[#2] Tsar Kaloyan of Bulgaria, "The Romanslayer" - A Diplomat, A Warrior and The Rebuilder of an Empire

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:52:28 GMT

In this episode of Uncommon Folk, we uncover the extraordinary story of Kaloyan of Bulgaria, the forgotten warrior-tsar who defied empires and reshaped the Balkans. From his bold alliance with the Pope to his stunning victory over the Latin Empire at the Battle of Adrianople, Kaloyan's reign was marked by cunning diplomacy, military brilliance, and a relentless pursuit of Bulgarian sovereignty. Join us as we explore his rise to power, his battles against Crusaders and Byzantines, and the legacy he left behind in a world of shifting alliances and broken empires. This is the story of a ruler who refused to be forgotten.

Uncommon Folk is a history podcast covering the lesser known heroes, villains and fascinating figures of the past. Together, each month, we'll uncover the untold stories and hidden legends that have shaped our world, revealing drama, intrigue and more. Explore the names that amateur historians will not know, and celebrate the Uncommon Folk who deserve their place in the spotlight.

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Connect with us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/uncommonfolkpod

Connect with us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncommonFolkPod

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Credits:

Research by Regan Foy

Sound engineering by Tom Parkes

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Music & SFX:

Fanfare announcement.wav by zagi2

Bonfire Flames by Electroviolence

S24-21 Battering ram an large heavy door.wav by craigsmith

JM_AMB_EXT_Church Bell 02 - Calling for ceremonial.wav by Julien_Matthey

Male Death Cry 5.wav by F.M.Audio

Porre_Stabbing_Knife_Various.wav by LamaMakesMusic

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Bibliography:

These sources helped to provide information on Kaloyan's life and story. If you'd like to learn more, feel free to read up via any of the links below.

Asbridge, Thomas. The Crusades: The War for the Holy Land. Simon & Schuster, 2010.

Curta, Florin. Southeastern Europe in the Middle Ages, 500–1250. Cambridge University Press, 2006.

Fine, John V.A. Jr. The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest. University of Michigan Press, 1987.

Madgearu, Alexandru. The Asanids: The Political and Military History of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185–1280). Brill, 2017.

Nicolle, David. The Fourth Crusade 1202–04: The Betrayal of Byzantium. Osprey Publishing, 2011.

Treadgold, Warren. A History of the Byzantine State and Society. Stanford University Press, 1997.

Turner, Samuel E. "The Battle of Adrianople (1205 AD)." Archaeology in Bulgaria and Beyond, 2015.

"Uprising of Asen and Peter." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.

"Second Bulgarian Empire." Encyclopedia MDPI.

"Battle of Adrianople (1205)." Wikiwand.

"Byzantine-Bulgarian Relations, 1204–1261: A Historical Overview." Mapping Eastern Europe. Princeton University.

"Bulgaria - Medieval, Orthodox, Balkan." Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Bulgaria/The-second-Bulgarian-empire

"Byzantine Empire - Byzantine Decline and Subjection to Western Influences (1025–1260)." Encyclopædia Britannica.

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[#1] Sir John Fastolf - Strategy, Controversy and a Shakespearean Shadow

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 22:46:51 GMT

Join me as I unravel the life of Sir John Fastolf, a knight whose name is steeped in both triumph and controversy. From his pivotal role in the Hundred Years' War to his lavish retirement at Caister Castle, Fastolf's story is one of sieges, strategy and medieval controversy. Discover his connections to Shakespeare's Falstaff, the enduring disputes over his estate captured in the famous Paston Letters, and how his life challenges our understanding of medieval chivalry. Tune in for a journey across war, wealth, and legacy...

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Connect with us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/uncommonfolkpod

Connect with us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncommonFolkPod

-----------------------

Credits:

Research by Regan Foy

Sound engineering by Tom Parkes

-----------------------

Music & SFX:

All pieces of SFX are licensed via creative commons or attribution.

Quill and Parchment by Nickh69 - https://freesound.org/s/507864/

Horse with old cart by Bruno.auzet - https://freesound.org/s/538438/

Ambient battle noise by Pfranzen - https://freesound.org/s/192072/

Distant war horn by DeVern - https://freesound.org/s/512490/

Marching loop by Stib - https://freesound.org/s/240724/

Music by Timothy Kulig from Pixabay

Music by Vlad Bakutov from Pixabay

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Uncommon Folk Podcast

[#2] Tsar Kaloyan of Bulgaria, "The Romanslayer" - A Diplomat, A Warrior and The Rebuilder of an Empire

[#1] Sir John Fastolf - Strategy, Controversy and a Shakespearean Shadow