History Tea Time

Happy Halloween! When someone dies and is laid to rest we tend to think of them as gone. But their remains may remain waiting to play a further part in history. For your consideration, here are three twisted tales about royals whose earthly vessels were not left in peace. One involves an exhumation done out of love, one done out of hate and the final exhumation may hold the key to solving a centur...

The Tudor era is all about the women. Once you get past Henry VIII and his six wives, three successive Queens got a chance to warm the throne of England. But being a Queen in a man’s world wasn’t easy. Unfortunately these reigning women were pitched against each other in deadly struggles for power. In 4 episodes we’ll look at the lives of the 4 Queens of Tudor Britain, Jane Grey, Mary I, Elizabeth...

The Tudor era is all about the women. Once you get past Henry VIII and his six wives, three successive Queens got a chance to warm the throne of England. But being a Queen in a man’s world wasn’t easy. Unfortunately these reigning women were pitched against each other in deadly struggles for power. In 4 episodes we’ll look at the lives of the 4 Queens of Tudor Britain, Jane Grey, Mary I, Elizabeth...

The Tudor era is all about the women. Once you get past Henry VIII and his six wives, three successive Queens got a chance to warm the throne of England. But being a Queen in a man’s world wasn’t easy. Unfortunately these reigning women were pitched against each other in deadly struggles for power. In 4 episodes we’ll look at the lives of the 4 Queens of Tudor Britain, Jane Grey, Mary I, Elizabeth...

The Tudor era is all about the women. Once you get past Henry VIII and his six wives, three successive Queens got a chance to warm the throne of England. But being a Queen in a man’s world wasn’t easy. Unfortunately these reigning women were pitched against each other in deadly struggles for power. In 4 episodes we’ll look at the lives of the 4 Queens of Tudor Britain, Jane Grey, Mary I, Elizabeth...

Today about 85% of all serial killers are male. On the rare occasions when a woman commits murder, it is far more shocking to society. But history reveals a handful of femme fatals who took the lives of others to gain power or even for their own sadistic pleasure. Royal and noble women were particularly well positioned to indulge their evil impulses. Wealth and power gave them nearly limitless fre...

Through most of history, royals and nobles held a place high above the peasant class. Their word was law and they could often get away with murder, literally. So much unchecked power sometimes went to a rulers head, morphing their darker urges into unspeakable acts of violence and cruelty. The lives of peasants were given very little value, and there were few means to investigate or seek justice a...

Let's count down the shortest and longest royal reigns in History. From Just 20 minutes to 72 years! Shortest Reigns: Berengaria of Castile Emperor Taichang Napoleon II Pope Urban VII Jane of England  Louis XIX of France Luís Filipe of Portugal 10 Longest Reigns: 10. Hirohito, Emperor of Japan 9. Jaime I, King of Aragon 8. Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom 7. Ferdinand III, King of Naples & Sic...

Henry VIII is one of the most famous kings in English history. He is renowned for his voracious appetites – for food, wine, power and women. During his 38 year reign he went through 6 wives and for them triggered seismic changes in the religious and political landscape of the nation. But who were the women for which this larger-than-life monarch’s passions ran hot and cold? And who were they befor...

Henry VIII is one of the most famous kings in English history. He is renowned for his voracious appetites – for food, wine, power and women. During his 38 year reign he went through 6 wives and for them triggered seismic changes in the religious and political landscape of the nation. But who were the women for which this larger-than-life monarch’s passions ran hot and cold? And who were they befor...

Throughout history one thing has had more impact on women’s lives than almost anything else - giving birth to children. In this episode we will explore various aspects of this paramount and awe-inspiring process and how it has changed across cultures and through time. From how we think about conception and fertility to some rather kooky pregnancy tests; from the day to day realities of pregnancy a...

