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.comJoin the Patreon Feed for Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastTry a Seven-Day Free Trial of Western Civ. 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comAd-Free Version: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comAd-Free Version: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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/westerncivAs always, for ad-free versions of the show check out: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast

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.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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 ten months of kingship as he battles for Milan at Marignano. Check out the website for more content at: www.westerncivpodcast.comBecome a Patron for Ad-Free Versions of the Show at: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscribe to hear Western Civ 2.0 at: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscription Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscription Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscription Feed Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscription Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Subscriber Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.

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.comAd-Free Patreon Epsidoes: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastPremium Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comBecome a Patron for ad-free versions of the show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscribe to the Premium Feed at: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubcriber Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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 issue was thorny and struck right at the heart of Calvin's church.Check out the website for more content: www.westerncivpodcast.comBecome a Patron for ad-free versions of the show and hours of bonus content: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscribe to our Premium Feed for new versions of old favorites: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comBecome a Patron for ad-free shows and hours of bonus content: patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscribe to our Premium Feed for classic Western Civ but updated with hours more detail and higher audio quality: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comBecome a Patron for ad-free versions of the show and bonus content: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscribe to our Premium Feed for new monthly content: www.glow.fm/westerncivCheck it out! Western Civ won an award: https://blog.feedspot.com/ancient_history_podcasts/

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 over time to see if we still interpret the Second Amendment like our forebearers. Check out the Website for more content: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastFree Trial of Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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 website for more content: www.westerncivpodcast.comBecome a Patron to get ad-free versions of the show and to support the show: patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscribe to our Premium Feed for Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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 of a mixed bag. A national hero in Switzerland, some still regard the reformer as "the ugly side" of the Reformation.Check out the website for more content: www.westerncivpodcast.comBecome a Patron for ad-free shows and bonus content: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastJoin our Premium Feed for the whole Western Civ experience all over again with enhanced audio quality and more detailed episodes: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastPremium Subscription: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comBecome a Patron and enjoy ad-free programming plus bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWant to hear more about Classical Greece and the Persian Wars? How about Julius Caesar and the Gallic Campaign? Consider joining our premium feed at: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comGet Ad-Free versions of the show at: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastTry a free trial of the new subscription feed at: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Subscription Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv

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.comBecome a Patron for ad-free versions of the show and bonus content: patreon.com/westerncivpodcastSubscribe to our Premium Feed to get all the glory of Western Civ all over again, but more detailed and with better audio quality: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Today we finish with Martin Luther, the man credited with beginning the Reformation. Luther's final years are filled with increasingly angry battles with everyone from the Anabaptists to the Pope in Rome and, lastly, with Europe's Jewish population.Visit our website for more content: www.westerncivpodcast.comBecome a Patron to support the show and get ad-free episodes: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast

While Martin Luther thought his reformation was about theology and humankind's relationship to God, many people felt it was about a great deal more. The peasants of Germany, for example, heard Luther's words and thought this meant the time was right for REAL change on earth, not in heaven, but here in Germany and right now. Luther sides with the princes during the rebellion and, in the midst of all the chaos, Martin Luther gets married.Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Version of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastFree Trial of Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westerncivpodcast

Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, right? Nope. Mexican Independence is nearly four decades before the battle from which we get Cinco de Mayo. The true story is soooo much more delicious than just an independence day. The real Cinco de Mayo is about Napoleon III's bizarre attempt to put an Austrian Archduke on the throne of a new Mexican Empire.  If you like this episode you will love the book, buy it here: https://amzn.to/3mIK6uCCheck out Ad-Free versions of the show for one dollar per month at: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastFree Trial of Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westerncivWebsite: www.westerncivpodcast.com

In this bonus interview, I sit down with Jon Marshall and talk about his latest book: CLASH: Presidents and the Press in Times of Crisis. The book itself covers numerous United States Presidents all the way from John Adams to Donald Trump. Obviously the question of how the press treats each President and vice versa has been a hot topic of late, making Marshall's book extraordinarily topical and relevant.  Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Patreon Version: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

I enjoy the narrative format we usually use but I wanted to do something different this time when covering a topic that is more thematic than chronological: the United States President and the Press. United States Presidents have famously, some infamously, fought with members of the press over the centuries. Today I ramble on a bit about three of those Presidents: John Adams, Abraham Lincoln, and Woodrow Wilson, and talk about what this all means. Ad-Free Show: patreon.com/westerncivpodcastFree Trial Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westerncivWebsite: www.westerncivpodcast.com

Andreas Karlstadt and Martin Luther began the Reformation as fast friends. Karlstadt and Luther faced off against Eck together in the Leipzig Debates. But over time the two slowly fell out over a variety of issues including the Eucharist. Karlstadt's relationship with Luther became emblematic of how Luther's personality would impact the Reformation in his later years.  Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Martin Luther's early Reformation built to one moment: the Diet of Worms. Held in the spring of 1521, the Diet of Worms offered Luther his first chance to lay out his faith before the Princes of Germany and the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V. Before doing so, however, Luther wrote three crucial works that will define the early evangelical movement in Germany, the most important of which was On the Freedom of a Christian, which, theologically, is denser than his 95 Theses.  Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westerncivSupport the Show at: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWebsite: www.westerncivpodcast.com 

