S4 E13 Ezzelino III da Romano: The Butcher of the March

Send us a text. Thank you for your messages I really appreciate it 😁

 Step into the blood-soaked streets of 13th-century northern Italy, where political rivalry was a death sentence and mercy was a forgotten word. In this episode of The Dark History Podcast, we uncover the chilling story of Ezzelino III da Romano, a warlord so feared that even Dante placed him in the Seventh Circle of Hell. 

Ruling during the brutal conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, Ezzelino rose from minor nobility to become one of the most infamous figures in medieval Europe. Aligning himself with the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, he carved out a vast domain through intimidation, political manipulation, and calculated slaughter. His reign was marked by torture chambers, public executions, and the eradication of entire families. 

At the height of his power, Ezzelino laid siege to the proud Guelph stronghold of Padua in 1256. What followed was not a victory, but a massacre—thousands killed, priests mutilated, women and children slaughtered, and the city reduced to a smouldering warning. Chroniclers claimed that in just two years, over 11,000 people perished under his rule. Whether exaggerated or not, the terror he inspired was real. 

We trace Ezzelino’s rise, his calculated brutality, and his inevitable downfall as the Pope declared a crusade against him—a rare honour reserved for only the most despised of enemies. Captured at the Battle of Cassano in 1259, Ezzelino refused food, medicine, or confession, dying in prison as the cities he once ruled celebrated his demise. 

From fortress intrigue and political betrayal to siege warfare and mass executions, this is the story of a man who turned cruelty into a system of governance. Perfect for listeners drawn to medieval history, true crime, and the study of absolute power, this episode serves as both a deep historical dive and a grim cautionary tale. 

Join us as we bring Ezzelino III da Romano out of the shadows of history, to stand once more in the light—if only to remind us how far human cruelty can reach. 

Support the show

*** Patreon link https://patreon.com/Darkhistory2021?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link ***

Merch:
https://www.teepublic.com/stores/dark-history?ref_id=36220

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darkhistorypod?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Discord https://discord.gg/3mHPd3xg

Email: darkhistory2021@outlook.com

Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLSvwJJV/

YouTube :https://youtube.com/c/DarkHistory2021

Twitter: @darkhistory2021

Instagram: @dark_history21

Step into the shadows of the past—where truth is more disturbing than fiction. The Dark History Podcast drags the forgotten, the forbidden, and the downright horrifying stories of our world into the light. From blood-soaked streets of Victorian London to the twisted minds of history’s most ruthless figures, every episode plunges you into an immersive narrative built on meticulous research and haunting detail.

Hosted by Rob Bradley, Dark History doesn’t just tell stories—it makes you feel them. Each episode unravels real events that shaped our world in ways you were never taught, told through vivid storytelling that grips you from the first word to the last breath.

History isn’t always written by the victors. Sometimes, it’s whispered from the gallows, buried beneath ruins, or etched in blood.

If you crave the truth behind the horror, and the stories history tried to forget—welcome to The Dark History Podcast.

Merch:
https://www.teepublic.com/stores/dark-history?ref_id=36220

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/darkhistorypod?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Email:
darkhistory2021@outlook.com

Tiktok:
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLSvwJJV/

YouTube :
https://youtube.com/c/DarkHistory2021

Instagram: 
@dark_history21