
Pax Britannica: A History of the British Empire
Pax Britannica is a narrative history podcast covering the empire upon which the sun never set. Shortlisted for the 2023 Independent Podcast Awards, Pax Britannica follows the events which created an empire that dominated the globe. Hosted by Dr Samuel Hume, a historian of British Imperial history, Pax Britannica aims to explain the rise and eventual fall of the largest empire in history. After all, how peaceful was the 'British Peace'?
Latest episodes

Nov 12, 2023 • 27min
03.11 - The Great Escape
After his defeat at Worcester, the young King Charles II is in enemy territory. He has to escape England, all while Oliver Cromwell's troops scour the countryside for him. If he's caught, he will almost certainly be executed like his father.For this episode, I found the following publications particularly useful:
Charles Spencer, To Catch a King.
Philip Baker, 'The Regicide', in Michael J. Braddick. The Oxford Handbook of the English Revolution
Ian Gentles, The English Revolution and the Wars in the Three Kingdoms, 1638-1652.
Alexia Grosjean, Steve Murdoch, Alexander Leslie and the Scottish generals of the Thirty Years' War, 1618-1648
Steve Murdoch (ed), Scotland and the Thirty Years' War
Stuart Reid, Crown, Covenant, and Cromwell: The Civil Wars in Scotland, 1639-1651.
Nick Lipscombe, The English Civil War: An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639-51.
Edward Cowan, Montrose: For Covenant and King.
Barry Robertson, Royalists at War in Scotland and Ireland, 1638-1650.
This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 5, 2023 • 35min
03.10 - 'A Crowning Mercy' - the Final Battle of Worcester
After Oliver Cromwell's victory at Dunbar, the English forces hunker down in Edinburgh for winter. The Scots almost come to civil war between supporters of Charles II and the remaining Kirk Faction. After the Battle of Inverkeithing, English occupation of Scotland appears inevitable, and so Charles II proposes a bold strategy - leave Scotland, and march the length of England to capture London.For this episode, I found the following publications particularly useful:
Philip Baker, 'The Regicide', in Michael J. Braddick. The Oxford Handbook of the English Revolution
Ian Gentles, The English Revolution and the Wars in the Three Kingdoms, 1638-1652.
Alexia Grosjean, Steve Murdoch, Alexander Leslie and the Scottish generals of the Thirty Years' War, 1618-1648
Steve Murdoch (ed), Scotland and the Thirty Years' War
Stuart Reid, Crown, Covenant, and Cromwell: The Civil Wars in Scotland, 1639-1651.
Nick Lipscombe, The English Civil War: An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639-51.
Edward Cowan, Montrose: For Covenant and King.
Barry Robertson, Royalists at War in Scotland and Ireland, 1638-1650.
This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 23, 2023 • 33min
03.09 - The Miracle of Dunbar
Cromwell invades Scotland and it goes badly. Until it doesn't.For this episode, I found the following publications particularly useful:
Philip Baker, 'The Regicide', in Michael J. Braddick. The Oxford Handbook of the English Revolution
Ian Gentles, The English Revolution and the Wars in the Three Kingdoms, 1638-1652.
Alexia Grosjean, Steve Murdoch, Alexander Leslie and the Scottish generals of the Thirty Years' War, 1618-1648
Steve Murdoch (ed), Scotland and the Thirty Years' War
Stuart Reid, Crown, Covenant, and Cromwell: The Civil Wars in Scotland, 1639-1651.
Nick Lipscombe, The English Civil War: An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639-51.
Edward Cowan, Montrose: For Covenant and King.
This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 15, 2023 • 32min
03.08 - The Murderer of the Scottish Nation
The young Charles II tries to win international support. Montrose is unleashed on Scotland.For this episode, I found the following publications particularly useful:
Philip Baker, 'The Regicide', in Michael J. Braddick. The Oxford Handbook of the English Revolution
Ian Gentles, The English Revolution and the Wars in the Three Kingdoms, 1638-1652.
Alexia Grosjean, Steve Murdoch, Alexander Leslie and the Scottish generals of the Thirty Years' War, 1618-1648
Steve Murdoch (ed), Scotland and the Thirty Years' War
Stuart Reid, Crown, Covenant, and Cromwell: The Civil Wars in Scotland, 1639-1651.
Nick Lipscombe, The English Civil War: An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639-51.
Edward Cowan, Montrose: For Covenant and King.
This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to inquire about advertising on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 10, 2023 • 36min
03.07 - The Death of Royalist Ireland
Ormond's coalition collapses, as Henry Ireton takes over from Cromwell.Check out the podcast website or join the mailing list!Check out Pax Britannica Merch!Facebook | Twitter | Patreon | DonateFor this episode, I found the following publications particularly useful:
John Cunningham, ‘Politics, 1641-1660’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Elaine Murphy, Micheál Ó Siochrú, Jason Peacey, John Morril, eds. The Letters, Writings, and Speeches of Oliver Crmwell: Volume II, 2022.
