America's First Ladies

This week we cover most of James's first term as president, including relations with Spain regarding the Floridas and the complicated situation that led to the Missouri Compromise. This episode is sadly lacking in Elizabeth-related material, but the family does make an appearance toward the end.

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-9/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover the beginning of James and Elizabeth's first four years as President and First Lady (even though, you know, she wasn't called by that title). And this episode contains the most first-hand quotes about Elizabeth's appearance and decorum as a hostess, so let's be grateful for that!

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-8/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we take a quick jaunt through the War of 1812, focusing on it from the Monroes' perspective, rather than the Madisons'. And we cover the election of 1816 and James's inauguration as the 5th POTUS.

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-7/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we follow James's diplomatic maneuvers in London, the family's trip back to America, the birth of the Monroes' first grandchild, and end up on the doorstep of the War of 1812.

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-6/

Music by Matt Dull

This week James wraps up his terms as Virginia governor, and then is appointed as special minister to France and Spain to acquire New Orleans and the Floridas from France and Spain. So the entire Monroe family, this time with a young child, sails for France once again.

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-5/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover the remainder of James and Elizabeth's time in France, the birth of their second child, and that time when James and Alexander Hamilton almost fought a duel, which was prevented by none other than Aaron Burr.

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-4/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we travel with the Monroes to France, where James takes up his post as American minister, and Elizabeth undertakes a special mission to save the life of Adrienne de Lafayette, wife of the Marquis de Lafayette.

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-3/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover the period from the Monroes' marriage in 1786 through 1792. The Monroes bounce back and forth between Virginia and Philadelphia, and Elizabeth gives birth to their first child.

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-2/

Music by Matt Dull

We kick off Season 5 with an introduction to Elizabeth Kortright and James Monroe, covering their early lives up until the point when the met, sometime in 1785.

Transcript and portrait of Elizabeth available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-5-1/

Links to sources materials for this season available at https://americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-5/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we wrap up our jaunt through 2000 years of Anglo-French relations by covering (albeit briefly) everything that happened between the 1490s and 2026. Spoiler alert: it's a lot of wars. And marriages. And assassinations.

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-4-supplemental-part-iii/

Music by Matt Dull

Further listening and reading:

Revolutions by Mike Duncan (I've recommended this podcast repeatedly. He covers a different revolution each season.)

In Our Time episode on Margaret Beaufort (Wars of the Roses)

In Our Time episode on Catherine of Aragon (first wife of Henry VIII)

In Our Time episode on The Hanoverian Succession

In Our Time episode on Napoleon's Hundred Days

In Our Time episode on Louis XIV The Sun King

In Our Time episode on The Battle of Crécy (Hundred Years' War)

In Our Time episode on King Cnut

In Our Time episode on The Battle of Trafalgar (Napoleonic Wars)

In Our Time episode on The Franco-American Alliance 1778

Seriously, there are a ton of good episodes from that podcast. I can't list them all!

Any book by the author Alison Weir - she writes extensively about British history. I especially recommend her series on the Queens of England (Queens of the Conquest, Queens of the Crusades, and Queens of the Age of Chivalry).

Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution by Mike Duncan (yes, the Revolutions podcast guy)