Vulgar History: Regency Era

It's the epic conclusion to the season! In this season finale, Marie Antoinette moves into her final era, and makes a final major fashion statement. Join the Vulgar History Patreon to watch this episode as a video!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Last time on HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIE ANTOINETTE: The mob forced Marie Antoinette, Berry, and their family to leave Versailles. Marie Antoinette knew nothing good would come of this, and worked with her hot Swedish lover to figure out an escape plan featuring a party bus, false identities, and Monsieur Sauce. Historical fiction author (and returning Vulgar History guest) Allison Epste...

Last time on HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIE ANTOINETTE: the Affair of the Necklace trial made Marie Antoinette realize her reputation's never been worse. But Axel von Fersen likes her for her, which is something, right? Meanwhile, the Market Ladies head out on a momentous march. Join the Vulgar History Patreon to watch this episode as a video!⁠⁠⁠⁠ — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Preorder info for An...

The last Marie Antoinette episode ended with how Marie Antoinette herself experienced the weird drama of The Affair of the Necklace. It makes sense to revisit this classic episode about Jeanne de la Motte and History's Ugliest Necklace, now that we all know more about the context of the heist. Shop The Affair of the Necklace: The Necklace: The T-shirt at the Vulgar History store — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

When we left off last time, Marie Antoinette became Queen of France at age eighteen. Hater Nation lost their minds as she could now set up her favourites in sweet jobs, and distance herself from the haters. What was life like during the reign of Marie Antoinette and her woodworking enthusiast husband, Berry? Well, it included a LOT of AMAZING WIGS as our girl channelled 2023-2024 Jojo Siwa with th...

We've been building up to this all season. Time to begin our discussion of the iconic French Queen, Marie Antoinette! Before she was Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, she was Maria Antonia, ADHD-coded youngest daughter of a formidable mother (who mostly ignored her). Join the Vulgar History Patreon to watch this episode as a video!⁠⁠ — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Reb...

It's Marie Antoinette Month on Vulgar History! This week, we're talking about her BFF La Princesse de Lamballe. This basic bitch (complimentary) was always there for Marie Antoinette, even as the Queen's favour waxed and waned. Join the Vulgar History Patreon to watch this episode as a video!⁠ — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ — Get...

Marie Antoinette Month continues with a discussion of Marie Antoinette's bestie, Gabrielle de Polastron, Duchess of Polignac. The Elizabeth Taylor of her era (looks-wise, not multiple husbands-wise), Gabby brought joie de vivre and fun to Marie Antoinette's Queen Era. But did Gabby survive the Reign of Terror?? Returning guest Amanda Matta (The Art of History podcast) joins us to explain the Versa...

We're in our Marie Antoinette era, and you can't understand her story without knowing about her mother, Empress Maria Theresa! Because Maria Theresa is largely responsible for what happened to Marie Antoinette! Because she was not a good mother! But what Maria Theresa was skilled at was ruling over a truly perplexing number of territories. All the most impressive when you realize Maria Theresa got...

We're getting into the Marie Antoinette of it all! From today and until we're done, every week will be a Marie Antoinette event! Marie Antoinette's appearance was a big part of her reputation (good... then less good) and Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun was her Law Roach in that respect, helping craft an image for the people of France to recognize. And Elisabeth's life was tumultuous and fascinating as wel...

You may not have heard of America's ninth Vice President, Richard Mentor Johnson (he served one term under Martin Van Buren). And you almost certainly have not heard of his enslaved Black wife, Julia Chinn. Until now!! Everything we know about Julia is thanks to the decade of research Amrita Chakrabarti Myers dedicated to piecing her story together. Amrita joins us this week to discuss Julia's sto...

Now that we've learned about expectations for Ancient Roman women, time to learn about a woman who broke all the rules! You may not have heard of Fulvia, but you've heard of her third husband (pre-Cleopatra Marc Anthony!). And get ready to enjoy the downfall of her number one hater, Cicero (the John Knox of his time). We're joined by returning guest Jane Draycott (who was previously on to discuss...

Our friend Gina Berry is back for part two of our Ancient Rome discussion! Last time, we discussed women's roles in the era. Now, it's time to learn how Empress Livia worked within those confines to live a legendary life. Did she really murder as many people as I, Claudius (and other portrayals) made it seem? We investigate! Support CHIRLA to help immigrants and refugees in the US — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠P...