Antonia Fraser, Cromwell: Our Chief of Men
David Edwards, ‘Political Change and Social Transformation, 1603-1641’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Ian Gentles, The English Revolution and the Wars in the Three Kingdoms, 1638-1652
John Jeremiah Cronin and Padraig Lenihan, ‘Wars of Religion, 1641-1691’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Patrick Little, Lord Broghill and the Cromwellian Union with Ireland and Scotland, 2004
Nick Lipscombe, The English Civil War: An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639-51
Micheál Ó Siochrú, (ed.) Kingdoms in Crisis: Ireland in the 1640s, 2000
Micheál Ó Siochrú, Confederate Ireland, 1642-1649, 1999
Micheál Ó Siochrú, God’s Executioner: Oliver Cromwell and the Conquest of Ireland
Pádraig Lenihan, Confederate Catholics at War, 1641-49, 2001
Pádraig Lenihan, 'Siege Massacres in Ireland: Drogheda in Context', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Wheeler, James Scott, 'Ormond and Cromwell: The Struggle for Ireland', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Martyn Bennett, ‘God’s Wall of Brass: Cromwell’s Generals in Ireland, 1649-1650’ in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Derek Hirst, ‘Security and Reform in England’s Other Nations, 1649-1658’, in Michael J. Braddick. The Oxford Handbook of the English Revolution
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Oct 1, 2023 • 19min
Bonus - The Denbigh House of Cards
The final attempt at compromise with Charles I was a secret mission by the earl of Denbigh, but the king famously denied it. Or did he? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 24, 2023 • 38min
03.06 - Never Seen So Hot A Storm
Cromwell's campaign in Ireland comes to an end, with a high cost for the New Model Army at Clonmel.Check out the podcast website or join the mailing list!Check out Pax Britannica Merch!Facebook | Twitter | Patreon | DonateFor this episode, I found the following publications particularly useful:
John Cunningham, ‘Politics, 1641-1660’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Elaine Murphy, Micheál Ó Siochrú, Jason Peacey, John Morril, eds. The Letters, Writings, and Speeches of Oliver Crmwell: Volume II, 2022.
Antonia Fraser, Cromwell: Our Chief of Men
David Edwards, ‘Political Change and Social Transformation, 1603-1641’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Ian Gentles, The English Revolution and the Wars in the Three Kingdoms, 1638-1652
John Jeremiah Cronin and Padraig Lenihan, ‘Wars of Religion, 1641-1691’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Patrick Little, Lord Broghill and the Cromwellian Union with Ireland and Scotland, 2004
Nick Lipscombe, The English Civil War: An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639-51
Micheál Ó Siochrú, (ed.) Kingdoms in Crisis: Ireland in the 1640s, 2000
Micheál Ó Siochrú, Confederate Ireland, 1642-1649, 1999
Micheál Ó Siochrú, God’s Executioner: Oliver Cromwell and the Conquest of Ireland
Pádraig Lenihan, Confederate Catholics at War, 1641-49, 2001
Pádraig Lenihan, 'Siege Massacres in Ireland: Drogheda in Context', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Wheeler, James Scott, 'Ormond and Cromwell: The Struggle for Ireland', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Martyn Bennett, ‘God’s Wall of Brass: Cromwell’s Generals in Ireland, 1649-1650’ in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Derek Hirst, ‘Security and Reform in England’s Other Nations, 1649-1658’, in Michael J. Braddick. The Oxford Handbook of the English Revolution
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Sep 17, 2023 • 24min
03.05 - Bloody Inhumanity
After sacking Drogheda and securing the path into Ulster, Cromwell marches south towards the port town of Wexford. History doesn't repeat, but it does rhyme.Check out the podcast website or join the mailing list!Check out Pax Britannica Merch!Facebook | Twitter | Patreon | DonateFor this episode, I found the following publications particularly useful:
John Cunningham, ‘Politics, 1641-1660’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Elaine Murphy, Micheál Ó Siochrú, Jason Peacey, John Morril, eds. The Letters, Writings, and Speeches of Oliver Crmwell: Volume II, 2022.
