Category Archives: History

VoK 269: The Black Dahlia (Part 1)


ElizabethShortGrave

Thomas (FTWard), Julia (No True Lady) and Bina007 discuss the social context and discovery of the horrific murder of Elizabeth Short in Los Angeles, 1947 as well as recapping what we know of the victim’s life. The next episode will discuss the suspects in the murder then and now.

We would like to warn listeners that the subject matter we discuss is extremely graphic and disturbing. This is not suitable listening for minors and those of a sensitive disposition should consider whether to continue. We also want to emphasise that we have great sympathy and respect for Elizabeth Short, the victim. When we discuss details of her murder it is to better understand the mindset of the murderer. We also discuss details of Miss Short’s life, but in no way agree with the sensationalist contemporary media coverage of her. Rather, the fact that this took place is an interesting aspect of the social history of the time and worthy of investigation in itself.

Music credit: the original soundtrack of the film The Black Dahlia by Mark Isham.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

VoK 265: The World of Ice and Fire – Talking Targaryens (Part 2)


Spoilers

Welcome back to a Podcast that is never Late, but arrives exactly when it means to. The unintentionally annual Targaryen Cast will this time cover the the willfully negligent Viserys to the willfully stupid Daeron.

Viserys 2:25
Aegon 24:43
Aegon 3rd 41:48
Daeron 1:01:25
Total Length 1:24:21

Warning! There are a spoiler to A Dance of Dragons in the First few seconds, so if you haven’t read the book then just start listening 35 seconds in.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

VoK 262: Brideshead Revisited (by Evelyn Waugh)


71414-g

Join Bina007 and Amanda (Middlecyclone) as they discuss Evelyn Waugh’s iconic novel of early twentieth century aristocratic tragic love and faith. We will also touch on the much-loved ITV miniseries and the more recent feature film as well as occasionally referring to works by Nancy Mitford, TE Lawrence, DH Lawrence, Christopher Isherwood….

Music credits: Geoffrey Burgon’s superlative soundtrack for the ITV miniseries is available on iTunes and other stores and streaming services.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Bina007] Review of the feature film
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

VoK 256: H. H. Holmes


H._H._Holmes

Join Matt (Varley), Thomas (FTWard) and Bina007 as they discuss the infamous nineteenth century fraudster, bigamist and serial killer, H. H. Holmes. Music credit:  The Flaming Lips, Bad Days.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

VoK 254: The World of Ice and Fire – The Bones and Beyond


Asshai

In their third and final foray into the lands beyond the Sunset Kingdom, the Vassals scale the daunting Bone Mountains to explore the fabled kingdoms of Eastern Essos.

Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Greg (claudiusthefool), Augustine (linecom1), Michael (Khal Wadege), and lurker extraordinaire Amber (Amberrocks) as they ponder zorse morphology, colour-coded emperors, spiteful gods, necromancy diets, and how to get those stubborn grease stains out of your black stone monolith.

With the help of Maester Yandel, they also speculate (wildly) on the future events of the novels, and the various real-world historical allusions scattered throughout the compendium.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

11:00 – The Bone Mountains
31:42 – The Plains of the Jogos Nhai
46:38 – Yi Ti
1:20:46 – Leng
1:28:41 – Asshai and Beyond!
1:52:46 – Lomas Longstrider’s Wonders
1:57:45 – Martin and Orientalism
2:07:56 – Aftershow

This podcast is part of series of in-depth discussions covering all of the various sections of The World of Ice and Fire (by George R. R. Martin, Elio Garcia & Linda Antonsson). Stay tuned to VOK for lots more installments!

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
Music owned by MGM

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Links:
VoK 175: The World of Ice and Fire – The Free Cities
VoK 186: The World of Ice and Fire – Sothoryos & Central Essos
The World of Ice and Fire (Amazon page)
The Lands of Ice and Fire (hi-res map)

VoK 242: This is England (Movie and TV Series Review)


tumblr_n0noz3Tscl1qa69y9o1_500

Oi oi! The Vassals of Kingsgrave welcome all mongs and spazzes, rude boys and skin-heads, for a discussion of Shane Meadows’ iconic movie and TV miniseries, This Is England. Chronicling the adventures of a group of friends from 1983 to 1990, this series is a tragicomic exploration of social unrest, racism, sex, drugs and dodgy haircuts. The discussion is therefore both explicit and full of spoilers. Also apologies for the intermittent background music from the airport lounge in which this episode was recorded.

Hosts: Bina007 and Dagos_Rivers.

Music credits: Billy Bragg, A New England.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

VoK 225: Book Club (Vol.5) – City of Thieves (by David Benioff)


City of Thieves

The Vassals of Kingsgrave gather for the 5th meeting of the VOK Book Club.  This time around we discuss City of Thieves by David Benioff; a chilling and yet darkly humorous tale of an impossible quest in a city under siege and a partnership between polar opposites.

Join hosts Greg (claudiusthefool), Alex (Lucky Charms), Zach (Alias), Matt (Eiffel), Dan (witless chum) & Scott (Skywaltzer) as they follow Lev & Kolya through their various trials and tribulations against cannibals, partisans, Germans, cold, hunger & chickens as they attempt the impossible; to find a dozen eggs.

Edited by Greg

Be sure to vote on the forums for the next VOK Book Club pick and the new Book Roundtable discussion.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

VoK 190: The World of Ice and Fire – The North and The Wall & Beyond


VOK190

The Vassals of Kingsgrave continue their ongoing discussion series covering George R.R. Martin’s “The World of Ice and Fire”.  We discuss “The North” & “The Wall and Beyond” (pages 134 to 149 in the book).

Join hosts Greg (claudiusthefool), Alex (Lucky Charms), Dan (witless chum), Matt (Varley), Michal (inkasrain), Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall) & Peter (Shellfish) as they dare to put into words the awesomeness of the Manderlys, the super-civilized Skagosi, Bear Island Wrestlemania, the pros and cons of punching narwhals in the face as well as unicorns.  Did we mention the unicorns?  Also unicorns.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published and unpublished books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, as well as all aired episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones.

  • 1:49 – The North
  • 29:23 – The Kings of Winter
  • 51:26 – Mountain Clans/Stoneborn of Skagos/Crannogmen
  • 1:10:35 – The Lords of Winterfell
  • 1:26:12 – Winterfell
  • 1:35:44 – The Night’s Watch
  • 1:53:46 – The Wildlings
  • 2:10:45 – Aftershow
  • 2:24:00 – Peter’s Medley

This podcast is part of series of in-depth discussions covering all of the various sections of The World of Ice and Fire (by George R. R. Martin, Elio Garcia & Linda Antonsson). Stay tuned to VOK for lots more installments!

Credits: Edited by Greg

  • Image Artist: Ted Nasmith
  • Music Credits
    • “Only a Northern Song” – The Beatles
    • “Kings” – Steely Dan
    • “In the Hall of the Mountain King” – Edvard Grieg, Performed by The Who
    • “Run Away!” – Spamalot Cast
    • Winterfell Theme – Ramin Djawadi, performed by Scott McKenzie
    • The Last of the Giants – George R.R. Martin, performed by Karliene
    • Walk on the Wild Side (Lou Reed)

[mp3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

VoK 188: The World of Ice and Fire – Talking Targaryens (Part 1)


AegonTargaryen[audio http://archive.org/download/VOK188TWOIAFTargaryens1/VOK188_TWOIAF_Targaryens1.mp3]

The Vassals meet in the Aegonfort to make sure you pass your Targaryen history test and discuss – at extreme length and enormous detail – the Conquest of Westeros and the reign of the first four Targaryen kings. Roman emperors, Viking history, and the Olsen family are also discussed, to varying degrees of elucidation.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

2:50 – Aegon the Conqueror
53:00 – Aenys (the Annoying)
1:06:08 – Maegor the Cruel
1:30:00 – Jaehaerys the Conciliator

This podcast is part of series of in-depth discussions covering all of the various sections of The World of Ice and Fire (by George R. R. Martin, Elio Garcia & Linda Antonsson). Stay tuned to VOK for lots more installments!

Credits:
Edited by inkasrain

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

VoK 186: The World of Ice and Fire – Sothoryos & Central Essos


NaathiAndButterfly

In their second in-depth foray into the lands beyond the Sunset Kingdom, the Vassals set sail to Sothoryos and its surrounding isles, before heading north to the vast Grasslands of Essos, and then norther still to the Shivering Sea.

Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Greg (claudiusthefool), Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall), Dan (witless chum), Augustine (linecom1), Michael (Khal Wadege) and newcomer Justin (uflGator1) as they ponder ramming techniques (naval and otherwise); butterfly napalm; early Australian settlement; the Dinopocalypse of the south; the Dothraki’s aggressive rural redevelopment program; frosty prophesies; Ibbenese wrestling moves; and the “phantom menace” that haunts Mossovy forest.

With the help of Maester Yandel, they also speculate (wildly) on the future events of the novels, and the various real-world historical allusions scattered throughout the compendium.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

03:51 – The Summer Isles
35:50 – Naath
43:50 – The Basilisk Isles
58:34 – Sothoryos
1:18:38 – The Grasslands
1:53:21 – The Shivering Sea
2:00:21 – Ib
2:17:54 – East of Ib
2:29:20 – ???

This podcast is part of series of in-depth discussions covering all of the various sections of The World of Ice and Fire (by George R. R. Martin, Elio Garcia & Linda Antonsson). Stay tuned to VOK for lots more installments!

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
“Naathi and Butterfly” painted by uflGator1 (click here for the full-resolution image)

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Links:
VoK 175: The World of Ice and Fire – The Free Cities
The World of Ice and Fire (Amazon page)
The Lands of Ice and Fire (hi-res map)
uflGator1’s Art Site
Haven in a Red Waste

VoK 183: The World of Ice and Fire – The Iron Islands


ink534N

[audio http://archive.org/download/VOK183TheWorldOfIceAndFireTheIronIslands/VOK183_TheWorldOfIceAndFireTheIronIslands.mp3]
The Vassals of Kingsgrave head towards the inhospitable coasts of the Iron Islands to continue their ongoing discussion on The World of Ice and Fire.

Join Vassals Greg (claudiusthefool), Patrick (Patrick the Tall), Alex (LuckyCharms), and Zach (Alias) as they sort through the gruesome Ironborn history, consider what about the complicated culture fascinates them, and identify real-world parallels.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

0:26 – Introduction
9:30 – The Iron Islands
31:22 – Driftwood Crowns
42:58 – The Iron Kings
44:42 – The Black Blood
51:08 – The Greyjoys of Pyke
56:48 – The Red Kraken
1:06:10 – The Old Way and the New

This podcast is part of a series of in-depth discussions covering all of the various sections of The World of Ice and Fire (by George R. R. Martin, Elio Garcia & Linda Antonsson). Stay tuned to VOK for lots more installments!

Credits:
Edited by Zach (Alias)
Outro Music: Longborn’s Legacy by Drumurboy
Art: Mattolsonart

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Links:
The World of Ice and Fire (Amazon page)

VoK 177: Political Communications in ASOIAF (w/Prof. David D. Perlmutter)


Tywin

In this academic-inspired episode, Kingsgrave head-honcho Amin discusses Westerosi politics with David D. Perlmutter, a communications professor from Texas Tech University. Also joining them is Michael (Mordion) and Aziz (from History of Westeros).

Topics include political persuasion, propaganda, and public relations amongst the various factions of A Song of Ice and Fire. And stick around afterwards for a brief recap of Davos I (from ASOS), flown in directly from Amin’s “other” podcast. 😉

Credits:
Edited by Amin

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Links:
David’s website
History of Westeros podcast

VoK 175: The World of Ice and Fire – The Free Cities


Titan of Bravos

Merry Christmas from across the Narrow Sea! In their first in-depth foray into The World of Ice and Fire, the Vassals set sail to the Nine Free Cities of Essos.

