Ep. 1: The Hammer: Charles Martel

The great city of Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Turks, setting in motion 200 years of holy war, with the survival of Christendom at stake. 

A massive Muslim Turkish force assaults the most important Christian city of the medieval world, with the future of all Christendom at stake. 

The most epic holy war of all-time the Crusades- was a response to centuries of Jihad. This is the epic story of how a Christian force from a besieged Europe traveled 3,000 miles to seize the holy land, and conquer Jerusalem. 

In the year 1258, more than 100,000 soldiers amassed outside the great Islamic city of Baghdad. They were the Mongol Army, led by the grandson of the fearsome Genghis Khan. Within weeks, they'd left the city – which had stood as the center of power and commerce in the Muslim worl ... Show More

Haroon al Rashid is commonly portrayed as a martial caliph, one who menaced the Byzantine empire and led a tireless crusade against them. He is praised in Arab sources for defeating the Greeks time and again, all in defense of the umma’s faith and faithful. While this popular opi ... Show More

<p>The story of how a feared enemy of Islam became it&apos;s greatest general. </p> 

The battles and victories. 

Saladin, one of the best known generals of the Middle Ages, led the Muslim military’s campaign during the Third Crusade. And won. In hindsight, he was renowned in both the Muslim and Christian worlds, he was a fierce protector of Islam who helped shape the modern Middle East. Sup ... Show More

Philip the Fair is determined to take control of the kingdom of Flanders, in his dream of a united France. But when he attacks, the people of Flanders throw up an astonishing resistance, defeating the French army and slaying some of its finest knights. The Iron King vows revenge, ... Show More

Saladin was one of the greatest Sultans of the middle ages, and the first sultan of Egypt and Syria. He famously defeated the Crusader army at the Battle of Hattin, and recaptured Jerusalem. The Christian armies of the west never recaptured the Holy City. Saladin's legacy still h ... Show More

A story of swagger, bravery, skill and ultimately, friendship, set on the frontline of war 

The Rise of the Franks - a mighty host of warlords; forefathers of the western world and forgers of medieval civilisation, under the totemic leadership of history’s most glorious King: Charlemagne. It is a tale rich in fantasy and myth, transporting us into a distant age and the ... Show More

Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss the Battle of Tours. In 732 a large Arab army invaded Gaul from northern Spain, and travelled as far north as Poitiers. There they were defeated by Charles Martel, whose Frankish and Burgundian forces repelled the invaders. The result confirmed ... Show More