Antonia Fraser, Cromwell: Our Chief of Men
David Edwards, ‘Political Change and Social Transformation, 1603-1641’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Ian Gentles, The English Revolution and the Wars in the Three Kingdoms, 1638-1652
John Jeremiah Cronin and Padraig Lenihan, ‘Wars of Religion, 1641-1691’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Patrick Little, Lord Broghill and the Cromwellian Union with Ireland and Scotland, 2004
Nick Lipscombe, The English Civil War: An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639-51
Micheál Ó Siochrú, (ed.) Kingdoms in Crisis: Ireland in the 1640s, 2000
Micheál Ó Siochrú, Confederate Ireland, 1642-1649, 1999
Micheál Ó Siochrú, God’s Executioner: Oliver Cromwell and the Conquest of Ireland
Pádraig Lenihan, Confederate Catholics at War, 1641-49, 2001
Pádraig Lenihan, 'Siege Massacres in Ireland: Drogheda in Context', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Wheeler, James Scott, 'Ormond and Cromwell: The Struggle for Ireland', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Martyn Bennett, ‘God’s Wall of Brass: Cromwell’s Generals in Ireland, 1649-1650’ in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Derek Hirst, ‘Security and Reform in England’s Other Nations, 1649-1658’, in Michael J. Braddick. The Oxford Handbook of the English Revolution
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Sep 10, 2023 • 45min
03.04 - Drogheda: A Day and Night of Uncalculated Butchery
With the way cleared by the Battle of Rathmines, Oliver Cromwell marches on Drogheda. The Royalist Governor Arthur Aston refuses to surrender, and Cromwell's guns break the walls. The New Model Army floods inside, and Cromwell forbids any mercy.Check out the podcast website or join the mailing list!Check out Pax Britannica Merch!Facebook | Twitter | Patreon | DonateFor this episode, I found the following publications particularly useful:
John Cunningham, ‘Politics, 1641-1660’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Antonia Fraser, Cromwell: Our Chief of Men
Elaine Murphy, Micheál Ó Siochrú, Jason Peacey, John Morril, eds. The Letters, Writings, and Speeches of Oliver Crmwell: Volume II, 2022.
David Edwards, ‘Political Change and Social Transformation, 1603-1641’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Ian Gentles, The English Revolution and the Wars in the Three Kingdoms, 1638-1652
John Jeremiah Cronin and Padraig Lenihan, ‘Wars of Religion, 1641-1691’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Patrick Little, Lord Broghill and the Cromwellian Union with Ireland and Scotland, 2004
Nick Lipscombe, The English Civil War: An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639-51
Micheál Ó Siochrú, (ed.) Kingdoms in Crisis: Ireland in the 1640s, 2000
Micheál Ó Siochrú, Confederate Ireland, 1642-1649, 1999
Micheál Ó Siochrú, God’s Executioner: Oliver Cromwell and the Conquest of Ireland
Pádraig Lenihan, Confederate Catholics at War, 1641-49, 2001
Pádraig Lenihan, 'Siege Massacres in Ireland: Drogheda in Context', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Wheeler, James Scott, 'Ormond and Cromwell: The Struggle for Ireland', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Martyn Bennett, ‘God’s Wall of Brass: Cromwell’s Generals in Ireland, 1649-1650’ in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Derek Hirst, ‘Security and Reform in England’s Other Nations, 1649-1658’, in Michael J. Braddick. The Oxford Handbook of the English Revolution
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Sep 3, 2023 • 27min
03.03 - The Battle of Rathmines
The newly-forged coalition of Irish Royalists, built from every faction of the Irish war, braces for the English invasion. By the summer of 1649, the island of Ireland is under their control, with the exceptions of Derry and Dublin. Major General Michael Jones defends the capital as the Marquis of Ormond moves to take it.Check out the podcast website or join the mailing list!Check out Pax Britannica Merch!Facebook | Twitter | Patreon | DonateFor this episode, I found the following publications particularly useful:
John Cunningham, ‘Politics, 1641-1660’, Cambridge History of Ireland
David Edwards, ‘Political Change and Social Transformation, 1603-1641’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Ian Gentles, The English Revolution and the Wars in the Three Kingdoms, 1638-1652
John Jeremiah Cronin and Padraig Lenihan, ‘Wars of Religion, 1641-1691’, Cambridge History of Ireland
Patrick Little, Lord Broghill and the Cromwellian Union with Ireland and Scotland, 2004
Nick Lipscombe, The English Civil War: An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, 1639-51
Micheál Ó Siochrú, (ed.) Kingdoms in Crisis: Ireland in the 1640s, 2000
Micheál Ó Siochrú, Confederate Ireland, 1642-1649, 1999
Micheál Ó Siochrú, God’s Executioner: Oliver Cromwell and the Conquest of Ireland
Pádraig Lenihan, Confederate Catholics at War, 1641-49, 2001
Wheeler, James Scott, 'Ormond and Cromwell: The Struggle for Ireland', in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Martyn Bennett, ‘God’s Wall of Brass: Cromwell’s Generals in Ireland, 1649-1650’ in Martyn Bennett, Raymond Gillespie, and Scott Spurlock (eds), Cromwell and Ireland: New Perspectives
Derek Hirst, ‘Security and Reform in England’s Other Nations, 1649-1658’, in Michael J. Braddick. The Oxford Handbook of the English Revolution
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices