History Tea Time

Charlemagne is a central figure in European history. In the 700s he conquered a vast empire. He is considered the progenitor of the French monarchy, several Germany dynasties and more. He even forced the Pope to crown him Holy Roman Emperor. But while Charlemagne was busy converting pagans to Christianity at sword point, his love life was far from holy. The great emperor had 4 or 5 wives, the rela...

I'm at Hampton Court Palace in the Communication Gallery to look at a very special collection of paintings, the Windsor Beauties. These portraits immortalize 10 woman said to be the most stunning members of the restoration court. They exude elegance, confidence, and more than a hint of seduction. It was long whispered that famous philanderer, King Charles II used the paintings like a catalog, to c...

Tattoos have a long and colorful history across the world, and are an important part of many cultures. While 1 in 3 Americans have at least 1 tattoo today, western culture still sees the art form as counter culture, risque and rebellious. You might be shocked if you learned that your grandma was inked. And you certainly wouldn’t expect that prim and proper royals of the Victorian era were conceali...

Originally published on Youtube in 2023. Buckingham Palace recently announced that Queen Consort Camilla as selected from the crown jewels the Crown of Queen Mary to wear at her own coronation on May 6th, 2023. Mary of Teck was a strong force within the British royal family and greatly influenced the morality and sense of duty her favorite granddaughter, Elizabeth II was famous for. The royal fami...

From Bathsheba to the Queen of Sheba, from Jezebel to Esther, the Queens of the bible have been referenced in art, music and pop culture for thousands of years. But who were these ancient women? What were their stories and what historic evidence do we have of their lives? Today let’s meet the Queens of the Bible: Michal – 1 Samuel 14:49 Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11:3, 1 Chronicles 3:5 Queen of Sheba –...

While getting swept away in the latest season of Outlander, or researching your own highland heritage, you might wonder about these key elements of Scottish culture and history. What was a clan and how did they work? Does my last name mean that I belong to a certain clan and that I can only wear that clan’s tartan? What is tartan, what is a kilt, and what do Scotsmen wear under them? Buckle on you...

When the Guinness family saw the turmoil and scandals of other great historic dynasties, they literally said, hold our beer, and proceeded to top them all. The new series, The House of Guinness dramatizes just one generation of the famous Irish family; the 4 children of Benjamin Guinness, who took over the brewing business in 1868. And while we'll cover what was fact and fiction, there is so much...

Jeanne Bécu, Jeanne du Barry, Madame du Barry, clawed her way up from the illegitimate daughter of a single mother, to one of the most celebrated courtesans in Paris, to the final royal mistress of King Louis XV. Her captivating life has been dramatized in numerous operas, films and television shows. Most recently in the new film written, directed and starring Maïwenn and featuring Johnny Depp as...

Through most of history, male monarchs have been the norm. Their wives held the title of Queen or Empress, but were merely consorts, with little real power. Many monarchies, like France, The Ottoman Empire and Bhutan have strictly barred women from inheriting the throne and have never had a Queen Regnant, or a Queen in her own right. While others have rules loose enough that a handful of women hav...

For most of history, men ruled the world. But for 3 decades in the late 1500s two powerful women dominated Europe. Catherine de Medici was Queen of France and Elizabeth I was Queen of England. Neither one was expected to be Queen. But both bid their time until they could seize power. They were brilliant, dynamic, determined, and sometimes ruthless leaders. But even with all they had in common, the...

Ever wonder what women of the past wore to give them that ample bustline? Let’s explore the bra, corset and various garments that have been there to support women through the centuries and the many fashions that have come and gone with them. Join me every Tuesday when I'm Spilling the Tea on History! Check out my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/lindsayholiday Follow me on Facebook: http...

Through most of history, royals were stuck in unhappy, arranged marriages. But, sometimes, after getting through the awkward wedding night, royal brides and grooms found they had a lot in common and formed intimate, passionate, life-long connections. Some kings even ignored the court ladies clamoring to be their mistresses, and had eyes only for their Queen. From a medieval Queen who rode into war...

