The Emperor of Spain is here! Teenage Alfonso takes the throne after the death of his father, Ordoño I. How will he fare? Join us for building, alliances, a scheming rebel named "the Galician", and Peter getting very disappointed with the succession in King Alfonso III's episode! Recommendations Google Translate with the camera feature Kyle Kinane 's standup Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise C...
Aug 05, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 3Ep. 12
García took the helm during the last few years of Iñigo's life, but in 851 he became king of Pamplona. Join us for shifting alliances, Viking hostages, and the beginning of uncle-niece marriages in García Iñiguez's episode! Recommendations Daiquiri recipe Sprinto Bot on Discord Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org...
Jul 25, 2025•50 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Humfrid is out and Bernard is in! Or maybe it's Bernard... or perhaps the other Bernard? Join us for the slow rolling disaster that is the ending of the Carolingian dynasty, complete with a council of Bernards in Count Bernard of Gothia's episode! Recommendations Squishy fidgets Murderbot on Apple TV+ Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org...
Jun 24, 2025•56 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Second time's the charm? Charles the Bald attempts to put another Eastern noble into the countyship of Barcelona with Humfrid. Come hear about allies, a bizarre heel turn, and... Zurich? in Count Humfrid of Barcelona's episode! Recommendations Monkey47 gin "Food for Thought", by Alton Brown Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org...
Jun 10, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 6
We're back with a new Count of Barcelona: Odalric! Come hear about the new manager at the Applebee's, lots of letters, and a bad toupee with Odalric! Recommendations Monkey47 gin "Food for Thought", by Alton Brown Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org...
Jun 10, 2025•32 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Bernard of Septimania is no more, and so in 844 Sunifred takes over the countyship of Barcelona! Come hear about intrigue, feudalism, and the return of the Room of Knives and Poison in Count Sunifred I's episode! Note: there are no recommendations this week because I thought this episode was going to be shorter than it ended up being. Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.or...
Apr 09, 2024•31 min•Season 5Ep. 4
It has been a minute, hasn't it? Let's do a quick recap of where we are on the Iberian Peninsula before we forge ahead! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org
Mar 26, 2024•32 min
Back to the south we go, where Muhammed is now emir! Come learn about the perils of suggestion boxes, the joys of accounting, and the okayest of kings in Muhammed I's episode! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations The Irishman (audiobook version) Firefox browser with language translation...
Mar 12, 2024•52 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Ramiro has died after a short reign, and his son Ordoño has taken the throne! Come hear about the downfall of Musa ibn Musa, a surfeit of something tasty, and God's perfect C student in Ordoño I's episode! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations Baldur's Gate 3 (but this time talk to animals) If Books Could Kill...
Feb 27, 2024•50 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Back to the North with Ramiro I! He's the son of the guy who forgot he was a deacon, and he is willing to fight for his throne. Come hear about taking the weapons for a walk through the woods, Vikings, and a disturbing penchant for poking people's eyes out in this episode on King Ramiro I! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations Baldur's Gate 3 Wordle Globa...
Sep 05, 2023•46 min•Season 3Ep. 10
After Rampó is removed as Count of Barcelona, Louis the Pious installs Bernard of Septimania. Come hear about instruction manuals for a 4-year-old, being bad at court politics, and the luckiest guy alive when we review Count Bernard! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations Hartwall Long Drink The Botanist Gin...
Aug 17, 2023•57 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Let's catch up with the Spanish Marches and see how the new Count of Barcelona is getting on: it's Rampó! Come hear about monasteries, a battle that got swept under the rug, and... well, not much else. (Note: our next episode will be released on Thursday). Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org...
Aug 15, 2023•26 min•Season 5Ep. 2
It's our first Basque king: Iñigo Arista! Come hear about monasteries, half-brothers, and a dude called García the Bad as we rate and review King Iñigo Arista. Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations The Drops app Joe Abercrombie's The First Law trilogy...
Jul 25, 2023•51 min•Season 6Ep. 2
It's time to learn about the Basques - who are they, where did they come from, and how will they shape the development of Modern Spain? Come hear about an engraved hand, the interaction between highland and lowland, and the rise of Iñigo Arista in our introduction to the Basques! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org...
Jul 11, 2023•40 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Back to the south we go with King Abd al-Rahman II! Come hear about a naval fleet, more children than you can shake a stick at, and the sad lack of Viking cheesemakers in Seville in his episode! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations Tarte Tatin and Poire Williams The Scholomance Series , by Naomi Novik...
