Heroine City

What happens when women are born too close to the throne? In this episode of Heroine City , Lynsey Shaw is joined by historian and bestselling author Leanda de Lisle to uncover the lives of the Grey women - Lady Jane Grey, Katherine Grey, Mary Grey, and their mother, Frances Brandon. Often reduced to a single tragic headline, Jane’s story is only the beginning. Together, the Grey sisters’ lives re...

In this episode of Heroine City , host Lynsey Shaw is joined by Ace Armande to uncover the extraordinary life of Julie d’Aubigny, better known as Mademoiselle Maupin. A dazzling opera singer and fearless duellist, Julie defied every rule of her time, living openly as a bisexual woman, scandalising Paris with her romances, and wielding a sword as skilfully as she held an audience in song. Together,...

In this episode, host Lynsey Shaw is joined by Lizzie Broadbent, creator of Women Who Meant Business , and fellow women's history advocate and researcher, to explore the extraordinary life of Lucy Duff Gordon. A trailblazing fashion designer, savvy self-promoter, and Titanic survivor, Lucy revolutionised style in the early 20th century and helped shape the modern fashion industry with her label, L...

When Queen Eleanor of Castile died in 1290, King Edward I marked her final journey with twelve towering stone crosses, monuments of love, loss, and legacy. But who was Eleanor really, and what do these extraordinary structures reveal about her life and afterlife? In this episode of Heroine City , host historian, Lynsey Shaw is joined by writer and researcher Decca Warrington, author of The Eleanor...

In the first part of our two-parter, discover the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Eleanor of Castile, the queen consort who defied medieval expectations. From her political acumen and role in the Ninth Crusade to her deep partnership with Edward I and her influence on English architecture, female land ownership, and royal customs, Eleanor’s story is one of power, resilience, and intrigue. I...

Welcome to Heroine City, the podcast that shines a light on women in history on all their glorious shapes and form, efforts, errors and eras. In this episode, we step into the turbulent world of Harriett Lewis, an 18th-century black woman who defied the odds. Abducted from her homeland of Guinea to Jamaica at the age of seven, she was singled out and educated, became a house mistress, travelled to...

This episode of Heroine City uncovers the private world of portrait miniatures, focusing on the women who played a role in their creation, exchange, and preservation. These intimate paintings—once worn close to the heart or kept as cherished keepsakes—tell us much more than meets the eye. Join host Lynsey Shaw and guest, curator and art historian, Emma Rutherford, as they uncover how portrait mini...

Ever wondered about the woman behind the iconic image of Elizabeth I? 👑 📚 Join us for a deep dive with the #brilliant Dr Elizabeth Norton as she unravels the personal stories and defining relationships of this legendary queen. Don’t miss this enlightening episode! 🕯️📜🪶  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Heroine City history podcast episode, Lynsey Shaw talks about Edwardian chef and hotel proprietor Rosa Lewis with the wonderful Lizzie Broadbent. 🎙️🌟👩🏻‍🍳 From scrubbing floors to running the Cavendish Hotel, Rosa Lewis’s story is one of grit and grandeur. 🧼 👑 Join us as we discuss Rosa's incredible journey from humble London beginnings to culinary stardom. Perfect for history buffs &...

Did you know Carole Lombard was the highest-paid actress in 1937 and a pioneer in contract negotiations? 💼✨ Discover more about her trailblazing impact on Hollywood in the latest episode of the Heroine City Podcast Join Lynsey Shaw and Dr Olympia Kiriakou to learn her fascinating story! 🎥 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, tune in to an amazing conversation with the incredible author and music journalist, Lucy O'Brien, as host Lynsey Shaw dives deep into the history of women in pop music. From the pioneers to the modern trailblazers, they cover it all. They discuss the groundbreaking women who've shaped pop. Lynsey's experience in the industry, Lucy's books 'SheBop,' 'The Liverbirds: Our Life in Bri...

In this episode of Heroine City, host Lynsey Shaw shines a spotlight on Yolande de Aragon, the countess, duchess and queen who played an essential role in medieval French and European history. Discover the strategic genius of Yolande de Aragon as our expert, Dr Zita Rohr, discusses her work and Yolande’s fascinating life, impetus and powerful networks. Yolande’s story is as gripping as any Game of...

