Sometimes in history, an unexpected event or emergency changes its course. In the late 1520s, Henry VIII, King of England, wanted to divorce his wife, Catherine of Aragon, and marry Anne Boleyn. In normal times, this would not have been an issue. But it just so happened that at that exact same time the Pope was the prisoner of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, who happened to be Catherine's nephew. And he was not about to let that happen. So Henry, with the help of Thomas Cromwell and Thomas Cranme...
Oct 28, 2022•59 min
In this episode, we take a step back and examine the origins of the English Reformation up to, roughly, 1522. Henry VIII and Cardinal Wolsey work to try and solve some of the problems facing the church while the intersection between civil and canon law eats away at the delicate balance between church and state. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Oct 21, 2022•57 min
The Battle of Pavia left Francis I in Imperial custody, Henry VIII utterly jubilant, and Charles V hopeful but wary. While Francis stews in Italy and then Spain, Charles weds Isabella of Portugal to the delight of his Castilian subjects. Henry, however, begins to have major doubts about the validity of his own marriage as he falls deeply in love with Anne Boleyn. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Oct 14, 2022•51 min
In this bonus episode, I sit down with Sean Connolly, author of "On Every Tide" a new history of Irish emigration. It is an amazing book that covers the story of the Irish diaspora from the oft-told stories of New York and Boston all the way to New South Wales. I highly recommend the book and you can pick up a copy here: https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/sean-connolly/on-every-tide/9780465093960/# :~:text=In%20On%20Every%20Tide%2C%20Sean,%2C%20Australia%2C%20and%20New%20Zealand. Website: www.wes...
Oct 11, 2022•1 hr 6 min
While last week Charles V and Henry VIII slowly boxed Francis I in, this time the French King risks all on one more throw of the dice. And loses. The Battle of Pavia will see the French King become the prisoner of the Emperor, turning the tables upside down on the political life of pre-modern Europe. Check out the Website for more content: www.westerncivpodcast.com Join the Patreon Feed for Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Try a Seven-Day Free Trial of Western Civ....
Oct 07, 2022•38 min
This week we really just focus on Francis I. The rise of Charles V left Francis out in the proverbial cold. Desperate to rekindle some kind of momentum, Francis provokes the Holy Roman Emperor and winds up in a fight to the death with both Charles and Henry VIII. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Version: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Sep 30, 2022•45 min
In this episode, we begin following King Henry VIII, King Francis I, and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V as the tumultuous 1520s unfold. Francis sees his stock fall after his failed attempt to become Holy Roman Emperor. Charles deals with unrest in Castile while also confronting Martin Luther. Henry finds himself courted by both men. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Version: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Sep 23, 2022•44 min
Here's a quick bonus look at the kind of thing I am doing at Western Civ 2.0. This episode covers the rise of Corinth and Sparta and sets the stage for Greece leading up to the Persian Wars. You can get a free seven-day trial of Western Civ 2.0 here: www.glow.fm/westernciv As always, for ad-free versions of the show check out: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast
Sep 18, 2022•28 min
In this episode, we follow all three of our major protagonists for the first time. Charles I of Spain tries to win the Imperial Election and become the next Holy Roman Emperor after the death of Maximilian I. Henry VIII continues his quest for an heir after the birth of Princess Mary. Meanwhile, Cardinal Wolsey attempts to negotiate an entente between Francis I and Henry while the former continues his efforts to thwart Charles in any way possible. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Show:...
Sep 16, 2022•55 min
Years before her pregnancy, Louise of Angouleme was given a prophecy. Not only would she have a son, but that son would go on to be the King of France. At the time the idea seemed fanciful. Charles VIII sat on the French throne she was married to a minor member of the royal extended family. But then the unexpected death and ascension of the childless Louis XII suddenly made it seem as if her dream might come true. Today we introduce Francis I and follow the French King through his roughly first ...
Sep 09, 2022•59 min
Henry VIII begins his reign as king immediately provoking a war with France. Henry's accomplishments in France, however, fighting against Louis XII would prove not worth the cost. Meanwhile, now-Cardinal Wolsey pushes Henry to reconsider his continental ambitions. Wolsey's Pro-France attitude would ruffle a few English aristocratic feathers, but ultimately he got his way with the marriage of Princess Mary to the aging Louis XII. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/western...
Sep 02, 2022•46 min
In this episode, we explore Henry VIII's court broadly while considering the first few months of his reign. Henry quickly marries Katherine of Aragon in an effort to cement an alliance with King Ferdinand of Spain in the hope that the two would shortly declare war on France. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Subscription Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Aug 26, 2022•47 min
Henry VII's reign reaches the end of the line. After finally cementing an alliance with the Hapsburgs, Henry finally succumbs to tuberculosis. Richard Fox and Thomas Wolsey then help a young Henry VIII succeed his father - the first peaceful succession in England for one hundred years. England was lucky. Henry VII's former finance ministers... not so much. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Subscription Feed Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Aug 19, 2022•1 hr 10 min
King Henry VII decides he wants to play with the big boys on the continent while a freak storm finally delivers the Earl of Suffolk into his grasp. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Subscription Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv
Aug 12, 2022•35 min
The deaths of Prince Arthur and Queen Elizabeth decisively change Henry VII's reign. With only the young Henry VIII between the earl of Suffolk and the throne, Henry VII becomes increasingly paranoid and preoccupied with protecting his dynasty. To do this to turn to a new financial counselor: Edmund Dudley. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Subscriber Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Aug 05, 2022•54 min
Henry VII comes into his own as the king of England. His efforts to make England a major power player are effective until his eldest son, Arthur, tragically dies.
