Shows
I Take History With My Coffee86: The Flemish Revolt: The War of Two Governments, 1482-1492When Mary of Burgundy died in a riding accident in March 1482, she left a four-year-old heir and a succession crisis that would tear apart the richest territories in northern Europe. Her widower, Maximilian of Austria, claimed the regency—but the powerful cities of Flanders had other plans. For the next decade, two rival governments ruled in the name of young Philip the Fair. The regency council, backed by Ghent and Bruges, issued decrees, minted coins, and commanded armies. Maximilian, backed by other provinces and the high nobility, did the same. Each side wielded its own sea...
2025-12-3034 minI Take History With My Coffee85: The Great Privilege: Mary of Burgundy and the Crisis of 1477On January 5, 1477, Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, died on a frozen battlefield outside Nancy. His death sparked one of the most intense constitutional crises of the fifteenth century. Charles left behind his nineteen-year-old daughter Mary, an empty treasury, a destroyed army, and a state on the brink of collapse. Within weeks, French forces began invading Burgundian lands as internal revolts erupted across the Low Countries. To secure recognition as her father's successor, Mary had no choice but to make revolutionary concessions to her people. On February 11, 1477—after only one week of n...
2025-12-1633 minI Take History With My Coffee84: The Squalid Drama: Succession, Madness, and the Foreign Takeover of Spain (1504-1517)When Queen Isabel of Castile died on November 26, 1504, she left behind a unified Spain and a disastrous succession crisis. Over the following thirteen years, a series of unexpected deaths, political conspiracies, and a convenient declaration of madness would turn Spain from an independent power into the centerpiece of a massive Habsburg empire. This episode explores how Isabel and Fernando's carefully planned anti-French diplomatic strategy—based on marriage alliances with the Habsburg dynasty—backfired dramatically. Four royal deaths wiped out all expected heirs, leaving the succession to Juana of Castile, whose husband, Philip of Burgundy, was openl...
2025-12-0233 minI Take History With My Coffee83: The Crucible of Spanish Power: How Granada Forged Spanish DominanceOn the night of January 1, 1492, Christian soldiers quietly entered Granada's Alhambra palace. By dawn, the banners of Castile and Aragon flew from the towers of Iberia's last Muslim kingdom. Royal heralds announced a glorious military conquest blessed by divine providence. The reality was much messier—Granada fell due to secret negotiations and betrayal, not battlefield heroics. However, this orchestrated victory marked a truly transformative moment: the end of a decade-long campaign that built the military power supporting Spanish dominance for the next 150 years. The Granada War from 1482 to 1492 is central to an important debate in mil...
2025-11-1733 minI Take History With My Coffee82: Crown, Cross, and Crisis: Spain's Inquisition and the Expulsion of 1492The year 1492 is one of the most important in Spanish history. While Columbus sailed west across the Atlantic, Jews were forced to flee east, ending over a thousand years of Jewish presence on the Iberian Peninsula. That same year, the Catholic Monarchs completed the reconquest by defeating the Muslim-controlled Kingdom of Granada. These seemingly separate events were driven by a single unified goal: transforming Spain into a fully Christian nation. In this episode, we examine the fourteen-year period from 1478 to 1492, which had a profound impact on Spanish society. How did a country with Europe's largest and most i...
2025-11-0432 minI Take History With My Coffee81: The Making of Royal Spain: Isabel, Fernando, and the 1480 ReformsIn 1480, the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon faced a pivotal moment. Years of civil war, noble violence, and weakening royal authority had left Spain divided and fragile. However, during a single parliamentary session—the Cortes of Toledo—Isabel and Fernando implemented reforms that would turn their kingdoms into one of Europe's strongest monarchies.This episode examines the landmark 1480 Cortes and the institutional innovations that helped the Catholic Monarchs consolidate power. We explore the Act of Resumption, which reclaimed crown revenues and created an important exchange with the nobility; the restructuring of royal councils that prioritized trained lawyers over...
2025-10-2034 minI Take History With My Coffee80: Blood, Vows, and the Throne: Isabel and Fernando's Fight for CastileIn October 1469, two 17-year-old cousins made a decision that would change European history. Their secret marriage, performed with a possibly forged papal bull and in direct defiance of the King of Castile, sparked a decade-long struggle that would determine the future of medieval Spain.This episode details the unlikely alliance between Isabel of Castile and Fernando of Aragon—from their secret wedding in Valladolid to their ultimate victory in the War of Succession. We examine how Isabella, raised in provincial obscurity and not expected to rule, claimed her right to the Castilian throne, and how Ferdinand, a ba...
2025-10-0131 minI Take History With My Coffee79: Iberia at the Crossroads: Political Crisis in the 15th CenturyIn the 15th century, the Iberian Peninsula stood at a crossroads between medieval fragmentation and modern unity. Four Christian kingdoms—Castile, Aragon, Portugal, and Navarre—shared the peninsula with the Muslim emirate of Granada, each fiercely independent yet shaped by centuries of warfare that had created militarized societies and unstable political structures.This episode explores the dramatic political crises that transformed Iberia between 1400 and 1468. In Castile, weak kings battled powerful nobles while relying on controversial royal favorites like Álvaro de Luna, whose thirty-year dominance ended in execution. King Enrique IV's alleged impotence and scandalous court led to noble...
2025-09-1731 minI Take History With My Coffee78: Europe's Urban Transformation: Urban Growth and the Rise of Northern CitiesEurope's urban landscape experienced a major change between 1450 and 1650, but this wasn't just about cities growing larger. This episode explores how demographic recovery after the Black Death caused a complex geographical shift, with some cities gaining unprecedented importance while others faced long-term decline. We examine how London grew from a modest market town of 50,000 to a major European city of 400,000, while Amsterdam transformed from a small port into a global commercial hub. Meanwhile, once-powerful Mediterranean cities like Venice and Florence became increasingly marginalized as the center of European influence shifted northward to the Atlantic and N...
2025-09-0428 minI Take History With My Coffee77: Sacred Time, Market Time: How Time Shaped the Daily Life of Early Modern EuropeImagine waking up not to an alarm clock, but to roosters crowing and church bells ringing across the valley. For most Europeans between 1450 and 1650, life followed rhythms we've nearly forgotten—tracking the sun's natural rise and set, responding to seasonal needs, observing sacred feast and fast days, and moving with the weekly beat of busy market towns. In this episode, we examine how early modern Europeans navigated multiple overlapping time systems that influenced every part of daily life. Agricultural cycles dictated when people worked, ate, married, and celebrated, with communities working only 200-250 days a yea...
2025-08-2028 minI Take History With My Coffee76: Private Lives, Public Spaces: Domestic Space in Early Modern ArchitectureHow did the spaces where people lived shape their family relationships, privacy, and daily interactions? This episode examines domestic architecture across three major cities during a period of significant social transformation. We explore how Renaissance Florence evolved from medieval tower houses to horizontal palazzi, creating new concepts of individual privacy within family structures. In Protestant Amsterdam, narrow canal houses reflected Calvinist values while integrating commercial and residential functions in response to rapid urban growth. Meanwhile, Ottoman Damascus developed sophisticated courtyard houses that balanced Islamic principles of privacy and hospitality through carefully designed spatial hierarchies.The episode traces...
