Lady Mary Wortley Montagu was an English aristocrat, medical pioneer, writer, and poet. She learned about the practice of smallpox inoculation while in the Ottoman Empire, and lobbied to bring the practice to England. We're joined by Sean Lusk, author of A Woman of Opinion, a new novel about Mary's life. Click here to buy a copy of A Woman of Opinion. — Hilary Mantel's essay on the importance of historical fiction. — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at...

It's a crossover special! Last month, I went on The Art of Crime to share the story of Princess Caraboo (not her real name). And today, we're playing that episode here in the Vulgar History feed. Gavin Whitehead and I talk about the enigmatic Princess Caraboo, who claimed to be an exotic princess who washed up on English shores in 1817. But who was she really? Learn more about Gavin's show The Art of Crime at artofcrimepodcast.com — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at...

Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, aka Adélaïde Des Vertus was one of the greatest female painters in 18th-century France. The path was not easy for female painters in 18th-century France, especially when you were born working-class like she was. But her knack at making friends, a PR rivalry with another painter, and the excellence of her work ensured she made a living in art... until the French Revolution. We're joined by Bridget Quinn, author of the recent biography Portrait of a Woman: Art, Rivalry,...

It's a Halloween special! While the French Revolution turned into The Terror, people still had to keep working their regular jobs, including today's heroine: Madame Tussaud. And along with her mentor, she managed to turn the Terror into big business for her wax museum, such that many people still know her name today! Joining us is Gavin Whitehead, host of the Art of Crime podcast. Learn more about his show (including his Madame Tussaud series) at artofcrimepodcast.com — As mentioned in the...

Bonus! I'm hard at work right now writing my book Rebel of the Regency, a biography of Caroline of Brunswick (coming in 2026 published by Hanover Square Press!). I want to share part of the journée with you all, which is why I'm posting short podcast updates about it on my Patreon. This is a preview of one of the episodes, in which friend-of-the-podcast Allison Epstein joins me while I yell about how many Napoleon Bonaparte relatives show up in the Caroline saga. Subscribe to hear more of...

In this instalment of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Marie Antoinette, we wrap up the saga of a man who Marie Antointte truly hated, the Marquis de Lafayette. And joining us to share the legendary life of this dirtbag (complimentary) is friend of the podcast Allison Epstein! As mentioned in the episode, here is more info on the French revolutionary calendar. Allison's new book Fagin the Thief comes out in February 2025. Click here to preorder a copy. — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery...

In this instalment of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Marie Antoinette, we look at a man who really annoyed her: the Marquis de Lafayette. And joining us to share the legendary life of this dirtbag (complimentary) is friend of the podcast Allison Epstein! Allison's new book Fagin the Thief comes out in February 2025. Click here to preorder a copy. — 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...

As our discussion of Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution continues, we're looking at the life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Saint-Georges was a mixed-race man born to an enslaved woman and her enslaver in Guadaloupe. Sent to Paris to be educated, his athleticism and musical gifts made him a celebrity. We're joined today by Professor Julian Ledford, Assistant Professor of French and French Studies at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. — References: The...

We're back on the Marie Antoinette train, and in Season 7 Part 2 the topic is "Meanwhile, Back in France." We're joined again by Amanda Matta to wrap up the scandalous saga of Madame du Barry. Follow Amanda on: TikTok Instagram Substack And keep up with her podcast, The Art of History! — Reference: Madame du Barry: The Wages of Beauty by Joan Haslip — 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...

We're back on the Marie Antoinette train, and in Season 7 Part 2 the topic is "Meanwhile, Back in France." To explain the French royal court system that Marie Antoinette eventually joined, we're taking a look at notorious mistress Madame du Barry in a saga so iconic it can't be contained in one podcast episode. Our guest this week is everyone's favourite TikTok royal commentator, Amanda Matta! Follow Amanda on: TikTok Instagram Substack And keep up with her podcast, The Art of...

This used to be a Patreon-only bonus episode, but now everyone can hear it! Since we'll be discussing Versailles in upcoming episodes, it felt appropriate to share this episode about Louis XIV aka The Sun King, who basically invented that whole scenario. To hear more bonus episodes, subscribe at the $5/month or higher level at patreon.com/annfosterwriter — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at...

It's a rerelease of a classic Vulgar History episode, now with better editing! Boudica was Queen of the Iceni, a Celtic tribe during the Roman conquest of Britain. She led a rebellion of united tribes against their Roman invaders, leaving a path of death and bloodshed in her wake.  Reference: Boudica: Warrior Woman of the Roman Empire by Caitlin C. Gillespie — Intro ends/story starts 01:49 Ad break 21:34 Outro starts 44:58 — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at...

This week, we're revisiting a classic Vulgar History episode. Agrippina the Younger was also the sister, wife/niece, and mother of three different Roman emperors and also one of the villainesses in the 1976 BBC miniseries I, Claudius! — Reference: Agrippina: The Most Extraordinary Woman of the Roman World by Emma Southon (now available in paperback!) — 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...

