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The History of Russia Podcast

Damon Boar·115 episodes

History

A podcast exploring everything related to the History of Russia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

28 min
Jul 15, 2026Episode 111
Austerlitz

It's 1804 and a new coalition was being formed (the 3rd) to try to and defeat Napoleon and the French.However, in the following year the French emperor would again show just why he was one of the greatest military figures of all time, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

33 min
Jul 8, 2026Episode 110
Guilt, Altruism and the Unofficial Committee

Paul is dead, Alexander is the new Tsar and so today we're going to cover the first two to three years of his reign — roughly 1801 to 1803, where surely, things in Russia could only get better... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

36 min
Jun 30, 2026Episode 109
Russia in the 18th Century: A Cultural Perspective

Today we are doing something slightly different. We are stepping off of the chronological conveyor belt — which has been moving at quite a clip lately — and we are going to take a breather and look at something I have perhaps neglected (well there is no 'perhaps' about it - I have). So for the next 35 or so minutes come with me on a journey through 18th Century Russian culture. The art, the architecture. the literature, the music - and let's see if we can work out whether any of it was actualy Russian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

36 min
Jun 22, 2026Episode 108
23rd March 1801

It's the 23rd of March 1801 and in the Mikhailovsky Castle, just outside St Petersburg, something terrible is about to happen... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 min
Jun 15, 2026Episode 107
India, the Sphinx and Conspiracy

Today as the title suggests we're going to cover three main themes or subjectsFirstly, Paul's support of Napoleon’s march on India. Secondly, we are going to spend some time trying to get to know Paul’s eldest son and heir, Alexander, who was a fascinating and genuinely complicated young man, with good reason.And then we’ll finish things off by taking a look at some of the people around Paul who were starting to get seriously hacked-off with the Tsar himself and the direction that things in general were going.If you want get in touch with a question or a positive or negative comment then you can by sending me a mail at [email protected] and I will try to respond as soon as I can. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 min
Jun 5, 2026Episode 106
The Corsican, the Knights, and the Swiss Fiasco

Today is another of those episodes, where in th early stages anyway, Russia is not the primary focus and is somewhat on the periphery because the real action is happening elsewhere and much of that is being driven by events in FranceHaving said that Paul, as you would probably expect, does manage to get involved and do some Paul-like things  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 min
May 27, 2026Episode 105
Catherine the who?

After featuring in 36 episodes, Catherine who had transformed Russia has departed the scene. Which means that the 42 year old, father of 8, Pavel or Paul Petrovich Romanov is now the emperor of all the Russias.Today, we’ll be taking a look a look back at what made Paul the man he was and we’ll also be covering the first couple of years of his reign to see how he dealt with his mother’s legacy  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 min
May 19, 2026Episode 104
The End of an Era

This week we are covering three items - Russia’s further consolidation of its Alaskan territory, Catherine’s, post- Potemkin love life.and then finally, we’ll witness three deaths, one which in the great scope of things was pretty insignificant, another which would be sadly almost pathetically tragic and a third which would genuinely mark the end of an era. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 min
Apr 22, 2026Episode 103
Villages, Partitions, and Revolution.

Today we are going to zoom in on that period just after the dust had settled — roughly 1792 onwards — and have a look at what Russia looked like from a geopolitical standpoint We'll also be talking about a man, sadly for the last time, who had become one of the titans of Russian History. Grigory Potemkin. (in a way I'm glad because for some strange reason my pronunciation of his name was inconsistent to say the least)And then we'll be spending some time with a general who, if you remember from the last episode, had won every major battle that he had been involved in - Alexander Suvorov. Which for the Polish/Lithuanian commonwealth would spell even more disaster. And finally, we’ll take a quick peek at what was going on in France where the Ancien Regime was being turned upside down and what Catherine’s thought about it all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 min
Apr 16, 2026Episode 102
Victory and stalemate

After a decade of calmness in Russia with not much happening, the late 1780's suddenly exploded into action with wars against both the Ottomans and the Swedes and we also witness the death of another major European player.Oh and don't be alarmed but for this epsiode only, I've changed things - musically. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 min
Apr 9, 2026Episode 101
The early 1780’s

This time around we’ll be looking at, in general, more calmness and I’ll be concentrating on just four things that will take us up to the mid 1780sFurther Russian territorial expansion and a touch more provincial reform We’ll follow that with one or two family matters (not mine I hasten to add, but Catherine’s)And then in the second part of the episode we’ll look at a  European geopolitical shift and the deaths of two of our major players. And then we’ll end up with the facts or rumours (you decide) that were doing the rounds regarding Grigory Potemkin Oh and as usual, there will be the odd interjection from our avian friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

35 min
Mar 27, 2026
Episode 100, Russia’s story so far, and the world in 1780.

