America's First Ladies

In part 2 of our quick dash through 2000 years of Anglo-French relations, we cover the period from 1274 to 1498, including The Hundred Years' War, the Wars of the Roses, and a whole lot of drama and murder.

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

Music by Matt Dull

We're taking a short break from First Ladies to do a crash course in the history of relations between England and France. Because their constant warring has a large impact on early America, I thought it would be a fun detour to give you more context.

Map and transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/season-4-supplemental-part-i/

Music by Matt Dull

We wrap up the life of Dolley Madison this week with a quick jaunt through the 1830s and 1840s. There are plenty of fun anecdotes in this episode!

See the earliest known photo of a First Lady (technically a daguerrotype) and find the transcript at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-14/

Music by Matt Dull

You can stream Matt's latest musical work by searching for his stage name "Austin Matthew" on any streaming platform. His new album is called Before My Heart Explodes.

After 16 years of service to the government, Dolley and James finally get to leave Washington and retire to Montpelier for good.

Portraits and transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-13/

Music by Matt Dull

The book I mention toward the end of this episode, Madison's Hand: Revising the Constitutional Convention by Mary Sarah Bilder, can be found here.

We finally wrap up the War of 1812 this week, but not without plenty of drama.

Note: at one point, I say that James sent instructions to the peace commissioners on October 4, 1815, but I meant to say 1814. By October 1815, the war was long over. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of all these dates!

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-12/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover two more years of war, 1813 and 1814, including the dramatic burning of Washington and the President's House in August 1814.

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-11/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we finally get to the War of 1812! Also, Dolley's sister gets married in the first-ever White House wedding (even though we're still not calling it the White House). And James Madison wins reelection.

Transcript and further reading available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-10/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover the early part of James's first term as President, including Dolley's work redecorating the President's House and throwing parties left and right.

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-9/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we cover James's second term as Secretary of State, the election of 1808, and more background on the run-up to the War of 1812.

Transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-8/

Music by Matt Dull

This week we learn more about Dolley's role as Jefferson's presidential hostess, and cover a couple of important events that took place during Jefferson's first term; namely, the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis & Clark expedition.

Maps, portraits, and transcript available at americasfirstladiespodcast.com/episode-4-7/

Music by Matt Dull