Lorenzino de Medici killed his cousin, the Duke of Florence, 11 years ago. Still, he's constantly looking over his shoulder,... more

Agatha Christie is the best-selling novelist of all time. But her biggest mystery unfolded outside the pages of her books.... more

In the 13th century, Licoricia of Winchester rose to prominence as the wealthiest Jewish woman in England. Twice widowed, she... more

In 2023, a museum in England determined that they would refer to the Roman emperor Elegabalus using feminine pronouns. Elegabalus,... more

Gilles de Rais was a powerful, wealthy French baron who fought alongside Joan of Arc. But a castle sale gone-wrong... more

On October 31, 1501, the notorious Italian family. the Borgias, threw a party in the Papal Palace. The salacious details... more

After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, it became a dangerous thing to be a Bonaparte in Europe. And so Joseph, Napoleon's... more

Richard II, grandson of the great King Edward III, inherited the throne when he was 10 years old, and was... more

When Queen Elizabth I's favorite, Robert Dudley, got married without her permission, nothing would protect the new couple from the... more

When Roxelana was a teenager, she was captured from her homeland and brought to Istambul to be sold as a... more

Was Henry V the greatest king in English history? Or was he a violent and vindictive monarch overrated by history?... more

It should have been a fairytale romance: after a whirlwind courtship, Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiary married the Shah of Iran and the... more

In 1980, a story captivated the Spanish media — the Marquis and Marchioness of Urquijo were found dead in the... more

CW: Cannibalism, child death Dante's Inferno presents a stark view of the ninth circle of Hell, the circle reserved for... more

If you're familiar with the musical 'Hamilton,' yoiu probably know about "America's favorite fighting Frenchman:" the Marquis de Lafayette. A... more

In 2021, Princess Mako of Japan made headlines for giving up her royal title in order to marry a commoner.... more

In 1777, Benjamin Franklin made his way across the Atlantic to Paris. He was the most famous American in the... more

In the 1930s, America was captivated by a scandalous courtroom drama - a custody battle of little 10-year-old Gloria Vanderbilt... more

The Benin Bronzes are some of the most famous artifacts in the world. And the story of how they were... more

The tiny island of Sark, in the English Channel, had the distinguished honor of being the last fiefdom in Europe.... more

On October 6, a mob from Paris descended on Versailles, demanding blood. They stormed the palace, trying to find the... more

Anne Marie's father was the brother of the King of France. Her mother was one of the country's richest women.... more

King Charles II's oldest illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, was handsome and charismatic. But more importantly, he was Protestant,... more

The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, a tourist destination that attracts travelers from... more

When the monarchy of England was restored and King Charles II became king, the playhouses were reoppened. And for the... more

Over her lifetime, Dame Barbara Cartland would write over 700 books that would sell more than 750 MILLION copies worldwide.... more

When Pope Stephen was putting his predecessor on trial, there were signs that what he was doing wasn't quite right.... more

From wife and sister of a Pharaoh, to regent to eventually Pharaoh in her own right, Hatshepsut is one of... more

George Villiers was in his early twenties when he caught the eye of King James the VI and I. Almost... more

CW: murder, gore. Sister Virgina (born Marianna) had made a terrible choice in secret lovers. When a young secular boarder... more

For plenty of young women in the early modern era, if their families couldn't afford their dowries, they simply shipped... more

Why did the Roman Empire do away with kings? Simone de Beauvior would write that, through women, "certain historical events... more

History is fascinated by the possible escape of Anastasia Romanov, the Grand Duchess killed alongside her family in the Russian... more

When a coalition of European nations invaded Paris in 1815, they offered Napoleon what they believed to be very generous... more

When Mohammad Reza Shah got into a helicopter in 1979, he had no idea that it would be the last... more

The Western Roman Empire was conquered by Odoacer, who styled himself as the "King of Italy." But the leader of... more

Was Napoleon a military dictator, or a man who did what was necessary in order to preserve a French republic... more

When Annabella Millbanke had a daughter with her husband, Lord Byron, she was terrified that their child might inherit his... more

Mary Eleanor Bowes managed to escape her abusive husband, Andrew Stoney, but the trial to divorce him and secure her... more

When Mary Eleanor Bowe's first husband died, he left her a letter warning her that, "A living man have no... more

In 2018, Sheika Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, the daughter of the ruler of Dubai, attempted a daring escape to... more

From the Salem Witch Trials to O.J. Simpson, trials have always revealed hidden truths about our society. History on Trial... more

Along the walls of the Chamber of the Great Council in the Doge's Palace in Venice, there are portraits—one after... more

On Very Special Episodes, we tell one incredible story each week. Stranger-than-fiction tales about normal people in extraordinary situations. Stories... more

Jean Baptiste Charbonneau is best known for something that he accomplished as an infant -- traveling with his mother, Sacagawea,... more

In the late 19th century, French writer Marc de Montifaud was sentenced to prison for indecency in his work. But... more

