Vulgar History

It's season seven! This year we're investigating the question How Do You Solve A Problem Like Marie Antoinette? Marie Antoinette was famously executed during the French Revolution. To understand how that happened means understanding the French Revolution, which means understanding the spirit of revolution that occurred around the world in the 18th century. This is why the first par

Today's guest, June Hur, is the author of historical novels that read like K-dramas. Her latest, A Crane Among Wolves, is set in Joseon-era Korea during the reign of tyrant King Yeonsan. Learn more about June and her books at junehur.com Buy a copy of A Crane Among Wolves from bookshop.org ---- Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to

We're talking about pirate history this week with Ella McLeod, author of the new YA novel The Map That Led To You! In her research, Ella dove into the world of folklore, pirateology, nautical history, and the voices of people left out of history. Buy a copy of The Map That Led to You Ella's Instagram Ella's podcast, Comfort Creatures -- Theme music by The Severn Duo -- Get 15% off

We're getting into a revolutionary, pants-on vibe this week with a look at Las Soldaderas: women who fought during the Mexican Revolution and whose contributions to victory often go uncredited. Guiding us through their pants-wearing ways is Cristina Lumague, longtime editor of Vulgar History! -- References: Soldaderas in the Mexican Military: Myth and History by Elizabeth Salas and

Today we're talking about Thanadelthur, 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. Today's guest, Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth is a member of the Hatchet Lake Dënesųłiné First Nation in Treaty 10 terr

We're joined today by Lauren DeLeary to talk about the true story of Matoaka, commonly known as Pocahontas. Her story has been misinterpreted countless times from the 16th century through today, perhaps still best known from the animated Disney film. Lauren was the screenwriter of Missing Matoaka, an alternate audio track to the Disney film, presenting her as the first Missing and

We're joined by friend of the podcast Gina Berry to discuss the longest-ago figure ever discussed on the show: Hatshepsut! It's a long one, so pace yourselves because you want to hear every detail of this remarkable King's life and reign. References: The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara Cooney Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender

La Quintrala is well-known in Chile as a monstrous woman from colonial history. Her alleged murderous rampage killed over 1,000 enslaved people, and her ghost is still causing havoc today. But who was the real-life inspiration of this myth? We're joined by Dr. Maria N. Marsilli from John Carroll University to separate the bloody legend from the real-life history of a 17th-century C

In a long-awaited crossover between pale-skinned history nerds with glasses and long reddish hair, whose cats like to make guest appearances in their content, Hepburn and I are joined by I'm joined by E.K. McAlpine (and Minnie) to talk about her all-time fav: Saint Margaret of Scotland! Support E.K. on Patreon Follow E.K. on Instagram ---- Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and

We're joined today by Katie Gee Salisbury, author of the new Anna May Wong biography Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong. Katie helps guide us through a discussion of Anna May Wong's life from childhood through Hollywood and European stardom, her trip to China, and her final comeback era. Learn more about Katie and her book at notyourchinadoll.com Cli