Category: EPISODES

EP012 CONGRESS OF VIENNA PT 2 “TURNING BACK THE CLOCK”

As Napoleons downfall and Frances defeat become inevitable, the hard work and hard partying of the great diplomats and statesmen of Europe reached a fever pitch. In a whirl of balls and banquets the shape of Europe for the next 100 years would be decided.

So much hung in the balance, but the great men of the time seemed to be more interested in the parties and the women to notice. Would there be a lasting peace, and a better world for all? Or would the old order simply be putting a lid on a pressure cooker…..

Join me as we establish the shape of the Europe after Napoleon, and see the stage being set that the Victorians would inherit a few years later.

Transcript available at https://ageofvictoriapodcast.com/transcript-congress-of-vienna-in-1814-pt-2-turning-back-the-clock/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-age-of-victoria-podcast/id1234105258?mt=2

MINI009 “A Victorian Scandal?”

Join me and decide who, if anyone was the truly scandalous one. The aristocrat? The banker? The Sporting Superstar? 

This is a minisode that is a stand alone episode on a scandal involving Beatrice Sumner and Charles Hoare in the very late Victorian period, plus why framing a narrative is dangerous when studying history.  What would you do to protect your daughter? What would you do to be with the man you loved?

Available on iTunes at

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-age-of-victoria-podcast/id1234105258?mt=2

Or on Google Podcasts if you have a Android phone at

https://www.google.com/podcasts…

If you click this on an Android phone, it’ll open The Age of Victoria. Automatically, in Google Podcasts – which EVERY Android user has already installed.

Don’t forget to email me at ageofvictoriapodcast@gmail.com

Or message me on twitter.

 

EP011 Congress of Vienna pt 1 “A Brave old world”

Every European school child should have learnt about the Congress of Vienna. Seriously. It is actually possibly the most important series of events in modern history that no one has ever heard of. 

Honestly, how many of us have heard of it, or know what it was, or what happened? We should and not just because it is important or worthy. It is a fascinating tail in its own right. Who would rule France? Would there be a Poland? What about the Pope or the Prussians? Who would control the Baltic or the Mediterranean? Who would end up in power, and who would end up dead? Politicians and kings squared off. Devious spies, and clever diplomats faced imperial generals or experienced statesmen. Flattery, bribery and corruption vied with high minded principle. Hypocrisy warred with genuine optimism. Had they disposed a tyrant only to create new tyrannies? Clever, ruthless men like Talleyrand destroyed incriminating archives, attempting to shape history itself.

This is part one of the story of how the modern nations of Europe were born, who shaped them and why.

Join me and find out about the brave old world that the old elite of Europe were attempting to build.

1ST BIRTHDAY SPECIAL

The podcast is one year old today. Celebrate with listener questions (who should be on the Victorian Mount Rushmore?), poetry, trivia and many thank you’s to all my listeners and podcast buddies.

EP010 EXIT NAPOLEON

Here end the Napoleonic Wars. The revolution is over. France is beaten and it seems Britain is set to take over power in Europe, and perhaps the world. Learn how France fell, how the political battles ousted Napoleon & doomed the Marshals, and the final triumph of the great British Napoleonic Army.

Email any questions to ageofvictoriapodcast@gmail.com

EASTER SPECIAL 2018 MATCH STICK GIRLS

Easters here! To celebrate the end of winter, learn about the struggles of the worst Victorian job and the people who did it. The Victorian matchstick girls. Exploited, downtrodden, at risk of the terrifying condition “Phossy Jaw” and always on the edge of disaster, these girls would shake the British establishment when they rose up together. Learn about the trials, dread diseases and the heroic struggle of Annie Besant and the Matchstick Girls.

EP009 GOD, SAVE ME FROM THE SURGEON’S KNIFE

After the bloody day of Waterloo, many soldiers found themselves in need of a doctor.

Learn how the wounded were recovered, treated and operated on in the aftermath of one of the great battles of European history. The pain and near butchery would be horrific, but the lessons learned would lead to ground breaking advances that would save many lives.

Join me to find out about how an amputation was carried out in the age before pain killers or infection control.

Episode 008 Waterloo Pt 3: The climax

The climax of the Battle of Waterloo. The fate of Napoleon, France and Europe hangs in the balance. The French seem poised for victory. Can a thin line of brave Scotsmen and the dashing British cavalry save the Allies from defeat?

This episode covers

The heroic Scots

The British Heavies and the Charge of the Greys by Lady Butler

The arrival of the Prussians

The massed French cavalry charges

The dire position of the brave 27 (Irish) Inniskillens

The last attack of the Imperial Guard

Total victory & total defeat.

A post script to a pair of brave soldiers.

AOV NEW YEAR SPECIAL 2017

Happy New Year. A very short special: learn about how the Victorians did New Year, some old superstitions and why Auld Lang Syne was actually a happy song.

