 min
Aug 19, 2025Episode 101
The Saxon Rebellion

In today's episode Henry IV finally takes the reigns of power. And begins making some questionable decisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

48 min
May 13, 2025Episode 100
Episode 100B: Power of the Popes with Gregg of Popeular History

In part 2 of my discussion with Gregg, we examine the concept of Papal supremacy in the middle ages based on the evidence already discussed in the show, and how the modern Catholic Church might feel about it in terms of later doctrinal developments. https://www.popeularhistory.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

44 min
May 12, 2025Episode 100
Episode 100A: A Very Catholic Conversation with Gregg of Popeular History

In part a of today's episode, Ben sits down with Gregg from Popeular History Podcast to discuss things about modern Catholicism, such as how many murders is too many murders. Fun Fact: This episode was recorded during the sede vacante between the death of Francis and the election of Leo XIV.https://www.popeularhistory.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 11 min
Mar 19, 2025Episode 99
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

In this episode Henry tries to rescue the pope, then doesn't. Then he tries to get a divorce, then doesn't. Finally, he crushes a revolt in Saxony with the help of the wealthy and popular Otto of Northeim. Henry tries to force him to show up and fight a judicial duel, but he doesn't. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 min
Feb 5, 2025
Minisode Update: Still Alive, Intelligent Speech

https://intelligentspeechonline.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

33 min
Nov 2, 2024Episode 98
Ah no

The Coup of Kaiserwerth has rocked the empire, allowing the reformist party to consolidate the papacy and forcing a deadly confrontation in Milan. But surely it will be worth it as the new leader of the regency council consolidates power for the greater good! Right? wait who is this guy anyway. Well, Ah. No. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 6 min
Aug 5, 2024Episode 97
Minority Report

Agnes tries to run the minority without Victor. Godfrey gets his brother named Pope. Milan breaks down into anarchy. Otto of Northeim fails to invade Hungary. Henry IV sees a really cool boat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 6 min
Apr 15, 2024Episode 96
Another Mourning Thone-r

In this episode our narrative begins as I fill everyone in on the early lives of Henry IV, Matilda De Canossa, and their parents. https://wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com/https://www.presidenciespodcast.com/about/ I may have said this wrong in the show. Forehead smack. Sorry Jerry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

18 min
Mar 20, 2024Episode 95
Source Tags and Codes

In addition to referencing the classic 2002 psycadelic rock album, this episode dives into our sources for the investiture controversy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 hr 20 min
Dec 6, 2023Episode 94
Podiversiary DND One Off

This episode is a podiversiary one off in which Bry and Fry from Pontifacts, Roberto from Tzar Power, David from The Siecle, and Josh from Grand Dukes of the West all get to explore northern Italy in the year 927. https://pontifacts.podbean.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tsar-power/id1632832824https://granddukesofthewest.com/http://thesiecle.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

33 min
Nov 24, 2023Episode 93
John to Victor

We finish up our speed run of the history of the papacy in the years leading up to the kingship of Henry IV. Things get real. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 11 min
Sep 29, 2023Episode 92
This is Episode 92: Ottonian Interference

It begins. In this episode we talk about the popes that ruled during the time period of the Ottos. In so doing we take a closer look at the pornocracy of the papacy and learn why it actually was all a big misunderstanding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 45 min
Aug 16, 2023Episode 91
A Chat with Marco

Marco Capelli stops by to discuss all things early medieval Italian. Yard sales, silly wars, and what the heck ever happened top the senate anyway? Marco Capelli is the brilliant host of Storia d'Italia - a podcast telling the story of the History of Italy - in Italian. This interview is in English. Please do tell any Italian speakers you know about Storia d'Italia (italiastoria.com).Be sure to check out Intelligent Speech's new website! And buy tickets. Code W2W.https://intelligentspeechonline.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 10 min
Jul 18, 2023Episode 90
Making a Papal States

In this episode we learn why having rules governing elections is good, by looking at a series of elections without them. Check out Gregg's podcast: https://www.popeularhistory.com/My website: https://wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

