Empires, Anarchy & Other Notable Moments

This is the seventh in a series of eight episodes detailing the life of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.  At the beginning of the 19th century, Napoleon was on top of the world; little did he know that a disastrous campaign designed to push back Russian ambition would bring it all to an abrupt end for the Emperor of France.  This episode contains detailed discussion of the battles of Borodino, E...

This is the sixth in a series of eight episodes detailing the life of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.  The story picks up with the shattering of the fragile peace found between France and the British.  As war breaks out, Napoleon once again finds himself in the comfortable role as general.  This episode focuses on his efforts to successfully navigate the English channel.  His relations with Cza...

This is the fifth in a series of eight episodes detailing the life of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.  This episode begins with a recounting of the 18 Brumaire, the coup that resulted in his ascension to First Consul.  From there will we examine the policies that were enacted during the interwar years, including Napoleon's rewriting of the entire French legal code before returning to the proble...

This is the fourth of eight episodes in a series detailing the life of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.  The setting for this episode is Egypt as Napoleon fears the inevitable failure that would have come with the Directory's desire for a cross-channel invasion of England.  Napoleon swiftly conquers Egypt after the battle of the pyramids before the Turks and English rally to repel the Frenchman....

This is the third of eight episodes in a series detailing the life of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.  This edition looks at the first major campaign for Napoleon Bonaparte; one that would place him in line with his historical heroes.  The conquest takes place in northern Italy in an attempt to defeat the Austrian empire.  We will look closely at his tactics in the conflict as they hardly chang...

This is the second of eight episodes in a series detailing the life of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.  This portion of the story covers Napoleon up to the age of 26; detailing a lesser-known side of the military genius - his love life.  We will explore Napoleon's relationships in an attempt to understand where his misogynistic and homophobic viewpoints come form.  As well as an exploration of...

This is the first of eight episodes in a series detailing the life of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.  We begin our story with an introduction to the island of Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon.  We trace his family history on the island and the circumstances that resulted in his attending an early education French military boarding academy.  His experiences there will give us important insig...

This is the fifth in a series of five episodes regarding the French Revolution. This episode looks at the battle of the factions which facilitated the rise of Maximillian Robespierre before he then implemented his 'reign of terror.'  The episode will end with the fall of Robespierre and the rise of the Directory.   Side topics include the execution of Marie Antoinette, the murder of Jean-Paul Mara...

This is the fourth in a series of five episodes regarding the French Revolution.  This episode focuses on the rise of the Jacobin despot Maximillian Robespierre who will outmaneuver the National Convention in an effort to consolidate rule beneath his faction.  The September Massacre, the creation of the Guillotine, the battle of Valmy, and the trial/execution of King Louis XVI is all covered.   Co...

This is the third in a series of five episodes regarding the French Revolution.  This episode largely deals with the central question of what to do with the deposed King Louis XVI.  We begin with his imprisonment within the Templar jails beneath Paris and follow along as the political factions tear each other apart while a patient Maximillian Robespierre waits within the shadows.  Major discussion...

This is the second in a series of five episodes regarding the French Revolution.  This episode begins by looking at the relationship between King Louis XVI and the newly formed National Assembly as they work somewhat together to address the financial disaster that was the French economy.  Unfortunately, the relationship falls apart.  Major discussion points include Queen Marie Antoinette and the s...

This is the first in a series of five episodes regarding the French Revolution.  This episode picks up with the damage left behind by the Sun King's disastrous wars.  It examines how the Ancien Regime and its unfair tax policy sets up a fight between the three Estates of France.  Food shortages were a continuous problem throughout the revolutionary period and thus we examine the role that climate...

This is the final episode in a series regarding the life and long reign of Louis the Sun King.  This episode will trace the main reasons for the downfall of France's prestige during the last 15 years of his reign.  The 9 year war and the war of Spanish succession are covered as well as the financial implications that came with endless war and the advent of the little ice age. Contact the show at r...