2025-08-0727 minI Take History With My Coffee75: Breaking Bread: When the World First Came to DinnerThe 16th century marked a culinary revolution that permanently changed global eating habits. In lively Venice kitchens, merchant families hired cooks from around the Mediterranean to develop the first authentic fusion dishes. At the same time, Antwerp's sugar refineries turned a rare medicine into a common ingredient, while Ottoman coffeehouses introduced a social ritual that would later spread worldwide.This wasn't merely about exotic ingredients making their way to European tables. It marked the emergence of food as a reflection of culture—where what you ate started to mirror your evolving identity, rather than just your origins. Fr...
2025-07-2429 minI Take History With My Coffee74: The Great Calendar Reform: Science, Politics, and Dynastic Crisis in ChinaIn 1629, a failed prediction of a solar eclipse by imperial astronomers sparked a crisis that would significantly change the relationship between East and West. This episode examines the forty-year period during which European Jesuit missionaries, led by Adam Schall von Bell, introduced Western astronomical techniques to China's Imperial court through the Calendar Reform Bureau.We follow Schall's journey from his arrival in Beijing in 1623 to his rise as Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, illustrating how scientific expertise became a means to gain unprecedented influence within Chinese imperial institutions. The story spans the final years of the...
2025-07-1033 minI Take History With My Coffee73: Crisis of Accuracy: Johann Schreck and the 1629 Solar EclipseThe death of Matteo Ricci in 1610 left the Jesuit mission in China vulnerable, facing waves of persecution and political upheaval that threatened to end European influence in the empire. This episode explores how the missionaries endured by strategically applying scientific knowledge, highlighting the work of Johann Schreck, a German Jesuit who studied under Galileo and brought European astronomical expertise to the Chinese imperial court.We examine the turbulent period from 1610 to 1630, including Shen Que's systematic persecution campaign, the terror under eunuch Wei Zhongxian, and the gradual recovery during the Chongzhen restoration. The episode follows Schreck's journey from...
2025-06-2630 minI Take History With My Coffee72: Elements of Translation: The Fusion of Eastern and Western MathematicsIn the early 1600s, a broken mechanical clock in Beijing's Forbidden City became an unlikely catalyst for one of history's most significant cross-cultural intellectual exchanges. This episode explores the extraordinary collaboration between Matteo Ricci, a Jesuit missionary trained in advanced European mathematics, and Xu Guangqi, a Chinese scholar-official seeking practical solutions to his empire's challenges.Through their partnership, these two figures achieved what many believed to be impossible: the successful translation of Euclid's Elements into Chinese, establishing the first systematic bridge between Eastern and Western mathematical traditions. Their work necessitated not just linguistic translation, but also the...
2025-06-0331 minI Take History With My Coffee71: Between Two Worlds: Matteo Ricci's Bridge Between East and WestIn this episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Matteo Ricci, the Italian Jesuit who accomplished what many deemed impossible: establishing a permanent European presence in the heart of Ming China. After twenty years of patient effort, Ricci's arrival in Beijing in 1601 marked a crucial moment in East-West relations.Unlike his predecessors, who failed to penetrate China's cultural and political barriers, Ricci developed a revolutionary approach. By mastering Chinese, adopting scholar's robes, and engaging deeply with Confucian classics, he positioned himself not as a foreign intruder but as a Western scholar worthy of Chinese intellectual respect.
2025-05-2134 min
Faith FirstMentorship in the Church Part 2 w/ Dr. Dustin BruceIn this episode of the Faith First Podcast, host Ana Lee engages in a profound discussion about the importance of mentorship in Christian living. Joined by Dr. Bruce, they explore how to cultivate meaningful mentor-mentee relationships that foster spiritual growth and joy. They emphasize the need for clarity in expectations, the value of vulnerability, and the significance of grounding these relationships in the gospel. Tune in to discover how mentorship can enrich your faith journey and help you flourish in every season of life.References: Boyce Collegehttps://boycecollege.com...
2025-05-1931 minI Take History With My Coffee70: The Mandate of Heaven: Astronomy and Divine Legitimacy in Ancient ChinaIn ancient China, astronomy wasn't merely a science but the foundation of political legitimacy. This episode explores how the "Mandate of Heaven" doctrine transformed celestial observation into the cornerstone of imperial authority, creating a system where a ruler's ability to accurately predict astronomical events demonstrated divine approval. From the Taosi observatory in 2400 BCE to the Ming Dynasty's complex bureaucracy of court astronomers, we trace how Chinese emperors validated their rule through the stars and how rebellions gained legitimacy when rulers failed their cosmic duties. Discover how planetary alignments announced China's first three dynasties and why hereditary astronomical offices became...
2025-05-0729 minFaith FirstMentorship in the Church Part 1 w/ Dr. Dustin BruceIn this episode of the Faith First Podcast, host Ana Lee engages in a profound discussion on the importance of mentorship in the church with Dr. Dustin Bruce, Dean of Boyce College. They explore the nuances of mentoring relationships, particularly through the lens of Titus 2, and how these connections can provide invaluable wisdom for navigating the complexities of Christian living. Join us as they unpack the significance of seeking guidance from seasoned believers and the transformative impact of intentional discipleship.References: " People need to become Christians and people need to be taught how to th...
2025-05-0525 minI Take History With My Coffee69: The Scientist and The Church: Politics, Piety, and the Persecution of GalileoBeyond the simplified myth of a martyr for science lies the true story of Galileo Galilei's fateful collision with the Catholic Church. This episode unravels how astronomical discoveries made through a revolutionary new instrument—the telescope—became entangled with Counter-Reformation politics, theological debate, and one brilliant astronomer's confrontational personality.We begin by reviewing Galileo's rise to prominence as the "philosopher" to the Grand Duke of Tuscany and how his early telescopic observations challenged Aristotelian cosmology. The sunspot controversy of 1611-1613 marks a crucial turning point, as Galileo transitions from cautious observer to passionate Copernican advocate, just as reli...
2025-04-2432 minI Take History With My Coffee68: Starry Messenger: How Galileo's Telescope Transformed ScienceJoin us as we explore how a simple optical device in the hands of Galileo Galilei sparked one of history's greatest scientific revolutions. In this episode, we'll journey to Renaissance Italy where Galileo transformed a Dutch novelty into an instrument of discovery that revealed startling celestial truths: mountains on the Moon, countless hidden stars, moons orbiting Jupiter, and phases of Venus. These observations not only challenged centuries of Aristotelian cosmology but provided crucial evidence supporting the controversial Copernican model of a sun-centered universe. We'll examine how Galileo's mathematical mind, confrontational personality, and strategic brilliance combined to forever change humanity's...
