A History Of Europe, Key Battles

Louis XIV has become the historical embodiment of the style of absolutist government where the monarch personally directs all matters of state as he or she sees fit, with authority given as a divine right. When he ascended to the throne, France was the most populous country in western Europe, and he intended to use its resources to pursue glory for his dynasty and kingdom at the expense of his neighbours.www.patreon.com/historyeuropeMusic composed by Francois CouperinIntro music by Nico Vettese (wetalkofdreams.com)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At the battles of the Boyne and of Aughrim 1690, a force of Irish Catholics, supported by Louis XIV of France, fought against a multi-national army commanded by William of Orange, head of the Dutch Republic, who was also the newly crowned King of England following a successful coup known as the Glorious Revolution 1688. The battles paved the way for English domination of the British Isles through the military suppression of the Irish, and in time Britain became more politically united.www.patreon.com/historyeuropeIntro music by Nico Vettese (wetalkofdreams.com)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Soon after William of Orange took control of England in the Glorious Revolution 1688 and became King William III of England, he found it necessary to confront a rebellion in Ireland. With the support of King Louis XIV of France, the deposed King James arrives in Ireland to support Catholic resistance to William and to reclaim his crownwww.patreon.com/historyeuropeIntro music by Nico Vettese (wetalkofdreams.com)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 1688 a large invasion arrived in England from the Dutch Republic, led by William of Orange. It was a risky move, driven partly out of fear of the English allying with Louis XIV of France, who was threatening to attack his country. King James II of England was fast losing popular support for his Catholic sympathies, a fact exploited in William's propaganda to the English.www.historyeurope.netwww.patreon.com/historyeuropeMusic: Henry Purcell (Overture in G minor, Gordion Knot Untied)Intro by Nico Vettese (wetalkofdreams.com)Picture: William III Landing at Brixham, Torbay  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Siege of Vienna 1683www.historyeurope.netwww.patreon.com/historyeuropeMusic: Palestrina (Adoramus te Christe); Elgar (March of the Mogul Emperors)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Build-up to Siege of Vienna 1683Picture: Jan SobieksiMusic by composer Johann Jospeh Fux - Symphony in F Major, Partita in G Minorwww.historyeurope.netwww.patreon.com/historyeurope  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Habsburg Emperor Leopold I (1658-1705) faces the twin challenge of the France of Louis XIV in the west and the Ottoman Empire in the EastMusic: Christmas Concert by composer Arcangelo CorelliPicture: Leopoldine Wing of the Hofburg Palace, Viennawww.historyeurope.netwww.patreon.com/historyeurope  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the 1660's and 1670's the British (after the Restoration of the Monarchy led by King Charles II) and the Dutch fight a second and third naval war for control of the seas. It includes the audacious Dutch Attack on the Medway of June 1667www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic: Henry Purcell - Chacony in G minor, The Gordion Knot Untied . Courtesy of musopen.org  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The death of Oliver Cromwell in September 1658 left the republican government in disarray. The mood of the country favoured the return of monarchy, and so King Charles II was invited to the restored English throne in May 1660. Soon after conflict with the Dutch Republic renewed with the Second Anglo Dutch Warwww.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic: Alessandro Scarlatti - Sinfonie di concerto grosso No 12 in c minor, La Geniale; Concerti Grossi No 5 in d minor, courtesy of musopen.org  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Anglo Dutch wars were not only important events in their own right, but also the earliest in a sequence of naval wars which continued into the nineteenth century. At first sight the British Commonwealth government under Oliver Cromwell and the Dutch Republic had much in common and should have been allies, but trade and shipping disputes between them led to a conflict for control of the seas.www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic: Henry Purcell - The Fairy Queen; Abdelazer (or The Moor's Revenge) courtesy of musopen.orgArt: Reinier Nooms - The Battle of Leghorn  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After the execution of Charles I, Oliver Cromwell and his Commonwealth government asserted their authority over Ireland and Scotland. They fought off an invasion from Charles's son, which was defeated at the Battle of Worcester 1651 and then attacked the remaining Royalist forces in the Scilly Isles, Channel Islands and the Americas. Meanwhile, tensions grew with the neighbouring Dutch Republicwww.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic: Jean-Baptiste Lully - Le bourgeois gentilhomme, courtesy of musopen.org  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Turmoil in northern and eastern Europe continues with war involving Sweden, Denmark, Russia, Poland-Lithuania and the Ottoman Empire. The Cossacks of Ukraine lose their last hopes for autonomy. The Russians take a big step forwards to establishing themselves permanently upon the Black Sea and also in a position where they can take a closer interest in Central Europe www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic courtesy of musopen.org. Frederic Chopin, Nocturne in E flat major, Op. 9 no. 2; Etude Op. 10, no. 3 in E major - 'Tristesse'  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A Cossack uprising breaks out in 1648 partly a response to local grievances but also an attempt to retain a degree of autonomy. However, by appealing to Moscow for help, Bohadan Khmelnitsky triggers the invasion of Sweden as well as Russia, which ultimately caused devastation, and the beginning of the end of Poland as a major power. The events are known as the Swedish Deluge, or just the Deluge in Poland, and as ‘the Ruin’ in Ukrainian historywww.patreon.com/historyeuropeMusic Courtesy of musopen.orgMazurka in C sharp minorPolonaise in A flat major  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

First Part of a series 'The Ruin and the Deluge' on the turbulent late 17th century of eastern Europe. In 1648 the Cossacks start a major rebellion against their Polish overlords. In an attempt to retain autonomy for his people, the Cossack leader Bohdan Khmelnitsky (pictured) appeals to Tsar Alexis of Moscow for helpwww.patreon.com/historyeuropeMusic courtesy of musopen.org. Composer: Frederic ChopinNocturne in B flat minor, Op.9 no.1Mazurka in C sharp minor, Op.6 no.2Polonaise, Op. 71 no.1 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

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.