At the dawn of the eighteenth century, Sweden dominated the Baltic and a young Russian tsar was determined to change the balance of power.

In this extended episode of Past Your Bedtime: History to Sleep To, settle in for the story of Peter the Great, Charles XII of Sweden, and the Great Northern War. Follow the conflict from the stunning Swedish victory at Narva through Peter’s transformation of Russia, the construction of St. Petersburg, Charles XII’s long march into Russia, and the decisive Battle of Poltava.

It is a story of frozen armies, new cities, military reform, royal ambition, and the struggle for control of the Baltic — told slowly and in rich historical detail for late-night listening.

Get comfortable, close your eyes, and spend the night in the early eighteenth century.