2025-04-0936 minI Take History With My Coffee67: The Music of the Spheres: Kepler's Mystical Journey to Scientific RevolutionIn this episode, we explore the remarkable story of Johannes Kepler, the 17th-century astronomer whose unique blend of mathematical genius and mystical vision forever changed our understanding of the cosmos. Born into poverty and turmoil in 1571, Kepler's journey to scientific greatness began when he joined the flamboyant Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe at the imperial court of Prague in 1600.Despite their profound personal differences – Tycho the aristocratic observer, Kepler the theoretical commoner – their unlikely partnership would prove revolutionary. When Tycho died suddenly in 1601, Kepler inherited the most precise astronomical measurements ever recorded. What followed was an eight-year mathematical odys...
2025-03-2633 minI Take History With My Coffee66: Measuring the Heavens: Tycho Brahe and the Birth of Observational AstronomyIn the decades following Copernicus's publication of his heliocentric model in 1543, European astronomy stood at a critical juncture. While mathematically elegant, the sun-centered system failed to predict celestial positions with greater accuracy than traditional models. This episode explores the extraordinary life and scientific contributions of Tycho Brahe (1546-1601), whose unprecedented observational precision transformed astronomy despite his paradoxical rejection of heliocentrism. The remarkable story of Tycho Brahe unfolds as a study in scientific contradiction—a 16th-century Danish nobleman who lost part of his nose in a duel, rejected aristocratic pursuits to observe the stars, and built the world's fir...
2025-03-1233 minI Take History With My Coffee65: Before Galileo: The Half-Century When Heliocentrism Infiltrated European ThoughtIn this episode, we explore the fascinating but often overlooked period between 1543-1600, when Copernicus's revolutionary heliocentric model began reshaping European thought through unexpected channels. While most narratives jump from Copernicus's deathbed publication straight to Galileo's dramatic confrontations with the Church, these intervening decades reveal a more complex story of gradual infiltration and transformation.We'll examine how astronomers embraced Copernican mathematics while rejecting his cosmology, how Erasmus Reinhold's influential Prutenic Tables spread Copernican methods across Europe, and the paradoxical situation at Protestant universities where heliocentrism was officially condemned yet quietly taught. We'll trace how the Catholic Church...
2025-02-2633 minI Take History With My Coffee64: Unseating Earth: Rheticus, Copernicus, and "On the Revolutions" In the spring of 1539, a brilliant 25-year-old mathematician named Georg Joachim Rheticus did something that could have cost him his life: he crossed into Catholic territory where his Lutheran faith was banned, carrying precious books and a determination to meet the man he believed held the key to understanding the cosmos. That man was Nicolaus Copernicus, a 66-year-old Catholic canon who had spent decades secretly developing a revolutionary theory that would change humanity's view of its place in the universe. Their unlikely partnership - bridging religious schisms, a four-decade age gap, and radical new ideas - would lead to t...
2025-02-1132 minI Take History With My Coffee63: The Reluctant Revolutionary: A Mind in Motion, A Life in BalanceThis episode explores the remarkable story of Nicolaus Copernicus, a cautious church administrator whose revolutionary ideas about the cosmos emerged through decades of patient observation and calculation. Born into the sophisticated trading city of Toruń and educated across Europe's finest universities, Copernicus developed his heliocentric theory while maintaining his duties as a canon in the remote Baltic region of Warmia. His unique position - supported by church income yet relatively isolated from academic centers - provided both the freedom and stability to pursue his astronomical work, even as it limited his contact with other scholars.The narrative r...
2025-01-2930 minI Take History With My Coffee62: The Transformation of Medieval Astronomy: Islamic and Christian ContributionsMedieval astronomy represents a fascinating chapter in scientific history that challenges traditional narratives about the so-called "Dark Ages." During this period, two distinct but complementary intellectual movements transformed astronomical understanding and laid crucial foundations for the Copernican revolution. In the Islamic world, scholars at institutions like Baghdad's House of Wisdom systematically refined ancient Greek astronomy. Their work went far beyond the mere preservation of classical texts. These scholars made precise observational corrections to Ptolemy's calculations and developed sophisticated new mathematical tools. They also created innovative solutions like the Tusi couple to resolve problems in planetary m...
2025-01-0931 minI Take History With My Coffee61: The Almagest: How Ptolemy Mastered the PlanetsAncient Greek astronomers began with a powerful philosophical conviction that the universe must operate according to rational, mathematical principles. This belief wasn't merely abstract theorizing - it marked one of humanity's first steps toward modern scientific thinking. Rather than relying on mythology or simple observation, these early scientists sought to uncover the mathematical harmony they believed governed celestial motion.Starting with the elegantly simple two-sphere model of the cosmos, astronomers found themselves facing increasingly complex challenges. While this initial framework explained basic celestial movements, it struggled to account for the planets' irregular motions. As they gathered more...
2024-12-2733 minI Take History With My Coffee60: The Two Sphere Model and the Foundations of Scientific ChangeThe endurance of the two-sphere model of the universe demonstrates how scientific frameworks persist when they successfully explain observations and integrate with broader systems of thought. For nearly two thousand years, this model—which placed Earth at the center of the cosmos surrounded by rotating celestial spheres—provided a compelling explanation for celestial phenomena while aligning with intuitive human experience and religious understanding.Alternative theories, including heliocentric models, emerged even in ancient times. However, these alternatives failed to gain acceptance not because they were wrong but because they offered no practical advantages over the existing model. More impo...
2024-12-1128 minI Take History With My Coffee59: How Silver Revolutionized World TradeThe Spanish-American silver trade of the early modern period marks a pivotal moment in global economic history, representing a first step toward true economic globalization. Spanish America emerged as the world's dominant silver producer, generating 80% of global output through sophisticated mining operations in Mexico and Peru. This massive production was made possible by technological innovations and sustained through different labor systems - wage labor in Mexico and forced indigenous labor in Peru.The flow of silver created an intricate web of global connections, with various routes emerging to meet the enormous demand from China, which had transitioned...
2024-11-2028 minI Take History With My Coffee58: From New World Silver to Old World Crisis: The Price Revolution ExplainedWhat exactly was the driving force behind the 16th-century price revolution, and how did it transform the economic landscape of Europe? On this episode of "I Take History With My Coffee," we promise to unravel these questions, shedding light on this captivating period marked by dramatic inflation. Join us as we explore the complex interplay of factors that scholars believe fueled this economic upheaval. From the influx of precious metals from the Americas to the population booms following the Black Death, we piece together the intricate puzzle of this pivotal chapter in history.Our conversation explores the...
2024-11-0825 minI Take History With My Coffee57: Money, Markets, and Banks: The Evolution of Modern Finance in the 16th CenturyStep into the vibrant world of medieval and early modern Europe, where the foundations of modern finance were forged in the crucible of international trade. Our journey begins in the crowded market squares of late medieval cities, where merchants grappled with a chaos of currencies and the perils of transporting precious metals across dangerous roads. Through their ingenuity, these traders developed revolutionary solutions that would transform the very nature of money itself.From the humble beginnings at the Van der Buerse family inn in Bruges—where merchants gathered to trade gossip and bills of exchange—to the soph...
