From crusaders and caliphs to humanists and heretics, Past Imperfect explores how the medieval world gave rise to the modern one. Hosted by history and theology teachers Lauren O & Clint H, the podcast brings to life the global transformations that connected empires, faiths, and ideas between 800 and 1500 CE.
In the Season 2 finale, we get into the kidnapping of Richard the Lionheart after the Third Crusade, his ransom by his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the war with his frenemy Philip II Augustus, which led to his untimely death at age 41.
18 Dec 2025
S2 E6: So Close, Yet So Far (Third Crusade Part 3)
In this episode we cover the end of the Third Crusade, in which Richard "the Lionheart" fails to conquer Jerusalem, despite multiple attempts. We also discuss the truce between Richard and Saladin, and get into some conversation about the motivations behind the Crusade.
17 Dec 2025
S2 E5: Side Quests (Third Crusade Part 2)
In this episode, Richard I "The Lionheart" embarks on Crusade...but he makes a few pit stops. During the first, in Sicily, he rescues his sister Joanna from imprisonment...only for her and his new fiancee Berengaria of Navarre to get "lost at sea," landing on Cyprus (!) so he stops there next. When he finally arrives in the Holy Land, he leads the Crusaders to victory at Acre, a major W but not exactly the main target of the Crusade.
15 Dec 2025
S2 E4: Lionheart Lore (Third Crusade Part 1)
In this episode, we give the juicy backstory on notorious medieval frenemies Richard I "The Lionheart" and Philip II Augustus, the kings of England and France who joined up with Frederick II Barbarossa to retake Jerusalem in the 1180s.
15 Dec 2025
S2 E3: Crucial Crusade Contexts
In this episode, we explore a few more background ideas that set the stage for the Third Crusade -- the Investiture Controversy, the rise of Frederick I Barbarossa, and finally, the conquest of Jerusalem by the great Muslim warlord Saladin.
10 Dec 2025
S2 E2: Knights In Shining Armor
In this episode, we delve into medieval culture of the 11th and 12th centuries, including ideas of chivalry, courtly love, and Gothic architecture, all the while weaving in stories of famous women from this time period, including Eleanor of Aquitaine, Heloise d'Argenteuil, and Hildegard von Bingen!
10 Dec 2025
S2 E1: Crusader? I Hardly Know Her!
This first episode of our new season covers the political context of the First Crusade, including some background on the Vikings, the Normans, the Holy Land, and the social demographic of the Crusaders themselves!
4 Dec 2025
S1 E5: Holy Roman Finale (Christmas Special)
In this last episode about the early middle ages, we learn about how Charlemagne took on the title of Roman Emperor on Christmas Day in 800 CE...surprising literally no one.
3 Dec 2025
S1 E4: Lex and the City (Charlemagne Rules!)
In this episode, we talk about how Charlemagne used the law as well as a new "Roman" identity to consolidate his authority over his kingdom.
2 Dec 2025
S1 E3: The Rise of Charlemagne
This is the first of several episodes diving into the life and times of Charlemagne, king of the Franks and Holy Roman Emperor. In episode 1, we learn how Charlemagne rose to power through political machinations and military victories.
2 Dec 2025
S1 E2: The Islamic World & The Umayyads
Hear about how Islam originated and spread into Spain under the rule of the Umayyads, culminating in a conflict between the Umayyads and the Franks in 732 CE.
2 Dec 2025
S1 E1: The Fall of Rome & Early Middle Ages
In this episode, we delve into the fall of the Roman empire and the rise of the Germanic kingdoms!
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