This is the fourth in a series of five regarding Louis the Sun King.  We begin by looking at a series of wars in the Low Countries which plagued Louis' reign.  His success brought counterbalancing from his European peers.  Instead of backing down, however, Louis doubled-down due to his obsession with personal glory, French bureaucratic challenges, and his loyalty towards his allies in England and...

This is the third in a series of five regarding Louis the Sun King.  This episodes looks at the domestic life of Louis XIV throughout his lengthy reign.    Special attention is paid to the creation of Versailles, Louis' extra-marital affairs, and the challenges posed by the King's numerous fraud-loving finance ministers.   Contact the show at resourcesbylowery@gmail.com   If you would like to fina...

This is the second in a series of five episodes regarding Louis the Sun King.  The young King's reign did not begin in a favorable manner.  The transition from Richelieu to Mazarin is covered along with a deeper look into the relationship between Louis' mother and his chief advisor.  The Fronde challenges his right to rule, but also manages to cement the King's foundation for absolute rule.   Cont...

This is the first in a series of five episodes regarding Louis the Sun King.  This episode serves to establish the France that he will inherit.  It begins by looking at the rise and reign of Henry IV with a particular focus regarding the Protestant vs Catholic skirmishes situated around his wedding.  Then we'll examine the debauched life of Louis XIII and the rise of his top advisor Cardinal Riche...

This is the fourth and final episode regarding Saint Joan of Arc, the warrior heroine of the later portion of the Hundred Years war.  This episode goes through the evidence that was presented against Joan during her trial.  It looks indepth at the suffering that she endured during her captivity as well as the defiance she showed all the way until the end of her life.  Lastly, we'll look at what ha...

This is the third of four episodes regarding Saint Joan of Arc, the warrior heroine of the later portion of the Hundred Years war.  This episode starts at the beginning of Joan's life and takes the listener through each of the supposed miracles of the Maid.  It also looks at her more controversial moments/decisions - including her cross-dressing and tactical decisions.  The episode comes to an end...

This is the second of four episodes regarding Saint Joan of Arc, the warrior heroine of the later portion of the Hundred Years war.  This episode looks at the continuing feud between the Armagnac and Burgundy factions.  Their feud allowed for the gradual transition of Northern France to English France.  Discussion occurs regarding ones' ability to receive a vision from God and discusses the desire...

This is the first of four episodes regarding Saint Joan of Arc, the warrior heroine of the later portion of the Hundred Years war.  This episode sets the stage for Joan's dramatic arrival to the court of the Dauphin with her message from God.  The main focus will be on the feud between the Burgundy and Armagnac houses during the third phase of the war.  Their feud directly results in England's col...

This is the second of two episodes regarding the life and legacy of Eleanor of Aquitaine.  We pick up with the newlyweds Eleanor and Henry as they tour their southern holdings in Aquitaine.  After Henry gains the throne of England, Eleanor's role shifts from partner to baby-factory.  The sidelining of Eleanor directly results in her participation regarding the coup against her husband.  The episod...

This is the first of two episodes regarding the life and legacy of Eleanor of Aquitaine.  While she is more known as the mother to English Kings' Richard and John, Eleanor was a major power player in her own right.  This April Queen was an early feminism who continually pushed back against the patriarchal systems built into the age.  This episode covers her upbringing, her marriage to the French K...

In this final episode of our five part series regarding the events that played out in 1066, we examine what happened to William after the battle of Hastings.  Along the way, we'll examine his legacy and why no one took the effort to bury him in a timely manner.  We will also examine some of the side-stories of British history that loosely relate to the conqueror - including information on Westmins...

In this five part series, we examine the events of 1066 during which Duke William sets sail from the shores of Normandy, France in order to conquer England.  This episode first examines the treachery of Tostig before examining the first major battle of 1066 - the battle of Stamford Bridge.  We then attempt to understanding Harold's decision making as he rushes to his second major engagement - this...