In today’s episode there are three things on the agenda.An overall summary of the key events and main themes of The History of Russia from 840i to 1780 and how those themes and events had made Russia what it had become by the late 18th CenturyA whizz around the world in 1780 to see what was going on outside of Russia, again big-picture wise.And then as if that wasn’t enough you’ll get to hear me waffling on about the pitiful existence of an independent podcaster and what I think the future holds for me and others like me who do the same thing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 min
Mar 18, 2026Episode 99
The almost empty in-tray

This time around we'll be covering a 5 year period 1776 -1780 where Russia was going through a very rare calm period particularly when balanced against what had gone on between 1768 and 1775 and what would take place in the late 1780s. But that’s not to say, as you will soon see, that nothing was happening.Apologies, one Rooster in particular decided that the early part of the episode wasn't quite to his liking and decided to complain, loudly and often. I managed to edit most of it out but you can still catch the occasional bit of crowing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 min
Mar 12, 2026Episode 98
Two Weddings, Two Deaths and a Cockroach

After a long lay off the boy is back!Today, we’re going to track back to look at some other events that took place between 1772 and 1777 and in particular what was going on with Catherine and her son Paul and the steps that the empress would take to deal with yet another pretender to the Russian throne. Oh, and right at the end I’ll tell you a bit about what I’ve been up to over the last couple of months and how that will hopefully affect, the podcast’s future, in a positive way, and apologies in advance, I’m just getting over a bout of Tonsillitis and so my voice might be a bit up and down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 min
Nov 25, 2025
Podcast Update - November 2025

Just a short update from me about life in general and the short-term impact to the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 min
Nov 13, 2025Episode 97
You’re going up and I’m going down

In recent episodes we've seen how various major events - the war with the Ottomans, the first partition of Poland, Smallpox, Pugachev, and the Moscow plague outbreak, occupied every waking hour of Catherine the Great's life.But did they? Well in today's epsiode we are going to discover that the answer to that question was a resounding 'no'There's no listener discretion required for this one - play it loud and play it often!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 min
Oct 23, 2025Episode 96
The Pugachevshchina

Pugachev's rebellion gathers steam but Catherine the Great, who has other things to worry about, fails to take it seriously.Once again, some parts of this episode are, to say the least, a bit on the grim side.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

33 min
Sep 17, 2025Episode 95
Variolation, Expansion and Rebellion

In the first part of the episode we’ll be heading back to the 1760s and looking at the steps Catherine and others had taken to counter the effects of another of the 18th century’s fatal diseases - the dreaded smallpox.And then after that we’ll be taking a look at some further Russian territorial expansion and then finally the very beginning of and the reasons for the most serious rebellion of Catherine’s reign which was led by - Tsar Peter III, that’s right, that Peter III, the one who had died or been murdered back in 1762. Like the last episode some of today’s content, especially during the first half is a little bit on the uncomfortable side and so perhaps the whole thing is best listened to late at night when little ears are safely tucked up in bed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 min
Aug 12, 2025Episode 94
War, Plague and Peace

In today’s episode and as per the title we’ll be looking at three major itemsFirstly the Russo-Turkish war, which we’ll be bringing to a close, secondly we’ll cover an outbreak of the plague and then we’ll finish things off by looking at how the war ended and what the resultant peace meant for both the Russian and Ottoman empires.Listener discretion required - Please note that some parts of the episode are, to say the least, a liitle bit on the grim side. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 min
Jun 27, 2025Episode 93
Three slices of Polish Pie

Battleships are at the ready in Cheshme Bay and Frederick the Great comes up with a very cunning plan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 min
Jun 4, 2025Episode 92
Billiards, Tennis or Infection?