2024-10-2530 minI Take History With My Coffee56: Gender, Labor, and Economic Change in Early Modern EuropeHave you ever wondered how Early Modern European women thrived in the workforce despite restrictions limiting their roles? Join us on a captivating journey through time as we promise a fresh perspective on gender, work, and economic transformation. This eye-opening exploration takes you beyond the grand narratives of international trade to reveal the diverse and vital roles women played in shaping the economic landscape of the time. From the remarkable story of Glückel of Hameln, a Jewish businesswoman who carved out a successful career in the diamond trade, to the resilient market women like Anna Weyland, who navigated c...
2024-10-0928 minI Take History With My Coffee55: The Rise of Wage Labor in Early Modern EuropeIn this captivating episode, we explore the dramatic transformation of European labor markets during the Early Modern period, a transition that laid the foundation for modern capitalism. Our journey begins with the Black Death, a catastrophic event that paradoxically empowered workers and weakened feudalism, setting the stage for profound economic changes. We'll trace the rise of the innovative putting-out system, where savvy merchant capitalists revolutionized production by bypassing urban guilds and tapping into rural labor markets.As we delve deeper, we'll witness the poignant transition of skilled artisans from independent artisans to wage laborers, a shift particularly...
2024-09-2628 minI Take History With My Coffee54: From Fairs to Finance: The Evolution of Global TradeJourney through centuries of economic evolution in this captivating exploration of global trade. We begin with Hans Holbein the Younger's portrait of Georg Giese, a 16th-century Hanseatic merchant, offering a window into the pivotal role of traders in shaping early modern commerce. From there, we trace the emergence of Europe's first world economy in the 11th-13th centuries, examining how city-states rose to prominence as hubs of extensive trading networks. Our voyage continues through the era of medieval fairs, crucial centers of international trade and finance, to the establishment of permanent exchanges that marked a shift towards more sophisticated...
2024-09-1427 minI Take History With My Coffee53: To Market, To MarketIn this episode of "I Take History with My Coffee," we explore the critical role markets have played in ensuring fair trade and supporting local economies. We get an overview of different markets from ancient Rome and Greece to the intricate trading systems of medieval Europe, the Islamic world, China, India, and West Africa.This captivating episode focuses on the fascinating world of medieval markets. We'll explore how simple village exchanges transformed into complex trade networks, culminating in grand international fairs that drew merchants across Europe. Discover the intricate hierarchy of markets that emerged, from local weekly...
2024-08-2929 minI Take History With My Coffee52: The Fall of Constantinople: A Turning Point in History?Was the fall of Constantinople a turning point in history? Under Sultan Mehmed II's leadership, the Ottoman forces achieved a historic victory, capturing Constantinople on May 29, 1453. This marked a significant shift in the balance of power in the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans. The fall of the city triggered a series of changes, including the establishment of Ottoman control over the region, an exodus of Greek scholars to Western Europe that fueled the Renaissance, and a search for alternative trade routes that would eventually inspire the age of exploration.The fall of Constantinople also had a...
2024-08-1429 minI Take History With My Coffee51: The Siege of ConstantinopleIn our latest podcast episode, we delve deep into one of history's most transformative sieges—the fall of Constantinople in 1453. The Byzantine Empire, once a beacon of strength and culture, faced its ultimate demise at the hands of Sultan Mehmed II and his formidable Ottoman forces. This episode unravels the complex tapestry of technological innovation, tactical brilliance, and psychological warfare that culminated in the fall of this great city.We look at Sultan Mehmed II's intricate preparations for the Siege of Constantinople in 1453. Discover how he ingeniously integrated Western siege technology and assembled a powerful naval fleet to...
2024-08-0136 minI Take History With My Coffee50: The City of ConstantineWhat if the mighty walls of Constantinople could talk? Join us on a captivating journey through the centuries as we uncover the historical significance and strategic importance of this legendary city, later known as Istanbul. Explore the struggles and triumphs of its defenders, notably Constantine XI, the last Byzantine emperor. We'll paint a picture of the challenges faced by the Byzantine Empire from the 13th century onward, shedding light on critical events like the Fourth Crusade and the eventual restoration of the empire. Through insights into Constantine XI's character and personal tragedies, you'll gain a deeper understanding of his...
2024-07-1827 minFaith FirstHow to Have a Strong Faith w/ Dr. Dustin BruceDive into persevering faith with Dr. Dustin Bruce on the Faith First podcast.From Boyce College, this episode delves into persevering faith, the challenges believers face, and the means of grace that sustain us. Join host Ana Lee as she explores with Dr. Bruce the action steps for nurturing a faith that stands firm against the trials and temptations of our time.References:Boyce Collegehttps://www.boycecollege.com/Southern Seminaryhttps://www.sbts.edu/Dr. Dustin Brucehttps://www.boycecollege.com/faculty/dustin-bruce/
2024-07-0827 minI Take History With My Coffee49: The Grand TurkWhat drove Mehmed II to become one of history's most formidable conquerors? Uncover the enigmatic life of Mehmed the Conqueror, a man born under auspicious signs in 1432 who sought to emulate Alexander the Great. Our exploration reveals the contrasting depictions of Mehmed across Western and Ottoman sources, painting him as both a feared adversary and an esteemed leader. We navigate through his scholarly pursuits, strategic military conquests, and complex religious policies, highlighting a ruler whose intelligence, curiosity, and cruelty were matched only by his paranoia and reclusiveness. Discover how his pragmatic approach to governance and suspicion of specific Sufi...
2024-06-2726 minI Take History With My Coffee48: From Crisis to ConquestWhat if one man's ambition could shift the fate of an entire empire? In this gripping episode of I Take History With My Coffee, we chronicle the meteoric rise and shattering fall of Bayezid I, the Ottoman Sultan revered as "Thunderbolt." After ascending to power in the blood-soaked aftermath of his father's assassination, Bayezid's ruthless conquests and strategic alliances painted him as an unstoppable force. From his relentless siege of Constantinople to his monumental victory at the Battle of Nikopolis, Bayezid's reign seemed destined for greatness—until the legendary Timur crushed his ambitions in 1402, reshaping the Ottoman Empire's destiny fo...
2024-06-1227 minI Take History With My Coffee47: House of OsmanThe dawn of the Ottoman Empire is a saga woven with the threads of strategy, ambition, and cultural synthesis. Our latest podcast episode transports listeners back to the early 14th century when Osman I, Orhan, and Murad I, with their unwavering resilience and adaptability, laid the foundations of one of history's greatest empires. These visionary leaders expanded their territories and masterfully unified a diverse society, laying the groundwork for an enduring empire.Our narrative threads through Orhan's ingenious land system, which cemented soldier loyalty and contrasted sharply with contemporary European feudalism. It paints a vivid picture of...
2024-05-2329 minI Take History With My Coffee46: Origins of the OttomansThe Ottoman Empire, a subject of immense historical intrigue, stands out as one of the most powerful empires of the medieval and early modern world. Its rise from the rugged landscapes of Anatolia represents a remarkable transformation of power dynamics that shaped civilizations for centuries. This episode delves into the empire's dawn under Osman I, a testament to the resilience and adaptability of a people and the intricate events that laid the foundation for Turkish supremacy.In the episode, we explore Anatolia's political and social climate before the Ottomans rose to prominence. The Seljuk Turks...
