When Diplomacy Fails Podcast

WDF 29.925: The Franco-Dutch War XXII

[PATRONS] As you are so lovely, you get this and the other following 2 episodes #23 & #24 right away! Since I am at this point on my honeymoon and absolutely delighted with myself, I though it only right to reward you, my wonderful Patrons - so I hope you enjoy this episode!

Within it we continue our examination of the political and diplomatic implications of the marriage – what Louis XIV thought about it, and how certain figures in Britain wished to build upon the marriage, thus making ...

WDF 29.900: The Franco-Dutch War XXI

[PATRONS] In this latest episode of the FDW,  we continue our analysis of the rise of the Earl of Danby, and his plans to ingratiate his king towards Parliament in order to get the grants from that institution he needed. Through such grants, Danby believed, Charles II would be freed from such a heavy reliance on Louis XIV’s subsidies, which even though the full extent of them were not known, they were suspected. To distance his king from the French, and side with the more popular Dutch, a...

WDF 29.875: The Franco-Dutch War XX

[PATRONS] 

Should We Make Use of "Discord"?

Discord is a facility which essentially lets you guys talk with me and each other, but it can also do other things too like let you guys look in if I ever decide to play some Total War, which I'm thinking about doing in the future if there's enough interest. This poll will basically help me decide if the market would be there - would you like to have the option to talk with me and each other at certain advertised points, or is that not really your cup of tea? Thankssss for letting me know histor...

WDF 29.850: The Franco-Dutch War XIX

[PATRONS] In this latest episode, we are drawn to 1675, a year of great events and the beginning of a trend of struggle and attrition along the key conflict areas of Europe. We bid farewell to yet another great man in history, and the Great Elector of Brandenburg is given some troubling news, as he seeks to craft his legend by taking on the most formidable enemy in his state's history - Sweden. Frederick William's experience here would set in motion a chain of events that would resound throughou...

WDF 29.825: The Franco-Dutch War XVIII

[PATRONS] In episode 18 we examine the difficult days of 1674. Louis feels the pinch as the varied theaters of war compel him to divide his forces; Schomberg attempts to fight a war with the Town Watch unit from Rome: Total War, and affairs heat up along the Rhine as Turenne pulls off an incredible military feat. All of this and more is in episode 18 - 

Don't forget to stick around to the end if you patronised me recently! A huge welcome to all you guys, and remember to represent us to th...

WDF Xtra #5: Was Louis XIV's Foreign Policy A Success? 2/2

[PATRONS] We return with part 2, wherein we examine Louis' reign from the early 1680s, and consider the damage he inflicted on European public opinion, juxtaposed with the material and military gains accrued to France because of Louis' largely victorious wars. I hope you enjoy this concluding episode of our two-parter history friends and patrons. 

  Remember to tweet me and let me know you enjoyed the episode! @wdfpodcast Be sure to tell people that you support me, and that you ...

WDF Xtra #4: Was Louis XIV's Foreign Policy A Success? 1/2

[PATRONS] Welcome to this first part of the two parter where we ask whether Louis XIV of France can justifiably lay claim to a successful foreign policy. We know he experienced military success and tore Europe asunder; we know he was a formidable character and an implacable ruler, but do his successes and strengths outweigh the damage and cost which was wrought on France? Here we take this question up to the point of the early 1680s, while the next episode will conclude the question and answer i...

WDF 29.80: The Franco-Dutch War XVII

[PATRONS] Hello my lovely Patrons, this week we show you how Charles II fared in Britain over late 1673 early 1674, and how a combination of factors in the realm of British public opinion contributed to shatter the British perceptions of the war, and turn the populace heavily against the French. This trend was made worse by Charles' tactics, which in the past had included stonewalling and bare faced lies. Now though, the Dutch pigeons had come home to roost, and peace was all the British people ...

WDF Xtra #3: Fritz Fischer & German War Guilt

[PATRONS] In this third Xtra episode, we resurrect another Masters essay and ask whether Fritz Fischer - the man behind the German war guilt idea, and probably more influential than many give him credit for - still has something to offer the historiography of the First World War. If that sounds boring, I assure you it ain't! Thanksss my lovely Patrons, you earned it!

WDF 29.75: The Franco-Dutch War XVI

[PATRONS] Welcome to episode 16, wherein we examine the inner workings of the Bourbon plot to make the war great again. Louis attempts to besiege Maastricht, thus enabling me to introduce to you, ever so briefly, how sieges sort of worked. Kind of. Then we touch on Charles II in Britain, leading into our next episode which will examine his experience in more detail. Thankssss my lovely Patrons!

