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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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