In this bonus episode, I sit down with author and historian Joan DeJean and discuss her new book: Mutinous Women. When we tell the story of the settlement of North America, so often we focus entirely on the Thirteen Original Colonies which will become the United States of America. But when I found out that the French hatched a scheme in the early Eighteenth Century to populate the Gulf Coast with French convicts, and women at that, I simply had to learn more. In her book, DeJean covers the insane miscarriage of justice that leads nearly two hundred women from Paris to the Gulf Coast where, above all odds, many of them not only thrive but found dynasties that continue to this day.  Interested in a Free Trial of Western Civ 2.0? Click: www.glow.fm/westerncivWant Ad-Free Versions of the Show? Check out: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWebsite: www.westerncivpodcast.com

The world changed forever on October 31, 1517. On that day a hitherto unknown monk named Martin Luther posted Ninety-Five Theses meant for debate. And oh would they be debated. The Ninety-Five Theses begin a period of western history known as the Reformation. But, as we shall see, a schism in the western church was not certain at this point, nor did anyone take Luther's criticisms too seriously.  Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Version: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastFree Trial of Western Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

And at last, we have made it. I "began" the Reformation in January. It's April. And at last, we are at Martin Luther. You simply cannot discuss the Reformation and not begin with Martin Luther. While the Reformation is going to fracture fairly quickly, it begins with Martin Luther and his Ninety-Five Theses. Today we start the story, learn about Luther's origins and family, and how his upbringing forged the man brave enough to challenge the might of the Roman Catholic Church. Want more content? Check out the website: www.westerncivpodcast.comSupport the show for only $1 per month at: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastTry Western Civ 2.0 for Free at: www.glow.fm/westernciv

In our final episode, before we (finally) get to Martin Luther, we cover the papacies of Julius II, the Warrior Pope, and Leo X, the Medici Pope. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

All good things must come to an end, as they say. And, for some, the Borgia Age was actually a good thing. Just not for the Catholic Church in general. In this episode, the deaths of Rodrigo Borgia and his son Cesare bring the "promise" of the Borgia Age to an unexpected end. Meanwhile, in Ferrara Lucrezia Borgia comes into her own outliving both her father and brother. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia schemes to make his son Cesare the unrivaled master of Italy. Forming an alliance (and then unforming it before forming it again) with the French King Louis XII, Pope Alexander almost succeeds at making Cesare the duke of Naples and Romagna... almost.Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia, had plans for his son Cesare. Big plans. Like, Roman Empire-sized plans. No joke on that one. In this episode, Cesare Borgia sets his sights on Romagna with the intention of creating a permanent Borgia empire in Italy. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

While Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia, could have created a mystique in his own right, we know the Borgia family just as much for the children as the father. Lucrezia and Cesare Borgia would have made fascinating case studies in psychology then and they still do now. In this episode, the Borgias begin to make their name synonymous with ambition at any cost. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Just like the last bonus episode I released, this is another episode off of my Patron's feed that I thought, in light of current events, was worth sharing with the larger audience.  The history of Ukraine is complex and, decidedly, not synonymous with the history of Russia. In fact, many ethnic Ukrainians suffered greatly under Stalin and Moscow's iron grip. This is a condensed history of Ukraine that sets its unique history and story in perspective. Ukraine has always straddled east and west and I hope this short history explains that. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

In light of current events, I decided to release an interview I completed last year with Professor Serhii Plohky discussing his book: The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine. We talk about the early history of Kyiv, the Cossacks, the differences between ethnic Ukrainians and Russians, and even talked about what the future for Ukraine might be if Putin continued his aggressions, which, clearly, he has. Ukrainian history is complicated and, in this difficult time, it is important to remember its history is certainly not the same as Russia's history.  Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Last time, Rodrigo Borgia climbed the ladder up the Papal Curia. In this episode, he outmaneuvers his opponents and manages to secure the unthinkable: the throne of St. Peter. Borgia takes the name Alexander VI and immediately begins setting forth his vision for a Borgia Italy. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Decided to have fun with this one. Rather than do the same old author interview, I sit down with author Scott Rank and conduct my first ever Presidential Draft. We take turns each of us drafting a United States President and justifying our reasons. If you like United States History and certainly US Presidents. You will enjoy the show. Happy Presidents Day! Full Disclosure: The audio did not come out perfect on this one.  Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

The Borgias is a name infamous for treachery, naked ambition, and depravity. But how did a relatively unknown Cardinal from Spain manage to will his way to becoming Pope Alexander VI? Today, we begin the story of the Borgia family and watch Rodrigo Borgia climb the ladder of the Curia, positioning himself for that final step. Check out the Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comGet Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastTry Western Civ 2.0 for Free: www.glow.fm/westernciv

In this episode, we cover the first several Renaissance Popes. The Avignon Papacy did plenty of damage to the reputation of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. But, unfortunately, those Renaissance Popes who came afterward did not help the situation.  Check out the Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comGet Ad-Free Versions of the Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastTry Western Civ 2.0 for Free: www.glow.fm/westernciv

In this bonus episode, I sit down with Jason Voiovich and talk about his most recent book: "Marketer in Chief". In this unique American history, Jason explains how each United States President sold the idea of America. We talk about Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.  Buy the book here: https://amzn.to/3mRgwmVWebsite: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv