We're talking about pirate history this week with Ella McLeod, author of the new YA novel The Map That Led To You! In her research, Ella dove into the world of folklore, pirateology, nautical history, and the voices of people left out of history. Buy a copy of The Map That Led to You Ella's Instagram Ella's podcast, Comfort Creatures -- Theme music by The Severn Duo -- Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at...

We're getting into a revolutionary, pants-on vibe this week with a look at Las Soldaderas: women who fought during the Mexican Revolution and whose contributions to victory often go uncredited. Guiding us through their pants-wearing ways is Cristina Lumague, longtime editor of Vulgar History! -- References: Soldaderas in the Mexican Military: Myth and History by Elizabeth Salas and Elizabeth Blackshear Flinn Revolutionary Women of Texas and Mexico: Portraits of Soldaderas, Saints, and...

Today we're talking about Thanadelthur, a Dene woman who had a profound impact on the Dene people in Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba during the eighteenth-century fur trade. Much of Thanadelthur's story is shared through oral storytelling among the Dene community. Today's guest, Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth is a member of the Hatchet Lake Dënesųłiné First Nation in Treaty 10 territory. --- References: The Legend of Thanadelthur: Elders’ Oral History and Hudson’s Bay Company Journals by Rosalie...

We're joined today by Lauren DeLeary to talk about the true story of Matoaka, commonly known as Pocahontas. Her story has been misinterpreted countless times from the 16th century through today, perhaps still best known from the animated Disney film. Lauren was the screenwriter of Missing Matoaka, an alternate audio track to the Disney film, presenting her as the first Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman. Learn more about Missing Matoaka: The True Story of Pocahontas Learn more about the...

We're joined by friend of the podcast Gina Berry to discuss the longest-ago figure ever discussed on the show: Hatshepsut! It's a long one, so pace yourselves because you want to hear every detail of this remarkable King's life and reign. References: The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara Cooney Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Kit Heyam ---- Show your love of Hatshepsut with a pendant for 15% off at common.era.com/vulgar or go to...

La Quintrala is well-known in Chile as a monstrous woman from colonial history. Her alleged murderous rampage killed over 1,000 enslaved people, and her ghost is still causing havoc today. But who was the real-life inspiration of this myth? We're joined by Dr. Maria N. Marsilli from John Carroll University to separate the bloody legend from the real-life history of a 17th-century Chilean noblewoman. ---- Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to...

In a long-awaited crossover between pale-skinned history nerds with glasses and long reddish hair, whose cats like to make guest appearances in their content, Hepburn and I are joined by I'm joined by E.K. McAlpine (and Minnie) to talk about her all-time fav: Saint Margaret of Scotland! Support E.K. on Patreon Follow E.K. on Instagram ---- Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout -- Get Vulgar...

We're joined today by Katie Gee Salisbury, author of the new Anna May Wong biography Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong. Katie helps guide us through a discussion of Anna May Wong's life from childhood through Hollywood and European stardom, her trip to China, and her final comeback era. Learn more about Katie and her book at notyourchinadoll.com Click here to order Not Your China Doll from bookshop.org (North America) and click here to order from...

This week we're talking about Mary, Queen of Scots AGAIN because (drumroll please) she's the topic of the latest Vulgar History book club book! We're joined by author Flora Carr to talk about her new book, The Tower. It's a historical fiction novel about Mary, Queen of Scots and the Lochleven Scenario and it includes faves like Mary Seton and Yung Willy, with a bunch of other names you'll recognize from the MQoS season. Join in all month in the Vulgar History Book Club on Instagram and...

Time to talk about a longtime Vulgar History fav, this time in her own episode! Claire Clairmont is mostly known as the third-wheel stepsister of Mary Shelley. But as you will soon find out, she was also a Goth Queen in a different way. We're joined by author Lesley McDowell, whose new novel Clairmont makes Claire the main character for once. Click here to order Clairmont from bookshop.org (UK) Click here to preorder Clairmont (North America) Get your Claire Clairmont merch here!! (or here...

We're joined by return guest Princess O'Nika Auguste, here to share the story of The Queen of Sheba. Princess explains this Queen's connection to Ethiopian, Rastafarian, Yemeni, Islamic, Jewish, Christian, and Black history. Follow Princess's podcast Badass Women of History Support Princess on Patreon All other ways to follow and support Princess online ---- Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at...

Mary Ann Shadd Cary is recognized as a national hero in both Canada and the United States. I'm joined by Nneka D. Dennie, author of Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Essential Writings of a Nineteenth-Century Black Radical Feminist to discuss Mary Ann's life and legacy. Download the intro to her book for free with this link. Buy a copy of her book here -- and use code AAFLYG6 for 30% off! Learn more about Nneka and her work at nnekadennie.com Learn more about the Mary Ann Shadd Cary stamp ---- Get 15% off...

