Vulgar History: Regency Era

Women's accomplishments across history are often dismissed as exceptions. But why are most scientists, reporters, sports stars, politicians, and businesspeople all men? Allison Tyra joins us to discuss the 600 women she's re-inserting into the historical narrative with her book Uncredited: Women's Overlooked, Misattributed and Stolen Work. Get a copy of Allison's book (affiliate link) Learn more a...

Because of wildfires affecting northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, I'm re-releasing this episode about a woman who lived in these areas: Thanadelthur. She was a Dene woman who had a profound impact on the Dene people in Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba during the eighteenth-century fur trade. Much of Thanadelthur’s story is shared through oral storytelling among the Dene community. Our guest for...

Dangerous Liaisons (1988) is a movie based on a play based on Pierre Choderlos de Laclos's novel from 1782. What does this have to do with the French Revolution? Lots, including that Marie Antoinette herself owned a copy of this novel. I'm joined by Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times movie reviewer and co-host of Unspooled to talk about this movie and also the pros and cons of how movies are the way...

Manon Roland was a super-smart bookworm who amazed those around her from an early age with her intelligence (and strong opinions). When the French Revolution kicked off, she sent letters from Lyons to Paris to keep people updated on the latest news. She also got on the wrong side of Robespierre, which didn't go well. — Preorder info for my book, Rebel of the Regency! — ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the Vulgar H...

Etta Palm d'Aelders was a Dutch woman so sexy that she got hired as a spy for three different countries (simultaneously). One of these countries was France, which is how she wound up in Paris during the French Revolution. — ⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the Vulgar History mailing list!⁠⁠⁠ — Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at ⁠⁠⁠common.era.com/vulgar⁠⁠⁠ or go to ⁠⁠⁠commonera.com⁠⁠⁠ and use...

To celebrate Pope Leo XIV, I pulled this out of the Patreon vault so everybody can enjoy our spoiler-filled discussion. Last year when the movie Conclave came out, Allison and I both went bananas. Little did we know, it would later be nominated for numerous Academy Awards, or that there would be an IRL conclave, or that the new Pope would be from Chicago WHERE ALLISON LIVES??? — ⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the...

Charlotte Corday is a notorious figure from the French Revolution, best known for assassinating Jean-Paul Marat. Who was she, why did she do this, what art was inspired by her act, was she the Luigi of her time, and must we stan?? Special guest Gavin Whitehead from The Art of Crime podcast joins us to talk about the ribbons of it all. — ⁠⁠Sign up for the Vulgar History mailing list!⁠⁠ — Get 15% of...

Let’s go girls! Claire Lacombe and Pauline Léon came from different backgrounds: Claire was an actress from the countryside, and Pauline grew up in Paris the daughter of chocolatiers. But what they had in common was a passion for the French Revolution, women's rights, and attacking anyone who disagreed with them. And they were also Historically Very Good Friends if you know what I mean, and I'm su...

Anne-Josèphe Théroigne de Méricourt was one of the most notorious people in the French Revolution. She arrived in Paris ready for revolution, used her theatrical experience to design unforgettable outfits, and did her best to fight for women's rights (with a sword by her side). We're joined by Claire Mead to talk about the gender shenanigans of Théroigne's saga, and why she deserved much better. K...

For the next seven weeks, we'll be looking at women who were actively involved on the Revolution side of the French Revolution in a miniseries we'll call Liberté, égalité, sororité: You Can't Stop The Women of the Revolution! We're starting off with one of the most well-known women of this era, Olympe de Gouges. Guiding our discussion/ explaining the French Revolution (because it's very confusing...

Esther Brandeau was a Jewish teen from France who (in true Catalina/Antonio de Erauso style) dressed in boy's clothes, chose a very fun pseudonym, and got a variety of jobs on ships. This is how they became the first Jewish person to set foot in Canada (though they didn't stay long). Image is from the cover of Sharon E. McKay's novel Esther (artist unknown). References: Dictionary of Canadian Biog...

Belle Elmore was born in a Brooklyn tenement and became a star on London's music hall scene. She devoted herself to fundraising for the Music Hall Ladies Guild and formed close friendships with her fellow performers. And then she was murdered by her husband. Author Hallie Rubenhold explores Belle's life and death in her new book Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress, and Dr. Crippen. Hallie j...