Grigory Potemkin makes his mark at court and the next installment of the Russo-Ottoman wars gets underway.Oh, and I make not one, not two but three almost catastrophic errors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 min
Apr 26, 2025Episode 91
The last King of Poland

This time around we’ll look into what the Turks objected to, see who the next, and last King of Poland will be and investigate how this whole palaver resulted in a full scale war between Russia and the Ottomans.Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyardumaVia the podcast websitehttps://www.historyofrussia.net/support/ Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe. Or follow the link below'https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only' or follow the link belowhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 min
Apr 1, 2025Episode 90
Poles Apart

On the home front Catherine continues to be thwarted. However, in the field of foreign diplomacy, she plays a blinder (or does she?)Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyardumaVia the podcast websitehttps://www.historyofrussia.net/support/ Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe. Or follow the link below'https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only' or follow the link belowhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 min
Feb 28, 2025Episode 89
The Serfs and the Nakaz

This time around we’ll be taking a look at two part-related subjects, The condition of Serfdom and Catherine's legal reforms or Nakaz. However if you are expecting a series of wholesale, fundamental changes - don't hold your collective breaths...Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyardumaVia the podcast websitehttps://www.historyofrussia.net/support/ Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe. Or follow the link below'https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only' or follow the link belowhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 min
Jan 27, 2025Episode 88
The Khitrovo Affair and the Mirovich Plot

This time around, and as the episode title indicates, we’ll be covering two main incidents, 1763’s Khitrovo Affair which would have implications for the man of the moment, Catherine’s lover, Grigory Orlov and 1764’s Mirovich Plot which would result in the sad demise of one of our other key characters and both events would, in the end, have a positive outcome for the new empress. Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyardumaVia the podcast websitehttps://www.historyofrussia.net/support/ Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe. Or follow the link below'https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only' or follow the link belowhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 min
Dec 31, 2024Episode 87
Time belongs not to me but to the empire.

This time around we’ll be taking a look at the steps that Catherine would take to kick start and consolidate her rule - how she would deal with the people who had helped her to seize power and how she would lay down her authority with the key institutions of the Russian state - government, church and the army.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 hr 13 min
Dec 2, 2024Episode 86
Zero Sum

So in today’s episode we’ll be taking another break from the chronological narrative and looking instead at mainly, the last three decades and a bit, at what went on in Russia from a commercial and business perspective.And to help us through this tumultuous and fascinating period of more recent Russian History we have someone who has spent four decades travelling and working in the Soviet Union and Russia, who speaks fluent Russian, who holds degrees from Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania and who, luckily for us, just happens to have written a book.Zero sum - which brings vividly to life, via meticulous research and through the fascinating and sometimes tragicomic experiences of the people who were there at the time, Russia’s transformation from Soviet dinosaur through proto-capitalist free for all to today’s, difficult to pigeon hole economic situation and how we in the west just never seem, commercially, culturally  or geopolitically, to get it right with Russia.  Yes today dear listeners we are joined by author, journalist, geopolitical risk consultant and self-professed Russia geek, Charles Hecker  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 min
Nov 10, 2024Episode 85
‘Colicgate’

In this week’s episode ware going to look at four main itemsA short appraisal of Peter’s reign, a longer appraisal of Elizabeth’s time in charge, a look at the recent coup’s winners and losers and then finally, how Catherine and her advisors (well actually, one advisor) explained away the death of her husband.Oh and there's a heartfealt apology from me regarding a mistake I made last time out.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

38 min
Oct 25, 2024Episode 84
State of the Nations (5) 1762

A longer than usual episode which provides an overall look at the world in 1762 - just at the point when Catherine was starting her reign in Russia.Britannia ruled the waves (or was starting to) and the age of enlightenment and the trans-atlantic slave trade were approaching their respective zeniths.The agrarian and industrial revolutions were just getting underway, and Augustus III of Poland-Lithuania and Saxony had the largest collection of hats and wigs in Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 min
Oct 18, 2024Episode 83
Death in the afternoon

Whilst the new regime is finalising it's coup, over at Oranienbaum, a blissfully ignorant Peter has just drilled his Holstein guards and is now on his way to Peterhof to celebrate his name day. But when he get's there, Catherine is of course, nowhere to be seen . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 min
Sep 23, 2024Episode 82
The New Empress of all the Russias - almost.....

This time around we’ll be looking at the latest events in the Seven Years War, Peter’s Danish campaign, how becoming Tsar had affected his relationship with his wife Catherine and finally, and as the episode title in a fairly unsubtle way hints at, what Catherine and her allies decided to do about things.Apologies for the poor pronunciation throughout - there were just too many Schleswigs, Shlisselburgs and Oranienbaums for me to cope with....Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyardumaVia the podcast websitehttps://www.historyofrussia.net/support/ Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe. Or follow the link below'https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only' or follow the link belowhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 min
Aug 16, 2024Episode 81
The Empress is dead, long live the...

This time around we’ll be looking at the events that unfolded in the years 1761 and 1762 which, as the title suggests, sadly involves the end of the line for the Empress Elizabeth.But, in an age when Russia had no clearly defined order of succession, much like today, no one was entirely sure what or who would happen next.For one person though, the change of regime in St Petersburg would represent a long sought after miracle.Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyardumaVia the podcast websitehttps://www.historyofrussia.net/support/ Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe. Or follow the link below'https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only' or follow the link belowhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 min
Aug 7, 2024Episode 80
A Fresh Start

This time around we’ll be covering the years 1759 and 1760. Years in which the Grand Duchess Catherine and Frederick the Great will be taking stock of their own respective situations and enacting plans to safeguard their own respective futures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 min
Jun 13, 2024Episode 79
The Three Letters

It's Spring 1758 and Grand Duchess Catherine is attempting to extricate herself from yet another difficult situation. Meanwhile, over in Prussia, Frederick the Great, despite having just won major battles against the French and the Austrians, is trying to work out how to deal with the enemies that still surround him in every direction.One of them will get out of their hole, the other will keep on digging.Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyardumaVia the podcast websitehttps://www.historyofrussia.net/support/ Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe. Or follow the link below'https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only' or follow the link belowhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 min
May 14, 2024Episode 78
Death, Madness and Banishment

This week we’ll be putting the seven years war to one side whilst we concentrate instead on events that took place in Russia during 1757 and 1758 which, in no particular order, include the reasons for, and the political and personal fallout from, that Russian withdrawal, Catherine and Stansislaus’s affair, the Empress Elizabeth’s health and Peter’s pro-Prussian leanings.Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyardumaVia the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/support/ Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe. Or follow the link below'https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only' or follow the link belowhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 min
Apr 22, 2024Episode 77
Russia Attacks!

It's 1757 and for the first time in a long time the Russian army gets to flex its muscles. Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyarduma Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe. Or follow the link below'https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only' or follow the link belowhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 min
Apr 15, 2024Episode 76
Perfidious Albion

In this episode we’ll be taking a closer look at the affair between Catherine and Poniatowsky and we’ll be checking in on yet another health scare. But as interesting as those subjects are, we'll be spending the majority of our time getting to grips with some new, major developments on the European diplomatic front - developments that would turn the old established order on its head and that would come as a nasty surprise for two key individuals. Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyarduma Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only'https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 min
Mar 17, 2024Episode 75
An Ambassador calls

This time around there are Just two main items on the agenda  - The Empress Elizabeth’s ongoing, and so-far frustrated efforts, to secure the Romanov succession and the political machinations and intrigues that would eventually lead to the outbreak of the Seven Years War.Oh and finally and as indicated by the title there is someone from outside of Russia who gets to play quite an important and intriguing role in our proceedings.Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via PatreonGo to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home pageOr go to https://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyarduma Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only'https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 min
Feb 18, 2024Episode 74
In other news....

This week, probably much to everyone's relief, we will be taking a break from the ceaseless round of court intrigue and instead we’ll be looking at what else was going on in Russia during the Elizabethan age.What else, apart from pilgrimages, cross-dressing balls, and controlling her dynasties destiny was Elizabeth up to and what was going on, away from St Petersburg and Moscow in the ever expanding and increasingly vast Russian Empire?Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcastsAt least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlierTranscripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via PatreonGo to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home pageOr go to https://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyarduma Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only'https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 min
Feb 11, 2024Episode 73
Treading Water

This week, I'm afraid, it's more court based chicanery and Intrigue (hence the title). However to avoid just doing a rinse and repeat, I’m going to speed things up a bit and the aim will be to get from where we are now, which is 1748, right through to the year 1753 where we will start to see that both at home and abroad, things were beginning to take on a different shape...Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcasts At least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlier Transcripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via PatreonGo to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home pageOr go to https://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyarduma Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only'https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 min
Dec 14, 2023Episode 72
Controlled, Isolated and Miserable

This week we’ll be covering the years between 1745 and 1748 and looking at how Peter, Catherine and Elizabeth were all getting along through the events and outcomes related to yet another series of court intrigues and incidents Plus we'll invetigate  the European diplomatic and political scene in the aftermath of the recent war and then finally we’ll be waving goodbye, or saying auf wiedersehen, to a couple of characters from the supporting cast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 min
Nov 22, 2023Episode 71
Sophie becomes Catherine

