The Siècle History Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Supplemental 4: Circle of the Union Nov 11, 2019

Show notes

A second part of my interview with historian Philip Mansel discusses Franco-British relations during the first half of the 19th Century, as a century-plus of military rivalry turns into something much more complex. Brought to you by the show's supporters on Patreon.

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Episode 14: Slipped on the Blood Oct 18, 2019

Show notes

Restoration politics becomes a three-way battle for supremacy between liberals, Ultra-royalists, and "Ministerials" — until a shocking crime changes everything.

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Supplemental 3: The Livres Sep 22, 2019

Show notes

A look behind the scenes of The Siècle, including how I research, record and edit episodes, and a closer look at a few of the sources I use to research the podcast. Brought to you by the show's supporters on Patreon.

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Episode 13: Bourbons, Neat Sep 04, 2019

Show notes

An introduction to Restoration France's illustrious — and not-so-illustrious — royal family circa 1816, including a little too much genealogy and a surprising amount of absurdly petty snubs.

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Episode 12: Louis Louis Jul 24, 2019

Show notes

An interview with Philip Mansel, author of several books about 19th Century France, including a biography of Louis XVIII. We discuss the life and personality of France's restored Bourbon king.

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Episode 11: The Year Without a Summer Jul 10, 2019

Show notes

An epic episode covering the little-known story of the time an Indonesian volcano caused worldwide harvest failures and massive social unrest, including in a France still recovering from the chaos and devastation of the Napoleonic Wars.

Visit thesiecle.com for bonus information, pictures and charts.

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Episode 10: People of the Land Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

The silent majority of Restoration France were the peasants, the small farmers scraping out a living across its varied countryside. Learn who these peasants were, how they worked, and how they survived.

Visit thesiecle.com for bonus information, pictures and charts.

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Supplemental 2: The Restoration According to Chateaubriand Jun 07, 2019

Show notes

The early 19th Century writer and statesman Chateaubriand was a keen (if biased) observer of many of the events chronicled in The Siècle — and a top-notch writer, to boot! In this bonus episode, I present an excerpt from Chateaubriand's memoirs, including his thoughts on Napoleon, Louis XVIII, censorship and France's constitutional monarchy.

As always, visit thesiecle.com for full transcript, annotations and illustrations.

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Episode 9: Legitimism May 21, 2019

Show notes

Meet the "legitimists," the group of right-wing ultra-royalists who would have a profound influence on 19th Century French politics. Champions of natural order and Catholicism, liberty and inequality, they had a sophisticated philosophy rooted in opposing the evils of the Enlightenment and Revolution.

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Episode 8: The Unexpected Chamber May 02, 2019

Show notes

The restored king of France, Louis XVIII, faces a stiff challenge from the parliament he just created. But these champions of parliamentary power aren't who might expect.

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