Hello and welcome to the history of the Germans, Episode 65, the Third Crusade.

This week, after 15 episodes, we will finally leave the Emperor Barbarossa behind, though

it's almost impossible to ever get rid of him. No other medieval ruler is still so present in the national psyche, not as the man he was,

but as the myth he was turned into.

So today we say goodbye to the man, and next time we'll take a look at the myth.

Now, quick apology, I was supposed to put up a page for this last episode with transcripts,

maps and images.

This has unfortunately not yet happened.

The same goes for many other things I wanted to do but have not.

This missing page, as well as the one accompanying this episode, should be up shortly after

the release. as usual,

under History of the Germans slash 65-2.

But before we start, as always, a reminder.

The History of the Germans podcast is advertising free, thanks to the generous support from patrons.

And you can become a patron too and enjoy exclusive

bonus episodes and other privileges from the price of a latte per month. All you have to do

is sign up at patreon.com slash history of the Germans or on my website, history of the Germans.com.

You find all the links in the show notes. Thanks a lot to James and the extraordinarily generous Michael who've already signed up.

As we heard last week, Barbarossa is going on crusade.

Not just as another ruler, but as the emperor to fulfill the last and final act of his career,

free Jerusalem from the yoke of Saladin, and possibly the last and final act that brings about a thousand

years of bliss by putting down his crown in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, fulfilling an ancient

...