56 min
Jun 1, 2023Episode 89
The Secularish Government of Rome

In this episode we examine the secular institutions of the Roman government and discuss how they helped the popes run the city. Please donate to my Go Fund Mehttps://gofund.me/59fe7277 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

56 min
Apr 11, 2023Episode 88
The Popes Lived in a Society, Man

Today we learn the important lesson that cohost Duncan has never been fed in his entire life. Also, we learn about the geography, economy, and civil administration of Rome in the middle ages. Andrew learns about the importance of friendship.Grand Dukes of the West: https://granddukesofthewest.com/History of Alexander: ​https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

50 min
Feb 5, 2023Episode 87
Popes and Rome

You all rule, thanks so much for your patience and support. In todays episode we look at the rise of the papacy in the early middle ages and the importance of the city of Rome in that rise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 min
Jan 4, 2023
Minisode January 4 2023

light at the end of the tunnel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

45 min
Oct 21, 2022Episode 86
Munitions Disasters of New Jersey

To tide everyone over and to observe the podiversiary, here is the audio of my presentation at Intelligent Speech from June. It is about explosions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 min
Sep 8, 2022
Hard Times Minisode

An update on what is happening and why, in semi real time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 25 min
Jul 18, 2022Episode 85
Conrad the Salty and Son

In this episode we look at the first two emperors of the Salian dynasty. What did these rulers of the German Roman Empire do that could have led to the disasters to come? Well, not much. Sorry. Spoilers? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 13 min
May 17, 2022Episode 84
The Ottonians

In today's very inconvenient episode I speed run the Ottonian dynasty from Henry I to Henry II. Confused as to why they are called the Ottonians? You will have to listen to understand! Also reappearing for special cameos: Adelheid! Spoleto! Andrew! Thousands of dead people!https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/https://wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com/https://pontifacts.podbean.com/https://play.acast.com/s/historyofthepapacyhttps://historyofthegermans.com/about/https://ahistoryofitaly.com/https://thehistoryofdenmark.wordpress.com/https://www.historyofpolandpodcast.com/home Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 min
Apr 14, 2022
Intelligent Speech 2022!

https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/Code w2w Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

42 min
Mar 28, 2022Episode 83
Medieval Kingship Part 2: The Becoming

We know it is good to be the king, but how does one becomes the king? Highlights include the revelation that no one has ever known how to placate angry old men at public gatherings. https://whythoapodcast.weebly.com/https://history.illinoisstate.edu/about/recounting_the_past/Spring%202020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3MzxdlLIb30SJi58G0XOLELDPKmLhWA-EDlAuTjSenzjjzH7OiQRy587g Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

58 min
Mar 6, 2022Episode 82
Medieval Kingship Part 1: What is it you...dooo here?

In this first substantive episode of our new season, I begin an examination of medieval kingship. With surprise guest: Queens. Renaissance English History Podcast: https://www.englandcast.com/Music: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirlwinds_of_Danger Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

49 min
Feb 20, 2022Episode 81
Scrofula with David Montgomery of The Siècle Podcast

In a continued effort to buy time for research, David Montgomery of the Siècle Podcast and myself discussed Scrofula, a fascinating illness with a surprising relevance for our shows. The most important thing to know going in is that you should probably not Google Scrofula before listening to the episode.The Siecle: http://thesiecle.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 min
Dec 7, 2021
Andrew Pilot Housekeeping Episode

Please vote for The Two Musketeers here: https://tongal.com/welcome/ngp/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

54 min
Nov 22, 2021Episode 80
An Interview with Zach Twamley

Do you like books? The Thirty Years War? Cambrai? Well you will need to listen to this one. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

39 min
Oct 22, 2021Episode 79
Investiture Controversies Introduction

What is an investiture controversy? What does it have to do with the Early Modern Period? Will this episode have a defenestration? For that last one, yes. But for the rest you will have to listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

