40. History and Wargame Design with Alessio Cavatore
On this episode, Mark welcomes Alessio Cavatore previously of Games Workshop where he designed supplement games for the brand and more recently with his own company River Horse games. As the co-designer for Warlord Games' World War Two game Bolt Action, Mark was very keen on interviewing Alessio for the pod particularly on how history influences wargame design. Replicating history in wargaming is a difficult task, which sometimes requires simplification, but also a guard against rule creep to ensure that the game remains accessible and playable. This is Alessio's drive to achieve a sophistication through simplicity, "designing a complex game is easy" and the conversation leads onto simplicity is the most difficult thing to achieve. A superb conversation related to designing history into wargaming that moved into one of Mark's favourite subjects, Waterloo, for which Alessio designed Quelle' Affaire. Alessio reveals that his influence from history actually comes from the idealistic vision of the medieval knight, so the Middle Ages are his favourite period of history. Simple wonderful.From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicate Podcast is the forum for all with a common interest in all things history.The views expressed are those of the author and guest. They do not necessarily represent any views of any other organisation or institution.Hosted and edited by Mark Martin.With Alessio Cavatore.Edited and produced by Mark Martin.Music: Throughout History available via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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39. Discussing the Teutonic Order (1190-1291) with Dr Nic Morton
On this episode, Mark welcomes Dr Nic Morton onto the syndicate to discuss the Teutonic Order, in particular, the Teutonic Knights who crusaded in the Middle East but also in Northern Prussia, modern day the 'Baltic States'. A complex and diverse population interacting in the 'Crusader States' during the 13th and 14th century, factionalism is rife that required peacemaking but ultimately it came down to the relationships between individuals than institutions themselves. Herman Von Selsa stands out as a individual who could manoeuvre benefactors and patrons towards a common cause for the institution, and in this case, for the Teutonic Order. They discuss the different grades of the order, Brother and Sister Knights to Brother Sergeants and their roles in the orders. A fascinating insight, more detail can be gained through Nic's book 'The Teutonic Knights 1190-1291'.From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicate Podcast is the forum for all with a common interest in all things history.The views expressed are those of the author and guest. They do not necessarily represent any views of any other organisation or institution.Hosted and edited by Mark Martin.With Dr Nic Morton.Music: Throughout History available via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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38. 'The Hunger Winter' and Operation MANNA - Humanitarian Relief in Holland 1945 with Frank Pleszak
On this episode, Mark welcomes Frank Pleszak back to the syndicate to discuss Operation Manna that took place in Holland beginning in April 1945. Coupled with Operation Chowhound from the USA and Operation Faust, humanitarian aid was delivered by air and road into Holland to prevent starvation amongst the civilian populations. Having run events at the Avro Heritage Museum in Manchester with veterans, Frank provides the comments that were made by the veterans about this task that they were not prepared for, or trained for, at the end of the war to ensure that the people of Holland were fed.Recordings provided with the kind permission of Frank Pleszak as a volunteer of the Avro Heritage Museum and the veterans of Op MANNA that they interviewed, John Manoghan and Jeff Brown, who spoke on the recordings. All provided with permission.From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicate Podcast is the forum for all with a common interest in all things history.The views expressed are those of the author and guest. They do not necessarily represent any views of any other organisation or institution.Hosted and edited by Mark Martin.With Frank Pleszak.Music: Throughout History available via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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37. Discussing 'The Line of Splendor'; General Nathanael Greene and the American Revolution with Salina B Baker
On this episode, Mark welcomes Salina B Baker to the syndicate to discuss General Nathanael Greene via her historical fiction book, 'The Line of Splendor'. A deep dive into the American Revolution and War of Independence they discuss the seminal moments in General Greene's life, including his motivations, successes and near crippling debt incurred for trying to do the right thing by his soldiers. A problem solver from an early age, Salina tells the story of how people felt during the 18th Century, rather than simply telling the story. Through her research into the historical record, mostly into General Greene's letters, Salina garners the emotions of the time to recreate the conversations and stories of his story during the American Revolution. The pod also veers into discussions on General Arnold and General Greene's involvement with the Major John Andre affair. Sensitive to criticism, he was a private with a limp in the Kentish Guard who was recognised for his potential and promoted to Brigadier General where he spent most of his adult life at war, dying at aged 43. A superb exploration of the 18th century that made for a wonderful conversation and novel, from 'The Line of Splendor' articulates General Greene's own words about being removed from field command to a staff role excellently.From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicate Podcast is the forum for all with a common interest in all things history.The views expressed are those of the author and guest. They do not necessarily represent any views of any other organisation or institution.Hosted and edited by Mark Martin.With Salina B Baker.Music: Throughout History available via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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36. The shelters of the London Underground in two world wars with Niall Devitt
On this episode, Mark welcomes Niall Devitt to discuss the shelters of the London Underground during the First and Second World Wars. Niall was proudly raised from a London Underground railway family and studied history for five years at King's London. A tour de force on the subject combining his passions and interests about all trains, history, TV and comedy, Niall depth of knowledge and research is an impressive and interesting conversation that leads from the Zepplin Airship bombardments by the German Army onto London during World War One through to the political conundrums of using the underground as shelters versus the moral imperative to protect the population and the use of TV to keep up morale. The discussions range from psychology in warfare to the exact details of events, the evolving conditions, fumigation against mosquitos and service provisions when the Underground was used as shelters. This work forms part of Niall's upcoming publications, the first of which is titled 'Underground Railway: 1801 - 1902'.From the macro to the micro topics of history, The History Syndicate Podcast is the forum for all with a common interest in all things history.The views expressed are those of the author and guest. They do not necessarily represent any views of any other organisation or institution.Hosted and edited by Mark Martin.With Niall Devitt.Music: Throughout History available via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The History Syndicate Podcast is to bring together those with a common interest in history. It is to build a community for anyone to discuss everything and anything history.Whether your research is part of an academic scholarly debate, a museum exhibition, an historical project or personal family history, the syndicate wants to hear and share it with the world.So much work, time and effort placed into discovering, re-evaluating or add to historical knowledge often goes unsaid, unpublished and unheard. It is the syndicate’s desire to provide a relaxed conversational forum where all have equal opportunity to present their knowledge and hard work.Join the syndicate host Mark Martin on The History Syndicate Podcast. Mark is a graduate of history and has enthusiasm for any historical subject. This is his hobby podcast simply because he loves talking history with anyone.Mark wants to build an active community open to all with a common interest in history.Welcome to The History Syndicate Podcast. The syndicate hopes you enjoy being involved in the conversation.Hosted, created and produced by Mark Martin.Music: 'Throughout History' via Podcastle.Audio: Mixed using Podcastle.Cover Art and images created using Canva and Canva DreamLab AI.The History Syndicate Podcast is an independent creation not aligned to any organisation or institution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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