Jun 27, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Baby Alfonso is finally on the throne, and boy is his reign a doozy! Come hear about the creation of the Camino de Santiago, lots of Scrabble games, and Peter not knowing where the Pacific Ocean is in King Alfonso II's episode! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 A Perfect Manhattan...
May 03, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Psst, new kingdom just dropped! Welcome to the Spanish Marches, where you'll hear about sieges, peace treaties, and a trial by combat in the first count of Barcelona's episode: it's Count Bera! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations Lucky Hank , on AMC Babel , by R. F. Kuang...
Apr 11, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 5Ep. 1
The succession carries on mostly peacefully in the south, with Al Hakam I taking over from his father Hisham I. Come hear about vampire rules, eye twitches, and the many layers of King Al Hakam I in his episode! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations The Good Lord Bird , by James McBride The Murderbot Diaries , by Martha Wells...
Mar 28, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 4Ep. 3
After the chaos of the Asturians, we return to the south where Al-Andalus has an orderly succession to Hisham I. Come hear about rainy mosque attendance, personal piety, and literally moving the earth in our second emir episode: King Hisham I! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations Dorfromantik Poker Face...
Mar 07, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 4Ep. 2
And so we come to the last of the 3rd generation of Asturian kings: Bermudo I. Come hear about a horrific battle, something that's just nagging at you in the back of your head, and a very sad puppy in King Bermudo I's episode! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations The Habitat for Humanity Restore "Knighty Knight, Bugs"...
Feb 23, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Mauregato the Usurper takes the throne! Unfortunately, it's like a carjacking followed by putting around the neighborhood very lawfully. But come listen anyway, won't you? Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org
Feb 21, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Baby Alfonso still isn't old enough yet, so we have yet another in-between king: Silo! Come hear about cool word puzzles, a Galician uprising, and the succession plan that (almost) everyone agrees on in Silo's episode! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations Lake Michigan Monster , available on Amazon A VERY COLD martini...
Jan 31, 2023•40 min•Season 3Ep. 6
The sleeve of saltines himself, it's King Aurelio! Come hear about... well, not much. But he did have a good set of paintings! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org
Jan 31, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Alfonso I passes the Asturian throne to his son, Fruela. Come hear about beheadings, the emergence of the Banu Qasi, and just how crazy you can get when you become a new parent in King Fruela I's episode! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations The Midnight Society , on Twitter Glass Onion , directed by Rian Johnson, on Netflix...
Jan 17, 2023•58 min•Season 3Ep. 4
New Year, New Emirate! Welcome to Abd al-Rahman I's episode, where we learn how many hero narratives can fit into one man's life, the Franks show up again, and Peter finally gets his mosque. It's King Abd al-Rahman I! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations Las Crónicas del Taco , on Netflix Welcome to Chippendales , on Hulu...
Jan 03, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 4Ep. 1
We end the year here at the Spanish Arpoda with the final governor of Al-Andalus: Yusuf. Hear about his seemingly endless stream of "ibn"s, the broken postal system, and president John Tyler when we review Governor Yusuf! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations Fairy Tale , by Stephen King Your local TNR program...
Dec 21, 2022•51 min•Season 2Ep. 17
The man with the badge - it's Abu al-Khattar! Hear about askew turbans, political rivalries, and hiding under a millstone in Governor Abu al-Khattar's episode. Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations The Great British Bake Off on the Roku channel Rolo treats...
Dec 06, 2022•51 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Back to Al-Andalus to find out how that civil war turned out! Come listen for a Daffy Duck head, an auction to the lowest bidder, and an interesting food recommendation in Governor Balj's episode! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations Chaotic Neutral: How the Democrats Lost Their Soul in the Center , by Ed Burmila A peanut butter hamburger...
Nov 29, 2022•58 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Fávila has been nommed by a bear, so his brother-in-law Alfonso takes the Asturian throne! Hear about the Desert of the Duero, a really cool pilgrimage site, and what happens when you have too many cousins in Alfonso I's episode! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org Recommendations We Are Legion (We Are Bob) , by Dennis E. Taylor Tidelands , by Philippa Gregory...
Nov 14, 2022•48 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Welcome back to the north of Spain, where Pelayo's son Fávila is now king! Hear about the Asturian court, the Church of the Holy Cross, and... is that a bear?!?!? All this in Fávila's episode! Tracks used "Castanets, Multi, A (H4n).wav" by InspectorJ ( www.jshaw.co.uk ) of Freesound.org "acoustic_flamenco_imitation.wav" by Noise Collector of Freesound.org
Nov 08, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 2
