Pax Britannica: A History of the British Empire

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**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:

04.10 - The Cabal Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

With the downfall of Clarendon, the CABAL takes centre stage in Restoration politics. But it's never so simple...

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04.09 - The Raid on the Medway Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

Bankruptcy forces the Royal Navy into port. I'm sure it'll be safe.

Nicholas Rodgers, The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, Volume 2, 1649–1815
Anna Keay, The Restless Republic, 2022.
Rebecca Rideal, 1666: Plague, War, and Hellfire, 2016.
Frank Fox, The Four Days' Battle: The Greatest Sea Fight of the Age of Sail, 2009.
David Onnekink & Gijs Rommelse, The Dutch in the Early Modern World.
Steve Murdoch, The terror of the Seas: Scottish Maritime Warfare, 1513-1713, 2010.

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04.08 - The Four Days' Battle Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

The Royal Navy and the Dutch fleet square off. Michiel de Ruyter needs to clear the way for the merchant fleet to get home, or else the Dutch economy might collapse. George Monck, Duke of Albemarle, is outnumbered and outgunned, and Prince Rupert races to join him.

Nicholas Rodgers, The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, Volume 2, 1649–1815
Anna Keay, The Restless Republic, 2022.
Rebecca Rideal, 1666: Plague, War, and Hellfire, 2016.
Frank Fox, The Four Days' Battle: The Greatest Sea Fight of the Age of Sail, 2009.
David Onnekink & Gijs Rommelse, The Dutch in the Early Modern World.
Steve Murdoch, The terror of the Seas: Scottish Maritime Warfare, 1513-1713, 2010.

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04.07 - A City of Ash Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

After the Great Fire of London, the city needed to be rebuilt.

Rebecca Rideal, 1666: Plague, War, and Hellfire
Jacob Field, London, Londoners and the Great Fire of 1666: Disaster and Recover.
Clare Jackson, Charles II: The Star King

For other great shows on the Airwave network, go to AirwaveMedia.com

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Slavery throughout History with Patrick Wyman Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

Today I speak with Dr Patrick Wyman, host of The Fall of Rome, Tides of History, and his new show Past Lives. He's also published The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World, and has a forthcoming book, Lost Worlds: How Humans Tried, Failed, Succeeded, and Built Our World.

We talk about public history, slavery, and the podcast industry!

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04.06 - The Great Fire of London Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

From a bakery on Pudding Lane, a fire destroys most of the City of London.

Rebecca Rideal, 1666: Plague, War, and Hellfire
Jacob Field, London, Londoners and the Great Fire of 1666: Disaster and Recover.
Clare Jackson, Charles II: The Star King

For other great shows on the Airwave network, go to AirwaveMedia.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

04.05 - The Great Plague of London Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

The Bubonic Plague, Yersinia Pestis, arrives in London at the end of 1664. By the end of 1665, it will have killed 200,000 people all across England and Wales.

Evelyn Lord, The Great Plague: A People's History.
Dorothy Moote, The great plague: the story of London's most deadly year.
Charles River, The Great Plague of London: The History and Legacy of England’s Last Major Outbreak of the Bubonic Plague
Rebecca Rideal, 1666: Plague, War, and Hellfire.

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04.04 - The Royal Navy Reborn Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

The Second Anglo-Dutch War begins, and we take a closer look at the Royal Navy of the Restoration.

Jonathan Healey, The Blazing World, 2023.
Nicholas Rodgers, The Command of the Ocean: A Naval History of Britain, Volume 2, 1649–1815
Anna Keay, The Restless Republic, 2022.
Rebecca Rideal, 1666: Plague, War, and Hellfire, 2016.
Charles Wilson, England’s Apprenticeship: 1603-1763, 1975.
David Veevers, The Origins of the British Empire in Asia, 1600-1750, 2020.
John Childs, General Percy Kirke and the Later Stuart Army, 2014.
Philip Stern, The Company-State: Corporate Sovereignty and the Early Modern Foundations of the British Empire in India, 2011.
Edwin Burrows, Mike Wallace, Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898, 1999.
Julie Svalastog, Mastering the Worst of Trades: England’s Early Africa Companies and their Traders, 1618–1672, 2021.

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The Stuarts, the Scottish Restoration, and Devil-Land with Professor Clare Jackson Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

The Mirror of Great Britain: A Life of James VI&I

Devil-Land: England under Siege, 1588-1688

Charles II: The Star King

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04.03 - The First Scramble for Africa Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

New trade policies annoy the Dutch, and new English companies attempt to force their way into West African markets. New Amsterdam becomes New York. The Second Anglo-Dutch War begins.

Jonathan Healey, The Blazing World, 2023.
Anna Keay, The Restless Republic, 2022.
Rebecca Rideal, 1666: Plague, War, and Hellfire, 2016.
Charles Wilson, England’s Apprenticeship: 1603-1763, 1975.
David Veevers, The Origins of the British Empire in Asia, 1600-1750, 2020.
John Childs, General Percy Kirke and the Later Stuart Army, 2014.
Philip Stern, The Company-State: Corporate Sovereignty and the Early Modern Foundations of the British Empire in India, 2011.
Edwin Burrows, Mike Wallace, Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898, 1999.
Julie Svalastog, Mastering the Worst of Trades: England’s Early Africa Companies and their Traders, 1618–1672, 2021.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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