43 min
Sep 29, 2021Episode 78
Slavery in the Middle Ages Part 4; The Rise of Serfdom

This Episode wraps up not only our look at slavery in the middle ages, but the entire third season of this show.Zach's new book, Matchlock and the Embassy: http://www.wdfpodcast.com/thevassalstate/ml1I have read it all at this point and it is very good. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

48 min
Aug 30, 2021Episode 77
Slavery in the Middle Ages Part 3; Transition

Unfreedom in the middle ages took on a wide variety of forms. In this episode I talk about the ideological shifts that accompanied this change, some examples of the deals that were struck, and one highly amusing example of priestly fraud.Map Corner: https://play.acast.com/s/insidertradingMy website: https://wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com/New Show Website: https://whythoapodcast.weebly.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 min
Aug 12, 2021
New Show Announcement and Episode and W2Housekeeping. Look just listen.

I am starting a second show! Let me tell you about how it will affect W2W, some changes to Patreon levels, and then you can listen to the first episode!. The main show website is here: https://wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com/why-thoThere is an rss feed but it will take a minute to get on itunes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

45 min
Jul 20, 2021Episode 76
Slavery in the Middle Ages Part 3, The Economics of Slavery (Redux).

One would think that the economics of slavery would be simple, but then a person who thought that would clearly not be a fan of this show. https://www.egyptianhistorypodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

51 min
Jun 15, 2021Episode 75
Slavery in the Middle Ages Part II, Teaching an Old Narrative Modern Tricks.

In this episode we spend a bit of quality time with our friend Marc Boch and discuss why he thought what he thought about slavery and serfdom, why some of it was wrong, and why some of it is still valid. This is a nice, calm episode. Some gentle laughs between friends. A bit of a palette cleanser between last episode and the next.Check out Past Access here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXQKBE0TD34qtifjeemA_5gCheck out Pontifacts yonder: https://pontifacts.podbean.com/Be sure to check out our new store: https://knitnfrog.com/collections/wittenberg-to-westphalia-podcast-store/Wittenberg-to-Westphalia-Podcast-Store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 min
Apr 23, 2021
Escape! o Intelligent Speech!

Last year's sessions: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAmmbvyrD92VvbxWuktX5OnCt_qcibzHThis year's conference, go to store to buy tickets: https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/1690-2/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 2 min
Apr 3, 2021Episode 74
Slavery Part 1: Theory

By popular demand, we begin a very detailed look at medieval slavery. This time out we tackle what relevance this conversation has to the modern world, and how we even begin to define slavery, anyway.Reconsider: https://reconsidermedia.com/Intelligent Speech: https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 14 min
Mar 1, 2021Episode 73
Living the Life: Modern American Judaisms

To the horror of many, the "Living the Life" series has returned. This series of episodes aims to provide a very very basic primer into liturgical practices of many modern religions, to help the audience better understand how the stuff we discuss in the past was different. In this episode I interviewed listener Ira, possibly a more palatable interlocutor than my earlier entry in the series. The cool jazz, however, remains. Andrew is an editing genius, and I would not dare to interfere with his vision.https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

40 min
Feb 3, 2021Episode 72
Episode 72, Women in the Middle Ages Part V: An Estate

After many months we wrap up our look at women in the middle ages with a discussion of what it all means. Spoilers: It isn't about the estate of women, it is about the frames of reference we explored along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

52 min
Jan 15, 2021Episode 71
Women in the Middle Ages, Women and the Law Part 2: Land and Marriage

In today's episode we look at the interaction between marriage, inheritance, and property. This may sound esoteric and boring. And it is. But it tells us an awful lot about how women interacted with this society so eat your acid polka broccoli.European History Podcast List: https://blog.feedspot.com/europe_history_podcasts/Revolution 1: https://www.erinclarebrown.com/revolution-1So Andrew tells me the fake genre I made up is a real thing called Acid Polka. The clips are from the songs linked below. they are actually...total bangers.https://youtu.be/4Oj3HVfEdMIhttps://youtu.be/LsXvwY8GS7o Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2 hr 2 min
Nov 16, 2020Episode 70
Episode 70b: More Agoraphobia

