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The Unknown Soldiers Podcast

The Unknown Soldiers Podcast

Written by: James Houser
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Host James Houser tackles forgotten wars, battles, and perspectives of military history from across the ages and across the globe. Whether it's the women of the American Revolution, lost Indian kingdoms, neglected World War II campaigns or medieval power struggles, this podcast sheds light on real people with real stories...who don't deserve to be Unknown Soldiers.

James Houser
World
Episodes
  • Episode #65: Soldier of Fortune
    Feb 2 2026

    In the year 1361, a ragged band of veteran mercenaries called the White Company marched across the Alps into Italy. One of their leaders was a middle-aged English knight named Sir John Hawkwood. He would the most infamous mercenary captain in Europe, the terror of Italy…and the harbinger of change, as the Middle Ages gave way to the Renaissance.

    Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/episode-65-soldier-and-fortune-maps-and-sources

    Music:

    Dragonquest by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    Bloodlust by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    Dark Hollows by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    Epic Cinematic Dramatic Music | Tragedy by Alex-Productions | https://onsound.eu/Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comCreative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

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    2 hrs and 55 mins
  • Episode #64: The Life and Times of Sir William Marshal
    Dec 23 2025

    A five-year-old boy is marched to his execution, but at the last minute he is spared. So begins the story of William Marshal. Tournament champion, feudal lord, father, husband, hero, rebel, loyal servant to five kings, one of the most legendary knights of the Middle Ages. And in his final years, at the age of 70, he will make the most important decision of his life.

    Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/episode-64-the-life-and-times-of-sir-william-marshal-maps-and-sources

    Music:

    The Pyre by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/

    Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

    Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

    https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

    Tavern Brawl by Alexander Nakarada ft. Kevin MacLeod | https://creatorchords.com

    Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

    Creative Commons CC BY 4.0

    https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    An Epic Story by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/

    Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

    Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

    https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

    "Reign of the King" by CitySound, via Pond5.com

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    2 hrs and 54 mins
  • Short Round: General Agricola at the Edge of the World
    Nov 10 2025

    After surviving Boudicca's Rebellion, the Roman province of Britannia was more or less stagnant - until a general arrived with an ambition to complete the conquest. Gnaeus Julius Agricola came to Britain in 77 AD with the ambition to lead the legions into the wild northern regions of Caledonia, a.k.a. Scotland, all the way to the ends of the known earth. And the only reason we know about this campaign is Agricola's son-in-law, the historian Tacitus, who made sure that his wife's beloved father wouldn't become an unknown soldier.

    Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/episode-63-furies-of-britannia-sources-and-maps

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    1 hr
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