Only 10 hereditary monarchies endure in Europe. Let's meet the heirs who are in line to wear the crowns: Belgium: Princess Elisabeth, Duchess of Brabant  Denmark: Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark; Prince Christian, Count of Monpezat The Netherlands: Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange Norway: Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway; Princess Ingrid Alexandra  Spain: Leonor, Princess of Asturias  Sweden:...

Ten hereditary monarchies still survive in Europe. These royal rulers are seen as figure heads and public faces for their countries. They generate good will and patriotism and are involved in charity work but most are barred from holding any tangible government power. Here are stories of the 10 current monarchs of Europe: King Philippe of Belgium Queen Margrethe II of Denmark King Willem-Alexander...

From the defensive towers erected by William I to secure his conquest of England, to the grand banqueting halls of the Tudors; the luxurious state rooms of the Stuarts and Georgians to the lovingly and expensively maintained residences of the modern royal family. In this three part series, we’ll explore 15 of the most historically important Royal Castles & Palaces of England. Today we’ll explore 7...

What makes a man a King? Aside from genetic luck and a glittering crown, it’s a castle. In this three part series, we’ll explore 15 of the most historically important Royal Castles & Palaces of England. In the last episode we explored the medieval castles built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century to impose his might upon the land. For his warrior descendants, the Normand and the Plantagen...

What makes a man a King? Aside from genetic luck and a glittering crown, it’s a castle. From the defensive towers erected by William I to secure his conquest of England, to the grand banqueting halls of the Tudors; the luxurious state rooms of the Stuarts and Georgians to the lovingly and expensively maintained residences of the modern royal family. Royal castles and palaces have played witness to...

How is the next monarch decided? How many people are in the line of succession and what can they do to get themselves booted? Can LGBT+ royals get married and can adopted children be a part of the succession? Will Prince Harry be regent if George becomes King before he’s an adult? Will Kate Middleton be a Queen? What’s the difference between a Queen Regnant, Queen Consort, Dowager Queen and Queen...

Happy Pride! In the history of the world there have been numerous royals and countless common people who preferred the romantic company of their own gender. Acceptance of this has varied by time period and by culture. Being gay was often made much easier if you were a person born to wealth and privilege. Here are the stories of 8 royals from around the world – complicated an interesting people who...

Royals throughout history are notorious for inbreeding. But the European royal family by far infamously incestuous were the Habsburgs (Hapsburgs). The royal house ruled Spain from 1506 to 1700 and held the Holy Roman Empire from 1452 until 1806. These two branches of the family vollied brides back and forth like ping pong balls. Cousins married cousins and uncles married nieces. All in the name of...

Royals throughout history are notorious for inbreeding. But the European royal family by far infamously incestuous were the Habsburgs (Hapsburgs). The royal house ruled Spain from 1506 to 1700 and held the Holy Roman Empire from 1452 until 1806. These two branches of the family vollied brides back and forth like ping pong balls. Cousins married cousins and uncles married nieces. All in the name of...

Queen Victoria of the united Kingdom gave birth to 9 children in 17 years. Her eldest son was destined to inherit the throne of the British Empire at the height of it’s power. The younger sons joined the military and adventured around the world. And the daughters married into royal houses around Europe. Here are the stories of Queen Victoria’s 9 intriguing children: Victoria, Empress of Germany (1...

From Egyptians Pharaohs marrying their own sisters, to the Hapsburgs’ notoriously oversized lower jaws. Here are the stories of some of the most shocking incestuous relationships and tragically inbred individuals in royal history. King Tut, Queen Juana the Mad of Castile, King Charles II of Spain, Queen Victoria and more! Join me every Thursday. I'm Spilling the Tea on History! https://www.youtube...

Welcome to the History Tea Time Podcast! I'm Lindsay Holiday. For the past three years, I’ve been making weekly videos on my YouTube channel, History tea time with Lindsay Holiday. And now I’m turning my videos into a new podcast for all of my audiofile fans. It’s less like a dull history class and more like a friendly chat about what people were up to in the past. Together we’ll meet remarkable Q...