The Roman Empire inspired the (male) leaders of the American, French, and Haitian Revolutions. But what was that era like for women? Classical history enthusiast (and Vulgar History all-star returning guest) Gina Berry is here to talk all things Roman Empire. The video we mention about female gladiators. Donate to support Al Otro Lado — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of t...

Germaine de Staël was a wealthy woman in Paris during the French Revolution. But unlike so many others, she made it through alive! Because she was smart enough to leave town and not return until it was safe! Which means we get to finally talk about what happened in France post-1794. Special guest Allison Epstein joins us, because Napoleon Bonaparte comes up, and if Napoleon has no haters that beca...

We've reached a point in our French Revolution discussion where we can no longer tell the story through the lives of women, because women were excluded from leadership roles. So instead, special guest Allison Epstein joins us to explain who were the men who led the French Revolution (badly). Time to learn about the Spice Boys: Danton, Marat, Saint-Just, Robespierre, and Desmoulins! — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pre...

Did people in the 18th century know about contraception? How did young women learn the facts of life before their wedding nights? How accurate is Bridgerton? What do we know about queer people from this era? We answer all these questions and more in a chat with romance novelist Alexandra Vasti! Learn more about Alexandra's books: alexandravasti.com/books Preorder Alexandra's upcoming sapphic roman...

Laura Secord was a 19th-century Canadian woman known mostly for a) the chocolate store named after her now and b) her iconic Canadian Heritage Minute, recounting her heroic walk. We break down her real story (and what's the connection to the chocolate company?) in this Canada Day Special! Featuring the debut of the Celine Dion Canadian History Scoring Scale! — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Preorder info for Ann's upc...

The American and French Revolutions inspired people in Haiti to rise up. Yet the Haitian Revolution is not always included in discussions of the revolutionary 18th century. Here to untangle this knot of connections is author Zoe Sivak, whose novel Mademoiselle Revolution is about a woman navigating her way through this revolutionary era. Buy Zoe's book Mademoiselle Revolution from Bookshop (affili...

Jean-Jacques Dessalines was one of the major figures in the Haitian Revolution. He was vilified and demonized during his life and afterwards. Julia Gaffield has written a new biography reckoning with his complex legacy, and she joins us this week to explain his importance to history. Buy a copy of I Have Avenged America: Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Haiti's Fight for Freedom by Julia Gaffield (affi...

Last year, we dropped this bonus episode talking with Kit Heyam about the horny teen trans Roman Emperor Elagabalus. It fits so well in this month's Pride specials, the time felt right for a rerelease! After all, the French Revolution crowd were obsessed with ancient Rome and this story is a good reminder that the Romans were just as chaotic as anyone else in any other era. Plus, we're now in a po...

Gouvernour Morris is a lesser-known American Founding Father (that was his name btw, not his job title). He was so full of BDE that he headed over to France in the midst of the Revolution to a) be the Ambassador and b) fuck. We're joined by historian Cassandra Good to discuss Gouvernour's sex scandal-filled life. Learn more about Gouvernour and other founding fathers sexy shenanigans in Cassandra'...

Diversity in human sex and gender is not a modern phenomenon. People have been living beyond the binary since the earliest recorded human civilizations, and authors Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett are here to celebrate all these transcestors in their new graphic novel Trans History: From Ancient Times to Present Day. Alex and Andrew join us for this celebration of trans history (the concept) and T...

From warriors to tyrants and everything in between, the lives and reigns of Africa’s female and genderqueer rulers have long been shrouded in mystery, misunderstanding and misogyny. We're joined today by Paula Akpan to discuss several of these people, including Njinga of Ndongo and Ranavalona I of Madagascar. Paula's new book, When We Ruled: The Rise and Fall of Twelve African Queens and Warriors,...

Antonio de Erauso* was a trans man from Spain who went to South America in the 17th century, looking for adventure. The story of his life is full of murder, narrow escapes, and llamas. Author Gabriela Cabezón Cámara joins us to discuss her novel, We Are Green and Trembling, which examines the saga of Antonio de Erauso. * We previously discussed Antonio on this podcast under his birth name, Catalin...