La Garde Ecossaise Historical Fiction Official Podcast: A Journey Through Early Modern History

La Garde Ecossaise Historical Fiction Official Podcast: A Journey Through Early Modern History

By Dr Kirsteen M MacKenzieHistory
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La Garde Ecossaise Historical Fiction Official Podcast: A Journey Through Early Modern History episodes

  • Audio Guide Introduction

    This is the introductory episode of the La Garde Ecossaise Audio Guide. It explains what the audio guide is for, what it will cover and how you as a listener and audience member can interact with it and shape its contents.

    3 min
  • 2.6 Early Modern Intelligence and Spies

    In La Garde Ecossaise we are introduced to the world of

    intelligence and spies through the eyes of Robert Meldrum as he is being trained in the handling of intelligence by Timothy Gray, head of intelligence for La Garde Ecossaise.  Meldrum gives us an introductory insight into the methods of handling intelligence during the early modern period.  Meldrum’s introduction to these methods of intelligence handling show that he is becoming a trusted member of the group. Throughout the novel we come across several different situations where intelligence is obtained and used.  Often used as a homogeneous term to cover
    covert operations, the term ‘intelligence’ in the early modern period can refer to information generally.  This is seen with reference to printed public newsbooks that call themselves ‘intelligenciers’.  However, if examine
    the term ‘intelligence’ in its covert context, there were several kinds of covert intelligence during the early modern period. Timothy Gray teaches Meldrum the two basic skills required to transmit confidential written information in the early modern period, namely using
    invisible ink and cyphers. 



    22 min
  • 2.5 The Early Modern Marksman

    Today we are going to explore the world of the marksman and firearms during the seventeenth century. I have avoided the term ‘musketeer’ in the title of the podcast for an obvious reason – any time the term musketeer is used in relation to seventeenth century France many people will visualise the musketeers made famous by Alexandre Dumas, Athos, Porthos, Aramis and D’artagnan.  I think the term marksman is much more appropriate. The character in the novel La Garde Ecossaise which represents this skillset is Alasdair MacDonald, is a mischievous and wayward Highlander with a good heart. Many may assume that a Scottish Highlander is an odd choice as a character that would represent marksmanship within the guard, but as I will explain in later podcasts, marksmanship has a long history within Irish and Highlander warfare. For the moment, this episode will explore, through the characters of Meldrum and MacDonald, the operation and use of muskets. It will then explore the operation of both the matchlock and flintlock musket and finally, it will explore the use of firearms in the armies of King Louis XIV. 

    19 min
  • 2.4 The Early Modern Swordmaster

    In La Garde Ecossaise we are introduced to the world of the sword master through our narrator, Robert Meldrum. In his meeting with Hamilton, Hamilton introduces Meldrum to the weapons which form the basis of swordsmanship in early modern Europe. After the basic introduction to some weaponry, we are then briefly introduced to the various schools of swordsmanship in early modern Europe such as the Italian school, the Spanish school and the French

    school.  Each school had different techniques and approaches to sword fighting. I introduce the major schools of swordsmanship in early modern Europe and some of their defining features. Louis XIVs army like other armies of their time, comprised different regiments with different functions and specialities which called for the use of specific weapons. 

    19 min
  • 2.3 Rules of Engagement and Codes of Conduct in Early Modern Warfare

    Rules of warfare, laws of warfare or rules of engagement

    are a key theme in book 1 of La Garde Ecossaise, distinguishing between murder and defence.  Indeed, it was a distinction that many early modern military theorists were familiar with.  In this episode I discuss the historical
    theory and practice of the rules of engagement or codes of conduct in early modern warfare.

    31 min
  • 2.2 Louis XIV and St Germain en Laye

    This podcast episode will introduce the history of the royal

    connections of this region which lay to the west of Paris, especially before Louis XIV moves his court to Versailles in 1682.  It will explore the Palace of St Germain and paint
    a picture of life in these residences for those who were part of the Royal household.  Finally, it will place the
    palace in its wider British and Irish context by exploring the British and Irish expatriate community at St Germain en Laye prior to 1682. 

    22 min

About La Garde Ecossaise Historical Fiction Official Podcast: A Journey Through Early Modern History

From the publisher's feed

This is the official podcast of the La Garde Ecossaise Historical Fiction novels which will explore the books in greater depth and the historical events that inspired them. I will tease out fact from fiction for you and in doing so I will introduce you to this fascinating period of history.