2024-05-1130 minI Take History With My Coffee45: Machiavelli the HistorianContrary to popular belief, Machiavelli was not merely a pragmatic strategist but also a sophisticated thinker deeply engaged with the lessons of history. In this podcast, we explore how Machiavelli's insights into the cyclical nature of history and his innovative approach to historical writing have shaped our understanding of the past and its relevance to the present day. We review the evolution of historical thought leading up to Machiavelli's era. We explore how Italian humanism transformed the perception of history from a theological framework to a more secular and pragmatic perspective, setting the stage for Machiavelli's contributions. Building upon...
2024-04-2526 minI Take History With My Coffee44: Machiavelli the PoliticianNiccolò Machiavelli, often synonymous with cunning and ruthless political tactics, is frequently misunderstood. His works, particularly "The Prince," are much more than guides to unscrupulous behavior. They reflect a deep understanding of human nature and political dynamics. This episode peels away the layers of his contentious strategies, unveiling a philosophy deeply invested in the preservation and steadiness of the state. While potentially disconcerting, Machiavelli's counsel is grounded in a pragmatic and unvarnished view of political reality.In this episode, we delve into the complexities of Machiavelli's political philosophy, setting the stage for discussing the dynamic relationship between v...
2024-04-1131 minI Take History With My Coffee43: Machiavelli the ManIn this episode, we unlock the enigma of Niccolò Machiavelli, the man whose name is a byword for cunning strategy. With the fall of Savonarola as our starting point, we'll traverse Machiavelli's rise from a modest upbringing, through his father's influence and the enlightening force of a humanist education, to his emergence as a master of political philosophy. His written works reveal a character that is at once lyrical and sardonic, an idealist who pragmatically dissected the fabric of power. Through the rich tapestry of his private and public musings, we draw back the curtain to expose the multiple f...
2024-03-2830 minI Take History With My Coffee42: The Warrior PopeStep behind the curtain of history as we dissect the Italian Wars—a tapestry of strategy and bloodshed that forever altered the landscape of Renaissance Italy. Be prepared to unravel the aftermath of Charles VIII's invasion of 1494, and the relentless dance of power that ensued: Louis XII's ascension and territorial hunger, the Aragonese dynasty's fall in Naples, Ludovico Sforza's dramatic downfall, and the iron resolve of Pope Julius II, the Warrior Pope. Feel the pulse of Venice's tenacity as they reclaim their dominions, and observe the chess-like moves of powerhouses France, the Holy Roman Empire, and Spain. As Florence we...
2024-03-0131 minI Take History With My Coffee41: Trial by FireThe spring of 1498 Florence concludes the tumultuous story of Girolamo Savonarola, a man who once held the city in his moral grasp. Journey with us through the fervent streets of a divided Florence, where faith and power collide, leading to a climactic trial by fire that was poised to define Savonarola's legacy. The spectacle captivates a city, but nature intervenes with a thunderous declaration, leaving a legacy of betrayal and a populace swaying from fervent support to vehement disdain. Witness the unraveling of a once unassailable influence, and the subsequent downfall of a figure who sought to reshape the...
2024-02-1633 min
Fabric of FolkloreEp 42: Exploring Joseph Campbell's Legacy with Bruce BoyceHave you heard of The Hero with a Thousand Faces? What about the hero's journey? Joseph Campbell was an author, professor and global storyteller. A lecturer at Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, his work continues to have ripple effects across the globe today. His works, and influence in understanding mythology around the world, are the topic of today's incredible show. In episode 42, Bruce Boyce, the creator of “I Take my History with My Coffee” blog and podcast, joins us to discuss the influential American writer and his works on mythology and world religion, including, The Masks of God. Joseph Camp...
2024-02-131h 08I Take History With My Coffee40: A Certain FriarStep inside Renaissance Florence's tumultuous political and religious landscape, as we unravel Girolamo Savonarola's meteoric rise and dramatic clash with Pope Alexander VI. This episode peels back the layers of Savonarola's profound influence, and the seismic public opinion shifts leading to his eventual downfall. As we chart the enigmatic friar's journey, we dissect his distinctive preaching style—a blend of fiery rhetoric and philosophical depth that captured the hearts of Florence and the keen mind of Niccolò Machiavelli. We navigate the contentious Florentine politics that provided a backdrop for Savonarola's opposition and controversy. Discover what it meant to...
2024-02-0134 minI Take History With My Coffee39: Bonfire of the VanitiesThe once-great Medici name, synonymous with power and artistry, crumbled under Piero de Medici's rule as he faltered where his father, Lorenzo the Magnificent, had thrived. Listen in as we navigate through the events of his precipitous surrender to Charles VIII and the subsequent exile that left Florence teetering on the brink of a new era. Our narrative casts light on the city's desperate struggle to uphold a republican stance and its fierce determination to keep the Medici from regaining control.Feel the zeal of Girolamo Savonarola's fiery sermons that echoed through the streets of a city...
2024-01-1832 minI Take History With My Coffee38: The French Invasion of ItalyOur latest episode delves into the seismic events of 1494, as France's quest for Italian dominance under Charles VIII abruptly ended Italy's golden era. We unravel the political machinations that left Italy fragmented for centuries, from the power plays over the Kingdom of Naples to the diplomatic whirlwind orchestrated by figures like Ludovico Sforza and Pope Alexander VI. The events surrounding Charles VIII's invasion are critical to understanding the broader European power dynamics that would continue to shape the continent for centuries. The consequences of the Italian campaign were profound. Not only did it signal the end of t...
2024-01-0533 minI Take History With My Coffee37: The Affairs of ItalyThis episode delves into the complex relationships among Italian states during the late 15th century. We'll spotlight the four major regional states outside of Florence. Venice shifted from a maritime empire to a focus on mainland expansion. Their long conflict with Milan led to the formation of the Italic League, an intriguing defense against French influence. We'll focus on the politics and challenges within the Papal States. In Milan, we chart the rise of Ludovico Sforza and how his strategic alliances and diplomatic efforts catapulted him to power. We'll also shed light on the Kingdom of Naples and King Ferran...
2023-12-1631 minI Take History With My Coffee36: Twilight of the MediciLorenzo de Medici left an indelible mark on Italian politics and economics during a time riddled with conspiracy and war. In this episode, we explore Medici rule in the aftermath of the Pazzi conspiracy, the impact of war on the Florentine economy, and the challenges faced by the Medici Bank under Lorenzo's stewardship. Let's also unravel the intriguing facets of Lorenzo's personal life and his unwavering dedication to his family amidst serious illness. Discover how he masterminded strategic marriages for his children and aimed for a cardinalship for his son - an insider look into Lorenzo's strategic planning for...
2023-11-2927 minI Take History With My Coffee35: The Florentine Golden AgeThis episode promises a richer understanding of the Florentine "Golden Age" marked by the prolific patronage of Lorenzo de Medici, who fostered an inspiring environment for artists and writers alike. We will spotlight his significant role in endorsing literature and art and collaborating with the era's most influential figures. We will also dive into the unique cultural tapestry of Florence, its diversity, and the workings of the artist's workshop.We will highlight the Medici's two favorite artists. Verrochio was a multifaceted artist of the Florentine Renaissance whose mastery of materials and interest in geometry and the sciences mar...