Jul 29, 2022•49 min
Henry Tudor defeats Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field to become Henry VII. But he is immediately beset by various pretenders to the throne leading to the question: were the Wars of the Roses truly over? Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Patreon Epsidoes: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Premium Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Jul 22, 2022•47 min
While Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Calvin were leading the charge for reform, the Roman Catholic Church was not sitting idly by. Today we cover the Catholic response: re-entrench and slam the door. The Council of Trent reaffirms Catholic doctrine while the newly-minted Jesuits spread the Gospel through the schools. Then, we close out the episode with a look at the overall significance of the Reformation. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Become a Patron for ad-free versions of the sh...
Jul 15, 2022•1 hr 6 min
John Calvin passes his final years still attempting to stitch together a Protestant alliance with Zurich and Germany. Simultaneously, he executes a Reformed Priest for failing to fall in line with his doctrine, earning him universal ire. Calvin's death in 1564 heralded the end of John Calvin and the true beginning of Calvinism. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Subcriber Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Jul 08, 2022•1 hr 24 min
Now in complete control in Geneva, John Calvin sought to forge a Protestant alliance with first Strasbourg, then Saxony, and finally with Bullinger in Zurich. While dealing with foreign issues, within Geneva itself, things were getting rough. The situation in France had deteriorated for Protestants, leading thousands to flee. Many of these refugees found their way to Geneva. But the influx of hundreds of foreigners always causes issues and, in the case of Geneva in the Sixteenth Century, the iss...
Jul 01, 2022•59 min
In this episode, John Calvin makes his triumphant return to Geneva where he can all his plans into action. Here he will build his Godly society and found his famous "Consistory": designed to regulate human moral conduct. As you can imagine, it was controversial. Check out the website for more content: www.westerncivpodcast.com Become a Patron for ad-free shows and hours of bonus content: patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Subscribe to our Premium Feed for classic Western Civ but updated with hours mo...
Jun 24, 2022•55 min
John Calvin is famous for putting together the first concise and complete doctrine for Reformed Christianity. His Institutes of the Christian Religion laid out precisely what it meant to be Calvinist in a way that Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli never did - they both left that task to their successors. Check out the website for more content: www.westerncivpodcast.com Become a Patron for ad-free versions of the show and bonus content: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Subscribe to our Premium Fe...
Jun 17, 2022•1 hr
There are few issues that divide people in the United States like guns and gun ownership. The Second Amendment is normally cited as protecting citizens' right to bear arms of any kind. But is that what the Founding Fathers intended? In this history ramble, while I make attempt to decide this divisive issue for contemporary Americans, I look into the history of the Second Amendment. What did the Framers of the Constitution mean by "militia"? Then, I examine how the issue has changed historically ...
Jun 14, 2022•1 hr 8 min
Today we meet our final early reformer: John Calvin. Calvin was significantly younger than Luther or Zwingli and does not even begin his reformation efforts in Geneva until the latter had died. But John Calvin and his Institutes of the Christian Religion are probably more important in the long run than Luther or Zwingli. Calvin, unlike either of those two, took the time to create a completely reformed doctrine. In this first episode, we meet Calvin and discuss his early life. Check out the websi...
Jun 10, 2022•47 min
Last time, Zwingli rose to prominence in Zurich, creating his model for the perfect Reformed Christian community. For him, this was nothing less than the revelation of a prophecy foretold millennia earlier. The Swiss were to be the New Israelites and the Swiss Confederation a New Israel. And then, in shocking speed, it all came crashing down. Within less than a decade of his success in 1525, Zwingli would lay dead on the battlefield, a causality of his own aggression. Today Zwingli remains a bit...
Jun 03, 2022•1 hr 30 min
Today I sit down with historian Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones to discuss his most recent work: "The Persians: Age of Kings". We talk about all your usual topics: Cyrus and Darius the Great, the Persian Wars and Xerxes, and, of course, Alexander the Great. All from the Persian perspective. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Premium Subscription: www.glow.fm/westernciv...
Jun 01, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Last time, we introduced Ulrich Zwingli and walked through his initial struggles with the Roman Church and his transition to Zurich. This time, we follow Zwingli as he changes the Zurich Church, creating arguably the most reformed church in Reformation Europe at the time. Check out the website for more content: www.westerncivpodcast.com Become a Patron and enjoy ad-free programming plus bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Want to hear more about Classical Greece and the Persian War...
May 27, 2022•53 min
Time for another history ramble. (Pun intended.) Have you ever thought about the history of time? How did we, as a species, decide to divide the day? Why did we do that? What does our conception of time tell us about ourselves as a civilization? I answer all these questions and more in this topic-centered history ramble. Check out our website at: www.westerncivpodcast.com Get Ad-Free versions of the show at: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Try a free trial of the new subscription feed at: www....
May 26, 2022•1 hr 45 min
Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Subscription Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv
May 22, 2022•4 min
Having finished with Martin Luther, we now shift our gaze to the Swiss Confederation, Zurich, and Ulrich Zwingli. Zwingli is another of our early reformers. His efforts in Zurich took place around the same time as Luther though the men, while both opposed to Rome, did not see eye to eye on much else. Yet, like Luther, Zwingli began his career within the Roman Catholic Church. Today we begin his story. Check out the website for more content: www.westerncivpodcast.com Become a Patron for ad-free v...
May 20, 2022•55 min