In this episode we address recent events in the podcasting community, and racism in a beloved sci fi franchise. Its not really that fun. But it gets better. The end is good. If you are into that kind of thing.10 American Presidents: http://www.10usp.com/The Eastern Border: http://theeasternborder.lv/The Cannon Ball Podcast: https://thecanonballpodcast.wordpress.com/American Epistles: https://american-epistles.blubrry.net/Dreams of Black Wallstreet: https://www.dreamsofblackwallstreet.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

46 min
Nov 3, 2020Episode 70
Episode 70a: Podiversiary 2020 Part 1

It's 2020. Inevitably, this year's podiversiary is a clip show. But hopefully a fun one? https://play.acast.com/s/theagorapodcastnetwork/weareagorahttps://cfrri.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

53 min
Oct 27, 2020Episode 69
Women part VI, Women and the Law Part 1

In today's episode we look at how the law defined the role of women in society, and how it allowed women to interact with the law itself. In the process we will finally start to come to terms with sexual violence.Agora Podcast Network Feed: https://play.acast.com/s/theagorapodcastnetwork/weareagoraMy support page: https://wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.htmlhttps://youtu.be/vsxyaZhdW1s Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 30, 2020
Fault Line; Mine

www.somethinelse.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

28 min
Sep 11, 2020Episode 68
This is Episode 68: A Short Discussion of The Law as a Source

Today is going to be a brief digression into the value of legal codes as a source, which will set us up nicely for the next episode, where we will begin to discuss the status of women in early medieval legal codes. Charlemagne's proclivity for pink frilly party balloons is discussed but ultimately dismissed.History of the Papacy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-of-the-papacy-podcast/id590968693My Support Page: https://wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.htmlSam Hume's Show: https://paxbritannica.info/Brehon Law: https://archive.org/details/ancientlaws01hancuoft/page/n7/mode/2uphttps://archive.org/details/ancientlaws04hancuoft/page/6/mode/2upIrish History Podcast: https://irishhistorypodcast.ie/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 2, 2020
The Fault Line

The Iraq War came about following a moment of crisis – September 11th, 2001. In real-time, the world watched our leaders react and made decisions based on fast-paced information presented to them, not unlike the moment we are currently facing in our country today. However, the response to the Iraq War led to an all-time low level of public trust in government and media, which is something we never fully recovered from. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

1 hr 1 min
Aug 16, 2020Episode 67
Women Part III, Welcome to the Working Week

In today's episode we examine the role women played in the economy of the middle ages. Spoilers: it was pretty big. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

36 min
Jul 29, 2020Episode 66
Wittenberg to Witches

Ben Jacobs of Wittenberg to Westphalia and Sam Hume of the History of Witchcraft sat down for a chat about witch panics, memes, authority, and the importance of getting angry while also staying calm.https://paxbritannica.info/episode-list/https://wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com/(Ira didn't actually include the NY Times article but we trust him)https://wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com/blog/episode-48a-catastrophic-disruption-how-the-printing-press-ignited-anti-witch-hysteria-in-early-modern-europeLet me know if I forgot anythingMusic:Intro music is, as always, See These Bones by Nada Surf.Spective - Bridge ValleyP.R. & ChillCat - Soul Childai means love. - road tripBreezewax - Mother's EarthLZRDSK - flowersLeVirya & Broey. - InertiaAphrow & Stuffed Tomato - Goodbyeningen - Take You OutsideI Am Wolter - Morning LicksFoeniks - Take It EasyRINZ. - Lotusmr. hong & pastels - let's meet at the elevator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

43 min
Jul 7, 2020Episode 65
Women Part 2, Mary and Eve and Sex Part 2

Sex for commoners and nobles and...nuns? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Listening context

Casual listening
Best for: commutes, long drives, evening listening, housework
Tone: scholarly, wry, conversational, detailed

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