History Pondered and Explored

The Charge of the Light Brigade-Someone Blundered

Theirs is not to reason why, theirs is but to do and die. From the poem the Charge of the Light Brigade, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. These two lines are probably the most famous lines from the poem and likely famous across the world due to the bravery inferred by the British Light Brigade Calvary in the Crimean War. Yet in the same stanza, there is the line- Someone had blundered. The takeaway from the poem is primarily the bravery and yet the statement is made- someone blundered. Was the Charge a case of Lions led by donkeys? If so, who were the donkeys? Who blundered? Tune in for the rest of the story of the valiant charge along with the somewhat ludicrous leaders that ordered the charge. #Crimeanwar #History #England #France #Russia

Why Did Italy Fail in World War II?

In a word- Mussolini. Obviously there is more to it than that yet what put him and kept him in power was very ineffective when it came to major military operations. World War I showed the world that war was now conducted on an industrial scale with industry and innovation necessary to even think about being in a big operation. Chaos, confusion and propaganda can be helpful components of such an operation but you have to have the capability to back it up. You have to have short term and long term planning. Consideration of supply and training and reserves is needed. Some of the other major powers that entered World War II understood all of this better than others, there was still learning to do with regard to planning, operations and industrialization turning into military might. Italy and Mussolini learned only when it was way to late. While some of his planners made plain that Italy was not yet prepared and would not be for years, that message did not make at difference...at first...but within just a few years, that message came back loud and clear...when it was way too late

The Tudors: Was Queen Elizabeth all that she is cracked up to be?

The Elizabethan age, Shakespeare, "this is England", it is a fair question to ponder- how much did Elizabeth have to do with the glory her reign seems to have. One of her goals was her own survival and this she achieved. Given the circumstance, that was a difficult goal to achieve so good for her. And yet, how come there is so little talk about the disaster that was the English Armada? In fact, how much did the English have to do with the defeat of the Spanish Armada - the first one...there were several. Her sister had the sobriquet of Bloody Mary....and the same could have been given to Elizabeth. In fact her methods lived up to the name whereas Mary should have been Fiery, Smokey or maybe Ashy How was her policy to the Irish...not good. Mary Queen of Scots, and the Rising of the North- Elizabeth did win out on that tune in and find out if she lived up to the billing #england #history #tudors #scotland #france

The Tudors - Bloody Mary, Queen Mary I of England

Honestly, she should have been called Smokey, or Ashy or even Fiery Mary. It was Elizabeth who should have been called Bloody based her methods of riddance. Mary accused many of heresy which gets a very proscribed method in which that person is "taken care of" Mary got a bad rap due to her circumstances and her sister and others propaganda. However, she did not always help her self PR wise. That and many of the paintings of her make her look like she is barely holding her anger in. She also married someone that she probably should not have. This episode is presented in a format of the times of lightness for Mary and the times of darkness. Much more dark times #tudor #Bloodymary #history #England

The Tudors - The Unknown King - Edward VI

You likely know Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, maybe even Bloody Mary, but who has heard of Edward VI? The only Tudor that might be less known is Edward's grandfather, Henry VII. Even during Edward's reign, he was often overshadowed by two guys, both of which made themselves Dukes. The first was the Duke of Somerset. He set himself up as the power during Edward's early reign, which started when Edward was 9 years old. Somerset was eventually outplayed by another self created Duke, the Duke of Northumberland. This duke had his son marry Lady Jane Grey and then tried to make her the queen once Edward was no longer. It is often said that Edward agreed to this or that it was even his idea. About suspicious regardless as The Tudors would be no more while the Dudleys (Northumberland) would become the dynasty. This also means Edward was attempting to take his sisters out of the line of succession. While Edward plays a pretty minor role, the intrigues during his reign are very intriguing and fascinating. The entire production and all music is done by me