Alchemist, magician, astronomer, astrologer - John Dee served as an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, interpreting the stars for her.... more

CW: Gore, cannibalism. The village of Hautefaye was a sleepy town in France best known for a local fair.... more

According to legend, around 1100, a woman disguised herself as a man and was unanimously elected Pope. The ruse lasted... more

William the Conqueror is considered the first King of England. But the road to his victory at the Battle of... more

The wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, Josephine went from a sugar plantation to prison to Empress. But her rise and her... more

When her husband, King John of England died, the widowed Isabelle of Angouleme sailed back to France to fight for... more

A minor aristocrat, Charlotte Corday could have lived an ordinary life in Normandy in the 18th century. Instead, she took... more

CW: Spousal abuse, miscarriage. In the UK in the early 19th century, married women didn't exist as their own... more

Khutulun was a 13th century Mongolian princess born in the war-torn years after Genghis Khan's massive empire began falling apart... more

Rudolf II, the Holy Roman Emperor, was an obsessive collector — of art, of rare and expensive artifacts, of scientific... more

Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II's younger sister, was one of the most famous and glamorous women of the 20th century.... more

After marrying the Duke of Gloucester, Eleanor Cobham became one of the wealthiest and post powerful women in England. She... more

After Vatican II, many traditionalist Catholics around the world decided that the heresies of the Pope meant that the papal... more

When Mehmed III, sultan of the Ottoman Empire, died, his young son Ahmed took the throne. Tradition dicrated that Ahmed... more

In 1836, a stranger arrived to a remote Russian town on a snow-white horse. The man spoke fluent French and... more

William Somer (or Will Summers), Henry VIII's fool, became known to history as a famous wit, the man who spoke... more

Marie Lafarge's trial was a sensation. But when chemists begin to disagree on their conclusions, who's to say what the... more

In 1840, the trial of Marie Lafarge scandalized France. Marie was a woman from noble birth, raised in all of... more

[CONTENT WARNING: this episode contains depictions of violence and spousal abuse.] On November 7, 1974, John Bingham, 7th Earl of... more

King Alfonson XII of Spain died without a male heir—but there was hope: his wife was six months pregnant. And... more

Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi lived many lives—as political researcher, congressional wife, Playboy model, and actress. But it would be her role... more

Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of the most famous women in European history for good reason. After annulling her marriage... more

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode contains references to sexual content. The Marquis de Sade, the namesake of "sadism," is famous... more

Robert Dudley is famous for being the favorite of the "Virgin Queen" Elizabeth I, but the death of his first... more

Alexander Dumas is famous for his swashbuckling novel The Count of Monte Cristo, but more thrilling than fiction is the... more

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands was raised like a fairy tale princess — but she would reign over one of... more

When her council forced her to marry, Tamar immediately knew their selection was the wrong choice. When he would eventually... more

Dana is joined by the Tudor historian—and Joint Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces—Tracy Borman to discuss her latest book,... more

The story of King Henry VIII is famous, as are the stories of his daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. King Henry's... more

The men knew they needed to get rid of Lorenzo de Medici, they just didn't know how. In the end,... more

Lorenzo de Medici was the center of power in Florence. Three men—Girolomo Riario, Francesco de Pazzi, and Francesco Salviati, Archbishop... more

Our two part series on the Chevalier de Saint-Georges continues, with our hero rubbing elbows with Whig politicians and fighting... more

In the late 1700s, one man became a celebrated fixture of Parisian salon culture: he was a prodigy fencer, and... more

When it comes to fairy tales, most people know Charrles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm. Fewer know of Madame d'Aulnoy,... more

More than a hundred years before the selfie became commonplace, a woman in France used photographs to immortalize her favorite... more

TW: This episode contains discussions of violence towards children that might be disturbing for some listeners. For decades, one woman... more

In August 1661, the superintendent of finance in France threw the party of the century. In September, he was arrested.... more

In the aftermath of World War I, aristocratic Germans were clinging to whatever sense of identity and social structure they... more

After the Battle of Bosworth Field, Henry Tudor became King Henry VII. But what happened to the king he replaced,... more

Before he was King Charles II, Charles was a prince in exile. His relationship with a young woman named Lucy... more

Isabella of Parma had a fairy tale wedding to Joseph, the son of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. But he... more

For centuries, historians have debated the legacy of Pope Pius XII. Did he prudently avoid angering fascists, or did he... more

During the reign of Empress Kogyoku in 7th century Japan, two clans — the Soga clan and the Nakatomi clan... more

The mystery of the fate of the two princes who dissapeared into the Tower of London during the Wars of... more

In recent years, Queen Charlotte has recieved new attention for being the only primary character on Bridgerton with a real... more

When King Charles VI of France suffered from severe mental illness, a council ruled in his place. And on that... more

*Note: this episode contains sexual situations.* Lady Seymour Fleming's husband was suing her lover into destitution. She would rather destroy... more

