You likely know Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, maybe even Bloody Mary, but who has heard of Edward VI? The only Tudor that might be less known is Edward's grandfather, Henry VII.

Even during Edward's reign, he was often overshadowed by two guys, both of which made themselves Dukes. The first was the Duke of Somerset. He set himself up as the power during Edward's early reign, which started when Edward was 9 years old. Somerset was eventually outplayed by another self created Duke, the Duke of Northumberland. This duke had his son marry Lady Jane Grey and then tried to make her the queen once Edward was no longer. It is often said that Edward agreed to this or that it was even his idea. About suspicious regardless as The Tudors would be no more while the Dudleys (Northumberland) would become the dynasty.

This also means Edward was attempting to take his sisters out of the line of succession.

While Edward plays a pretty minor role, the intrigues during his reign are very intriguing and fascinating.

The entire production and all music is done by me

When English Kings are thought of, it is likely Henry VIII that comes to mind. A fascinating and intriguing story, no doubt, yet one that typically venerates and perhaps denigrates Henry at the same time. There are the 6 wives of course. Sometimes he gets credit (undue) for the English Reformation.

Henry seems to get a pass or excuses for his behavior or blunders by some historians. He was handed the kingdom on a platter, flush with money thanks to his dad, Henry VII. By definition, sovereigns are entitled but Henry VIII takes it to the extreme. The only people that did not immediately do what he said, including Anne Boleyn, got the block.

Produced, written and edited by Roberto. All music by Roberto

Key words: Tudors, England, History, Kings, Henry VII

The Tudor dynasty - With about the thinnest possible claim to the throne, Henry Tudor, who had many tragedies and adventures BEFORE he becomes king, does indeed become King. An incredibly engaging and thought provoking story from history that is often forgotten.

Discover and explore the story of Henry Tudor, who not only won the crown on the battlefield at Bosworth Field, he also ended the War of the Roses and stabilized England.

In fact, when Henry VII was born, it would have been absurd to even think he would some day become king and yet today, the Tudors are the most well known English dynasty. Henry Tudor's story is fascinating history.

#history #Tudors #England #engaginghistory

The Emu War- Australia 1932. What started out as a great gesture, giving land to farm to returning WW1 veterans, turned into an unfortunate situation with a ridiculous solution. This was the time of The Great Depression and a time in the Campion region of Australia whose farmers, those veterans, were suffering financial. It probably did not help that they land these veterans was called marginal. Yet the crucial element became the destruction caused by the Emu. The emu, indigenous to Australia, are the second largest bird on earth. They had pretty consistent migration patterns until this land was opened up. To the emu it was a cornucopia, new and easy resources- water and food. However, given the difficulties already sustained with farming the land, these farmers reached out to the Australian government. The response- send 3 from the military with two Lewis guns and get rid of the birds...this effort was not successful as the military had to withdraw.

The Pastry War- Mexico was in the midst of gaining their independence from Spain. This time was fraught with many internal struggles. Bandits and others were looting private property and no one was doing anything about it. However, some residents from France reached out to the French King...including a pastry chef....from their French ships sailed to Mexico. Tune in to find out all that happened on History Pondered and Explored

#history #australia #mexico #france #emu #emuwar #pastrywar

At least 8 movies have been made about the Alamo. This is the battle, the siege, where the Texans lost? Amongst all the game changing events that happened in North America, in about a 20 year period, with the the Alamo kind of in the middle, why is it so legendary, mythologized.

What were the other events that occurred? How much territory did the US gain and Mexico lose? All this and more on this weeks episode

#alamo #texas #history #mexico

The Plantagenets- what is not to like? A bunch of Henrys, Edwards and Richards....with one John. A rollercoaster ride for the people of England with the Plantagenets. For every Plantagenet King that does what is expected of a medieval king, there is usually another, that is useless.

The 100 Years War, Black Plague, Chevauchees, Guts, Glory, Horror.... and the English court finally starts speaking English...what is not to like.

Some truly fascinating and epic wins....and failures. This episode stops prior to the War of the Roses as that epic will get its own episode...and, well, it is very complicated

This podcast has covered the Anglo Saxon Kings and now the Plantagenets. Someday soon will be the Tudors, apparently everyone's favorite English Dynasty. However, for fascination, horror, crazy and fun...and battles...it is hard to beat THE PLANTAGENETS!

#history #england #plantagents #fun

Yup, first Benedict Arnold, now with the British and after becoming a turncoat. raided up and down the James River. He did scorched earth policy up and down the river, including the Berkely Plantation, as the owner, Harrison, was a member of the Continental Congress. Benedict reportedly did this because Harrison was a "traitor" Unbelievable.

When it came to Richmond, Benedict wrote Thomas Jefferson, telling him that if there was no resistance, no harm would come to Richmond, just let me (Benedict) get all your tobacco and other things we might need. TJ said no. How can you trust Arnold? So Arnold took some stuff and then burned the town.

Next, with the American Civil War effectively over and Richmond evacuated, the confederates set fire to Richmond in early April 1865, so that the Union would not get anything. A few days later, Lee surrendered. Meanwhile, the Union was able to put out the fire, which had gone out of control

It is true, the war continued for another 7 days after the siege was won by the Union. But like in a game of chess, when each opponent knows and can see the end game and that a checkmate is inevitable, so too both Grant and Lee had to have seen this.

The siege is a prototype for the trenches in WW1.The number of interesting characters at the siege, both honorable and some less so, is fascinating.

The siege, so complex and important, seems to be sometimes overlooked compared to other battles. At the end of the day, while there are a few more battles that occur during Lee's retreat, particularly the horrific Sayler's Creek, the Siege is effectively what ends the American Civil War`

One of the most fascinating things discovered is the use, by the English, of the long bow. For a period of time the long bow changed how battles were fought and strategies set.

Somewhat ironically, the long bow also helped hasten the end of the chivalric code in the battles of medieval Europe as projectiles rather than hand to hand fighting with swords etc. became of vital importance.

Projectiles, of a kind, continue in this matter to this day. However, gun powder saw the end of the effectiveness of the long bow

ALSO- Edward III big moments. He likened himself to King Arthur and for a good while, he did a great job at it. He won the two battles discussed here and was always great at jousting tourneys.

After Crecy, it is his son Edward of Woodstock, who has the next great victory for the English over the French

Finally, in old age, Edward, who up to this point was more similar to his grandfather, Ed I, ends up being more like his dad, Ed II, by letting a favorite, in Ed III's case- Alice Perrers, run the roost

Enjoy!

Edward the 1st, as medieval English kings go, was awesome. He was the grandfather of Edward III. Edward II, he was about as bad a king as could be. He was Edward III father.

From his grandfather, Edward III learned what to do. From his father he learned exactly what not to do

Things were very tricky for Edward III during his childhood and teenage years. His mother Queen Isabella, with her lover, Roger Mortimer, betrays Edward II and invade and take over England. So his father is jailed and dies.

Edward III does marry Phillipa and the do get along splendidly, at least for a long time. Yet it is when Edward takes out Mortimer that he truly becomes king