From ancient myths to modern retellings, in this episode, we are going way back to the story of the Garden of Eden and the first woman. No, not Eve, but Lilith. Explore the powerful story of Lilith with author Nikki Marmery on this episode of the Heroine City Podcast. Together with host Lynsey Shaw, they discuss ancient narratives, female power and how the old stories have shaped the subjugation o...

This week, our history podcast spotlights the saga of Joan of Navarre, a queen whose life was filled with power, betrayal, sacrifice and controversy. 👑 Heroine City delves into the captivating life of Joan of Navarre, a medieval queen and powerhouse, from her royal connections to controversial accusations, host Lynsey Shaw unravels the complexities of a queen’s journey from ruling the Duchy of Br...

Dive into the world of pioneering portrait photographer Yevonde. 📸💥 Join Heroine City host, Lynsey Shaw, as she chats with Clare Freestone from the National Portrait Gallery about Yevonde’s incredible six-decade-long journey through photography and colour. 🚀  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for season two of Heroine City. In today's episode, Lynsey Shaw welcomes her good friend and historian, Candace Scarborough, through the gates of Heroine City. Together they delve into the inspiring story of Mary Moriana, an enslaved African woman who fought for her freedom in late 15th-century London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

That's the end of series one. Please do check out any episodes you missed and spread the word. We shall see you in the new year for more stories of fascinating women in history. For updates on the exact series two launch date, please follow us on https://instagram.com/heroine_city and we shall see you there! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 20 of the Heroine City podcast host Lynsey Shaw chats with Professor Yunte Huang about film star, Anna May Wong, and his new book, ‘Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong’s Rendezvous with American History.’ The Los Angeles born daughter of a laundry owner, Anna May Wong became the first Chinese-American film star of golden age Hollywood at the age of 17. Frustrated and vocal about...

Heroine City host Lynsey Shaw talks with English Heritage’s brilliant curator of collections and interiors, Dr. Tessa Kilgarriff about the life of Henrietta Howard (1689-1767). In episode nineteen they discuss the life of the eighteenth-century intellectual wit, builder of the Palladian style Marble Hill in Twickenham and mistress to King George II. Henrietta had a riches to rags to riches life th...

Welcome back to Heroine City, the podcast shining a light on women in history in all their various forms and flourishes. In episode eighteen, we continue on our epic journey into the life of Parisienne ballerina turned Victorian heiress, Yolande Duvernay, with her biographer, Jenifer Roberts. In part two, host Lynsey Shaw and Jenifer discuss what happened next as Duvernay settled down to life with...

Welcome to Heroine City, the podcast shining a light on women in history in all their glorious shapes and forms. In episode 17, we are discussing Yolande Duvernay, later Yolande Lyne-Stephens. Born in Versaille in December 1812, Yolande led an extraordinary life from a petit rat at the Paris Opera to heiress of one of the greatest non-aristocratic fortunes in Victorian England. In 1833 Duvernay da...

In episode sixteen of Heroine City, host Lynsey Shaw continues the conversation about Kitty Fisher with historian Professor Cindy McCreery. Following on from episode fifteen with author Joanna Major, they discuss Fisher's collaborations with Joshua Reynolds in the context of his work and put into perspective the importance of discussing Kitty Fisher's life today, its resonance and the light her st...

In episode fifteen of the HC podcast, host Lynsey Shaw talks with author and popular historian Joanne Major about one of her favourite women in history, Kitty Fisher. 18th-century courtesan, pioneering pin-up and, as Jo would argue, the first ever celebrity as we understand the term today. Fisher's story and her careful orchestration of her public persona, and what we would call today her 'persona...

In episode thirteen of Heroine City, host Lynsey Shaw welcomes Professor Ted Vallance through the gates to talk about the 17th-century British political landscape and the role of women in the Civil Wars, in particular the fascinating lives and escapades of she-intelligencers Jane Whorwood and Lucy Hay, Countess of Carlisle. They discuss everything from band names to saucy letters from King Charles...

Part 2  In this week's Heroine City episode, host Lynsey Shaw continues her conversation with Dr. Pat Shipman about explorer Florence Baker (1841-1916). Warning: This episode contains adult themes and discussion of violence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.