Popular historic dramas like Bridgerton, Little Dorrit and year of the Rabbit sometimes receive criticism that their diverse casts are historically inaccurate. But in fact there have been people of color in Britain since Roman times. In a previous video, I explored the lives of 7 fascinating black Aristocrats & Celebrities who were living in 18th century England and France. Today we’ll travel forw...

The Astors... Chances are you’ve hear the name of this prominent and obscenely wealthy dynasty of gilded age America. You may have been to a hotel, library, subway station or town that bares their name; vaguely remember that one of them went down with the Titanic, or recall seeing their modern decedents in US or UK tabloids. But who were these captains of industry and Queens of society? Today we’l...

Ahilyabai was born a commoner but was chosen as the bride of a prince at the age of 8. When her Husband was killed in battle she was convinced not to commit sati by throwing herself on his funeral pyre. She instead became a warrior princess and studied statecraft. When her father-in-law and then son died, she became the ruler of Indore. Her just rule, love of peace, care for her people and numerou...

For 500 years Lucrezia Borgia has been the focus of operas, novels, movies, and televisions shows. She was one of the inspirations for Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones. Nearly all of these works further her reputation as a femme fatale and one of the most evil women in history. It is said that she went through 3 husbands, used a poison ring to murder her enemies, and slept with her father and b...

Have you every felt like you really should be living in a palace? Do diamond encrusted, golden crowns look particularly fetching on you, and are you darling at waving to adoring crowds from a carriage or balcony? Then you may have wondered if you have a few Kings and Queens way back in your family tree! Today I will share how you can find out if you have royal blood and introduce you to 10 histori...

Time, it marches on relentlessly outside of human control. But humanity has long found a variety of ways to mark our passage through the eons. Seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. But why do we count our collective journey through the ages in these integers? A day makes sense, that’s one rotation of the earth on its axis and can easily be marked by the rising and setting of the...

In Germany, Christmas really glitters! In fact many of the traditions we associate with the festive season in Britain, the US and around the world come to us via Germany. The Christmas Tree, Santa Claus, Advent Calendars, nutcrackers, toys, Christmas Markets and a cornucopia of Christmas confections had roots in Deutschland. Much of this cultural exchange comes from the tight familial bonds betwee...

Jane Austen was born in the 16th of December, 1775, which means this month marks her 250th birthday. Jane lived a quiet, mostly happy life in the English countryside, surrounded by the balls, romantic intrigues and family dramas that fill her novels. Her writing was always her true passion. She glimpsed success, with 4 books becoming wildly popular in her lifetime. But she died tragically young, d...

Each Disney Princess movie is set in a different time and part of the world. For many they are a first glimpse of history and cultures outside of our own. But have you ever wondered what life was really like for your favorite Disney Princess? Let’s take a look at each of Disney’s 16 animated Princesses, including the latest addition, Asha, to determine where and when they are most likely set. Then...

Each Disney Princess movie is set in a different time and part of the world. For many they are a first glimpse of history and cultures outside of our own. But have you ever wondered what life was really like for your favorite Disney Princess? Let’s take a look at each of Disney’s 16 animated Princesses, including the latest addition, Asha, to determine where and when they are most likely set. Then...

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting Kensington Palace in London, where Queen Victoria was born and raised. Let’s explore the rooms where she spent her troubled youth, examine the harsh Kensington system under which she was reared, discover a few of her childhood joys and learn what transformed her into a Queen. We’ll also get to know her two half siblings, find out what became of them and what...

From repairing the damage wrought by disease, injury and warfare to enhancing beauty, healers have long sought new and innovative ways to improve the looks and the lives of their patients. Let’s take a journey through the historic of plastic surgery, from it’s painful and primitive yet surprisingly effective ancient origins, through a few shocking case studies to the modern medical procedures of t...

1066, a date which lives in infamy in many a school child’s history test. For in that year England saw 4 Kings, and two bitter enemies battle for the throne. The ultimate victor would change the course history. The new series King and Conqueror dramatizes this pivotal rivalry with all the guts and Glory of Game of Thrones, sans the dragons and Ice zombies, and with surprisingly little incest. But...