2023-11-0831 minI Take History With My Coffee34: The Platonic AcademyEver wondered how the seeds of the early modern period were sown? Prepare to journey back to mid-15th century Florence, a period of profound intellectual evolution, as we trace the steps of the central figure of this shift - Marsilio Ficino. In this fascinating episode, you'll accompany us through Ficino's life, his transformative translation work, his association with the influential Medici family, and his role as the leader of the Platonic Academy.As we navigate Ficino's world, we'll discover the nuanced environment of the so-called Academy. This term conjures images of a formal institution but, in...
2023-10-2525 minI Take History With My Coffee33: The Pazzi ConspiracyWe venture into the complex world of 15th-century Italy, exploring the early years of Lorenzo de' Medici's rule and the intricate web of politics, diplomacy, and intrigue that shaped the Italian Renaissance. When Lorenzo de' Medici ascended to power, he inherited a delicate balance in the political landscape of Florence. This episode begins unraveling this complex landscape, showcasing Lorenzo's early approach to governance, shaped by his dual role as a statesman and a banker. The narrative then pivots to Pope Sixtus IV's ambitions in Romagna and Umbria. This leads to the Pazzi Conspiracy—a meticulously planned scheme with far-reaching conseq...
2023-10-1127 minI Take History With My Coffee32: Il MagnificoThis episode tackles the uneasy shift towards dynastic rule, casting light on Piero de Medici's humanist upbringing, his complex web of relationships, and the political discontent that simmered as he inherited power from his father, Cosimo. But his early death from complications of gout transferred power to his young son, Lorenzo de Medici. The second part of this episode hones in on the captivating figure of Lorenzo de Medici, nicknamed Il Magnifico - The Magnificent. We'll chart the course of his remarkable life, from his early years under the watchful eyes of his family to his ascension to power at...
2023-09-2627 minI Take History With My Coffee31: The Dome of FlorenceEver marvel at the architectural genius of one of Italy's grandest cathedrals? We journey back to the 15th century and unravel the fascinating story of Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore's majestic dome. We unravel the invaluable contributions of Filippo Brunelleschi, the genius behind the dome's construction. His revolutionary ox-hoist facilitated the construction process of the cathedral, ushering in a new era of architectural accomplishment. We take you through the unique brick construction technique, featuring a herringbone pattern, an inverted arch, and rope lines that were instrumental in constructing the dome. And let's not forget the "men without name or famil...
2023-09-1233 minI Take History With My Coffee30: DonatelloDonatello was perhaps the greatest of Renaissance sculptors, with a life filled with artistry and intrigue. This is Donatello's story, layered with insights into his character and his rapport with Cosimo de Medici, providing a lens into this transformative era. In this episode, we explore Donatello's contributions. His works serve as mirrors reflecting his profound connection with the artistic medium. His sculptures bridged human anatomy, emotion, and narrative, elevating his art beyond mere representation. This blend of realism and emotional depth set him apart, influencing later generations of artists who felt indebted to his innovative spirit. Donatello's artistry is a test...
2023-08-3027 minI Take History With My Coffee29: The Book HuntersGet ready to step back into the heart of the Florentine Renaissance, where we unravel the fascinating tales of book hunters who reshaped the intellectual landscape of Europe. The episode takes us through the journey of renowned figures such as Niccolo Niccoli, Poggio Bracciolini, and Vespasiano de Bisticci. Discover Niccoli's unquenchable quest for ancient texts that shaped not just the minds of the Medici family but also landmark artists like Donatello and Brunelleschi. Traverse back to the compelling story of Bracciolini's relentless hunt for forgotten texts, including his most notable find, a complete manuscript of 'Der rerum natura' by...
2023-08-1521 minI Take History With My Coffee28: "Let the Heavens Rejoice!"This episode will take you on a historical journey, shedding light on the complex cultural, linguistic, and administrative differences and the theological disputes that fueled the Great Schism between the Latin Church and the Greek Church in 1054. We explore the fallout of the Fourth Crusade, the ensuing attempts to mend the schism and the intricacies of the Council of Florence of 1439. Cosimo de Medici's persuasive prowess led to the relocation of the Council to Florence from Ferrara and gave the city unforeseen cultural and financial gains. Finally, we touch upon the influence of the Council of Florence on the Flo...
2023-08-0126 minI Take History With My Coffee27: Master of the Country (Part II)In this episode, we continue to explore Cosimo de Medici's delicate balancing act of power and his unique approach to ruling without seeming to do so. We broaden our gaze to the broader political landscape of the time, detailing how Cosimo deftly managed foreign policy and diplomacy. With characters as colorful as the rotund and eccentric Duke Filippo Maria Visconti and the ambitious Francesco Sforza thrown into the mix, this episode promises a thrilling deep dive into the machinations of Medici-era Italy. Map of Florence from Paul Strathern's "The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance."Map of Fl...
2023-07-1823 min
the radical centerSocial Justice, Covid, and Transhumanism, with Bruce PardyBruce Pardy is executive director of Rights Probe, a law and liberty thinktank, and professor of law at Queen’s University. A critic of legal progressivism and the expansive managerial state, he has written on a range of subjects at the front lines of the culture war inside the law. He has taught at law schools in Canada, the United States and New Zealand, practiced civil litigation in Toronto, and served as adjudicator and mediator on the Ontario Environmental Review Tribunal. He is a frequent contributor to the National Post and the Epoch Times, and one of the creators of...
2023-07-081h 12I Take History With My Coffee26: Master of the Country (Part I)In the last episode, our journey began with Giovanni di Medici, the unassuming but shrewd head of a flourishing bank, whose political maneuvers and wealth catapulted his family into prominence. In this episode, we continue our journey with Cosimo de Medici, Giovanni's son and the heir to the Medici legacy, from his unique education to his approach towards intricate politics and business. I shed light on the Medici's rivalry with the Albizzi family and follow Cosimo through warfare, political unrest, and personal challenges. Map of Florence from Paul Strathern's "The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance."Map of...
2023-07-0623 minI Take History With My Coffee25: Banco dei MediciIn 1397, Banco dei Medici was founded by Giovanni de Bicci de Medici, the progenitor of the influential Medici family. He skillfully built his bank through a close relationship with the papacy, and the church, despite condemning usury, played a pivotal role in the expansion of international banking. Giovanni navigated the complex world of Renaissance finance while laying the foundation for the Medici rise to become international powerbrokers and play an essential role in Florentine culture and politics.Map of Florence from Paul Strathern's "The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance."Map of Florence (podpage.com)Re...
2023-06-2022 minI Take History With My Coffee24: The Dawn of Banking Modern banking traces its roots back to the 12th century. Medieval moneychangers expanded their services from currency exchange to partnerships, deposits, credit, and foreign exchange. With the growth of commerce, the trading centers of northern Italy, like Florence, Venice, and Genoa, were hotbeds of financial innovations. Leonardo Fibonacci revolutionized mathematics and its application to commerce by introducing to Europe the Hindu-Arabic numeric system. By the 14th century, the rise and fall of prominent banking families like the Bardi in Florence led to the reshaping of the European economic landscape. These families would become wealthy and powerful as they influenced poli...
