So, the Thirty Years War eh? What's in it for me, and why do you never shut up about it Zack? Well, if you'll let me, I want to explain why, while I also explain the reasons why yes EVEN YOU will be interested in the Thirty Years War...

If an in-depth examination of the Thirty Years War isn't your thing, how about a historical fiction series set during that era, which will let you dip your toe in, until you jump in utterly obsessed! I recommend you check out Matchlock and the Embassy, the first instalment of my new series which begins in 1622! I'm so excited about it!

Order your copy of Matchlock and the Embassy by clicking here.

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Welcome to the Thirty Years War...like you've never seen it before! Learn here how the personal rivalry and hatred between Emperor Ferdinand and his subject Frederick pushed Europe to the brink of the abyss...

Over three decades, this history spat out a wide range of fascinating stories and tales, but in this episode I'm going to focus on one in particular - the incredible story of Frederick V's rise, fall then rise and then fall again! It's a winding tale, but it's also emblematic of the wider war, which could make winners out of loser in the space of a day, and where everything, across the continent of Europe itself, could be changed.

This is the Thirty Years War at its most dramatic and captivating, and I believe if we look at the story of Frederick from the beginning, the escalation of the conflict into the 30 year mess we know today makes much more sense. Frederick's departure represented the beginning of a free for all for the sake of power and influence, but so long as he was alive, Frederick's rivalry with Emperor Ferdinand did more than any other relationship to further the war's flames, until virtually every power of consequence was sucked into the vortex.

Sure, you could listen to the real story of the Thirty Years' War, but why not listen to a fictional story, set during this same period? Matchlock is a historical fiction series set during the Thirty Years' War, beginning in 1622, when Matthew Lock lands in Europe to investigate the brutal murder of his parents. If epic drama, conflict and adorable characters are your thing, Matchlock will be ideal for you!

Order your copy of Matchlock and the Embassy by clicking here.

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NEW TO WDF? PLEASE START HERE!

We've been on quite a journey over the last few episodes, and I think it's time we take stock. In this episode, for the benefit of new listeners, I'll explain not only what happens in this conflict, but also why it's fascinating and absolutely worth your time. We bring our story up to 1619, or Episode 18 of the Thirty Years' War back catalogue if you want to listen from the beginning of this incredible story!

Matchlock is my new series set during the Thirty Years' War, beginning in 1622, when Matthew Lock lands in Europe to investigate the brutal murder of his parents. I have a feeling you'd love it!

Order your copy of Matchlock and the Embassy by clicking here.

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Our historical fiction series set during the Thirty Years' War is finally ready for you!

Order your copy of Matchlock and the Embassy by clicking here.

Although he had been lurking in the background for some time, as he sorted through France's internal problems, by 1629, Cardinal Richelieu was finally ready to make a bold strike in a determined anti-Habsburg direction. That story has since become immortalised, but what of those internal problems? And was this French Cardinal really as willing to shrug of religious maters as is often claiumed? Did the God of pragmatism supplant his faith, or was it all par the course for a Minister who couldn't afford to let his King down? Find out, as we introduce Richelieu to our series. I hope we're ready, because it'll never be the same again!

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Order your copy of Matchlock and the Embassy by clicking here. 

In this special episode, I explain some details about Matchlock and the Embassy, which you can now access in all your favourite book vendors, online and off!

Not sure about it? I read our first review, which provides a brilliant analysis of what this novel brings to the table, and why you'll aring war on historical fiction, and I enjoy it if you enjoy Thirty Years War content.

Want to dip your toe in? Have a listen to the new and improved Prologue, which I provide at the end of the episode, to get an idea of what to expect from Matthew Lock.

This is a HUGE deal for me history friends, and I am so excited to see what can be done with this series in the future, when we get even further into the Matchlock story and lore. I hope you're ready, because WDF will never be the same again! I'm declaring war on historical fiction, and I want you by my side when I do!

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Order your copy of Matchlock and the Embassy by clicking here.

