Geopolitics have brought me to Europe for the beginning of this episode as a onetime ally eyes up Danish territory, and merchant ships are blocked from free access to key waterways unless they’re willing to pay onerous tolls.

If it all sounds familiar, I am not here to discuss recent news events, in fact I am exploring similar but much more consequential events that happened 400 years ago right here in Copenhagen Denmark and the man at the center of it all King Christian IV. 

He may not be a household name outside Scandinavia, but he ruled over a territory equal in size to Napoleon's empire at its peak, he indirectly inspired Shakespeare's MacBeth, King James of the protestant bible was his brother-in-law. He was a key figure in post reformation Europe, an architect and ship builder, but a complex man, a devoutly religious witch hunter, yet a drunkard and womanizer. But above all, he was in the tradition of his Viking ancestors a warrior King.

In this episode I explore the story of Christian IV of Denmark, I speak with a leading expert on the subject Prof. Paul Lockhart of Wright State University whose work includes "Denmark in the 30 years' war: 1618 to 1648." We examine the man and attempt to separate the myth from the facts.

Guest:

Prof. Paul Lockhart

Denmark in the 30 Years War: 1618 - 1648

Music and Sound: Pixabay

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Witches of Denmark