Bloody Heart of Europe
We love talking about history, and that's what this podcast is all about. We explore the Middle Ages in Central Europe, focusing on the bloody Hussite Wars- battles, executions, and fierce theological debates. As two history nerds from Czechia, we dive deep into the old Kingdom of Bohemia and the Holy Roman Empire, with detours to England, France, and beyond. Our main episodes are scripted, dramatic stories, while bonus episodes offer extra context and details. Find them on Patreon, along with maps, pictures, and more.
Episodes
How to make a history podcast
We’re taking a planned break before diving into our episodes about Jan Žižka. So in the meantime, we wanted to introduce ourselves, share how we came up with the idea for this podcast, walk you through our process, and just have a casual chat about everything in between.
4.5 || Windows, Warlords, and the Road to Hussite Wars
In this bonus episode, we dive into the roots and symbolism of defenestration, take a closer look at Čeněk of Wartenberg, and explore the growing unrest after Jan Hus's death. In the full version on Patreon, we discuss the protest letter, urban vs. rural beliefs, communion under both kinds, Jacob of Mies, and the final acts of the Council of Constance.
4. || The Defenestration of Prague – the Weird Mass Murder via Windows || Episode 4
When you kill a man in order to destroy his ideas, you may find yourself achieving the exact opposite. Jan Hus may have burned at the stake in Constance, but his followers weren't about to give up. On the contrary – the great revolution was drawing ever closer.In this episode, we follow the chaotic developments in the Kingdom of Bohemia in the wake of Hus’ death. Great warlords and noblemen pick t
3.5 || Jan Hus - Every Regime’s Favorite Rebel
In this bonus episode, we dive deeper into the story of Jan Hus and his lasting legacy. We explore how this so-called heretic became a symbol of resistance and why his ideas continued to echo long after his death. We also look at how his execution helped ignite the Hussite Wars, one of the most radical and complex conflicts of 15th-century Bohemia.
3. || Jan Hus - What Made His Words So Dangerous?
Before Martin Luther, before the Reformation, there was Jan Hus—a Czech priest whose words would echo far beyond the pulpit of Bethlehem Chapel.In this episode, we follow Hus’s path from a young theology student to a charismatic preacher, deeply influenced by the writings of John Wycliffe and the growing unrest within the medieval Church. As Hus gained popularity, he also gained powerful enemies -
2.5 || The King Who Lost a Crusade and Still Took the Throne
This is a companion bonus talk for Episode 2 about King Sigismund of Hungary. Here, we dive deeper into all the details that didn’t make it into the main episode. This time, we’ll explore the rise of the Ottoman Empire and what it meant for Sigismund, and his absolutely insane struggles for the Hungarian throne.The rest of the bonus episode (more than 30 minutes of extra content) available on Patr
2. The Unstoppable Ambition of King Sigismund
Finally! Episode 2 is here, and we promise - it was worth the wait! This time, we’re diving into a figure who was the complete opposite of Wenceslaus IV: Sigismund of Luxembourg. If Wenceslaus was passive and apathetic, Sigismund was relentless and ambitious, never satisfied, always pushing for more, no matter the cost.In this episode, we explore Sigismund’s different upbringing and how it shaped
1.5 Medieval Europe and a King Who Defecated on an Altar
In this free bonus episode, we go beyond Bohemia to explore the wider European context of Wenceslaus IV’s reign. What was happening in the rest of Europe? Which rulers, wars, and conflicts shaped this era? And most importantly - how can you experience this history yourself through TV shows and video games? We will discuss the political landscape of medieval Europe during Wenceslaus IV’s time. We w
1. The Strange Reign of Wenceslaus IV
This is Episode 1 of our Hussite series. Today we will talk about the bohemian king, Wenceslaus IV, inherited a powerful empire from his father, Charles IV, one of the greatest rulers of medieval Europe. But instead of following in his father’s footsteps, he became a king who didn’t want to rule. In this episode, we explore the strange and troubled reign of Wenceslaus IV, a ruler more interested i
