Pax Britannica: A History of the British Empire
History
About
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'?
Episodes
- 04.15 - CSI: New England
John Sassamon is found dead, a suspected murder victim. Who killed him, why, and how did it lead to war? Watch the Kurzgesagt Nightshift video I wrote! https://youtu.be/bVc_xY6TWiY?si=JoAa78lzgJHIpoFT Join the Mailing List ! Jo…
- 04.14 - All's Fair in Love and Law
The episode details Rhode Island
- 04.13 - From Death and Darkness
This episode of Pax Britannica covers the Puritans' efforts to convert Native Americans, the establishment of Harvard University Press, and the printing of the first bible in an indigenous American language.
- 4-12 - Love Thy Neighbour
This episode of Pax Britannica focuses on King Philip's War, providing historical context and setting the stage for the ensuing conflict.
- Bonus - The Company in India with Professor Philip Stern
Professor Philip Stern details his book, Empire, Incorporated, examining the historical foundations of corporate sovereignty and the British Empire in India.
- 04.11 - New Starts in New England
The episode discusses the difficulties faced in New England, such as smallpox outbreaks, poor harvests, and the presence of religious dissenters.
- 04.10 - The Cabal
With the downfall of Clarendon, the CABAL takes centre stage in Restoration politics. But it's never so simple... Join the Mailing List ! Join the Patreon House of Lords for ad-free episodes! Buy a ticket to Intelligent Speech 2026 an…
- 04.09 - The Raid on the Medway
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…
- 04.08 - The Four Days' Battle
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…
- 04.07 - A City of Ash
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 o…
- Slavery throughout History with Patrick Wyman
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, Lo…
- 04.06 - The Great Fire of London
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 Sta…
- 04.05 - The Great Plague of London
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 pl…
- 04.04 - The Royal Navy Reborn
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 K…
- The Stuarts, the Scottish Restoration, and Devil-Land with Professor Clare Jackson
The Mirror of Great Britain: A Life of James VI&I Devil-Land: England under Siege, 1588-1688 Charles II: The Star King Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 04.03 - The First Scramble for Africa
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…
- 04.02 - The Seven Islands of Bombay
Charles II marries Catherine of Braganza, and the Portuguese Princess brings her new husband the city of Tangiers and the islands of Bombay. One of these will become a stronghold of the British Empire. The other will not. Alice Hunt, Repub…
- 04.01 - The Return of the King
Charles II Stuart returns to London, and the Restoration tries to turn the clock back in England, Scotland, and Ireland. But a generation of civil war and revolution is not something that can be easily reversed. Alice Hunt, Republic, 2024.…
- Introducing Pax Britannica Season 4 - The Restoration
Find Pax Britannica everywhere you find your podcasts, or go to Pod.Link/Pax to find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 03.48 - With Thunderous Applause
George Monck arrives in London and restores the Long Parliament. Charles Stuart moves to Breda. The Republic votes itself out of existence. Alice Hunt, Republic, 2024. Martyn Bennet, Oliver Cromwell, 2006. Michael Braddick (ed.), The Oxfor…
- 03.47 - Paradise Lost
The Army brings back the Rump Parliament, but they quickly regret that decision. In Scotland, George Monck prepares to march. Alice Hunt, Republic, 2024. Martyn Bennet, Oliver Cromwell, 2006. Michael Braddick (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of…
- 03.46 - The Fall of the House of Cromwell
With the death of Oliver Cromwell, his eldest son Richard becomes Lord Protector. Can he balance the competing demands of the army and the republicans? Alice Hunt, Republic, 2024. Martyn Bennet, Oliver Cromwell, 2006. Michael Braddick (ed.…
- 03.45 - Jericho
"I will not seek to set up that which Providence hath destroyed, and laid in the dust, and I would not build Jericho again." Oliver Cromwell refuses to become a king, and a new constitution takes effect. But Cromwell is not long for this w…
- 03.44 - King Oliver the First?