2023-05-2822 minI Take History With My Coffee23: The CrisisHistorian Hans Baron referred to it as the crisis of the Early Renaissance. In 1390, war broke out between Florence and Milan. At stake was the possibility of Italy becoming a unified kingdom or remaining fractured into independent city-states. Florence faced significant challenges and setbacks in its efforts to resist Milanese expansion. Ultimately, Florence found itself isolated and vulnerable, facing the powerful forces of Gian Galeazzo Visconti. However, Gian Galeazzo's death due to the plague in 1402 marked a turning point. His death allowed for the return of a balance of power among independent regional states in north and central Italy.
2023-05-1725 minI Take History With My Coffee22: The Florentine RepublicIf Milan can be seen as the model despotic Renaissance state, then Florence portrayed herself as the ideal of civic republicanism. Throughout the 1300s, Florence grew fearful of the growing power of Milan under the Visconti. The leaders of the city came to realize that old alliances nor the papacy would help defend her. They came to see the papacy as much of a threat as Milan. Florence would position herself as the defender of Italian liberty in the face of tyranny. And despite their best diplomatic efforts, war with Milan seemed inevitable. In this episode, I look at the Fl...
2023-05-0323 minI Take History With My Coffee21: Imperial MilanIn the latter half of the 14th century, the Trecento, Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Lord of Milan, would dominate the political landscape of Italy. Consolidating power as the single rule of the Milanese state, Gian Galeazzo set his ambitions upon unifying Italy under the Visconti banner. Actively opposing him was the Florentine Republic. The conflict between these two city-states would culminate in the Florentine crisis of 1402. This contest would determine if Italy would be a centralized state or continue to be a collection of city-states as in Ancient Greece. In this episode, we trace the rise of the Visconti and Gian...
2023-04-1923 minI Take History With My Coffee20: CivitasMedieval Italy was a distinct region with unique characteristics that set it apart from the rest of Europe. In an environment of urban expansion and commercial prosperity, Italian Renaissance humanism would emerge. The city-state, the civitas, became the central defining identity. And with this came the concept of civic humanism. This emphasizes the importance of active participation in public life, and individuals had a duty to use their abilities to serve their communities and that this service was essential for the survival and flourishing of the state. The Florentine scholar and politician Leonardo Bruni is the archetype of the sc...
2023-04-0324 minI Take History With My Coffee19: RinascitaThe Italian poet Petrarch is the paradigm of Renaissance humanism. He espoused the revival of classical learning and the study of Roman literature as a way to morally improve humanity. He criticized his scholastic contemporaries as being trivial and contentious. He admired and sought to imitate the eloquence of Cicero, the great orator of the late Roman Republic. In this episode, I review Petrarch's influence on the development of Renaissance culture that would spread throughout Europe.Resources:Renaissance Humanism by Donald KellyPetrarch : Poet and Humanist by Kenelm FosterThe Complete Canzoniere - Petrarch. A tr...
2023-03-2125 minI Take History With My Coffee18: The House of WisdomThe House of Wisdom (Bayt al-Hikma) was a translation center, a library, and a research institute. It represented the cultural and intellectual efflorescence under the Abbasid Caliphate during the 8th and 9th centuries. It was the hub of a concerted effort to gather the knowledge of the Greeks, Persians, and Hindus. Through here, many of the translated works of Greek science and philosophy would eventually make their way to Europe.ResourcesThe House of Wisdom: How the Arabs Transformed Western Civilization by Jonathan LyonsThe House of Wisdom: How Arabic Science Saved Ancient Knowledge and Gav...
2023-03-0724 minI Take History With My Coffee17: The Scholastic MethodIn this episode, we explore the scholastic method of the 13th and 14th centuries as it developed from the rediscovery of Aristotle's complete works on logic, known as the Organon. Scholasticism, at its height, emphasized logic, dialectic reasoning, and the arts of argumentation and persuasion. It was applied to philosophy, theology, natural philosophy (science), law, and other disciplines. It found a home in the emerging universities of Europe and altered how learning took place. In the end, we survey the Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas. This compilation of the breadth of Christian doctrine is considered one of the great...
2023-02-2126 minI Take History With My Coffee16: The New LogicPierre Abelard was one of the great thinkers of the Medieval period. He was, in many ways, an iconoclast, unafraid to challenge the establishment of the early 12th-century church. He was brilliant, and he knew it. His arrogance often ran him afoul of his contemporaries. He made reason supreme over faith and outlined a method to critically analyze Scripture and the authority of the Early Church Fathers. His tools were logic and debate. In this episode, I explore how Abelard's approach laid the foundation for the scholastic methods of the 13th century.Resources:Historia Calamitatum by...
2023-02-0726 minI Take History With My Coffee15: The Old LogicIn this episode, I look broadly at the development of Medieval thought and learning since the end of the Roman Empire in the West. The philosopher Boethius in the early 6th century CE, would undertake the task of translating the works of Plato and Aristotle from Greek to Latin. This would be an undertaking he would not be able to finish. His translation of Aristotle's Categories, part of Aristotle's more extensive work on logic, would be "rediscovered" in the 11th century. The Categories would alter Medieval thinking and learning, setting the stage for Scholasticism.Resources:The Clos...
2023-01-2327 minI Take History With My Coffee14: The Medieval UniversityThe university as an educational institution appeared in the 12th century CE. The Universities of Paris and Bologna became models of higher education right up to the present day. The emergence of the university as an urban learning institution coincided with a shift in the intellectual culture of Europe in the later part of the Middle Ages. The change from monasteries to universities, along with the rediscovery of many classical texts, introduced a new method of teaching and learning. In this episode, I briefly survey the development and organization of the Medieval university. And I introduce this new teaching metho...
2023-01-0818 minI Take History With My Coffee13: The New Print CultureOver the last thirty years, we have witnessed how the introduction of the internet and the rise of social media has spurred drastic cultural and social changes that have impacted all aspects of life. Many of the same themes can be discussed when looking at the shift from manuscript to printing at the end of the 15th century. In this episode, I highlight some of these cultural shifts and the impact of printing on society. Resources:The Printing Press as an Agent of Change: Communications and Cultural Transformations in Early-Modern Europe by Elizabeth Eisenstein. Supp...
2022-12-1921 min
What the Riff Next Gen1968 - April: The Monkees ”The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees”1968 was a year of disappointments for the Monkees. During this year their television series was cancelled, their first motion picture effort failed at the box office, and band member Peter Tork would leave the group at the end of the year. Despite all this they would still find success in their fifth studio album, The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees. This album would chart at number 3 in the United States and would sell over a million copies.
Members Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, and Peter Tork had gained artistic control and the right to play their own...