We're joined this week by Avery Cunningham, author of The Mayor of Maxwell Street. This historical fiction novel has it all: old timey gangsters! Lady journalists! Noir-adjacent gangland rivalries! And: 1920s outfits. It's also a story about the Black elite of 1920s Kentucky and Chicago, using fictional characters to highlight this lesser known aspect of Black American history. Learn more about Avery and her books at averycunninghamauthor.com -- Buy a copy of The Mayor of Maxwell Street and...

Talking with Vanessa Miller, author of the historical fiction novel The American Queen. This novel is based on actual events that occurred between 1865 - 1889 and shares the unsung history of a Black woman who built a kingdom as a refuge for the courageous people who dared to dream of a different way of life. Learn more about Vanessa and her books at vanessamiller.com The resources Vanessa mentioned to look up the age of words are: etymonline.com merriam-webster.com -- Buy a copy of The...

Born into an illustrious family of swashbuckling war heroes and brilliant political leaders, Lady Hester Stanhope was a Regency-era adventuress who lived on her own terms and refused to conform. Author Andrea Penrose took Hester's life as inspiration for her new historical fiction novel, The Diamond of London. Learn more about Andrea and her work at andreapenrose.com Read Andrea's blog posts at Word Wenches Buy a copy of The Diamond of London and support Vulgar History by using this...

This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 6 of Vulgar History, telling the saga of the Wizard Earl's Daughter, Frances Howard's protegee, that's right: lady spy Lucy Percy Hay! This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and a new intro and extro. Mentioned in this episode:  Sweet Valley Sagas by Francine Pascal  Court Lady and Country Wife: Royal Privilege and Civil War: Two Noble Sisters in 17th-century England by Lita-Rose Betcherman Invisible Agents: Women and...

This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 5 of Vulgar History, telling the saga of the Imposteress Rabbit Breeder, Mary Toft! This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and a new intro and extro. Content warnings: animal cruelty/killing, nonconsensual gynecological procedures, Nathanael St. Andre References: The Imposteress Rabbit Breeder: Mary Toft and Eighteenth-Century England by Karen Harvey What Mary Toft Felt: Women’s Voices, Pain, Power and the Body by Karen...

This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 4 of Vulgar History, telling the saga of Elizabeth Báthory aka The Blood Countess aka #JusticeForBettyBats! This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and a new intro and extro. References: Countess Dracula: The Life and Times of Elizabeth Bathory, the Blood Countess by Tony Thorne -- Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout -- Get...

This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 3 of Vulgar History, telling the saga of the Affair of the Necklace and Jeanne de la Motte! This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and a new intro and extro. References: How To Ruin A Queen by Jonathan Beckman -- Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout -- Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping)...

This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 2 of Vulgar History, telling the scandalicious saga of OG t**s out icon/ our patron saint, Frances Howard. This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and a bunch of new updates about Frances, two other people ALSO called Frances Howard, what is Bobby Duds doing in this narrative, and: Lettice Knollys! I also reassess Frances's score on the Fredegund Memorial Scandilicious Scale. -- Recommended Reading: A Net for Small Fishes by...

Iṣmat ad-Dīn Khātūn was a 12th-century Muslim woman who lived in the Levant. She lived during the Frankish Wars aka The Crusades, and made a name for herself through her bravery and diplomacy. -- Call for de-escalation and ceasefire (for US people) Email your US rep to demand a ceasefire Template for UK people to email your MP Take action to call for a ceasefire (for US, UK, Canada, and international people) -- Booklist to learn more about the history of the Levant -- Donate to MSF (Doctors...

Revisiting where it all began! This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 1 of Vulgar History, telling the saga of the rebel of the regency: Caroline of Brunswick! This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and one hour of new content, INCLUDING a reappraisal of Caroline's score on the Fredegund Memorial Scandilicious Scale. -- References: Caroline and Charlotte: Regency Scandals by Alison Plowden -- Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at...

My name is Ann, joined this week by Allison, to talk about a t**s out women who only needs one name: RACHEL. References: Tragic Muse: Rachel of the Comédie-Francaise by Rachel H. Brownstein https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09571558211045052 https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/rachel-eliza-rachel-felix https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6068-felix-elisa-rachel -- As mentioned in the episode, here are images of Rachel's tomb.  And here is Wikimedia Commons's page of...

Remember awhile ago, we did three episodes about the iconic Queen Fredegund? And she was so iconic we re-named the scandilicious scale after her? WELL By popular request, we're back to look at Fred's arch-nemesis, Brunhild of Austrasia. To keep my #TeamFred energy from overwhelming things, our guest this week is Shelley Puhak, author of The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry That Formed The Medieval World aka, the person who introduced Fred and Brun into all our lives!! Learn more about Shelley...