Hello and welcome to the history of the Germans.

Episode 66, The Myths of Barbarossa.

Now, we've just spent 15 episodes talking about the life and times of the actual Frederick Barbarossa.

Exciting as his life was, his afterlife is almost as interesting. Don't panic.

I will not go on for 15 episodes talking about the perception of the great emperor. Just give me 30

minutes, and I promise it's worth it. 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 on the price of a latte per month.

All you have to do is sign up at patian.com slash history of the Germans or on my website, history of the Germans.com.

You'll find all the links in the show notes.

And thanks a lot to Anami and Jim, who've already signed up.

And Anami, thank you very much for your regular support on Facebook.

It's much appreciated.

As you mentioned last week in its immediate aftermath,

and Pro Barbarossa's death was seen as a bad one, drowning in a river that all his companions had crossed without a glitch,

taken just when he was going to Jerusalem to fulfil what he believed to be his destiny,

and not having confessed before he died.

This could only mean one thing. God disapproved of the

venture and of the man. It took until the mid-13th century for chroniclers and acolytes of

the Hohen-Sto wash up the stain of the unconfessed death. They alter the story so that

Barbarossa gets dragged out

the river half dead, but fit enough to properly confess before dying. That helps his legacy,

...