Binge Thinking History

The 1647 Putney Debates saw the development of many of the key democratic ideas we take for granted today. As Thomas Raisborough put it.  the poorest he that is in England has a life to live, as the greatest he: and therefore truly, Sir, I think it is clear, that every man that has a life to live under a government ought first by his own consent to put himself under that government; and I do think that the poorest man in England is not bound in a strict sense to the government that he has not had a voice to put himself under All of this was of course against the backdrop of the English Civil War which in many ways makes if even more remarkable.

The First World War marks the end the supremacy of the battleship and the beginning of the end for Pax Britannia.  The decline of Royal Navy mirrors the that of the British Empire for obvious reasons and the it's future is unclear.

Sails are finally done away with as steam power takes over and the race between armour and guns gets under way.  Pax Britannia turns maps of the world red as the Americans, Japanese and Germans aspire to have navies just like the British; the road to World War One begins.

This episode covers the end the Napoleonic Wars and what Britain did next, how the Royal Navy had to change and the technological advances that might threaten or enhance it's dominance. Tony

The episode looks at the period from the start of the French Revolution to the Battle of Trafalgar. http://bingethinkinghistory.blogspot.com/2010/05/15-reign-of-terror-to-trafalgar.html

This episode takes a look at explorers not the usual fighting and politics.  Cook sails to the Pacific times and Bligh is only remembered because of a certain mutiny.

Episode 13 at long last.  The American colonys are lost and things look bleak.  However the reputation of the Royal Navy and Britain is saved by someone whose own was highly suspect.  Merry Christmas everyone. All the best Tony

Finally a new episode and sorry for the long hiatus.  I'm going to try and make sure that doesn't happen again. This episode covers what happened during the mid 18th Century and the all important Seven Years War, seen by many as the real 'First World War'.  It also saw Britain become the dominant European power without actually having an army on the continent and the continuation of the century long on/off conflict with France.  The road to Waterloo and Trafalgar was set. Hope you enjoy Tony

This episode follows the initial fortunes of the English and the Dutch Navies as they take on the French.  It also covers the Golden Age of Piracy and it's demise and sees George Anson be the third English sailor to capture the Manilla Galleon. All the best Tony

Here we look at the origins of the English Navy the development of the Navy Royal and the reorganisation and formation of the Royal Navy.  This is the first part of I think three episodes on the Senior Service. Apologies again for the delay, hopefully I won't take to long next time. Enjoy and all the best Tony

Welcome to the final part of series looking at the Battle of Britain.  What did the air battle over Southern England in the summer 1940 mean?  Was it even a battle?  Can it be see in terms of winners and losers?  And what about the myths?  I try to answers these and few other questions in no particular order.  Thanks for all the kind and generous comments and email and I hope you enjoy this last BTHP mini series. All the best.

Welcome back after my affliction of 'podblock'.  We now look at the events after the 'Hardest Day' up to the official end of the battle in October as the Luftwaffe focus attacks on Fighter Commands airfields then switch to attacking London.  Oh...and did you know the Italians turned up after everything was effectively over?

This episode looks at the events after the Luftwaffe stopped attacking convoys in The Channel and launched Eagle Day on the 13th of August 1940 and began the campaign to destroy RAF Fighter Command. 

Episode 6 looks at the start of the Battle of Britain...as it turns out it was due to a Dornier Do17 crew spotting a convoy called 'Bread'.  It also looks at the Chain Home series of Radar stations and the lead up to Aldertag or Eagle Day.

This episode looks at the origins of the Battle of Britain, the position Britain and German found themselves in circa mid 1940, some of the key figures and the aircraft the Luftwaffe and RAF would use.  Some myths are examined and the question is asked was the Battle of Britain really a battle.  We'll be returning to this and other questions in subsequent episodes.  

In this episode we follow the events from the time of William and Mary right up the signing of the US Constitution.  Along the way we see the creation of the United Kingdom and that the British find that they will probably need to look abroad if they want to maintain the Monarchy. I've also added BTHP to BritCaster.com  

Charles I comes up against Oliver Cromwell which kicks off the English Civil War and is subsequently beheaded.  The English though still liked the idea of monarch, just not the despotic ones, and after Cromwell’s death the Crown is restored.  All is not well though and eventually a Dutchman is invited to become King.  

Henry VIII takes exception to The Vatican not allowing him to get divorced so does what any self respecting supreme leader would do, he creates his own Church.  This is probably the most seismic event in European history and changed just about everything including the relationship between the King, the Church and the State.  The episode runs right up the Charles I and the roots of the English Civil War.  

Episode 1 covers a big chunk of history from about 1100 up to the end of the War of the Roses and the first Tudor King Henry VII.  Included is the first document to outline the limits of an English monarchs power,The Charter of Liberties, the follow up Magna Carta and first Republican revolt lead by Simon de Montford.  

A quick intro to the Binge Thinking History Podcast.  Whilst I am not a history revisionist I am fascinated by the Napoleonic idea that history is a myth agreed up and this is a theme I hope to thread throughout future episodes.