The Scandinavian History Podcast podcast

The Scandinavian History Podcast

Mikael Shainkman

A chronological journey through the history of Scandinavia from the last ice age to the dawn of the space age. Geographically, we cover the five modern Nordic countries of Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Finland—as well as a few other bits and pieces here and there where it‘s relevant. Visit the SHP shop: bit.ly/podshpshop Make a donation: patreon.com/scandinavianhistory

100 Episoder

Special Episode: Christmas Weirdness
20.12.2024
15:57
In a few days Christmas will be upon us. To mark the occasion, this episode of the Scandinavian History Podcast is dedicated to quirks of Nordic culture. It’s a totally subjective list of the five weirdest Scandinavian Christmas traditions–from the most normal to the weirdest.
097 Absolut Denmark
6.12.2024
30:39
The peace in Roskilde had been a triumph for Sweden. But Karl X Gustav wanted more, so he renewed hostilities hoping to capture Copenhagen and take over all of Denmark. The very reign of Frederik III hung in the balance.
Gå ikke glip af nogen episoder af “The Scandinavian History Podcast” - abonnér på podcasten med gratisapp GetPodcast.
096 Revenge
22.11.2024
32:09
When Frederick III became king of Denmark, he was determined to get revenge. Revenge on the scheming nobility, including his own extended family, who had robbed him of almost all royal powers. But most of all, he wanted revenge on the Swedes for the defeat in the Torstenson War.
095 The Apostate
8.11.2024
33:32
Gustavus Adolphus’s daughter and successor Queen Christina had no time for fashion or suitors, but she loved culture and intellectual pursuits. She was mighty impressed by continental art, literature and philosophy. Maybe a little too impressed.
094 Dowager Drama
25.10.2024
35:25
When Gustavus Adolphus died, Axel Oxenstierna was left to handle several thorny issues. One of the thorniest was what to do with the king’s widow Maria Eleonora. Oxenstierna wanted her to disappear from political life and into the footnotes of history. The dowager queen herself had other plans.
093 The Family Firm
11.10.2024
34:06
Christian IV was a real family man. In fact, he had multiple families. He was married twice, and had a string of mistresses to boot. He had at least 12 children, and he used them to solidify his rule. It didn’t always work, though. To put it mildly.
092 By the High Mast
27.9.2024
31:39
In the late 1630s, tensions were once again rising between Denmark and Sweden. The Danish king was spoiling for a war, and in 1643 he got it. But not in the way he’d expected. Or wanted. Still, the conflict is remembered as Christian IV’s finest hour.
091 Peace and Other Pipe Dreams
13.9.2024
31:15
The Swedes spent the early 1640s trying to win the war, but even if they were successful on the battlefield, every campaign season seemed to end with them retreating north with an Imperial army in pursuit.
090 The Show Must Go On
2.8.2024
29:11
After the death of Gustavus Adolphus, his trusted advisor and chancellor Axel Oxenstierna was left to pick up the pieces. In the years that followed, he worked tirelessly to avoid a total collapse of the Swedish positions on the continent. It was not an easy job.
089 Forecast: Fog
19.7.2024
33:08
1632 was a year of victories and triumphs for the Swedes. They moved through the Holy Roman Empire capturing everything in their way. In the fall, they were back where they had started a year earlier, on a muddy field outside Leipzig, ready to fight a new Imperial army.

Få adgang til hele det store podcastunivers med gratisappen GetPodcast.

Abonnér på dine favoritpodcasts, lyt til episoder offline, og få spændende anbefalinger.

© radio.de GmbH 2025