Crusaders in Crisis: The Rebel Emperor & the Siege of Constantinople
Gone Medieval
History Hit
4.5 • 2.7K Ratings
🗓️ 10 March 2026
⏱️ 82 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Crusading in the 13th century was brutal, chaotic and transformative. Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by historian Dr. Tom Smith to uncover failed campaigns, papal ambition, the sack of Constantinople, and Frederick II’s extraordinary treaty for Jerusalem.
Expect extraordinary battles, medieval flamethrowers, nunchucks and too much French wine – revealing a crusading movement tearing itself apart.
MORE
Emperor Frederick II: The Scourge of the Papacy
The Rise of Constantinople
Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. Audio editor is Amy Haddow, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | From long-lost Viking ships and kings buried in unexpected places to tales of murder, |
| 0:07.7 | power, faith, and the lives of ordinary people across medieval Europe and beyond. |
| 0:13.2 | Join me, Matt Lewis, Dr. Eleanor Jarniger and some of the world's leading historians, |
| 0:18.0 | as we bring history's most fascinating stories to life only on |
| 0:22.3 | History Hit. With your subscription, you'll unlock hundreds of hours of exclusive documentaries |
| 0:27.2 | with a brand new release every week exploring everything from the ancient world to World War II. |
| 0:33.6 | Just visit historyhit.com forward slash subscribe. |
| 0:41.7 | Hello, I'm Dr. Eleanorianica, and welcome to Gone Medieval from History Hit, |
| 0:46.8 | the podcast that delves into the greatest millennium in human history. |
| 0:51.1 | We uncover the greatest mysteries, the gobsmacking details, and the latest groundbreaking |
| 0:57.6 | research from the Vikings to the Normans, from kings to popes, to the crusades. We delve into |
| 1:05.1 | the rebellions, plots, and murders that tell us who we really were. And how we got here. |
| 1:18.7 | The year is 1229. |
| 1:22.7 | An illustrious column of knights, nobles, and bishops, snakes across the rugged plains of Jordan |
| 1:29.6 | toward the city of Jerusalem. Hailing from the kingdoms of the German lands, Italy, and the |
| 1:37.2 | island stronghold of Sicily, they are far from home and awash with apprehension. |
| 1:49.7 | Yet they escort a prize of untold significance. |
| 2:01.4 | In their midst rides a king, emperor, and polymath so remarkable that he is hailed as Immutator Mundi, |
| 2:04.0 | the transformer of the world. |
| 2:09.1 | His name is Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, |
| 2:12.3 | and he descends on the Holy City, |
| 2:18.7 | having achieved a victory that has eluded every other crusader for the past 50 years. |
... |
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