Vulgar History

I'm joined for an incredibly interesting conversation with author Debra Magpie Earling, author of the new historical fiction novel The Lost Journals of Sacajewea. Among the most memorialized women in American history, Sacajewea served as interpreter and guide for Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery. In this visionary novel, acclaimed Indigenous author Debra Magpie Earling brings this mythologized figure vividly to life, casting unsparing light on the men who brutalized her and recentering Sacajewea as the arbiter of her own history. Learn more about Debra and her book here! Buy The Lost Journals of Sacajewea at bookshop.org and support Vulgar History with this link: https://bookshop.org/a/1419/9781571311450 -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon  Vulgar History merch available at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shoppers) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shoppers) -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our in-depth discussion of the life of Mary, Queen of Scot’s begins! In France! Just like Reign! References: Daughters of the North: Jean Gordon and Mary Queen of Scots by Jennifer Morag Henderson Embroidering Her Truth: Mary Queen of Scots and the Language of Power by Clare Hunter Mary Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart by John Guy Mary Was Here: where Mary Queen of Scots Went and what she did There by Historic Scotland -- Get merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping) -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon  -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone knows the name Cleopatra, but her daughter Cleopatra Selene is little-known these days. Jane Draycott has written the first modern biography of one of the most influential yet long-neglected rulers of the ancient world: Cleopatra Selene!. -- Learn more about Cleopatra's Daughter: From Roman Prisoner to African Queen, here Learn more about Jane and her research here Follow Jane on Twitter @JLDraycott -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon  -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marie-Catherine Le Jumel de Barneville, Baroness d'Aulnoy, aka Countess d'Aulnoy, aka Madame d'Aulnoy, was a French author who invented the term "fairy tales". She also was one of many real-life figures who inspired Celia Bell to write her historical fiction novel, THE DISENCHANTMENT. Celia joins us to talk about her book, which is a fictional story about a passionate love affair between two noblewomen who wish to free themselves from their repressive society, whatever the cost. There's also murder in it, as well as Vulgar History fav La Voisin and, The Affair of the Poisons! Learn more about Celia and her book here Follow Celia on Twitter @celiadbell -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon  -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nesta, or Nest ferch Rhys, was a Welsh princess in the late 11th and early 12th century. Her father was the last King of Wales, and Nesta was taken to England where she became mistress of the future Henry II.  Her story is so fascinating and deserves to be better known, which is why it's so great bestselling historical fiction author Elizabeth Chadwick has written a new book about her! Elizabeth joins me to share the story of Nesta and talk about her latest book, THE KING'S JEWEL. Learn more about Elizabeth and her books  Buy a copy of THE KING'S JEWEL from bookshop.org  -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So who was the real Queen Charlotte aka Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz? Was she at all like the spirited heroine of the Bridgerton spinoff series? Or was she actually the most basic and bland person ever profiled on this podcast? And if the latter, how low will her score be? This episode was recorded before QUEEN CHARLOTTE: A BRIDGERTON STORY came out on Netflix, and contains no spoilers! But also, we didn't know what the show was like when we had this discussion, so bear that in mind. -- References: The Real Queen Charlotte: Inside the Real Bridgerton Court by Catherine Curzon -- Here's a link to Lana Wood Johnson's two YA novels: Books by Lana Wood Johnson -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new Netflix series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story adapts the real-life story of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, presenting her as a Black woman living in 18th-century England. There have long been rumours about Charlotte's real-life Black ancestry. To understand this complex situation, I sat down with two experts to learn more. ** Content warning: at around 1:33:25, the derogatory racial term "mulatto" is used twice, in a historical context. ** Stacey Morrell is a Ph.D. candidate at Brown University. Stacey works on the western Mediterranean throughout much of the Middle Ages (c.900-1520), with a particular emphasis on the relationship(s) between gender, sexuality, and power.  