History Profiles

Before Christianity's arrival, England thrived with gods, spirits, and ancient rituals. The Anglo-Saxons, who settled between the 5th and 8th centuries AD, practiced a rich tapestry of beliefs now known as Anglo-Saxon paganism—a Germanic faith shared across northwestern Europe.
This religion originated from northern Europe's Iron Age traditions and reached Britain with the Anglo-Saxon migrations in the mid-5th century. For centuries, it influenced daily life, from seasonal cycles to kingly authority. As Christianity spread in the 7th and 8th centuries, remnants of the old faith lingered, merging into folklore and memory.
We learn about these ancient practices mainly from Christian chroniclers like Bede and Aldhelm, who documented a world their faith aimed to replace. Temples and altars were destroyed, sacred groves vanished, and rituals stopped. Yet, the old beliefs left enduring marks: in the days of the week, named after gods like Woden and Thunor; in royal genealogies linking kings to divine ancestors; and in archaeological treasures like Sutton Hoo, where a helmet with dancing warriors reflects the spiritual imagination of a people who revered both natural and supernatural realms.
Join us on a journey to uncover what remains of this once-dominant religion in England: its gods, sacred traditions, and magical rituals that guided life, death, and the invisible forces surrounding them.
00:00 Introduction02:11 Woden (God of Wisdom)04:31 Týr (God of War, Law & the Sky)06:38 Thunor (God of Thunder)08:31 Frīg (Goddess of Marriage, Childbirth & prophecy)10:30 Ing (God of Fertility)12:52 Ēostre (Goddess of Spring & Renewal)14:40 Siġel and Mōna (The Solar and Lunar Deities)16:34 Seaxnēat (The Warrior God of the Saxons)17:53 Shamanism, magic, and witchcraft21:07 Legacy
Music by Alexander Nakarada: Grundar (Royalty Free)

00:00: Introduction02:11: Woden (God of Wisdom)04:31: Týr (God of War, Law & the Sky)06:38: Thunor (God of Thunder)08:31: Frīg (Goddess of Marriage, Childbirth & prophecy)10:30: Ing (God of Fertility)12:52: Ēostre (Goddess of Spring & Renewal)14:40: Siġel and Mōna (The Solar and Lunar Deities)16:34: Seaxnēat (The Warrior God of the Saxons)17:53: Shamanism, magic, and witchcraft21:07: Legacy
#anglo-saxon #paganism #gods #woden #thunor #frīg #ing #Ēostre #Seaxnēat #shamanism #magic #witchcraft #archaeology #folklore #Christianity
See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/697192d86f54d6b81f81bf87
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The Winged Hussars were an elite heavy cavalry unit serving Poland and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from 1503 to 1702. Their name derives from the impressive feathered wings on their backs, designed to instill fear and confusion in enemies during charges. Renowned for their effectiveness, they often defeated forces much larger than their own.
For generations, these elite warriors marked their prominence in Polish cavalry, earning the nickname “angels of death” on the battlefield. They played pivotal roles in many of Europe’s iconic battles. After their military service ended, the hussars transitioned to ceremonial duties, concluding a remarkable military era.
Music: "VOICE OF PRAYER" by Noel Malekar
Watch the video here.

