Month: January 2024

TH2023 Ep07 The Glorious Revolution

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:10 — 47.8MB)

Season 2023 – Talk 07 – The Glorious Revolution

In The Glorious Revolution Andrew Cole tells us about the events of 1688 and questions whether it really was a revolution.

Click a thumbnail below to view the image gallery that accompanies the talk.

James II and Catholicism:

James converts to the Catholic faith in 1669 while his brother, Charles II, is on the throne. When Charles dies on 6th February 1685 he has no legitimate children and so James becomes King even though he is a Catholic.

James succeeds to the thrones of England, Ireland and Scotland and has widespread support in all three countries. This is because the principles of eligibility based on divine right and birth are widely accepted by those with power.

Although people are willing to tolerate his Catholicism this doesn’t extend to other members of the Catholic religion. James tries to give preference to Catholics but Parliament resists. He then tries to rule by decree.

Monmouth:

Although Charles has no legitimate heir there are illegitimate offspring. The eldest is James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth. He co-ordinates a rebellion in England’s West Country with one in Scotland under Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyle.

The rebellion ends at the Battle of Sedgemoor with the defeat of the rebels. Monmouth, a nephew of James, is executed and many of his followers suffer at the Bloody Assizes of Judge Jeffreys. Some are executed and others are transported to the colonies.

Birth of a Catholic Heir:

James has two daughters, Mary, the wife of William of Orange and Anne. Whilst they are his heirs people are willing to tolerate his Catholicism. On 10 June 1688 James’ wife gives birth to a son, James Francis Edward, later to become the ‘Old Pretender’.

Discussions with William about taking the crown intensify. James flees.

Listen to the podcast and hear the whole story from Andrew.

Unfortunately because of issues during the recording of this talk there is occasional distortion although it does not stop you hearing Andrew’s words.

About this podcast:

This is an edited recording of a talk given to the Farnham u3a World History  Group .

It is not always possible to use all of the images presented in the original talk because of copyright reasons.

This podcast is also available through Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, Deezer, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and Vurbl and others.

AKM Music licenses Media Magazine for use the music in this talk.

© The MrT Podcast Studio and Farnham u3a World History Group 2018 – 2024

USRJ S3 Ep 21 From the suburbs of Tucson to Lordsburg

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:54 — 19.1MB)

From the suburbs of Tucson to Lordsburg – US Rail Journeys Series 3 Episode 21

In ‘From the suburbs of Tucson to Lordsburg‘ I travel through the unhospitable countryside of Arizona and New Mexico.

To view the photographs for this podcast:

Please click on a thumbnail to open the gallery:

Out into the desert:

There are lots of cacti along our route as we travel away from the Tucson area whilst the dining car serves the last breakfasts.

One of the first sights that we see is the El Paso and Southwestern railway bridge at Cienega Creek built in 1912.  The line splits into two tracks a few miles before the bridge, the result of two railways competing in the area.

One line goes over the bridge whilst the other passes under it. We pass under the bridge. They then follow slightly different routes until a few miles after the bridge where they join together again.

The link above has a map that explains it.

A fellow traveller:

I get to talk with Michael who is going all the way to New Orleans on the Sunset Limited portion of the train. Michael is using Amtrak’s long distance trains to see the US. He is lucky as he lives in Portland, Oregon, served by the Coast Starlight and the Empire Builder.

Benson:

The station is a flag stop and is served by three trains in each direction each week. The facilities are basic, consisting of a metal shelter. As some passengers join the train at Benson the conductor broadcasts a ‘Do’s and Don’ts for travelling by train.

Soon after leaving Benson we see a very long freight train requiring 4 locomotives to pull it.

Desert:

US deserts are not boring – I find them fascinating with an everchanging panorama of sand, scrubby green, hilly, flat, occasional settlements and, of course, the ever present cacti. I wouldn’t like to be abandoned in a desert, but from the airconditioned train they are stunning.

Our route:

We pass about 15 miles from the famed city of Tombstone, home to Boothill Graveyard and the OK Corral. The mountains around us were the final homeland of the Apaches.

Listen to the podcast to hear the rest of the story of the journey to Lordsburg.

Next up:

If you enjoy these podcasts please join me in a couple of weeks as we continue our journey on the Texas Eagle.

Links:

To visit the Amtrak website please follow this link.

This podcast is also available through Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Castbox , Deezer, Podchaser, Spotify, Stitcher and Vurbl and others.

Music:

AKM Music licenses Steam Railway and Nice and Easy for use in this podcast.