Learn more about Stacey Murrell and her work YouTube video of Stacey's presentation on Madragana (her part is from 1:00:15 to 1:26:46) Follow Stacey on Twitter @theamyrlinseat Dr. Brooke Newman is an Associate Professor of history at Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a historian of early modern Britain and the British Atlantic, with a current special interest in the history of slavery, the abolition movement, and the British royal family. Learn more about Dr. Newman and her work Follow Dr. Newman on Twitter @DrBrookeNewman -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All scandalicious things must come to an end, and so it is with the unrelentingly wild saga of Catherine de'Medici. But how will she score on the Fredegund Memorial Scandilicous Scale??? -- Here's a link to Lana Wood Johnson's two YA novels: Books by Lana Wood Johnson -- References: Blood, Fire & Gold: The Story of Elizabeth I & Catherine de'Medici by Estelle Paranque The Rival Queens: Catherine De' Medici, Her Daughter Marguerite de Valois, and the Betrayal That Ignited a Kingdom by Nancy Goldstone -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're talking about the history of language with Dr. Valerie Fridland, author of the new book Like Literally Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English. Valerie has a PhD in linguistics and is a Professor and former Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of English at the University of Nevada in Reno.  Learn more about Valerie and her book here  Click to buy a copy on Bookshop.org  -- Tits Oit For Trans Rights http://vulgarhistory.com/donate -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second part of Catherine de’Medici’s story, or, how do you solve a problem like De Guises? -- Here's a link to the fundraiser: Tits Out For Trans Rights Here's a link to Lana Wood Johnson's two YA novels: Books by Lana Wood Johnson -- References: Blood, Fire & Gold: The Story of Elizabeth I & Catherine de'Medici by Estelle Paranque The Rival Queens: Catherine De' Medici, Her Daughter Marguerite de Valois, and the Betrayal That Ignited a Kingdom by Nancy Goldstone -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a super special! This time we're joined by Vanessa Wilkie, author of the new biography A WOMAN OF INFLUENCE: THE SPECTACULAR RISE OF ALICE SPENCER IN TUDOR ENGLAND. This book has crossover with the Vulgar History episode about Anne Stanley Countess of Castlehaven, in that, Alice Spencer was Anne Stanley's mother. She was also the wife of VH fav Ferdinando Stanley, and also a member of the Spencer family you may know from Princess Diana's whole deal. Learn more about the book and buy a copy here Info about Vanessa's role and research at the Huntington Library Listen to the Vulgar History episode about Alice's daughter, Anne Stanley Countess of Castlehaven, here -- Tits Out For Trans Rights fundraiser vulgarhistory.com/donate -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No discussion of Mary Queen of Scots is complete without talking about her one time mother-in-law, Catherine de'Medici. In part one, we set the stage for Catherine's long life of relentless scheming. Also, I learn how to correctly pronounce her name! Plus: discussion of her husband's maybe wonky dick. And, how she, her husb, and his mistress were not really a Diana/Charles/Camilla scenario. Plus: Popes! -- References: Blood, Fire & Gold: The Story of Elizabeth I & Catherine de'Medici by Estelle Paranque The Rival Queens: Catherine De' Medici, Her Daughter Marguerite de Valois, and the Betrayal That Ignited a Kingdom by Nancy Goldstone -- Here's a link to the fundraiser: Tits Out For Trans Rights Here's a link to Lana Wood Johnson's two YA novels: Books by Lana Wood Johnson -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

***Note: the audio quality is a bit different in this one because my computer was having a fit, but don't worry, it's still a great episode and SO IMPORTANT and I'm glad to release it despite some audio oddness.*** It's a super special! I'm joined by Max Wallace to talk about his new book, AFTER THE MIRACLE: THE POLITICAL CRUSADES OF HELEN KELLER. I truly can't recommend this book enough, I've never had my understanding of a woman from history expanded as much as what Max discusses about Helen Keller. Learn more about the book and find links to buy a copy here -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author (and actor) Paterson Joseph joins us to share the story of Charles Ignatius Sancho, a Black man from Georgian England whose story deserves to be much more widely known. Which is why Paterson wrote a book about him! Paterson's novel, The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho, is available everywhere you get books, including bookshop.org  Including as an audiobook, read by the author! You can follow Paterson on Twitter @ignatius_sancho and on Instagram @patersondjoseph -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store - use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second part of Marie de Guise's story is no less chaotic than the first part, as she winds up single-handedly running Scotland while fending off the Asshole Scottish Lords, dealing with her useless brothers, and honestly spending most of her time