The Troubles began in the late 60s and ended in the late 90s, resulting in the death of at least 3,500 people, 50% of which were civilians. This conflict between Northern Ireland's Protestant elite and the Catholic, Gaelic people became a crisis for the British government as the people of Ireland demanded independence from British rule.
The colonization of Ireland was different from other countries in the United Kingdom because they were integrated significantly, and the ruling class played a significant role in the formation of the United Kingdom.
Despite not solely relying on their armies to win wars, England's victories included the confiscation of land from those they defeated. This is exemplified by Arthur Chichester's acquisition of lands after the defeat of an Irish rebellion.
A listener expresses gratitude for being accepted into Trinity College with the help of the podcast's English and history topics and describes their upcoming experience staying in a University of Toronto fraternity house while job searching.
The reality of war is portrayed in a new light as the sensibility of contemporary war novels such as Apocalypse Now and Full Metal Jacket is brought to historical novels set during wars in the middle ages. Each chapter starts with a line from one of the great chroniclers of chivalry.