Pax Britannica: A History of the British Empire

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03.13 - The Tory War Dec 17, 2023

Show notes

After the defeat of the Royalist coalition, the last military resistance to the Commonwealth in Ireland are irregular Tories - isolated, cut off from the chain of command, thousands of veteran Irish fights live off the land, establish bases in bogs and hills, and hit the English occupation forces wherever they can. The Commonwealth goes to extreme lengths to crush them.

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Sarah Barber, ‘Settlement, Transplantation and Expulsion: A Comparative Study of the Placement of Peoples’, in British Interventions in Early Modern Ireland, ed. by Ciaran Brady and Jane Ohlmeyer (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005).
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.
David Edwards, ‘Political Change and Social Transformation, 1603-1641’, Cambridge History of Ireland
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.
Micheál Ó Siochrú, 'Atrocity, Codes of Conduct and the Irish in the British Civil Wars 1641-1653', Past & Present , 195 (May, 2007), pp. 55-86
Pádraig Lenihan, Consolidating Conquest: Ireland 1603-1727 (England: Pearson, 2008).
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.
R. Scott Spurlock, ‘Cromwell and Catholics: Towards a Reassessment of Lay Catholic Experience in Interregnum Ireland’, in Constructing the Past: Writing Irish History, 1600-1800, ed. by Mark Williams and Stephen Paul Forrest, Irish Historical Monographs (Woodbridge: The Boydell Press, 2010).
Wells, Jennifer, ‘Proceedings at the High Court of Justice at Dublin and Cork 1652-1654, part 2’, Archivium Hibernicum, 67, 76-274.

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03.12 - Peace At Last? Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

The last embers of resistance to the Commonwealth are snuffed out in England and Scotland.

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.

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03.11 - The Great Escape Nov 12, 2023

Show notes

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.

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03.10 - 'A Crowning Mercy' - the Final Battle of Worcester Nov 05, 2023

Show notes

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.

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03.09 - The Miracle of Dunbar Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

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.

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03.08 - The Murderer of the Scottish Nation Oct 15, 2023

Show notes

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

03.07 - The Death of Royalist Ireland Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

Ormond's coalition collapses, as Henry Ireton takes over from Cromwell.

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For 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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Bonus - The Denbigh House of Cards Oct 01, 2023

Show notes

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?

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03.06 - Never Seen So Hot A Storm Sep 24, 2023

Show notes

Cromwell's campaign in Ireland comes to an end, with a high cost for the New Model Army at Clonmel.

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For 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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03.05 - Bloody Inhumanity Sep 17, 2023

Show notes

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 | Donate

For 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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