The History Syndicate Podcast

On this episode, Mark reflects on a recent visit to the Battlefield of Towton, where on 29th march 1461, the Lancastrian army of Henry VI was defeated by the Yorkist force of Edward IV. A turning point in the Wars of the Roses (1455-1487) that established Edward IV on the the throne that was reputed to be the bloodiest battle on English soil. From the macro to the micro topics of history, The Hist...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Dr Edward Shawcross to discuss Emperor Napoleon III of France. Releasing his book 'The People's Emperor: The Unlikely Rise and Spectacular Fall of Napoleon the Third', Dr Shawcross discusses who Napoleon was, his relationship and thoughts on Napoleon I, reflections on economic reform, rebuilding Paris and his unlikely rise to power. From the macro to the micro topics...

On this episode, Mark welcomes author Tony Riches onto the podcast to discuss his historical fiction novels focussed on the Tudors. The Brandon and Tudor Trilogies are discussed, related to the historical events and the characters within the novels, moving into the Elizabethan series. Tony discusses his favourite locations, inspirations for the subjects and what will come next in future books rela...

On this episode, Mark welcomes back Dr Nicholas Morton to the syndicate to talk more on the Crusades in the Middle East predominantly in the 12th Century. Discussing the central historical elements of his new book 'The Crusader Storm; A Global History of the Wars For The Middle East', which explores these conflicts from 10 different perspectives. A fascinating subject, the manner in which horse ar...

On this episode, Mark welcomes back Mark Green to the syndicate. Mark had previously spoken about the Victoria Cross and the VC's of Arnhem, the subject of his previous book. Discussing CSM Stan Hollis, who is famous for the only Victoria Cross awarded on D-Day (6th June 1944) had a Territorial career prior to the war and also many incidents where his valour was shown prior to Normandy. In France,...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Battlefield Guide Simon Browne back onto the podcast to discuss Omaha Beach on 6th June 1944. One of five beaches utilised by the Allies on D-Day it is arguably the most well known and iconic. Simon introduces the beach and some of the narratives from the battle, dispelling some of the myths and exploring some of the realities of the beach landing that day. These inc...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Dr Helen Fry to discuss her latest book 'Nuremberg: The Translator's Tale: The Story of Howard Triest, German-Jewish Interpreter of the Nazi War Criminals'. Helen discusses her love for history and how she was inspired as well as what she is achieving via her work for garnering the perspective of the Jewish refugees from Germany during the Second World War. Her conta...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Dr Mark Turnbill to discuss Charles I in relation to his book on the monarch 'Charles I's Private Life'. Mark discusses how perspectives can be somewhat harsh on Charles and the situation that he found himself in between essentially three warring factions at the end of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicat...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Mike 'Chalky' Peters to the pod to discuss his book 'Glider Pilots in Sicily'. An avid researcher and expert battlefield guide, Mike discusses the nuances of the Glider Pilot Regiment and their actions around the Sicily Op Husky Campaign, which includes Op Ladbroke (9th -10th July 1943 and Op Fustian (13-14th July 1943). The first mass use of the Horsa Glider, it did...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Dr Elisabeth Norton to the pod to discuss her latest book, 'Women Who Ruled The World: 5000 Years of Female Monarchy'. Mark and Beth discuss what is considered as monarchy, what it means to be a ruler and some of the more unknown female monarchs from history. Discussions range from ancient rulers throughout pre-modern, early modern and modern monarchs, including Mari...

On this episode, Mark revisits the Wars of the Roses with Ben Mayne to discuss teh Battle of Bosworth. The difference this time is that they visit the battlefield on the ground and record their conversation as they walk the terrain of the landmark battle that saw the beginning of the Tudor dynasty in England and the end of Richard III. They visit new monuments, describe the various battlefield eve...

On this episode, Mark records his first podcast live on location in Coventry to discuss the blitz during the Second World War with the excellent Ben Mayne. Ben works with various guided tours but also the Liberation Route Europe to ensure that individuals are educated and made aware of the not only the battles, but the civilian costs to the wars. Ben created a tour of Coventry for the 85th Anniver...

On this episode, Mark welcomes back Professor Gary Sheffield to dicuss his work on Hugo De Pree and his book 'In Haig's Shadow: Brigadier-General Hugo De Pree and the First World War. A consumate professional who chose the Royal Regiment of Artillery as a technical officer and then trained staff officer career route in the British Army, he was a World War One general who has faded into obscurity....

On this episode, Mark welcomes Dr Graeme Callister back to the syndicate to discuss the Comte d'Erlon's 1st Corps Attack at the Battle of Waterloo (1815). They discuss what was a Napoleonic Corps, who were the men of 1st Corps, where they came from and what their experience had been been during not on the Waterloo Campaign, but the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars writ large? Discussions on the a...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Toby McLeod back to the syndicate to discuss the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Mark and Toby discuss the battle lines, the tactics and the effect of the outcome of the battle on both personalities and also in general on the troops that fought. From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicate Podcast is the forum for all with a common interest in all...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Toby McLeod onto the syndicate to discuss the road to the Battle of Culloden (1746) and the Jacobite Rising of 1745. On this first episode, they discuss the rival sides, the domestic backgrounds and the international conflict that provided the cauldron in which the rising happened. This includes the campaign in 1745-6, such as the Battles of Prestonpans and Falkirk,...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Dr Jason Lanzter from the Butler University, Indiana, USA to discuss Gen Dwight D Eisenhower's engagement with the impact of the Holocaust. His book Dwight Eisenhower and the Holocaust: A History illustrates the topic superbly. He discusses how Gen Eisenhower wanted the Holocaust documented to ensure that it was never forgotten alongside providing the evidence and do...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Erin Allen to discuss the United States Army 42nd (Rainbow Division). Speakings about the Division's origins around the First World War, its deployment and then subsequent deployments to the European theatre during the Second World War. With the soldier experience being a clear passion, Erin discusses her research with an empathy for others who have served on operati...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Stu Lyle to discuss the history of urban warfare with a deep dive into the formation of the Home Guard and their role in the development of Urban Warfare doctrine. Mark and Stu discuss the variations of urban warfare, how it has evolved and how there are a number a myths associated with such operations. One of the big myths is that of the 'Dads Army', who had more of...

On this episode, Mark welcomes back Dr Steve Tibble to discuss his book 'Crusader Armies' where he dispels many of the macro popular perspectives of "The Crusades". That the reasons why the armies fought, how they fought and how they were motivated may not be as obvious as it seems yet far more complex. Additionally, Mark and Steve discuss a mutual love for wargaming and revisit Steve's book 'Assa...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Phil Craig to discuss his book '1945: The Reckoning: War, Empire and the Struggle for a New World'. In this conversation, Phil discusses with Mark the wider thematic points around 1945 and the world that emerged from the Second World War. This includes the relationship between Great Britain and its then Empire, the relationship with the USA and facets of Indian Indep...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Andrew White onto the podcast to discuss WW2 Pilots and Aircrew in neutral countries. An often overlooked niche of the Second World War, Andrew discusses the nuances of airmen being held in neutral countries and the different approaches various neutral countries took towards them. The international legal framework was outdated and had not considered the use of airpow...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Dr Kevin Benson, a retired Colonel from the US Army who was a key planner for Operation Cobra II, the US led Invasion of Iraq in 2003. Mark and Kevin discuss his book titled 'Expectation of Valor: Planning for the Iraq War'. Kevin discusses how the book is to correct the belief that their was no planning for what was to happen after the initial invasion of Iraq by th...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Nathen Amin to the syndicate to discuss the establishment of the Tudor dynasty in England through the efforts of Henry VII. A deep understanding and discussion expertly led by Nathan into the Wars of the Roses. Henry VII was the 'outsider' for much of the clash between the Red Rose House of Lancaster and the White Rose House of York between1455 and its end with the f...

On this episode, Mark welcomes Dr Steve Tibble to discuss his new book 'The Assassins and Templars: A Battle in Myth and Blood'. Fascinated by the topic, Mark quickly likes to dig into the actual history of the Assassins and Templar's with Steve to establish where these groups predominantly came from. How did they achieve the projected influence they wielded and even down the ages to the extent wh...