Podcast Episodes
Back to Search34. The Sick Man of Europe
Season 2 Episode 14
The winds of nationalism are blowing through Ottoman territory in the Balkans. Unrest is rife and the Empire is bankrupt. The young sultan Abdülhamid…
3 years, 2 months ago
33. Lady Mary: Our Woman in Constantinople
Season 2 Episode 13
She was a pioneering scientist, proto-feminist, and letter writer extraordinaire. Lady Mary Wortley Montagu escaped a marriage to Clotworthy Skeffing…
3 years, 2 months ago
32. The Greatest Ottoman Adventurer
Season 2 Episode 12
Evliya Çelebi travelled for 41 years. He documented his adventures, which included interactions with vampires, humans transforming into chickens, and…
3 years, 2 months ago
31. Conquering the Night: The History of Coffee
Season 2 Episode 11
Coffee is everywhere today, but where does it come from? Was it originally a sex drug? What is the connection between Starbucks and a medieval goat h…
3 years, 2 months ago
30. Sultanas to Slaves: Voices from the Harem
Season 2 Episode 10
What was life like for women in the Ottoman Empire? Was the Sultanate of Women the golden era? What was the role of the Harem? Listen as William and …
3 years, 3 months ago
29. The Tudors and the Turks
Season 2 Episode 9
Slave raids in Cornwall. Englishmen spying for the venetians. The East India Trading Companies’ older brother. Join William and Anita this week as th…
3 years, 3 months ago
28. The Battle of Lepanto
Season 2 Episode 8
Dawn breaks on the 7th October 1571 over the Gulf of Patras. On this day, the Holy League will face down the Ottomans in one of the most pivotal batt…
3 years, 3 months ago
27. The Siege of Cyprus
Season 2 Episode 7
Selim II leads the Ottomans. Marco Brigadin the Venetians. They will clash over the island of Cyprus. But who will be victorious, and who will be def…
3 years, 3 months ago
26. Suspicion and Sorrow in Suleiman's Court
Season 2 Episode 6
Murdered love interests, intellectual curiosity, incredible barbarity, and body doubles all make an appearance in this week’s episode. Listen as Will…
3 years, 3 months ago
25. Suleiman the Magnificent
Season 2 Episode 5
Who is Selim the Grim? How does a slave come to be one of the most powerful members of Suleiman’s court? How does Suleiman anger the Christian powers…
3 years, 4 months ago