A History of Europe, Key Battles

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 East Music: Christmas Concert by composer Arcangelo Corelli Picture: Leopoldine Wing of the Hofburg Palace, Vienna www.historyeurope.net www.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 1667 www.patreon.com/historyeurope www.historyeurope.net Music: 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 War www.patreon.com/historyeurope www.historyeurope.net Music: 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/historyeurope www.historyeurope.net Music: Henry Purcell - The Fairy Queen; Abdelazer (or The Moor's Revenge) courtesy of musopen.org Art: 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 Republic www.patreon.com/historyeurope www.historyeurope.net Music: 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/historyeurope www.historyeurope.net Music 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 history www.patreon.com/historyeurope Music Courtesy of musopen.org Mazurka in C sharp minor Polonaise in A flat major Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.   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 help www.patreon.com/historyeurope Music courtesy of musopen.org. Composer: Frederic Chopin Nocturne in B flat minor, Op.9 no.1 Mazurka in C sharp minor, Op.6 no.2 Polonaise, 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 Parliament Music: John Dowland - Lachrimae, or Seven Tears; Lassus - Susanne un jour (piano); Thoinot Arbeau - Orchésographie - Pavane: Belle qui tiens ma vie Picture: 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 I Music: 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 1632 Music: 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.

The background to Sweden and its king Gustavus Adolphus before the Thirty Years War. On his accession he inherits 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.