In this weeks episode we rejoin the main chronological narrative and take a look at the ups and downs of our key characters during  1744 and 1745..On the up were the Empress Elizabeth, Sophie of Anhalt Zerbst, Maria Theresa of Austria and Alexei BestuzhevSliding down were Johanna of Brunswick and Frederick the great And Peter Fyodorovich..... well he's got problems of his own.Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcasts - (ads may come in on the free feed at some point in the future but never for subscription members)At least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlier than normal Transcripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via PatreonGo to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home pageOr go to https://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyarduma Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only'https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 min
Nov 8, 2023Episode 70
State of Empire, State of Mind

In this episode we take a step back from the goings on at the Russian court and the war of the Austrian Succession and instead take a peek at the overall state of the Russian Empire and the overall state of Eliazabeth’s mind.Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcasts - (ads may come in on the free feed at some point in the future but never for subscription members)At least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlier than normal Transcripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via PatreonGo to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home pageOr go to https://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyarduma Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only'https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 min
Oct 8, 2023Episode 69
Peter and ... Sophie?

It's January 1744 and Peter Fyodorovich the heir to the Russian throne and his aunt Elizabeth have got some German visitors to entertain and one of them is the almost 15 year old Sophie Friederike Auguste of Anhalt-Zerbst. In the meantime Prussia and France are again plotting against Bestuzhev and the Austrian empress, Maria Theresa, has her eyes on Silesia.Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcasts - (ads may come in on the free feed at some point in the future but never for subscription members)At least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlier than normal Transcripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via PatreonGo to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home pageOr go to https://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyarduma Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only'https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 min
Aug 28, 2023Episode 68
The Lopukhina Conspiracy

This weeks episode is centered around the eponymous Lopukhina Conspiracy but who is doing the conspiring and who is being conspired against?Plus events in Sweden are brought to a head, George II, the King of England gets involved in the war of the Austrian Succession, things take a downward turn for the Brunswicks and the Empress Elizabeth goes ballistic when she sees someone wearing pink!Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcasts - (ads may come in on the free feed at some point in the future but never for subscription members)At least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlier than normal Transcripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via PatreonGo to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home pageOr go to https://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyarduma Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only'https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

24 min
Jul 31, 2023Episode 67
Venus Ascendant

Elizabeth has been busy putting her house in order which means that I have a number of loose ends to tie up. Plus we get to meet a distant relative and we'll also see what's been going on with the Austrians, French and Prussians. Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma  and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcasts - (ads may come in on the free feed at some point in the future but never for subscription members)At least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlier than normal  Transcripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via PatreonGo to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home pageOr go to https://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyarduma Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only'https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 min
Jul 21, 2023Episode 66
The Unlikely Empress and the Unpragmatic Sanction

Elizabeth Petrovna is the new empress of Russia. However, she's busy getting her house in order and there is a coronation to plan.So whilst she's off doing that, we'll undertake a quick retrospective of Anna Ivanovna's reign and then we'll take a look at the causes, and the initial events, of the War of the Austrian Succession.  Click on one of the links or logos below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma  and a shout out on the PodcastAd-free podcasts - (ads may come in on the free feed at some point in the future but never for subscription members)At least one members only episode per monthGeneral release episodes at least 1 week earlier than normal  Transcripts for each episode (Patreon Only) Via PatreonGo to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home page Or go to https://www.patreon.com/historyofrussia_boyarduma Via Apple Podcastssearch in apple podcasts for ‘Boyar Duma’ or the ‘History of Russia podcast-members only’ and hit subscribe.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-history-of-russia-members-only/id1696439936 Via Spotify Search in spotify for 'Russia members only'https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/damon-boar/subscribe  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 min
Jun 29, 2023Episode 65
The Year of Living Dangerously

Today in a slightly longer episode than normal we’ll be covering the period between October 1740 and December 1741 which is 15 months and not a year but I think you’ll agree that ‘The 15 months of living dangerously’ doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 min
Jun 2, 2023Episode 64
Twilight of the Miloslavskys?

If you want to sign up to get members only episodes, early access to general release episodes, ad free content and written transcripts, for the price of a cup of coffee a month, then you can in a couple of ways  You can sign-up via the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/ just click on the membership page or the Patreon Logo on the home page.  Or you can go directly to patreon.com/historyofrussia And sign up thereIn this episode, we’ll be concentrating on further events centred around the Russian court in St Petersburg, which taken as a whole, and as per the deliberately mysterious and enigmatic episode title, may or may not point to the beginning of the end for the Miloslavsky branch of the Romanov dynasty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

25 min
May 5, 2023Episode 63
Persians, Plague and Priorities

Diplomacy with with the Persians, war with the Ottomans, an outbreak of Bubonic Plague and reform on the home front - plus I pronounce 'L'Hermitage' in a really strange way... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.