Join Duncan (Valkyrist), Thomas (FTWard), Patrick (Ser Patrick the Tall), Dan (witless chum), Augustine (linecom1), and Michael (Khal Wadege) as they ponder maze-loving minotaurs; the badassery of war-bears; the shocking secret behind Oathkeeper; Essosi potato-farming; the pH levels of the Disputed Lands; Patchface’s failed betrothal; and the fabulousness of the Uncloaking Festival. With the help of Maester Yandel, they also speculate (wildly) on the future events of the novels, and the various real-world historical allusions scattered throughout the compendium.

Warning: Contains spoilers for all published books in George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire

1:39 – Beyond the Sunset Kingdom
20:00 – Lorath
33:26 – Norvos
45:50 – Qohor
1:01:07 – Myr, Lys & Tyrosh
1:20:21 – Pentos
1:25:02 – Volantis
1:38:09 – Braavos
2:16:33 – ???

This podcast is part of series of in-depth discussions covering all of the various sections of The World of Ice and Fire (by George R. R. Martin, Elio Garcia & Linda Antonsson). Stay tuned to VOK for lots more installments!

Credits:
Edited by Valkyrist
“This Land is Your Land (Valyrian Edition)” by Aiwendil

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Episode Thread
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[Stitcher] Subscribe to us on Stitcher
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Links:
The World of Ice and Fire (Amazon page)
The Lands of Ice and Fire (map)
Dreams of a Red Door

VoK 150: The Anarchy (1135-1154) and ASOIAF


images-10

Join Nadia, Bina007 and Joseph (Ciao.Gamer) for the second in our series examining the parallels between history and George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series.  In this episode we cover The Anarchy – a period of civil war in England and France in the twelfth century.  We draw parallels to the events of The Princess and the Queen; ship SanStan and discover that sometimes history ends with a whimper rather than a bang.

Please note that this episode spoils all published works in the Song of Ice and Fire series as well as the prequel novellas.

Ways to listen:
[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Ways to learn more:
[More on the Plantagenets] Historian Dan Jones
[More on Matilda & Eleanor] Historian Helen Castor

VoK 146: Jack the Ripper (Part 2) – It All Leads to Lizard People


images-7

Join Julia (NoTrueLady), Thomas (FTWard) and Bina007 in the second part of their investigations into the Whitechapel Murders of 1888. In this part, they discuss the main serious suspects in the Jack the Ripper case, some crackpot theories, and the cultural impact of the murders.

Ways to listen:
[mp3] Download or play this episode directly
[archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

Further reading on Jack the Ripper:
[Paul Begg’s book] A concise rundown of the facts with no spurious finger-pointing
[Emily Marsh] The woman who might’ve spoken to the author of the From Hell letter
[The Crawford Letter] The letter that mentions that Druitt’s family consider him to be the killer
[The Kosminski book] The best researched book making the case against Kosminski
[The Devil and the White City] A superb book on H H Holmes and the 1893 Chicago World Fair

Cultural echoes:
[Pandora’s Box] The 1929 Louise Brooks movie in which Lulu is killed by Jack The Ripper
[Penny Dreadful] The contemporary TV show featuring Jack the Ripper as one of many aspects of gruesome Victoriana
[The Crimson Petal and the White] Michel Faber explores everything bizarre about Victorian attitudes toward women, sex and prostitutes

VoK 145: Jack the Ripper (Part 1)


images-8

In the first part of our Jack the Ripper discussion, Julia (NoTrueLady) and Bina007 discuss the social conditions at the time of the Whitechapel Murders and make their observations on the deaths of the victims – claimed and canonical. They then discuss the main members of the police investigation and the alleged Ripper letters.  Finally, Thomas (FTWard) teleports in from the future to give us his take on the victims and the Ripper letters.

Warning – this podcast contains discussion of violence and prostitution that some listeners may find disturbing or offensive.

Ways to listen:
[mp3] Download or play this episode directly
[archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

VoK 144: The War of the Roses (1455-1487) and ASOIAF


images-6

Join Nadia and Bina007 as they discuss parallels between A Song of Ice and Fire and the War of the Roses.  We discuss whether Henry VI was as mad as Aerys II; whether Edward IV was as drunken a lech as Robert Baratheon; how far Richard III echoes Stannis; whether Elizabeth of York used shadow babies to stop her uncle marrying her; and whether Dany will marry Gendry and reunite the realm just as Henry Tudor did.

Spoiler warning: A Song of Ice and Fire, The Princess and the Queen and The Rogue Prince as well as fifteenth century British history.

[mp3] Download or play this episode directly
[archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed
[The Hollow Crown] Dan Jones’ newly published book on The War of the Roses

VoK 122: The Pillars of the Earth (by Ken Follett)


Pillars-Of-The-Earth

Journey back to the 12th Century as the Vassals discuss the 1989 Ken Follett novel, ‘The Pillars of the Earth’.

VOK’s answer to Siskel and Ebert (when it comes to Ken Follett books) returns as Glen (Dagos_Rivers) and Michael (Mordion) are joined Steven (SJLee) and tackle some thought provoking discussions such as
‘The best way to ruin a wedding’, ‘How to make a dramatic exit’, and ‘Did the White Ship JUST sink?’.

The Vassals also discuss (whilst fearing persecution by listeners to the podcast) the history of witch craft,  currency in the 12th Century, and are saved by SJLee intervening in the ‘name change’ by Ken Follett of one of the historical Monarchs.

The character storylines and plot synopsys are briefly discussed before we realise how complicated the plot is, and
wish to avoid the podcast sounding like the monty python sketch ‘Summarise Proust Competition’.

Running Time: 02:14:34

Links:

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive.org] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum] Podcast SubForum
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

References:

[Monty Python sketch] Watch the Monty Python ‘Proust Competition Sketch’

[Oprah] Pillars of The Earth on Oprah’s Book Club

VoK 105: Blackadder (BBC series)


Ba4

For lack of a Game of Thrones episode to comment on, this week Wolfcast reviews the famous 80s British historical comedy Blackadder. Imogen.OB, expert on all things Britain, is this week’s lead host, diving into the mysteries of British history and comedy with Viking Patrick the Tall, expert bear-fighter Peter (Shellfish) and baguette-eating, beret-wearing Alix (Aiwendil).

The season-by-season discussion is very evenly divided as follows:

00:00 – Introduction, favorite seasons, quotes and characters
10:10 – Season 1: The Black Adder
17:41 – Season 2: Blackadder II
51:28 – Season 3: Blackadder the Third
1:08:04 – Season 4: Blackadder Goes Forth
2:12:08 – Aftershow: “One night, Marry, Scorpions”, Blackadder actors and their careers, Imogen’s TV show recommandation, Blackadder and social issues, “Ask Imogen – British Slang Edition”, How to properly address the Queen of England, parallels between Blackadder and ASoIaF, European politics, Peter/Patrick fanfiction, Velociraptors & more

This podcast contains spoilers for all aired episodes of the Blackadder canon and potential spoilers for A Clash of Kings and by extension the Game of Thrones TV series.

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Forum Thread] Join in future discussions!
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed

VoK 77: Downton Abbey (ITV series)


downton_abbey

Vikram (Fortytwo) is joined by Nadia, Glen(Dagos_Rivers) and Saad (Saad164) to review Julian Fellowes Period Drama Downton Abbey.

Beware of Spoilers and we regret the poor audio quality.

Credits:
Edited by Vikram (Fortytwo)
Audio and Music excerpts taken from the Show

[MP3] Download or play this episode directly
[Archive.org] View this episode’s page on Archive.org
[Mirror] Download from mega.co.nz
[Forum] Podcast SubForum
[iTunes] Subscribe to us on iTunes
[RSS] Podcast Feed