The Russian Empire History Podcast

JP Bristow

The history of all the peoples of the Russian Empire. New episode twice a month. Subscribe for exclusive Member Episodes read less

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REHP at Intelligent Speech 2025

REHP at Intelligent Speech 2025

Intelligent Speech 2025 will take place on 8 February 2025 with lots to listen to from a whole crowd of independent history podcasters - including JP Bristow. Listen live or catch up afterwards. Go to intelligentspeech.com and use the code EMPIRE for a 10% discount on tickets now.

Episodes

1.66 - - The Mongol Western Campaigns Part I - The Fall of Bulgaria

1.66 - - The Mongol Western Campaigns Part I - The Fall of Bulgaria

The Mongol Empire continues its campaigns of expansion. Chingis Khan has given his son Jochi the west, but first he must conquer it.

1.65 - Enter the Mongols

1.65 - Enter the Mongols

Word comes from the Polovtsi that there is a new force on the steppe. The Rus join them to fight them off.

REHP at Intelligent Speech 2025

REHP at Intelligent Speech 2025

Intelligent Speech 2025 will take place on 8 February 2025 with lots to listen to from a whole crowd of independent history podcasters - including JP Bristow. Listen live or catch up afterwards. Go to intelligentspeech.com and use the code EMPIRE for a 10% discount on tickets now.

1.64 Mindaugas the One and Only

1.64 Mindaugas the One and Only

Under pressure from Teutonic knights, Rus, and Poland, a new kingdom emerges from the Lithuanian tribes.

1.63 - The Baltic Crusades Part II - The Teutonic Order

1.63 - The Baltic Crusades Part II - The Teutonic Order

In this episode, we look at how the Teutonic Knights went from hospitals in the Holy Land to conquering Prussia.

1.62 - The Baltic Crusades Part I

1.62 - The Baltic Crusades Part I

Through the second half of the 12th century, the pieces start to fall into place for the conquests of the 13th century.

1.61 - The Hanseatic League

1.61 - The Hanseatic League

The Baltic crusades were not the only force driving German colonisation in the Baltic. In this episode we look at the rise of the Hanseatic League, a new commercial network across Northern Europe.

1.60 - Rus and the Baltic Crusades

1.60 - Rus and the Baltic Crusades

Big claims have been made for the impact of the Baltic Crusades on Russia’s relationship with the West. This episode looks at whether they stand up to scrutiny.

SE7 - Who Are the Mongols?

SE7 - Who Are the Mongols?

In this special episode I am joined by Jack Wilson, AKA The Jackmeister: Mongol History to talk about who the Mongols were, where they came from, why they set out to conquer the west, and more.

1.59 - Big Nest and the Rest

1.59 - Big Nest and the Rest

Vsevolod Big Nest continues to try to impose his will on the Rostislavichi and Olgovichi as Rus enters the thirteenth century.

1.58 - The Downward Spiral

1.58 - The Downward Spiral

Svyatoslav’s death leaves Ryurik as sole ruler in Kyiv, but he soon finds that Vsevolod Big Nest thinks he’s really the guy in charge.

1.57 - Svyatoslav III

1.57 - Svyatoslav III

As the twelfth century draws to a close, Svyatoslav of the Olgovichi makes another play for Kyiv, but finds himself forced to share power with Rurik Rostislavich.

1.56 - Andrey Bogolyubsky Asserts Himself

1.56 - Andrey Bogolyubsky Asserts Himself

His troops have sacked Kyiv and his brother sits on the throne. What next?

1.55 - Volga Bulgaria before the Mongols

1.55 - Volga Bulgaria before the Mongols

By the twelfth century, Bulgaria had become the regional power on the Volga. Conflict with the emerging and ambitious Suzdalia was inevitable, but the Bulgars proved quite capable of holding their own.

1.54 - Life in Medieval Volga Bulgaria

1.54 - Life in Medieval Volga Bulgaria

In this episode, we catch up on the Bulgars and see how life on the Volga compares to Rus.

1.53 - The Balts and the Origins of the Baltic Crusades

1.53 - The Balts and the Origins of the Baltic Crusades

Northwest of Rus live the Baltic peoples. After centuries of relative isolation, they are attracting unwanted attention from their neighbours.

1.52 - The Qipchaks

1.52 - The Qipchaks

We have already met the Qipchaks as the Polovtsi, the steppe enemies of the Rus. But they are more than just that.

1.51 - Life in Rus

1.51 - Life in Rus

In this episode, we look at what we know about how the ordinary people of Rus lived.

A special fiftieth episode answering questions from listeners. What was the Rus army like, what languages were spoken in Rus, marriages and diplomacy, and more.

1.49 - Go and take Kyiv

1.49 - Go and take Kyiv

As the next generation of rulers begins to contest the throne of Kyiv, one of them has a different idea.