Long may she reign

Malinche’s name is synonymous with betrayal. She has been called all sorts of names throughout history, but does she really deserve such a bad reputation? Malinche was a slave girl sold to the Spanish as they arrived in Mexico, and when they realized she had a talent for languages, she was an instrumental tool in the takedown of the Aztec empire. Malinche was lucky to have a decent amount of agenc...

Many of you know my deep love for my birthday twin Queen Claude of France but have you heard of Claude’s little sister Renee? Renee had a turbulent life from almost the second she was born from the death of her parents to her disinheritance at a young age. Renee also lived at the height of the religious wars in France and was a princess caught between worlds and it almost cost her everything. Join...

Many people are familiar with the stories that come out of the Hundred Years War, like the heroism of Joan of Arc or the battle of Agincourt, but few know the story of the queen of four kingdoms who helped France win the war. Yolande was born the daughter of the king of Aragon and, over her life, was the unofficial queen of four nations. As a teen, she was strategically married off to the Duke of...

The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings to ever exist. No matter who you are or what language you speak you’ve probably heard of the building, but I bet you haven’t heard of the woman who it was built for. Mumtaz Mahal was the most beloved wife of the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan but while Mumtaz may be famous for dying, I’m more interested in the things she did in her life that made her so...

Many people have never heard of Sarah Winnemucca, but they really should have. Sarah was born amongst the Paiute people at a time when Americans were flocking west by the thousands and causing lots of issues for Native Americans. Sarah’s family sought out a strategy of being kind and helpful to settlers coming west, and as a child, she performed shows to teach settlers about her culture. Despite m...

Of all the queens of England Berengaria is famous for one strange fact about her reign she never stepped foot in England while she was Queen. As the wife of Richard the Lionheart Berengaria faced a heavy challenge of trying to make a marriage work with a man who was more interested in crusading than dynasty making. Come and join me on today’s episode to learn about the queen of England who likely...

Zenobia of Palmyra could rival the famous Cleopatra when it came to pissing off Rome. Zenobia grew up at the daughter of a minor Syrian nobleman but when she married the king of the small but important city of Palmyra her life changed. When her husband died Zenobia took her small city and turned into an empire while simultaneously challenging the known world’s greatest power. Join me to learn the...

Maria of Portugal is often remembered for her decent into madness. Much like her contemporary George III, Maria suffered from severe mental health issues that made her seem like a raving lunatic but before all that she was an accomplished and beautiful princess who was preparing to be the first queen of Portugal. Join me to hear about the story of Portugal’s Mad Queen. Factinate. “42 Tormented Fac...

Queen Seondeok of Silla is by far one of the most fascinating Asian queens I have ever read about. Her father fought ferociously for her right to rule and she presided over a golden age for the Korean kingdoms in terms of art and culture. However the political situation between the various Korean kingdoms was always shaky and Queen Seondeok spent most of her reign trying to keep Silla from tearing...

Compared to Queen Liliuokalani, Queen Emma gets very little attention in the grand scheme of things. Like her cousin Lili, Emma was born into Hawaiian royalty, but she hardly could have conceived that she would not only be a popular consort but also have the chance to campaign to run the kingdom in her own name. Emma was fashionable, beautiful and a true jewel of the Hawaiian royal family. Come le...

We’re back at it again entering the Tudor era. However instead of discussing women married to Henry VIII it’s time to discuss the women unfortunate enough to be related to him. Margaret was Henry VIII older sister and a force to be reckoned with. As a young girl she was married to the king of Scot’s and spent her entire life navigating bloody Scottish politics while annoying the hell out of her br...

Queen Zabel of Armenia is a little-known, often-forgotten reigning queen due to her short life and the lack of information on her. However, in her short life, she became a very successful first queen of the Armenian crusader state but also suffered much tragedy as a child queen in a world of complex crusade politics. Join me to learn about Zabel’s complicated life. Bibliography Alvarez, Sandra. “T...

Grand Duchess Marie has often been called the grandest of the grand duchess’s and boy did she certainly earn that title. Marie was a breath of sophisticated air to the Russian court and she kept her composure even in hardships like the Russian Revolution. Join me to learn about her fascinating life. Bloks, Moniek. “Marie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin - ‘A Grand Duchess to Her Fingertips.’” History of Ro...