1629 was THE year of the Thirty Years War, when all the tributaries seemed to join the main river, and flow as one. The Swedish and Poles made their peace, under French sponsorship. The French expelled the Huguenots from La Rochelle. The Spanish continued their siege of Casale, in North Italy. The Danes made their peace with Wallenstein and the Emperor, and the Emperor let the ink dry on his Edict of Restitution, before releasing it to the world. But that wasn't all. 

Across the Dutch border, something incredible was happening... 

It's up for debate when the tide truly turned in the Thirty Years War, and the Habsburgs lost the initiative. However, I would make a strong case for the winds of change blowing in the Spanish Dutch War first, when a daring naval assault by Admiral Piet Hein seized 11 million florins worth of silver just off the Cuban coast. Though he couldn't have known it, Admiral Hein had just knocked over the first in what would be a series of dominoes, that would lead all the way to the peace of Westphalia twenty years later. 

Not only did the Dutch seize the money, thus ruining Spain's precarious financial situation - they also spent that money on several armies, and invested the town of S'hertogenbosch, the capital of Catholic propaganda in the Spanish Netherlands. As if to tie it all together, who should stand side by side Frederick Henry, but Frederick V, Elector Palatine. Although his Austrian enemy was supreme, Frederick had ensured that the Habsburgs could not rest.

The Spanish were crumbling, and it remained for the Lion of the North to roar the whole place down in Germany....

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Order your copy of Matchlock and the Embassy by clicking here.

The war was going well for Emperor Ferdinand by 1629, fallout from the Edict of Restitution notwithstanding, but the Habsburg dynasty wasn't based in Vienna alone. Over in Madrid, things by 1629, with the Dutch war, were beginning to look increasingly dicey. How did such things happen, especially when the Dutch were brought to such a low ebb by 1625? Well, let's find out, we we trace the story of Dutch deliverance, beginning with a now famous scene. 

In 1625, the new Stadholder, Frederick Henry, faced a terrible challenge. The siege of Breda was nearing its end, and the Spanish success seemed guaranteed. But this was Maurice's greatest conquest, and if it fell, just as the legendary Maurice died, surely that didn't bode well for the beleaguered Republic? All that was left to do, was grin and bear it.

**DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THESE LINKS!**

1) To support the podcast financially in return for some extra audio content, check out Patreon!

2) To find a community of history friends, look at our Facebook page and group!

3) To keep up to date with us, follow us on Twitter!

4) For everything else, visit our website!

5) For merchandise including tees and mugs, all you have to do is click here!

6) Get our new Thirty Years War book, For God or the Devil!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Order your copy of Matchlock and the Embassy by clicking here.

Time to enlighten you on how our new content and plans will factor into our Patreon page going forward, and why you should be very excited indeed!

Don't want to listen? Read instead!

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Read this blog post to learn more

Read this blog post to learn how all this will be injected into Patreon.

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Order your copy of Matchlock and the Embassy by clicking here.

After so many months preparing, I can finally announce what's happening, and why I'm so excited!

I don't want to give anything away, but I will say, if you're a fan of history, storytelling and the Thirty Years War, then this will blow your mind!

Join the Facebook group

Read this blog post to learn more 

Read this blog post to learn how all this will be injected into Patreon. 

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Matchlock is a historical fiction series set during the Thirty Years' War, beginning in 1622, when Matthew Lock lands in Europe to investigate the brutal murder of his parents.

Order your copy of Matchlock and the Embassy by clicking here.

Emperor Ferdinand had it all. The Habsburg dynasty had never been so supreme, and his enemies had been utterly vanquished. But it was not enough for him, or the Jesuits that whispered in his ear. They wanted more than victory, they wanted spiritual triumph as well and to do this, they would risk everything. The Edict of Restitution was the fruit of the Emperor's triumph, but it would prove a bridge too far. Listen here to find out why, what the Edict entailed, and how everything was about to change for the Habsburgs, at the worst possible time.

**DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW THESE LINKS!**

1) To support the podcast financially in return for some extra audio content, check out Patreon!

2) To find a community of history friends, look at our Facebook page and group!

3) To keep up to date with us, follow us on Twitter!

4) For everything else, visit our website!

5) For merchandise including tees and mugs, all you have to do is click here!

6) Get our new Thirty Years War book, For God or the Devil!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.