Françoise-Marie Jacquelin, Madame La Tour, was a French woman in the 17th century remembered for her heroic deeds after she moved to the French colony in modern-day New Brunswick, Canada. Learn more about Place Fort La Tour in modern-day New Brunswick. Canadian voters: get info on strategic voting in your riding at https://smartvoting.ca/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

Joanna of Naples (1326-1382) was Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily for thirty action-packed and highly scandilicious years. This story has it all: kidnappings! Revenge murders! Evil popes! Evil husbands! Being trapped in an iron cage for fourteen years! The black plague! References: Queens of Infamy: Joanna of Naples by Anne Theriault on Longreads The Lady Queen: The Notorious Reign of Joanna...

Anahareo, also known as Gertrude Bernard, was a Canadian writer, animal rights activist and conservationist of Algonquin and Mohawk ancestry. She also invented having a bob with bangs. Canadians: get info on strategic voting for the federal election at SmartVoting.ca Buy a copy of Anahareo's book Devil in Deerskins: My Life With Grey Owl Info on Grey Owl's cabin in Prince Albert National Park in S...

Anne I (1665 – 1714), best known as the main character of the movie The Favourite, was Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland and then of Great Britain and Ireland for twelve years. Her life story is a gossip buffet of rivalry, death, and resiliency. But how will she score on the scandilicious scale?? References: Queen Anne: Politics and Passion by Anne Somerset The Favourite: The Life of Sarah Ch...

I'm back and as Canadian as ever, ready to share the nonstop twists and turns of the story of Mona Parsons! Featuring: my hometown, and maybe my ancestor? And also, hard launching What'shisface, my boyfriend! Elbows up, y'all. Learn more about Mona Parsons at monaparsons.ca Get a copy of Mona Parsons: From Privilege to Prison, From Nova Scotia to Nazi Europe by Andria Hill-Lehr — Vulgar History is...

Eugénie of France was one of the most influential and glamorous women in nineteenth-century Europe. Nancy Goldstone's new book Rebel Empresses explores Eugénie's efforts to rule amid the scandal, intrigue, tragedy, and violence of their era. Order a copy of Nancy Goldstone's book The Rebel Empresses: Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France, Power and Glamour in the Struggle for Europe. — Sign u...

Time to learn about Canadian history! In this first Canadian Heritage Minute(s) we learn about: Why Canada has united in rage-patriotism What "elbows up" means And, most importantly, the story of iconic Canadian heroine Viola Desmond! References: Canadian History Ehx episode about Viola Desmond 'Elbows up' rallying cry evokes memories of Mr. Hockey by Alastair Steele, CBC Learn more about your ad...

A real-life historical figure, the woman known as Malinalli, Malintzin, La Malinche and Doña Marina is best known as the Nahua interpreter who helped Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés communicate with the native people of Mexico. But she was a whole person long before he arrived. Mexican-American author Veronica Chapa has retold her story in the new novel Malinalli, and joins us to talk about the...

Here's a recording of the event that I did last week in Minneapolis at Magers & Quinn booksellers with Allison Epstein! You may recognize a familiar voice from the audience, which is Minneapolis local and Vulgar History icon Lana Wood Johnson! Yes, this is the event where Lana, Allison and I all met each other in person for the FIRST TIME in front of twenty other people! Buy a copy of Fagin the Th...

Juana I of Castile (1479-1555) was the third child of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. She's remembered now for being "Juana La Loca/Juana The Mad" but, in fact, that reputation was just part of a larger scheme that found her caught between her ambitious and terrible husband and her ambitious and terrible father. References: Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon...

Greetings Vulgar History listeners! We're thrilled to bring you an episode of another show we hope you'll enjoy: Fear Daily! Fear Daily takes you into the shadows of the past, unearthing the 1990's most terrifying tales of monsters, madness, and life after death. Join us as we explore the ghost stories and supernatural encounters left on an old online bulletin board that continues to operate somew...

Isabella I of Castile was one of the most significant figures in world history in some of the worst possible ways. in this throwback episode from 2020, we follow her journey from little girl trapped in a ghost castle to teenage war mediator to PR stunt inventor to genocidal dictator! This is a heavy one, so get ready. References: Isabella of Castile: Europe's First Great Queen by Giles Tremlett Is...

Fredericka "Marm" Mandelbaum was a Jewish mother of four, a gracious society hostess, a beloved member of her community—and the first widely renowned crime boss in America. Friend of the podcast Allison Epstein joins us to discuss this historical icon. Plus: BIG NEWS!! Order a copy of Allison's new book, Fagin the Thief. — Register to see Allison and Ann's event at Magers & Quinn in Minneapolis! R...