2022-12-0528 minI Take History With My Coffee12: The Medieval BookThough some modern features such as title pages and pagination did not develop until the 16th century, the book's basic form has remained unchanged since the first codexes appeared in the 1st century CE. As innovated by Gutenberg's press, mechanical printing did not create the book. It just changed the way books were produced. In this episode, I trace the developments and innovations in written texts, from the papyrus rolls of antiquity to medieval manuscripts. I also provide an overview of book production in the Middle Ages compared to the printing press. Resources:How to make a Med...
2022-12-0524 minI Take History With My Coffee11: Gutenberg's Printing PressPrinting and movable type were known before Johannes Gutenberg. Both had developed in the Far East. Gutenberg was able to combine different technologies, and with his knowledge of metalworking, he devised a mechanical system that made the printing process easy and efficient. Like the internet in the 21st century, the printing press would go on to revolutionize the way information was distributed and accessed. In this episode, I explore the background of Gutenberg's achievement.Resources:Images of the Mainz Indulgences (Princeton University) The Gutenberg Bible (Princeton University)Gutenberg Foundation, Mainz, GermanyThe Printing Revo...
2022-11-2020 minI Take History With My Coffee10: The Foreign DevilsBy the mid-16th century, the Spanish were in the Americas, and the Portuguese reached both China and Japan. By doing so, the Portuguese provided the final link to creating a truly globalized world. From their arrival on Chinese shores in 1517 to the settlements of Macau and Nagasaki, it would not be easy for the Portuguese, nor would their relationship with either China or Japan last far beyond the 17th century. In this episode, I discuss how the Portuguese ended up in China and Japan to finally connect the world in trade, politics, and an exchange of cultures.
2022-11-0818 minI Take History With My Coffee9: The Spice TradeLike any modern commodity, the spice trade of the 16th century was a complex system. The Portuguese were never able to achieve the desired monopoly on this trade. In this episode, I provide an overview of the spice trade as it was under the Portuguese until the end of the 16th century.Resources:Spices: A Global History by Fred CzarraSpices, Scents, and Silk: Catalysts of World Trade by James HancockMap of the Spice IslandsSupport the showFind us on Substack. Both Free and Premium content is available:...
2022-10-2418 minI Take History With My Coffee8: The Caesar of the EastAfonso de Albuquerque was known as the "Lion of the Seas" and the "Caesar of the East." He was the architect of the Portuguese empire in India. As the second Viceroy of the Portuguese State of India, he asserted Portuguese naval supremacy, created a permanent base of operations, and with the capture of Malacca, gained direct access to the spice markets of Indonesia. It would be the foundation of Portuguese expansion that would reach China and Japan within fifty years. Resources:Conquerors: How Portugal Forged the First Global Empire by Roger CrowleyFoundations of t...
2022-10-0923 minI Take History With My Coffee7: The India ArmadasIn this episode, I look at the early efforts of the Portuguese to intrude upon the spice trade in the Indian Ocean. Within six months of Vasco da Gama's return, King Manuel I had outfitted and armed a larger flotilla. It would be the start of a series of fleets of ever-increasing size and firepower that would last until the mid-17th century. These fleets would be instrumental in the Portuguese success and lay the foundation of their emerging empire. The Portuguese would develop a strategy of terror and violence to gain the submission of the local rulers and acce...
2022-09-2524 minI Take History With My Coffee6: The Voyage of Vasco da GamaOn July 8, 1497, Vasco da Gama departed Lisbon, Portugal. In May 1498 he had reached India. In doing so, he and his crew became the first Europeans to see India after sailing directly from a European port. In this episode, I trace da Gama's voyage and his initial reception in the city of Calicut. The Roteiro, or A Journal of the First Voyage of Vasco da GamaInteractive map of Vasco da Gama's voyageSupport the showFind us on Substack. Both Free and Premium content is available: http...
2022-09-1121 minI Take History With My Coffee5: The Armadas of Zheng HeStarting in 1405, the Ming Emperor Yongle dispatched Zheng He to lead a series of voyages throughout the Indian Ocean basin. These fleets were to be a show of Chinese power as well as demand tribute from the many foreign states within the region. In this episode, I discuss the economic and political reasons for the expeditions, what they accomplished, and why the Ming Dynasty suddenly ended them. Here's a link to Gavin Menzie's book: 1421: The Year China Discovered AmericaHere are two links summarizing some of the criticisms against Menzie's claims:Review by historian Louise Lev...
2022-08-2824 minI Take History With My Coffee4: The Monsoon MarketplaceThe Indian Ocean had been the scene of robust international trade for centuries prior to the Portuguese arrival. In this episode, I explore the geography and economy of the region from antiquity to the 15th century. The maritime routes that crisscrossed the region were dependent upon the monsoon winds. This resulted in the development of ports like Quanzhou, China, as cosmopolitan centers of culture and commerce.Links to resourcesImagined Geographies: The Maritime Silk Roads in World History by Geoffrey C. GunnThe Periplus of the Erythraean Sea: Travel and Trade in the Indian Oce...
2022-08-1422 minI Take History With My Coffee3: Cape of StormsKing John II of Portugal picked up where his grand-uncle, Prince Henry the Navigator, left off. His hopes of finding a direct maritime route around Africa to India are bouyed by the two voyages of Diogo Cao. Yet Cao doesn't quite make it. That is left to Bartolomeu Dias. Dias is able to round the Cape of Good Hope., but he, too, will fall short of the primary objective of India. Links to resourcesRoyal House of AvizFoundations of the Portuguese Empire, 1415-1580 by Bailey W. Diffie and George D. WiniusConquerors: How Portu...
2022-07-2721 minI Take History With My Coffee2: The Maritime RevolutionThe voyages of Columbus and da Gama were the early modern equivalent of the moon landing. They required new technologies, new ship designs, and new methods of seafaring. New technologies don't appear overnight. They evolve over a period of time. In this episode, I look at some of the major innovations that made long-distance ocean voyages possible: the mariner's compass, better navigational charts, the caravel with its lateen sails and stern-mounted rudder, and a better understanding of ocean wind patterns and currents. Links to resourcesHistory of the CaravelThe Portuguese Caravel and European S...
2022-07-1720 minI Take History With My Coffee1: Vasco da Gama and the Early Modern EraIn 1498, Vasco da Gama sailed directly from Portugal to India around the southern tip of Africa. His accomplishment and Columbus's would transform the world and usher in the age of true globalization. In this episode, I discuss the background to da Gama's voyage. I explain the impetus for the Portuguese to seek a direct route to India starting in the 14th century. I explain the role of Prince Henry the Navigator in this endeavor. I also outline the major milestones of Portuguese exploration along the west African coast. Links to resourcesMap of PortugalMap of...
2022-07-0319 minI Take History With My CoffeeIntroductionWelcome to the I Take History With My Coffee podcast. This podcast will explore everything about the Early Modern period. In this introduction, I explain my motivation for creating this podcast as well as outline the goals and structure of the podcast. Podcast website is https://www.podpage.com/i-take-history-with-my-coffeeVisit my blog at itakehistory.com and also on Facebook at I Take History With My Coffee.Comments and feedback can be sent to itakehistory@gmail.comSupport the showFind us on Substack. Both Free and Pr...
2022-07-0308 min