In the delicate twilight of medieval Europe, a collage of nascent states and ancient lineages began to weave itself under the vast shadows of castles and the silent watch of stars. Here, amidst the echo of ancient stone and whispered oaths, the Habsburg family rose quietly from the humble origins of the Swiss Aargau, binding their fate to the continent through calculated marriages and strategic inheritances. As empires collided and the canvas of Europe was redrawn beneath the brushstrokes of the Reformation and the Renaissance, the Habsburgs crafted an empire where daylight lingered on their dominions from the alpine villages of Central Europe to the sunset coasts of America. Let us drift into the dreams of an empire where the sun never set, exploring the corridors of power and the silent battles waged in the shadow of imperial strategy. This episode is hosted by Ashley Johnson. Check out more of our shows and get your free trial of Whisper Premium: www.whisper.fm Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/channel/whisper-fm/id6466174594 Whisper.fm on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whisper_fm