There was no way I could revisit the Cleopatra episode and score without getting Gina Berry's assistance! She was a guest on our epic Nefertiti and Hatshepsut episodes, and now she's here to talk all things Cleo. As ever, when the two of us get together, it will be at LEAST 2 hours of episode. I recommend listening to the Cleopatra episode first before diving into this discussion, but you do you. — Reference: Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and...

Remember in early 2020 when we were doing the season Women Leaders and the Men Who Whined About Them? This was the first episode of that series, now remastered by Cristina for improved audio quality! Plus, a special new intro and extro! Coming up next week: we revisit Cleo's score with a very special guest. — Intro ends: 04:07 Ad break: 34:54 Story ends: 1:13:58 — Reference: Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff — Sign up for updates on the Vulgar History meet-ups in Edinburgh and London! — Get...

Ona Judge Staines, also known as Oney Judge, was born in 1774 into enslavement at Mount Vernon, the plantation owned by George and Martha Washington. She travelled with the Washingtons to New York City and Philadelphia, where she would eventually escape. In this week's episode, we hear about how she made that happen. — Story starts: 02:15 Ad break: 49:53 Story ends: 1:10:09 — The episode image is an interpretive panel from Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia...

Ona Judge Staines, also known as Oney Judge, was born in 1774 into enslavement at Mount Vernon, the plantation owned by George and Martha Washington. She travelled with the Washingtons to New York City and Philadelphia, where she would eventually escape. — Story starts 04:39 AD BREAK: 28:30 Story ends: 54:20 — Reference: Never Caught: The Washingtons' Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge by Erica Armstrong Dunbar — The episode image is an interpretive panel from Independence...

In the second part of Peggy Shippen's scandalous saga, we see Philadelphia throw one of its classic riots, and she and Benedict visit a variety of places including my own hometown in Nova Scotia! — Intro ends/story starts 04:07 Ad break: 30:11 Story ends/outro starts 1:01:04 — Reference: Defiant Brides: The Untold Story of Two Revolutionary-era Women and the Radical Men They Married, by Nancy Rubin Stuart — Sign up for updates on the Vulgar History meet-ups in Edinburgh and London! — Get 15%...

Peggy Shippen was living a Revolutionary-era brat summer when she married the worst possible person, and things went buck wild from there. Featuring: most of the characters from Hamilton. And: the city of Philadelphia. — Intro ends/story starts: 03:47 AD BREAK: 21:11 Story ends/outro starts: 47:30 — Reference: Defiant Brides: The Untold Story of Two Revolutionary-era Women and the Radical Men They Married, by Nancy Rubin Stuart — Sign up for updates on the Vulgar History meet-ups in Edinburgh...

Nanye'hi, also known as Nancy Ward, was a prominent leader and diplomat of the Cherokee Nation during the American Revolution. — Intro over/story starts: 04:06 Ad Break: 36:05 Story ends/outro starts: 1:11:04 — References: Finding Your Roots “Fathers and sons” Nancy Ward: American Patriot or Cherokee Nationalist? by Michelene E. Pesantubbee Nanyehi's Experience of the American Revolution by Lillie Burke Women in World History entry by Deborah Jones Woman of Many Names by Debra S....

This week on Beef, the brilliant 17th century nun Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz dares to defy the Catholic Church with her scholarship and searing wit. Pick up Dr. Stephanie Kirk's fascinating book Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and the Gender Politics of Knowledge in Colonial Mexico. Hosted by Bridget Todd Written by Adrián Duston-Muñoz The actors who voiced Sor Juana’s words are Luisa Sofia and Franco Machado-Pesce Showrunning, Editing & Sound Design by Pete Musto Produced by James "Sam" Levine...

All good stories must come to an end, and so it is with Peg Plunkett. Guest co-host Karyn Moynihan (co-host of Double Love: The Sweet Valley High Podcast) joins us to wrap up this instantly iconic trilogy. Karyn has also designed an incredible Peg-themed merch design! Pick up a Peg Plunkett tee, mug, sticker, pin and more at: Teepublic (better shipping for US people) Redbubble (better shipping for non-US people) —  Intro ends/story begins: 04:38 Ad break: 31:24 Story ends/outro starts:...

This week continues (but does not conclude) the t**s out story of Irish icon, Peg Plunkett. Our guest is, again, Karyn Moynihan: Irish person, co-host of Double Love: The Sweet Valley High Podcast, and designer of several Vulgar History merch items. Next week: the thrilling conclusion of the Peg saga. Herman, my pills! — Intro ends/story begins: 02:11 Ads: 23:08 Story ends/outro starts: 46:16 — Follow Karyn on Instagram @karynmoy and follow her podcast Double Love...

We're headed to Ireland this week to talk about Peg Plunkett, a scandalous and influential figure in 18th-century Dublin. We're joined this week by Karyn Moynihan: Irish person, co-host of Double Love: The Sweet Valley High Podcast, and designer of several Vulgar History merch items. Pace yourselves, because this is part one a multi-week extravaganza! Herman, my pills! — Intro Ends/story begins: 05:59 AD BREAK: 23:08 Story ends/Outro Starts 46:08 — Follow Karyn on Instagram @karynmoy and...