00:00:00: Introduction00:01:20: Origins00:03:12: Armour & Weapons00:05:52: Battle of Kircholm (1605)00:09:32: Battle of Klushino (1610)00:13:39: Battle of Khotyn (1673)00:15:41: Battle of Vienna (1683)00:18:24: Battle of Kliszów (1702)00:21:00: End of an Era & Legacy
#WingedHussars #Polishhistory #elitecavalry #angelsofdeath #cavalrycharge #BattleofKircholm #BattleofKlushino #BattleofKhotyn #BattleofVienna #BattleofKliszów #militaryhistory
See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/69692b498f887fa6fca82f98
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Niklot, the steadfast prince of the Obotrites, stood firm as Europe's pagan era faded. As the mid-12th century ushered in forced baptisms and surrender, Niklot chose defiance. Leading the Wendish lands along the Baltic frontier, he faced relentless forces: Saxon lords, Danish kings, and the Wendish Crusade's holy banners cloaking conquest in salvation's guise. Niklot, unyielding and independent, defended sacred groves and ancient customs, fighting for memory, identity, and belief.
While others converted for power, Niklot waged war not for glory, but for his people's right to exist on their terms. He was ultimately ambushed, his lance failing against knights, leading to his demise.
Centuries later, Niklot is remembered as the last great pagan defender of the western Slavs, a symbol of resistance against overwhelming odds. Though his enemies claimed the land, his legacy endures, a testament to those who stood against Europe's tumultuous conversion.
00:00 Introduction
01:48 Background & Rise to Power
04:17 The Wendish Crusade (1147)
09:07 Death In Battle
12:19 Legacy
Music by Alexander Nakarada - CreatorChords
Track: Celtic Music → "Grundar" by Alexander Nakarada (Royalty Free)
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZjpLQYAnr8
Music: "VOICE OF PRAYER" by "Noel Malekar"
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSpEjSoiZ6c

00:00: Introduction01:48: Background & Rise to Power04:17: The Wendish Crusade (1147)09:07: Death In Battle12:19: Legacy
#Niklot #Obotrites #pagan #WendishCrusade #Europeanhistory #Slavs #medievalhistory #resistance #Balticfrontier
See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/696188771e976ebf9099a685
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In the rich tapestry of ancient Greek mythology, Achilles shines as a symbol of unparalleled martial skill and divine anger. Before his legendary birth, the cosmos danced as Zeus and Poseidon competed for Thetis, a water goddess, in marriage. Themis, the goddess of law, shared a prophecy that Thetis would have a son whose glory would outshine his father.
Understanding the prophecy, Zeus and Poseidon stepped back from pursuing Thetis. Fate led to Thetis marrying Peleus, King of the Myrmidons, resulting in the birth of Achilles, both mortal and divine.
Chapters:
00:00 Achilles: The Unyielding Fury01:27 The Chosen One04:02 The Trojan War Beckons05:38 The Wrath of Achilles09:11 Prince Hector, Champion of Troy14:10 Achilles Duels the Demi-God Memnon17:42 The Tragic Turn19:00 Legacy
Music credit to: Savfk - MusicLink

00:00: Achilles: The Unyielding Fury01:27: The Chosen One04:02: The Trojan War Beckons05:38: The Wrath of Achilles09:11: Prince Hector, Champion of Troy14:10: Achilles Duels the Demi-God Memnon17:42: The Tragic Turn19:00: Legacy
#Achilles #Greekmythology #warrior #TrojanWar #Thetis #Zeus #Poseidon #Hector #Myrmidons #Memnon #Iliad
See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/695d4dcf15a8fdb9afd72fac
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Siward, a formidable eleventh-century earl in northern England, became legendary for his towering stature and exceptional strength. Rising to prominence under Cnut the Great, he became Earl of Northumbria, ruling a land marked by feuds and independence.
By 1033, Siward governed southern Northumbria, modern Yorkshire, for Cnut. He consolidated power amid Scottish raids and local unrest. Loyal to the crown, Siward supported Cnut's successors, Harthacnut and Edward the Confessor, and gained renown through his Scottish campaign against King Macbeth, later inspiring Shakespeare.
Fierce and pragmatic, Siward's legacy endures as the last Viking Lord of the North.
Music by Alexander Nakarada - CreatorChordsTrack: Celtic Music → "Grundar" by Alexander Nakarada (Royalty Free)Link: Celtic Music by Alexander Nakarada

00:00:00: Introduction00:01:58: Ancestry & Early Life00:05:13: The Earl of Northumbria & Reign of Cnut00:08:11: The Reign of Cnut's sons00:11:46: The Reign of Edward the Confessor00:15:13: War with the Scots00:18:24: Death and Legacy
#Siward #Northumbria #Vikings #Anglo-Saxonhistory #CnuttheGreat #EdwardtheConfessor #Macbeth #Scottishhistory #Medieval
See show notes: https://inlet.fm/history-profiles/episodes/6954132d8bf240b5b086247f
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