Warrior Women

The Chevaliere d’Eon was an 18th century soldier, spy, diplomat, writer, swordswoman, performer, celebrity and blackmailer. In this episode we dive into the rumours, gossip and scandal, attempting to separate fact from fiction to explore the many lives she lived, and understand why her legacy is so important for the LGBTQIA+ community today. We hear about d’Eon’s connection to Leeds through the pr...

Nakano Takeko is commemorated each year in a festival about warriors from the Japanese Aizu region. In 1868 Nakano led a group of women into battle armed only with naginata – a Japanese polearm. Although the enemy were armed with guns, Nakano killed 5 or 6 soldiers before being killed herself. This podcast was funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund - Thanks to National Lottery Players. This...

Lyudmila Pavlichenko is the most celebrated female sniper in history. In 1942, despite experiencing pushback at the idea of a woman sniper, Pavlichenko enlisted in the Soviet Army to fight against Nazi Germany. This episode explores her extraordinary story, focussing on her time in service; the challenges she faced as a woman in a world of male military elites, her training, weapons, tactics, succ...

Hannah Snell was the first women to join the Royal Marines. Or so her biography would have us believe. This episode explores the truths, half-truths and bare faced lies about this 18th century warrior woman and includes insights from author Matthew Stephens (who wrote 'Hannah Snell, The Secret Life of a Female Marine, 1723 – 1792') and Jonathan Ferguson Keeper of Firearms and Artillery at the Roya...

A warrior queen who defended her kingdom on the battlefield. Legend tells us she fled the British forces who burned her fortress to the ground, soaring through the sky on horseback, her young son strapped to her back, sword in the air, disappearing into the night.   She returned at the battle of Gwalior, leading her troops into one final stand-off. It was there she was killed, dying vali...

Vera Leigh's story is a tale of rags to riches. Born in Leeds and abandoned as a baby, she was adopted by a wealthy American and became one of only 39 women chosen to work during the Second World War as a Special Operations Executive, involved in clandestine operations in France to subvert and sabotage the Nazi enemy. This episode will examine her secretive life as a special agent and her fate at...