WDF Xtra #2: The Balkan Wars & Foreign Policy

[PATRONS] Welcome to the second members episode my lovely Patrons, here we examine the extent of the impact of the Balkan Wars on the foreign policy of the Eastern European states before 1914. Sound interesting? Then jump right in ya mad scone, you earned it!

WDF 29.70: The Franco-Dutch War XV

[PATRONS] We return in the aftermath of the massacre of the de Witts, to a republic attempting to pick up the pieces and take the fight to France. In the meantime, the coalition gathers against Louis XIV while Charles' subjects agitate against his policy. Check us out! Thankssss!

What Merchandise Should WDF Launch To Celebrate its 5th Year?

It's a well know fact that I'm a large fan of merchandise, but I am always looking at new ways to expand our portfolio and bring you guys even better stuff. With this in mind I decided to put this question out there. Maybe you think we have enough stuffs already - that is a fair enough argument - but even for the sake of planning our expansion in the future and celebrating our fifth year of podcasting, I reckon it's worthwhile to always look out for more. With this in mind, I put the poll out to...

WDF 29.65: The Franco-Dutch War XIV

[PATRONS] Welcome to episode 14. It is in many ways a tad sad, but it is an important part of our story nonetheless. I hope you'll join me as together we bid farewell to a very significant fellow and a staple of our narrative for the last two years. It's still too soon!

The Xtra Feed Is Fixed!

My sincere apologies history friends & patrons, it perhaps shouldn't surprise you all to learn that I managed to mess a few things up with this launch. Huge thanks to Patron Holly for getting in touch and helping me realise what I'd done, but I essentially changing the URL of this podcast on Patreon and I did this in between the launching of the first and second Xtra episodes, which meant that in a short space of time the actual RSS which was sent out to at least 15...

WDF 29.60: The Franco-Dutch War XIII

 **RE-UPLOAD**[PATRONS] Welcome back to the war, herein we unravel the attempts by England's embassy to entice William over to the dark side, as William resisted, but did some soul searching himself. Only time could tell how exaclty the future of the Republic would play out. Thankssss my lovely Patrons - you are of course all awesome! :D  

WDF 29.55: The Franco Dutch War XII

 **RE-UPLOAD**[PATRONS] In our first and hopefully fully functional Patron Xtra feed episode, here we look at the opening months of the French invasion, and ask how the likes of Johan de Witt or indeed William of Orange planned to resist the overwhelming attack upon their lands. Would the Dutch officials band together or resist to the end? Let's find out! 

For $500 goal, which miniseries on Polish history should I undertake?

Once we reach the $500 p/m goal, I'll tackle a miniseries on Polish history to celebrate. I need your help to choose the period of Polish history I should delve into - which century should I base my coverage on?

WDF 29.50: The Franco-Dutch War XI Script

Hello history friends, here we have the script for the latest episode due tomorrow. It's a doozy, and if reading is your thing it makes for a great story. I'll update this in the future, but for now the footnotes are a bit lackustre as I'm away from my books at this moment in time. At least you know you can trust me!

Thankssss again for being a patrong of WDF, I really appreciate you!

Zack

WDF Xtra #1: Was Ferdinand II a Victim of His Own Success?

Hello history friends!

This is the script for the latest Xtra episode (23/2/2017), which was free to listen for all history friends and listeners, and hopefully designed to inspire more guys to sign up and become Patrons. The idea being, the more people that sign up, the more content like this we can produce!

If you're reading this, you're already a Patron of this podcast - thankssss a million, and as a special thank you, here is the sc...

Can we make it to $300 within a week?

History friends one and all, you are amazing. That much is certain. Much like Louis XIV though, I will always try my luck, and after smashing through our first three goals faster than France smashes Dutch fortresses, I feel we can honestly do anything we set our minds (and $) to.

With that in mind, let's aim to smash our FOURTH goal of $300 by Tuesday 28th February, our week anniversary of joining Patreon. If we can do that, not only will the Patrons' Members...

We beat TWO targets in under TWO days!

You guys are awesome - we managed to beat 2 targets - $25 and then $50 - in less than 48 hours (more like 36!). That's insane! 

I never imagined so much support and generosity was out there for this podbaby of mine - and I have already benefited considerably from the kindness of my history friends, who for many years gave something for nothing in return. 

Most of you are brand new supporters of the podcast, and that is really exciting because it means that a great amount of his...

Your eyes do not deceive you - WDF is on Patreon!

"Hang on...what's that there?!"

That's right history friends, we finally made the jump to this incredibe world called Patreon. After much gentle prodding and thinking myself about the move, I decided that, hey, both you guys and yours truly need this new venture, in order to support what I have planned in the future for this humble pod of mine. We've got a whole lot of great stuff ahead of all of us, and there has never been a better time to be a history friend and join WDF's esteemed...