A History Of Europe, Key Battles

The English Civil War Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Build-up to the English Civil War, with growing tensions between King Charles I and the ParliamentMusic: John Dowland - Lachrimae, or Seven Tears; Lassus - Susanne un jour (piano); Thoinot Arbeau - Orchésographie - Pavane: Belle qui tiens ma viePicture: Attempted Arrest of the Five members, by Charles West Cope Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Part 1 on the English Civil War. The reign of the first Stuart king of England, James I (James VI of Scotland) was relatively calm, but there were religious tensions, including the Gunpowder Plot 1605, and disagreements with parliament, which presaged the later troubles of his son Charles IMusic: Orlando Gibbons, Silver Swan Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last decade of the Thirty Years War - French, Swedish, Spanish, German, and imperial armies fight to gain strategic advantage in a central Europe already devastated by many years of conflict and pillaging. Finally in 1648 the sides agree to the Peace of Westphalia.Music: Claudio Monteverdi - Lamento della ninfa, 1638, dedicated to Emperor Ferdinand III Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The French, her foreign policy led by Cardinal Richelieu, enter the Thirty Years War after the Battle of Lutzen 1632Music: Giovanni Paolo Cima - O Dulcedo Meliflua, 1610 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, launches a stunning attack into Germany and dramatically turns the tide of the Thirty Years War, concluding at the Battle of Lutzen 1632 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Before Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, got involved in the 30 Years War, he had already fought wars against Denmark, Poland and Russia Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Warfare engulfs central Europe as Spain and the Dutch renew their war and Christian IV of Denmark invades the Holy Roman empire. Ferdinand II declares the Edict of Restitution to reassert Catholicism and imperial authority Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Thirty Years war is triggered by a revolt in Bohemia, and the famous Defenestration of Prague 1618. Frederick V of the Palatinate accepts the rebels' invitation to lead them, leading to the Battle of White Mountain for control of Prague. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 17th century was one of the most bloody of European history. The Thirty Years War in particular is notorious for the sustained carnage and destruction it caused, and still burns in German memory as the most bloody period in their history before the twentieth century. Today's episode describes the situation on the continent leading up to the conflict. Pictured: Emperor Ferdinand II and Frederick V of the Palatinate. Music: Giovanni Palestrina Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sultan Osman II leads a massive invasion force to Poland, confident of victory after defeating a Christian army the year before. The Ottomans meet a combined Polish-Cossack army near the Romanian-Polish border by the fortress of Khotytn (pictured). And so commences a month long battle for control of the region. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cossacks raid the Black Sea coast as far as Kaffa and Istanbul. King Sigismund III of Poland vies for control of Moldavia, today a region in Romania with the Turks. In response Sultan Osman II declares war on Poland, gaining victory at Cecora in 1620 (pictured). The next year the Ottomans prepare a much bigger army for an invasion of Poland Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A succession of weak rulers begins the gradual decline of the Ottoman Empire. Their fight with the Habsburgs for control of Hungary continues with the Long Turkish War 1593-1606 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Background to the Battle of Khotyn 1621. The Cossacks occupy a central place in the history of Ukraine and surrounding region. They were not so much a distinct race but a way of life, a military caste whose service, though not always loyalty, was brought for concessions of land and limited independence. They inhabited a no-mans land in south-eastern Europe between the Christian states of Poland-Lithuania and Muscovy to the north, and the Ottoman Turks and their vassals to the south east Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The famous Spanish Armada of 1588 was only one of several battles in the Anglo-Spanish War of 1585-1604. Elizabeth hoped to take advantage of her victory by striking another blow to the Spanish fleet but in truth her own forces were exhausted. The conflict continued for several more years, and became embroiled in continental affairs; the Dutch Revolt and rise of Henry IV of France. Finally, I look at the legacies of Philip II of Spain and Elizabeth I of England  Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The famous attempted invasion of England by the Spanish Armada in 1588 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Duke of Parma (pictured), sent by Philip II of Spain, makes good progress putting down tough resistance in the Dutch Revolt. Spanish success prompts Elizabeth I to get more involved Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Origins of the Dutch Revolt (1568–1648). Philip II of Spain inherits the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Naples and the newly discovered Americas as well as the Iberian Peninsula. Unrest breaks out in the Netherlands, and resistance grows against Philip's rule. Meanwhile, Anglo-Spanish relations are further strained by the discovery of a Spanish plot to kill Queen Elizabeth, the Ridolfi plotPictured: Philip of Spain and William of Orange, leader of the revolt Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The kingdoms of England and Spain are allies during the reign of Mary I of England and her husband Philip Habsburg, son of Emperor Charles V. Mary, however, dies childless and is succeeded by her sister Elizabeth, a Protestant. Meanwhile Mary Queen of Scots is briefly Queen of France, but on the death of her husband returns to Scotland, causing a dilemma for Queen Elizabeth. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Something different this week - an interview with historian and author Jacob F. Field, whose works include:One Bloody Thing After Another: The World's Gruesome HistoryWe Shall Fight on the Beaches: The Speeches That Inspired HistoryAnd more recently - A History of Europe in Bite Sized Chunks Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.