The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was once the largest political partnership of Europe. When Poland and Lithuania came together in the 14th century they became key to the politics and trade of goods and ideas across Europe and with Asia. The Commonwealth’s cultural, linguistic and economic influence ranged across Central and Eastern Europe and at its height it stretched into modern-day Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.

Despite being a key player in the enlightenment and deeply impacted by the Reformation the history of these areas has been lost by many in the West who are only able to see as far as the twentieth century and the post-Cold War area. However, a better understating of the political turmoil, the clash of leaders and the nationalist debates that marked the Commonwealth’s division amongst Austria, Prussia and Russia in the 18th century would be advantageous when unpicking some of the recent and modern tensions that have affected that region.

These podcasts will help with that understanding revealing new and insightful ways to appreciate the complex history of Eastern and Central Europe, and we're making them open access for March 2025. Look out for another HA podcast later this year which will examine early modern Poland.