For much of the history we're discussed on this podcast, marriages were the best way to advance one's social position.... more

Isabella of France was a pre-teen when she came to England to marry King Edward II. Though the two had... more

Joanna of Naples is one of the most infamous figures of the 14th century, a woman who ruled in her... more

In the summer of 1346, English soldiers landed at Normandy and mounted a campaign that would become one of the... more

Dido Elizabeth Belle is one of the most unusual women in the Georgian era: a woman who inherited wealth, who... more

The plot was set: 36 barrels of gunpowder ready to blow beneath the House of Parliament on November 5, 1605.... more

After the reign of Elizabeth I, Catholics in England were hoping their next monarch would be more leniant with them.... more

What is the "Holy Roman Empire" and why does it seem to be in... Germany? The answer goes back to... more

Grace O'Malley, or Gráinne Mhaol, has become an Irish folk hero, a woman who led a crew of men and... more

Over the centuries, the fabled Koh-I-noor diamond has been a symbol of conquest and power. Now, it sits in the... more

Bonus special episode! Dana Schwartz guests on Significant Others, a narrated, nonfiction podcast about folks just beyond the spotlight of... more

While I seldom cover modern royals on this podcast, the recent announcement of Princess Martha Louise of Norway stepping away... more

King Pedro I of Portugal had one love of his life. And when she died, in 1355, Pedro would do... more

After the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers were desperate to prove America's strength on the world stage, especially compared to... more

Procopius is considered the preeminent historian of the Byzantine age, writer of works that extolled the virtue and power of... more

Lady Mary Wroth is often considered the first female writer in England to publish a work of prose under her... more

Mansa Musa is often considered to be the richest man who ever lived. And, in the 14th century, he set... more

In 1599, Beatrice Cenci, the daughter of a wealthy Roman nobleman, was convicted of her father's murder. She almost certainly... more

In 1841, it seemed inevitable that the small, impoverished principality of Monaco would be absorbed by one of its larger... more

To this day, no one knows who stole the Irish Crown Jewels in 1907, but in the years since a... more

Historian Helen Carr, author of The Red Prince: The Life of John of Gaunt, to talk about a key event... more

King Philip IV had three sons, who he married to three girls (two of whom happened to be sisters themselves).... more

It's a legend, nothing more, about the founding of Prague, but in the story of a woman allegedly from the... more

The death of Queen Elizabeth is the death of a symbol: after 70 years on the throne, she is the... more

After Georgiana Cavendish gave her husband an heir, she was free to pursue extramarital lovers. But her affair with Charles... more

When she was seventeen years old, Georgiana Spencer married William Cavendish and became the Duchess of Devonshire. Almost overnight, she... more

Two sisters raised an army in 1st century Vietnam against Chinese colonialists. Over the next two thousand years, their story... more

In 1936, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in order to marry a twice-divorced American woman named Wallis Simpson. Just... more

William the Conquerer's youngest son, Henry, had to scheme and fight to become King of England. But his dreams of... more

Even though King George III had 13 living children, in 1817, he only had a single legitimate grandchild: Princess Charlotte.... more

Sophia Duleep Singh was the granddaughter or Ranjit Singh, the 'Lion of Punjab,' but she had been born and raised... more

"[T]he science of healing stood baffled before the science of destroying." The consequences of World War I weren't limited to... more

A living, male heir was essential to a monarch in the 16th century who wanted a secure dynasty. So why... more

Queen Victoria wore white to her wedding, to emphasize that she was not just a monarch but also a loyal,... more

Before the HBO Max series, 'Our Flag Means Death,' Stede Bonnet was a footnote of history, an aristocrat who partnered... more

When the Shah of the Safavid empire died in 1576, three of his sons would eventually become Shah. But the... more

In 1600, Guaman Poma began writing what would become a nearly 1,200-page open letter to King Philip III of Spain.... more

Sophia Dorothea of Celle was forced to marry a cousin she loathed. Stuck alone in restrictive Hanoverian court, her one... more

Margaret Whigham Sweeney Campbell was the most notorious tabloid figure of her day. Her divorce from Ian Campbell, Duke of... more

In the 14th century, Jeanne de Clisson's husband was accused of being a traitor and beheaded by the king of... more

The day began with an explosion, and it ended in death, and it changed the course of history forever. Support... more

Franz Ferdinand (the Archduke, not the band) is a central figure in the history of Europe, known the world over... more

Dan Jones is a historian, television presenter, the author of a dozen books of history and the upcoming novel ESSEX... more

The rumors about Rasputin—the mad monk who treated the hemophilia of the Tsar and Tsarina's only son—range from comical to... more

A volcanic eruption turning 1816 into the "year without a summer." A group of Romantic poets stuck inside would change... more

Elizabeth was Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary. She was a beauty icon with long, chestnut brown hair that... more

Princess Charlotte of Wales was England's grand hope for the future, directly in line for the throne after the infirm... more