Check out the University of Aberdeen Online Courses: http://on.abdn.ac.uk/online-history-courses Oliver Cromwell is offered a crown... but will he take it? Alice Hunt, Republic, 2024. Martyn Bennet, Oliver Cromwell, 2006. Michael Braddick…
- 03.43 - Between Darkness and Light
Check out the University of Aberdeen Online Courses: http://on.abdn.ac.uk/online-history-courses The Second Protectorate Parliament meets, and the Major-Generals purge a third of the MPs before it even begins. Royalists and Levellers consp…
- 03.42 - The Rule of the Major Generals
After rebellion and disappointment, Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell fears he has lost God's favour. The only way to restore it is do his work on earth - the moral reformation of England and Wales. Alice Hunt, Republic, 2024. Martyn Bennet,…
- Shattered Lands with Sam Dalrymple
As recently as 1928, a vast swathe of Asia – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, Yemen, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait – were bound together under a single imperial banner, an entity known officially as the ‘Indian…
- 03.41 - Cromwell's Spies
Oliver Cromwell's friend and Secretary of State John Thurloe was also one of the most effective spymasters in English history. Catching the Gerard Plot before they could assassinate the Lord Protector, and uprooting Penruddock's Uprising u…
- 03.40 - The Protestant Crusade
The army of the Western Design invades Jamaica, and marches unopposed into the capital. But despite English claims of victory, the Jamaican population is not about to let itself be conquered. This episode could not have been written withou…
- 03.39 - Francis Drake's Ghost
The fleet of the Western Design arrives off the coast of Hispaniola, and Oliver Cromwell's dream of a Protestant colonial empire seems assured. But it doesn't take long for everything to go wrong... This episode could not have been written…
- 03.38 - "The Very Scum of Scums"
Lord Protector Cromwell dispatches a huge fleet of warships to the Caribben to conquer the Spanish colonies. But once the expedition reaches Barbados, they discover that reality doesn't match with expectations. This episode could not have…
- Preview of Winds of Change - Hostile Takeover
The first half of Episode 2 - Hostile Takeover. Listen to the full episode here: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/ARML6837257429?selected=ARML4090812395 After the death of Aurangzeb, the United East India Company benefitted from the politi…
- Republic: Britain’s Revolutionary Decade with Prof. Alice Hunt
Professor Alice Hunt was kind enough to come on the podcast to talk about her new book, Republic: Britain’s Revolutionary Decade, 1649–1660 . - https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571303199-republic-britains-revolutionary-decade-1649-1660/…
- 03.37 - The Western Design
With the Commonwealth quiet, Cromwell takes his conquests global. With as much secrecy as possible, the Protectorate puts together an expedition to strike at the vulnerable colonies of the Catholic powers: the Western Design. But first, th…
- 03.36 - The Alliance to Restore the Republic
The First Protectorate Parliament meets... and immediately starts tearing up the constitution. Join the Mailing List ! Join the Patreon House of Lords for ad-free episodes! This episode could not have been written without the following wor…
- 03.35 - Glencairn's Falling
George Monck arrives in Scotland, and burns the Royalists out. Join the Mailing List ! Join the Patreon House of Lords for ad-free episodes! This episode could not have been written without the following works: Francis Dow, Cromwellian Sco…
- 03.34 - Glencairn's Rising
Royalist rebellion erupts in the Scottish Highlands. Join the Mailing List ! Join the Patreon House of Lords for ad-free episodes! This episode could not have been written without the following works: Francis Dow, Cromwellian Scotland, 165…
- English Revolution Q&A with David Crowther Part 2
I answer YOUR questions with David Crowther of the History of England Podcast! Listen to the History of England: https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/podcasts/history-of-england/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- English Revolution Q&A with David Crowther Part 1
I answer YOUR questions with David Crowther of the History of England Podcast! Listen to the History of England: https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/podcasts/history-of-england/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 03.33 - The Occupation of Scotland
The New Model Army occupies Scotland, but trouble is brewing in the Highlands. Send us your questions at https://bit.ly/RevQA Join the Mailing List ! Join the Patreon House of Lords for ad-free episodes! This episode could not have been wr…
- Elections from History: New Zealand, 1919
William Massey, leader of the Reform Party, and Sir Joseph Ward, leader of the Liberal Party, had spent an agonising four years in coalition together. They hated it, and once the First World War was over and they were back in New Zealand,…
- The Windrush Scandal with Dr Juanita Cox
Learn more about The Windrush Scandal in a Transnational and Commonwealth Context HERE or HERE Send in questions about the Wars of the Three Kingdoms to https://bit.ly/RevQA Join the Mailing List ! Join the Patreon House of Lords for ad-fr…
- 03.32 - Peace Through War
The First Anglo-Dutch War ends, and Lord Protector Cromwell brings peace to his new Commonwealth. Mostly. Send us your questions at https://bit.ly/RevQA Join the Mailing List ! Join the Patreon House of Lords for ad-free episodes! This epi…
- Announcement - English Revolution Q&A with the History of England's David Crowther
Send us your questions at https://bit.ly/RevQA Questions close on the 14th of July 2024! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 03.31 - The Uncrowned King
With the failure of Barebone's Parliament, John Lambert presents the Instrument of Government. The first written constitution in English history, designed to share power between an executive, his council, and an elected parliament. Maybe t…
- 03.30 - Barebone's Parliament
After the dissolution of the Rump Parliament, Oliver Cromwell and the Council of Officers decide on a new government. A new assembly - not an elected parliament - would be summoned, ordered to carry out the reforms long neglected by the Ru…
- 03.29 - Radicalism of the Soul
We take a closer look at the Baptists, the Quakers, the Ranters, and the Fifth Monarchists, as the revolutionary energy of the Commonwealth of England is channeled into religious thought. Join the Mailing List ! Join the Patreon House of L…
- 03.28 - In the Name of God, Go!
Back in London, Oliver Cromwell loses patience with the Rump Parliament. The New Model Army is getting restless, and Parliament appears to be prioritising its own power over the reforms its soldiers fought for. Have your say in the Airwave…
- 03.27 - Masters of the Seas
The English defeat the Dutch, and Tromp faces his last battle. Have your say in the Airwave survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PAXBRITANNICA Join the Mailing List ! Join the Patreon House of Lords for ad-free episodes! Martyn Bennet, O…
- 03.26 - The Mountain of Iron
Have your say in the Airwave survey! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PAXBRITANNICA Join the Mailing List ! Join the Patreon House of Lords for ad-free episodes! Martyn Bennet, Oliver Cromwell , 2006. Michael Braddick. The Oxford Handbook of…