 

Don’t forget to leave an iTunes review or drop me and email.

AOV CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 2017: “A Christmas Carol analysed”

Christmas Special 2017! Scrooge, Ghosts, Food, Tiny Tim. A real deep dive into the book that made Christmas……don’t miss it. Enjoy with a mince pie and something festive.

Covers

  • Why Dickens wrote it.
  • Finances.
  • Structure.
  • The text as a historical source.
  • Ghosts.
  • Economics.
  • Redemption.

Without Dickens, we wouldn’t have a lot of the modern emphasis on Christmas. He was a big part of the newly urbanised Victorians deciding to take a mid winter religious festival and turn it into a huge event. He gives us the idea of the communal big bash style Christmas. But underneath it all, is the chilling message from beyond the grave……uplift your fellow man or else!

 

As always, hope you enjoyed it. Please leave me a review on iTunes and do send me an email with any questions or comments. Merry Christmas to one and all.

Minisode 007 Were the Victorians influenced by the Napoleonic Wars?

This minisode deals with the listener question “How does the Napoleonic Era relate to the Victoria Era?”
The idea of a “Napoleonic Era” and a “Victoria Era”
Key concept of continuity and why labels can be misleading.
A very brief summary of
  • Geo political impact.
  • Military impact
  • Financial & economic impact
  • Social impact
  • Scientific impact
  • Institutional impact
  • Cultural and artistic impact
  • Personal impact on key individuals.
Some house keeping, a big thank you for listener donations and reviews, & scheduling of episodes over Christmas.

Episode 007 Waterloo Pt 2: Into the cannon’s mouth

This episode covers the early stages of the battle, including the desperate struggle for Hougoumont which has been immortalised in art, film and British Army legend. It goes on to cover the huge opening roar of the cannons of the Grand Battery. Covers the great strain on the defenders, the preparations for the main French attack of the day, and the arrival of the Prussians.
Episode Outline
What was Hougoumont and why was it important?
Who were the defenders?
Who was attacking and how did it go?
Where was the Grand Battery?
What could it do?
How was it used?
Was it effective?
D’Erlon getting into formation.
D’Erlon moving forwards.
Prussians sighted.
The assault reaches the hedge
The fight for La Hay Sainte
Dubois and the French cavalry
Can the Scotts save the Allies?

Episode 006 Waterloo Pt1: Destiny dawns

The dawn of the day of Waterloo brings only fear, discomfort and suffering. This is the first in the Waterloo episodes series. It covers

  • The feelings of the men and a most important breakfast.
  • Why Napoleon felt he was onto a sure thing.
  • The weather and terrain.
  • The reasons why Waterloo was chosen, and how it compares to some other historical battles.
  • The mental state of senior commanders.
  • Deployment, tactics, plans and confusion.
  • The last grand review of the Armee Du Nord.

Waterloo can be a confusing battle, so maps are available on the website.

Episode 005 Quatre Bras – the chance to change history

Europe was at war. The fate of nations and armies hung in the balance. As people made hard choices, Napoleon began his attack. He planned to beat the Prussians, but that meant Marshal Ney had to face the British and their allies. Here was a chance for swift and decisive victory, but was Ney the man to seize it?

This episode covers

Implications of being in the war zone

Position of the armies

Why Ligny and Quatre Bras were key battles

Detailed analysis of pre-battle events and orders

The Battle of Quatre Bras and a background on Marshal Ney

Consequences and the missing day.

Speculation on psychology of Marshal Ney.

Minisode 005 Big Ben

The story of the most distinctive clock and bell in the world. Learn how a tragic fire, and a  brilliant Victorian rotter, gave us the iconic Big Ben.

This minisode details the great fire at Westminster, the rebuilding, commission of the clock, the troubles with building, and the great scandal that came afterwards. People were definitely seen in court.

Minisode 004 Say what about California?

A quick minisode

  1. announcing our new twitter address,
  2. musing on topics, and why I’m not covering Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for a “This day in history slot”
  3. my discovery of the war in California on this day in history (07/07/1846), and the battle of Monterey.
  4. the importance of little things.

Enjoy and please visit the website, the Facebook group, email me at ageofvictoriapodcast@gmail.com or Tweet @ageofvictoria with any questions or feedback.

Episode 004 Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte marches to war!

In the trouble world of 1815, there can be no peace in Europe. Napoleon must go to war. Join me in discovering how the storm clouds of war that had gathered over Europe finally broke.

This episode covers

An introduction to the position of the forces on 14 June 1815

How the armies began their open moves and the views of the key players.

A description of how the chaos of war was both tamed and unleashed.

Why Napoleon was making the best moves of the war and Wellington was making the worst.

The start of the battles, and confusion in command

Finally the crucial meeting on the eve of 16 June 1815, and how French gold opportunities were lost.