Ingeborg of Denmark probably thought her life wouldn’t amount to much until she scored the marriage alliance of a lifetime with the King of France, but less than a few days after her wedding, her new husband was demanding a divorce, and Ingeborg would spend the next few decades of her life defending her place as the rightful Queen of France! Bibliography Contributors to Wikimedia projects. “Canute...

Abigail Adams is often a name heard after you mention her husband John Adams but she was so much more than the wife of a president. Abigail was a forward thinking woman who wanted better for her children and was staunch abolitionist. Join me and my first ever podcast collab guests Aubrey and Emily of the National Treasure Hunt podcast to hear the story of this amazing woman. Abigail Adams – Histor...

As African countries go, Ethiopia has always been a place I have known very little about, but I was fascinated to find that the country's ancient monarchy has had just one women rule independently. Empress Zewditu is incredibly underrated in her own country and in world history so I feel as if it is time to bring her story alive and learn all about Ethiopia’s only female ruler! Bloks, Moniek. “Emp...

If you don’t know who Anna May Wong your missing out on by far one of the most interesting Hollywood stars I have ever read about. Anna was a second generation Chinese American who came from humble beginnings to become one of the most popular Asian actresses of her time. Anna faced a great amount of racism and typecasting in her career but persevered and made a truly great name for herself that is...

The fall of the Aztecs and the rise of the Spanish in Mexico was a traumatic experience for the people that lived it, especially for Isabella Montezuma. Isabella, originally born as Tecuichpoch Ichcaxochitzin, was the most beloved daughter of Emperor Montezuma, but her life all came crashing down when the Spanish arrived. For the next few decades of her life, Isabella strives to conform to the new...

Queen Fred has a nasty reputation in history, from accusations of murder to a blood feud with her sister-in-law that lasted decades, and an infamous fight with her daughter, Fred, has been through the wringer. But was she really as bad as we think she is? Kinda.  However, in this house, we support women's wrongs; join me and my bestie Lindsay in my season five premiere to talk about this badass da...

Lucrezia Borgia has gone down In history with a pretty bad rep. From murder accusations to incest accusations, this girl never gets a break. In reality, Lucrezia was a political pawn used by her father to establish her low-key Italian mobster family. In today’s episode, see how this little girl went from an irrelevant illegitimate child to a reported murderer and Italian Duchess. 08, Samantha Henm...

Nanyehi is perhaps one of the most impressive leaders I have ever come across. As a teenager she lept into battle while her husband was shot down and under the Cherokee title of “ Beloved Woman” tried to negotiate the independence of her people from increasing European incursions onto their land. Come listen to her incredible story on today’s episode! Works Cited “Attakullakulla.” Wikipedia, Wikim...

Queen Salote started out as an unlikely heir to the throne of Tonga. Her parent's marriage was unpopular with the people, so Salote grew up isolated and ignored until she ascended the throne as a young teenager who was determined to be the best queen she could be. It was through her efforts in Tonga and abroad during WWII that Tonga began to prosper and rise on the international stage. Making Salo...

Mary duchess of burgundy was perhaps one of the most eligible bachelorettes of her time. She had one of the most desirable inheritances in Europe and she yet she managed to marry for love but is sadly overshadowed by her husband Maximillian. In her time as duchess she effectively lead her people against invaders and increased the wealth of her land becoming known as the rich duchess. Come and lear...

Alice Roosevelt was by far one of the most iconic first daughters to enter the White House. Alice started off life partially orphaned and raised in an environment with a domineering stepmother. She would go on to cause scandal after scandal, from smoking on the White House roof to scaring people with her pet snake. Alice was a true American princess and an absolute icon. Special thanks to @lilenci...

Throughout the history of the Ottoman Empire many influential women have lobbied for power and influence over the sultans but few did it better than Hurrem Sultan. Originally born somewhere in Poland and captured into slavery Hurrem worked her way up to becoming the beloved wife of the empire’s most powerful Sultan. Works Cited You Are Being Redirected..., thetempest.co/2021/09/26/history/historic...