The Lion's last roar and a new religion blooming (1519 - 1521)

The Lion's last roar and a new religion blooming (1519 - 1521)

In this episode, we dive into the dramatic papacy of Pope Leo X, exploring his efforts to secure Medici power, his architectural and social reforms in Rome, and his role in the early days of the Protestant Reformation. We track how his favoritism toward Florence shaped papal policy, the challenges he faced with Martin Luther, and the growing religious divide that would soon shake Europe to its core.

We also spotlight Leo's political maneuvers in Italy, from annexing Urbino and Perugia to negotiating alliances with the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. And of course, there's a bit of colorful historical storytelling—like Machiavelli getting upstaged by two dogs, and the dramatic origins of Giovanni delle Bande Nere.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

  • How Pope Leo X used the papacy to benefit the Medici family and Florence.
  • His land reform policies that helped Roman farmers.
  • The significance of the Duchy of Urbino and Perugia joining the Papal States.
  • Why Martin Luther’s ideas gained traction—and how Leo X underestimated the Reformation.
  • The impact of the printing press and vernacular language in spreading revolutionary ideas.
  • The cultural comeback of Matilda of Tuscany and her symbolic power in German-Italian relations.
  • The complex political chess match between Pope Leo X, Charles V, and Francis I of France.
  • The death and legacy of Leo X—and how his actions paved the way for future Medici power play


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082 – Charles in charge and the Sicilian Vespers

082 – Charles in charge and the Sicilian Vespers

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081 – The last stand of the house of Staufen with guest host Marco Cappelli

081 – The last stand of the house of Staufen with guest host Marco Cappelli

Marco Cappelli tells us about the last stand of Conradine of Hohenstauen at the battle that took place near Marco's home town Tagliacozzo.

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080 – Frederick II's boys and here come the French

080 – Frederick II's boys and here come the French

1250 - 1266 We take a look at what happened to the sons of Frederick II, Conrad, Henry and Manfredi. In the case of Manfredi we see his rise to influence over almost all of Italy before it all came crashing down with the invasion of Charles of Anjou.

13 Mars 202018min

079 – The Prisoner King and the rest of Frederick II's boys

079 – The Prisoner King and the rest of Frederick II's boys

1248 -1272 We start taking a look at how things progressed after the death of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, starting with his son Enzo, who fell prisoner to the Coomune of Bologna, giving rise to a whole series of legends

5 Mars 202020min

078 – The Golden age of communes

078 – The Golden age of communes

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27 Feb 202021min

077 – The situation in the 13th century and revenge in Florence

077 – The situation in the 13th century and revenge in Florence

We take a look at how our communes are evolving in the 13th century with the whole messy Guelphs and Ghibellines business and have a look at the legend of how the factions were formed in Florence with the tragic tale of Buondelmonte dei Buondelmonti, a real soap opera, Florentine style.

20 Feb 202020min

Recap 04: Episodes 051 – 076 from the Concordat of Worms to the death of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II

Recap 04: Episodes 051 – 076 from the Concordat of Worms to the death of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II

We stop for our usual recap to look back over episodes 051 to 076 going from the Concordat of Worms in 1122 to the death of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, with a look at the rise of the Commune city states and the maritime republics, Venice in particular.

11 Feb 202017min

076 – St. Francis of Assisi

076 – St. Francis of Assisi

We look at the life and ideas of one of the most famous and influential figures in religious and non religious history, a young man who deemed of being a great soldier, who became one of the greatest champions of peace.

6 Feb 202038min

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