LINK TO TRANSCRIPT AND MAPS CLICK HERE

Thanks for your listening. I hope you enjoyed it. If you want to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you. You can email me at ageofvictoriapodcast@gmail.com, follow me on twitter @ageofvictoria, visit the website at www.ageofvictoriapodcast.com. The show also has a facebook page and group. Just search for Age of Victoria. Don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes, it takes less time than making a coffee. If you want to support the show on patreon, just click here, or you can go to Patreon and search for age of victoria podcast or my name.

Minisode 003 Victorian Ice Cream

A heatwave is gripping Britain in June 2017. That can mean only one thing – ICE CREAM TIME! But how did the Victorians make it? Was it really brought to Britain by an European immigrant, or did the Americans invent it first?

Also include is news about how to get transcripts of the show.

Enjoy – the podcast and the ice cream.

Minisode 002 The adventures of Max Havelaar

Join me for another mini window into the curiosities of the Victorian age as we see how drinking coffee can help you find an unlikely hero. Adventurer, rogue, gambler, dualist, womaniser and civil servant; no not me……Max Havelaar.

Minisode 001 Musings on service & Dickens

This is the first mini-episode “Minisodes” These will be mini releases to give listeners extra content between the main episodes. They will cover various topics that interested me, caught my eye, or don’t fall in the neat chronology of the main show. They will also include community news and announcements. They will very much be a “as and when I feel the need”

The main show will continue to be released every 01 of the month.

This one has a short reading from Dickens and hints at my ongoing sadness at poor service in the UK!

Episode 003 The British Armed Forces in 1815

This episode covers the British army in 1815, its tactics, weapons and organisation. It also explains how it differs from the other European period. I start with a general explanation of the cost of living and the Royal Navy. I then deal with British Officers, commissions and recruitment. Finally there’s an explanation of how the army worked. Oh and Mr Darcy makes an appearance!

Thanks for your listening. I hope you enjoy. If you want to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you. You can email me at ageofvictoriapodcast@gmail.com, follow me on twitter @ageofvictoria, visit the website at www.ageofvictoriapodcast.com. The show also has a facebook page and group. Just search for Age of Victoria. Don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes, it takes less time than making a coffee. If you want to support the show on patreon, just click here, or you can go to Patreon and search for age of victoria podcast or my name.

The transcript for the episode is available here

https://ageofvictoriapodcast.com/transcript-episode-003-british-armed-forces-1815/

Episode 002 Napoleon and the French Army in 1815

In this episode I indulge my passion for Napoleonic history, and explore my fascination with Napoleon. I cover the great gamble of his return from exile, his struggles, the options available to him, and that magnificent instrument of war…..the French Army.

This show covers

  • The benefits and cost of ambition.

  • Napoleon’s gamble to retake the French throne.

  • The position of France, and the role of navies. 

  • Rebuilding the French army, and what strategy to use?

  • Davout, Ney, Soult and Grouchy – the Marhals.

  • The musket; the infantryman’s best friend, and killer.

  • How to form up to die.

  • The cavalry – The Big Boots

  • The artillery – Napoleon’s daughters

  • The Emperor’s first moves.

Thanks for your listening. I hope you enjoyed the show. If you want to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you. You can email me at ageofvictoriapodcast@gmail.com, follow me on twitter @ageofvictoria, visit the website at www.ageofvictoriapodcast.com. The show also has a facebook page and group. Just search for Age of Victoria. Don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes, it takes less time than making a coffee. If you want to support the show on patreon, just click here, or you can go to Patreon and search for age of victoria podcast or my name.

The transcript for this episode can be found at

https://ageofvictoriapodcast.com/transcript-episode-002-napoleon-french-army-1815/

EP001 BRITAIN AND EUROPE IN 1815

This is the first full episode. It covers the situation in Europe in 1815, and gives a feel for life in Britain on the eve of the great events of the last campaign of the Napoleonic Wars.

  • What does the term Victorian mean?
  • History as a spectrum.
  • What will the podcast cover & why start in 1815?
  • Geography and climate of Britain in 1815.
  • Britains military and strategic position.
  • The naval impact of the Napoleonic Wars.
  • Brief summary of the great powers of Europe in 1815 (Spain, Austria, Prussia and Russia).

Thanks for your listening. I hope you enjoy. If you want to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you. You can email me at ageofvictoriapodcast@gmail.com, follow me on twitter @ageofvictoria, visit the website at www.ageofvictoriapodcast.com. The show also has a facebook page and group. Just search for Age of Victoria. Don’t forget to leave a review on iTunes, it takes less time than making a coffee. If you want to support the show on patreon, just click here, or you can go to Patreon and search for age of victoria podcast or my name.

I’ve now added the transcript of this episode at

https://ageofvictoriapodcast.com/transcript-episo…tain-europe-1815/