Today, we’re concluding our long-running focus on Luxembourg before the Grand Duchy.

Episode 18 - Luxembourg in medieval times

We’ll look at life in the early County of Luxembourg; delve into how Luxembourg was governed at the local level; and explore whether the 18th century really was a Golden Age for Luxembourg. 

We hope you enjoy the podcast.

Here at the Luxembourg History Podcast, we never want to upset you... but welcome to the penultimate episode of our first series.

Episode 17 - The incompetent and inbred Habsburgs

Today, we’re taking a look at the Habsburg Dukes and Duchesses of Luxembourg. 

We’ll cover how Luxembourg fell into Habsburg hands; how the Spanish Habsburgs suffered terribly from inbreeding; and how the Austrian Habsburgs could do everything but produce male heirs.

The nickname 'Gibraltar of the North' doesn't sound all that impressive these days, but back in the 18th century...

Episode 16 - Fortress Luxembourg, Gibraltar of the North

...it was about as fine a compliment as you could possibly give. 

Today on the LHP, we’re seeking to explain why Luxembourg became such a strategically important military fortress in early modern history. 

We’ll look into the origins of the Habsburg conflict with France, explore how the Duchy fared during two centuries of warfare, and end with a look at Louis XIV’s occupation of Luxembourg.

Anyone else like the sound of Luxembourg ruling Europe? At the LHP, we certainly do.

Episode 15 - When Luxembourg ruled Europe

That's right - today, we’re looking at the dramatic rise and fall of the House of Luxembourg. 

We’ll examine how the orphaned Henry VII ended up becoming Holy Roman Emperor, how the House reached its apogee of power under Charles IV, and how it all fell apart during the reign of the mighty Sigismund, leading to Luxembourg’s take-over by the great dynasties of Europe.

Episode 14 - Luxembourg before Luxembourg

Today, we’re going right back to the start, to explore medieval Luxembourg. 

We'll investigate Luxembourg before Luxembourg, hear about some of the myths surrounding the founding of the castle in 963, and tell some of the more interesting stories of the early County of Luxembourg.

Episode 13 - Religion in the Grand Duchy

Today, we’re looking at the history of religion in Luxembourg. 

We’ll look at the origins of Christianity in the Grand Duchy, tell the stories of Luxembourg’s patron saints, and discover how religion has evolved in the Grand Duchy up to the present day.

Episode 12 - When Luxembourg was Dutch

Revolutions, a coup d'état, the Treaty of Vienna and the man behind Place Guillaume II - this episode of the Luxembourg History Podcast really has it all.

Episode 11 - Luxembourg's immigrants

Today, after a series of episodes on Luxembourg's most famous emigrants, we’re turning the tables and looking at the story of immigration to Luxembourg.

We’ll look at the first modern wave of immigration in the late 19th century, hear aboutIt the arrival of the Portuguese in the 1970s, and delve into government statistics to find out more about recent changes in the Grand Duchy’s demographics.

Episode 10 - The Luxembourg-Americans, part two

Today, we’re returning to Chicago, to continue our study of the impact of Luxembourg’s emigrants to the United States.

We’ll be looking in depth at the lives of four individuals of Luxembourgish descent: a police officer, a rabbi, a tennis player, and the man behind US Flag Day.

Episode 9 - The Luxembourg-Americans, part one

Today, in keeping with last week's theme of emigration from the Grand Duchy, we're focusing on the lives of arguably the most famous Luxembourg-American, Edward Steichen, and the contrasting destinies of two Marys of Luxembourgish descent.

Episode 8 - Luxembourg's Pioneers: Emigration in the 1800s

Today, we’re exploring a new theme, focusing on the history of Luxembourgish emigration. 

We’ll look at why in the 19th century, Luxembourgers left the Grand Duchy in great numbers; how their expeditions to South America largely failed; and how many did eventually come to settle in the United States, creating a Luxembourg-American community which exists to this day.

Episode 7 - Luxembourg and the French Revolution

Today on the Luxembourg History Podcast, we’re looking at Luxembourg and the French Revolution. 

We'll cover the Siege of Luxembourg by French revolutionary forces, life and rebellion under the French occupation, and the impact of Napoleon's endless wars.

Episode 6 - Liberation Day and the Battle of the Bulge

Today, we’re concluding our look at Luxembourg and the Second World War. 

We’ll look at how Luxembourg was liberated, zoom in on the events of Liberation Day in the outskirts of the capital, and hear how parts of Luxembourg were re-occupied by the Nazis during the Battle of the Bulge.

Episode 5 - The Nazi occupation of Luxembourg

This week, we’re looking into the Nazi occupation of Luxembourg, from May 1940 to September 1944.

We’ll talk about the absorption of Luxembourg into the German Reich, collaboration and resistance, the deportation of the Jews, and the darkest day in Luxembourg’s history.

Episode 4 - Concentration camps and liberation

This week's episode covers how Grand Duchess Charlotte became an icon of resistance in the wake of the German invasion in 1940, how her son Jean was present at the liberation of Luxembourg, and we’ll also delve into the tragic story of Charlotte’s sisters, one of whom would end up in a Nazi concentration camp.

Episode 3 - Marie Adelaide and the abdication crisis

This week, we'll be following on from our second episode on Luxembourg during the First World War, looking at the abdication crisis of 1918-19.

Episode 2 - The impact of the First World War in Luxembourg

Luxembourg was actually the first country to be invaded by Germany in 1914, although things didn’t exactly go to plan for the Germans.

Episode 1 - How Luxembourg became an independent country

The first episode of Luxembourg History podcast goes all the way back to the birth of Luxembourg as the world's only remaining Grand Duchy.

Join us at the Luxembourg History Podcast as we uncover hidden gems in the history of the world’s last Grand Duchy

Episode 0 - What this is all about

Occupations. Partitions. Medieval shenanigans. Join us at the LHP as we uncover hidden gems in the history of the world’s last Grand Duchy. Brought to you by RTL Today.

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