wishing she was back in France for the wine and cheese. Here are links to EKsplaine, who I quote here about her hilarious Scottish history reels and Youtube! eksplaine Youtube eksplaine IG -- And here's a link to Lana Wood Johnson's two YA novels: Books by Lana Wood Johnson And here's a link to my birthday fundraiser: Tits Out For Trans Rights -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time to learn about Marie de Guise, the mother of Mary Queen of Scots! De Guise expert Lana Wood Johnson joins us to talk about just how influential Marie's family was, how and why she wound up in Scotland, how she dealt with the Asshole Scottish Lords ft. John Goddamn Knox, and how nature AND nurture would lead to in the development of Mary Queen of Scots's personality later on. I forgot to say in the episode, but my main source of info about Marie was this book: Scourge of Henry VIII: The Life of Marie de Guise by Melanie Clegg Here are links to EKsplaine, who I quote here about her hilarious Scottish history reels and Youtube! eksplaine Youtube eksplaine IG -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store - use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friend of the podcast Gina Berry joins us to talk about one of her favourite women from history: Nefertiti! In this incredibly long conversation, we get into exactly how long ago Nefertiti lived (VERY LONG AGO), how unusual her husband Akhenaten's reign was (VERY), and how messed up everything still is vis-a-vis her famous sculpture and where it's located. You can follow Gina on Twitter @gbdolfan If you want to read more about Nefertiti and ancient Egypt, Gina recommends: Amarna Sunrise: Egypt from Golden Age to Age of Heresy by Aidan Dodson  Amarna Sunset: Nefertiti, Tutankhamen, Ay, Horemheb, and the Egyptian Counter-Reformation (Revised) by Aidan Dodson  Nefertiti, Queen and Pharaoh of Egypt: Her Life and Afterlife by Aidan Dodson  Nefertiti: Unlocking the Mystery Surrounding Egypt's Most Famous and Beautiful Queen by Joyce Tyldesley -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store - use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week in the thrilling conclusion of Margaret Tudor's story we get: two terrible husbands! Several infant and child kidnappings! Sneaking across the border more than once! A shocking alliance on par with Margaret of Anjour/Warwick and Rani Didda/Phalguna! Cannon-based divorce drama cause that's just how they do it in Scotland! And: her scandilicious score. As Henry VIII would say: Herman, my pills!! Recommended next listening: the episode about Margaret Douglas from season 4, because that's Margaret Tudor's daughter and we talk more about what happened with her.  -- References: Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scots: The Life of King Henry VIII’s Sister, by Sarah-Beth Watkins Sisters to the King: the tumultuous lives of Henry VIII’s sisters - Margaret of Scotland and Mary of France by Maria Perry -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store - use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In season 6, we'll be looking at the story of Mary, Queen of Scots. And where better to start off than with her grandmother, whose life was also oddly setting up several precedents for Mary to the point it's like: are they the same person across time? Learn about Margaret's child bride queen era, how she ensured her entry to Scotland was on par with that time Rihanna wore Guo Pei to the Met, and how the Tudor affliction of falling for bad boys is going to play out for her. Coming up next week: Herman, my pills!! -- References: Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scots: The Life of King Henry VIII’s Sister, by Sarah-Beth Watkins Sisters to the King: the tumultuous lives of Henry VIII’s sisters - Margaret of Scotland and Mary of France by Maria Perry -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store - use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly Greeley's new historical fiction novel, MARVELOUS, is based on the real-life story of Petrus Gonsalvus and his wife, Catherine. Petrus aka Pedro had a condition called hypertrichosis which meant his body was covered in hair. This caught the attention of the French Queen (a certain CATHERINE DE'MEDICI), who liked having unusual people around her. And so, Petrus/Pedro was well educated and raised in the royal court. Petrus/Pedro's wife, Catherine, did not have this condition and then most of their children inherited it. The story of Petrus/Pedro and Catherine may have inspired a version of the Beauty & the Beast fairy tale (and maybe the prosthetics used on the Beast in the recent live-action adaptation)? Learn more about Molly and her book at mollygreeley.com Buy a copy of MARVELOUS using this bookshop link to help support Vulgar History -- Tune in to watch VULGARPIECE THEATRE LIVE at youtube.com/@vulgarhistory on March 4 at 5pm Pacific/ 7pm Central/ 8pm Eastern. -- Support Vulgar History on Patreon Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store - use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order -- Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices