Western Civ

Last time Suleiman the Magnificent came to the throne and immediately threw himself at the west. Before two years were out Belgrade and Rhodes were both in Ottoman hands. Suleiman marshaled Ottoman artillery superiority to quickly expand his borders on all sides. Charles V and the rest of Europe sat, paralyzed. Charles and Francis were at each other's throats as we already know. Henry was too far away and too preoccupied with his own unraveling heir situation to do anything. The Pope might scream into the wind but no one outside Hungary was going to do anything to shore up Europe’s rapidly collapsing borders. This week Suleiman continues his expansion as Europe searches for answers. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Having covered the period between the Fall of Constantinople and 1520, we can now get into the most famous Ottoman Sultan of all: Suleiman the Magnificent. In this first episode, we introduce Suleiman and cover the campaigns of his first two years in power. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comPatreon (Ad Free Shows): www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Mehmet II's death leads to a brief power struggle between his two sons: Bayezid and Cem. In the end, the Janissaries pick Bayezid and Cem finds himself packed off to Rome. Bayezid enlarges the Ottoman Empire picking up new territory in northern Syria. His death leads to his son, Selim I, taking the throne. Selim I expands the Ottoman Empire even further than his grandfather, ending the Mamluk Empire and extending Ottoman control to the Holy Land.Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Shows: www.patreon.com/westernicivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

We last left the Ottomans in May 1453, as Mehmet II triumphantly rode into the gates of a conquered Constantinople. After thousands of years, the Romans were finally vanquished. In this episode, we catch up with the remainder of Mehmet's reign. And yes, there is plenty left to go.Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comPatreon Feed: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Marking the end of a turbulent beginning to the Sixteenth Century, the deaths of Henry VIII, Francis I, and Charles V (who technically abdicates before his death) brings one era to a close. Francis and Charles are left exhausted after years of pointless war, but both die knowing that their lines will live on. Henry VIII believes to have put in place an iron-clad succession plan, but Thomas Cranmer and Edward Seymour have other ideas. Oh, and Henry marries one last time. Katherine Parr will become his sixth and final wife.Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Shows: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Francis and Charles finally resolve their differences and western Europe gets a break from the carnage. But, as usual, the fate of Milan spoils the pot and before long the two are at it again. Meanwhile, in England Henry deals with the factionalism that is threatening to tear his court apart. Henry marries (twice) and ultimately divorces (twice). But only Katherine Howard loses her head this time. Website:www.westerncivpodcast.comPatreon Ad-Free Feed: www.patreon.com/westerncivWestern Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Unable to help himself, Francis I pushes Charles V and much of western Europe into war. Luckily for him, his talented General Montmorency takes the reigns this time and wears Charles out resulting in a pyrrhic French victory. Meanwhile, back in England Henry VIII FINALLY gets the male heir he was so desperately (and that's an understatement) wanted. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Shows: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

It has been a while but let's catch up with Francis and Charles. Since his release, Francis I has made it abundantly clear that he has no intention of complying with the Treaty of Madrid. The French Royal Council is only too happy to rubbers-stamp that decision. Charles V, infuriated, does what he can to take revenge. Meanwhile, in England, the Pilgrimage of Grace nearly topples Henry VIII from power.Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAdd-Free Shows: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

In his upcoming book, The Mongol Storm, historian Nicholas Morton discusses the vast subject that is the Mongol Empire. All of it. Here we talk about a small fraction of his excellent work.Link to the Book: https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/nicholas-morton/the-mongol-storm/9781541616295/Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0: www.glow.fm/westernciv

In this episode, Anne Boleyn fails to produce a male heir (definitely NOT her fault) and loses her head while Henry does his best to enforce religious conformity. Spoiler alert: it's not going to work.Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAdd-Free Shows: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv