Vulgar History

By Vulgar History | Realm

What's Vulgar History about?

A feminist women's history comedy podcast about the scandalicious stories of people from olden times. Hosted by Ann Foster.

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Vulgar History episodes:

04.30.2024
Author Interview: Ella McLeod (author of The Map that Led to You)
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...
04.24.2024
Las Soldaderas of the Mexican Revolution (with Cristina Lumague)
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...
04.17.2024
Thanadelthur (with Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth)
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....
04.10.2024
Matoaka aka Pocahontas (with Lauren DeLeary)
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....
04.03.2024
Hatshepsut (with Gina Berry)
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...
03.27.2024
La Quintrala aka Catalina de los Ríos y Lísperguer (with Maria Marsilli)
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...
03.20.2024
Saint Margaret of Scotland (with E.K. McAlpine)
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...
03.13.2024
Anna May Wong (with Katie Gee Salisbury, author of Not Your China Doll)
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...
03.06.2024
Author Interview: Flora Carr (Author of The Tower)
This week we're talking about Mary, Queen of Scots AGAIN because (drumroll please) she's the topic of the latest Vulgar History book club book! We're joined by author Flora Carr to talk about her new book, The Tower. It's a...
02.28.2024
Claire Clairmont (with Lesley McDowell, Author of Clairmont)
Time to talk about a longtime Vulgar History fav, this time in her own episode! Claire Clairmont is mostly known as the third-wheel stepsister of Mary Shelley. But as you will soon find out, she was also a Goth Queen...
02.21.2024
The Queen of Sheba (with Princess O'Nika Auguste)
We're joined by return guest Princess O'Nika Auguste, here to share the story of The Queen of Sheba. Princess explains this Queen's connection to Ethiopian, Rastafarian, Yemeni, Islamic, Jewish, Christian, and Black history. Follow Princess's podcast Badass Women of History Support Princess...
02.14.2024
Mary Ann Shadd Cary (with Nneka D. Dennie)
Mary Ann Shadd Cary is recognized as a national hero in both Canada and the United States. I'm joined by Nneka D. Dennie, author of Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Essential Writings of a Nineteenth-Century Black Radical Feminist to discuss Mary...
02.07.2024
Author Interview: Avery Cunningham (Author of The Mayor of Maxwell Street)
We're joined this week by Avery Cunningham, author of The Mayor of Maxwell Street. This historical fiction novel has it all: old timey gangsters! Lady journalists! Noir-adjacent gangland rivalries! And: 1920s outfits. It's also a story about the Black elite...
01.30.2024
Author Interview: Vanessa Miller (Author of The American Queen)
Talking with Vanessa Miller, author of the historical fiction novel The American Queen. This novel is based on actual events that occurred between 1865 - 1889 and shares the unsung history of a Black woman who built a kingdom as...
01.24.2024
Author Interview: Andrea Penrose (Author of The Diamond of London)
Born into an illustrious family of swashbuckling war heroes and brilliant political leaders, Lady Hester Stanhope was a Regency-era adventuress who lived on her own terms and refused to conform. Author Andrea Penrose took Hester's life as inspiration for her new...
01.17.2024
Lucy Percy Hay, Countess of Carlisle (Ann's Version)
This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 6 of Vulgar History, telling the saga of the Wizard Earl's Daughter, Frances Howard's protegee, that's right: lady spy Lucy Percy Hay! This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording...
01.10.2024
Mary Toft (Ann's Version)
This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 5 of Vulgar History, telling the saga of the Imposteress Rabbit Breeder, Mary Toft! This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and a new intro and extro. Content warnings: animal...
01.03.2024
Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed (Ann's Version)
This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 4 of Vulgar History, telling the saga of Elizabeth Báthory aka The Blood Countess aka #JusticeForBettyBats! This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and a new intro and extro. References: Countess...
12.27.2023
Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy, Comtesse de la Motte (Ann's Version)
This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 3 of Vulgar History, telling the saga of the Affair of the Necklace and Jeanne de la Motte! This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and a new intro...
12.20.2023
Frances Howard, Duchess of Somerset (Ann's Version)
This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 2 of Vulgar History, telling the scandalicious saga of OG tits out icon/ our patron saint, Frances Howard. This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and a bunch of...
12.17.2023
Iṣmat ad-Dīn Khātūn
Iṣmat ad-Dīn Khātūn was a 12th-century Muslim woman who lived in the Levant. She lived during the Frankish Wars aka The Crusades, and made a name for herself through her bravery and diplomacy. -- Call for de-escalation and ceasefire (for US...
12.13.2023
Caroline of Brunswick (Ann's Version) (with Lana Wood Johnson)
Revisiting where it all began! This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 1 of Vulgar History, telling the saga of the rebel of the regency: Caroline of Brunswick! This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and...
12.06.2023
Rachel (aka La Grande Rachel aka Mademoiselle Rachel aka Rachel Félix) (with Allison Epstein)
My name is Ann, joined this week by Allison, to talk about a tits out women who only needs one name: RACHEL. References: Tragic Muse: Rachel of the Comédie-Francaise by Rachel H. Brownstein https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09571558211045052 https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/rachel-eliza-rachel-felix https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/6068-felix-elisa-rachel -- As mentioned in the episode, here are images of Rachel's...
11.29.2023
Brunhild of Austrasia (with Shelley Puhak)
Remember awhile ago, we did three episodes about the iconic Queen Fredegund? And she was so iconic we re-named the scandilicious scale after her? WELL By popular request, we're back to look at Fred's arch-nemesis, Brunhild of Austrasia. To keep my...
11.22.2023
Author Interview: Katherine Howe (A True Account: Hannah Masury’s Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself )
Today we're joined by Katherine Howe to talk about her pirate-y new novel, A True Account: Hannah Masury's Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself. Learn more about Katherine and her work at katherinehowe.com -- Buy A True Account from bookshop.org and support...
11.15.2023
Mary Ann Bugg (with Meg Foster)
This week, it's a Foster duet as we're joined by Dr. Meg Foster (no relation) to talk about Australia's legacy of bushrangers, and her recent book Boundary Crossers: The Hidden History of Australia's Other Bushrangers. If you don't know who...
11.08.2023
Author Interview: Emma Southon (A Rome Of One's Own: Forgotten Women of the Roman Empire)
Today, we're joined by Emma Southon to talk about lesser-known women of Roman history and her new book, A Rome of One's Own: Forgotten Women of the Roman Empire. Learn more about Emma and her work at emmasouthon.com Listen to Emma's podcast...
11.01.2023
Margaret Fleming, Countess of Atholl (with Lucy Hinnie)
It's a slightly belated Halloween super special/ continuation of the Mary, Queen of Scots saga this week! We're talking about Margaret Fleming, Countess of Atholl: older sister of one of the Four Marys and also a witch who was never...
10.25.2023
Author Interview: John Guy and Julia Fox (Hunting the Falcon: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the Marriage That Shook Europe)
Historians and authors Julia Fox and John Guy join us this week to talk about their new co-written biography, Hunting the Falcon: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and the Marriage that Shook Europe. Learn more about Julia and her work at juliafox.co.uk Learn...
10.18.2023
Empress Elisabeth of Russia (with Allison Epstein)
This week we're talking about the six-foot-tall fashion and party-loving queen who had a loving male companion she discovered singing in a choir... no, not Mary QofS, it's Empress Elisabeth!!! With a thrilling cameo of a past VH fav but...
10.11.2023
Louisa May Alcott (with Alice Rutkowski)
Today we're talking about beloved American author Louisa May Alcott, best known as the author of Little Women. Joining me to discuss Alcott's life and career is Dr. Alice Rutkowski, Chair and Associate Professor of English at SUNY Geneseo. Our discussion...
10.04.2023
Author Interview: Denny S. Bryce (The Other Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Goddaughter)
Today we're talking about Sarah Forbes Bonetta, an African princess raised in Queen Victoria's court as the Queen's goddaughter. Author Denny S. Bryce's new book The Other Princess takes its inspiration from this recently rediscovered historical figure. Learn more about Denny...
09.27.2023
Author Interview: Heather Redmond (Death and the Sisters: A Mary Shelley Mystery)
Today we're talking about Mary Shelley, Claire Clairmont, Percy Shelley and (a fictional) MURDER with author Heather Redmond, author of Death and the Sisters. Learn more about Heather and her work at heatherredmond.com -- Buy Death and the Sisters from bookshop.org and support...
09.23.2023
Elagabalus (with Kit Heyam)
Thinking about the Roman Empire? If you weren't before, you are now! Friend of the podcast Dr. Kit Heyam is back to discuss the fascinating life of ancient Roman emperor Elagabalus (aka Heliogabalus). Elagabalus's reign was short, and odd, and...
09.20.2023
Author Interview: Rosie Harte (The Royal Wardrobe: A Very Fashionable History of the Monarchy)
This week, author Rosie Harte joins us to talk about her new book The Royal Wardrobe: A Very Fashionable History of the Monarchy. In this book, she discusses iconic fashion moments of the British royals from the Tudor era to...
09.13.2023
The Four Marys
As a grand finale to the Mary, Queen of Scots series, we're taking a look at her girl squad: The Four Marys. Who were Mary Beaton, Seton, Fleming, and Livingston? If they were Golden Girls, who is the Dorothy? If...
09.06.2023
Author Interview: Jenni Nuttall (Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women’s Words)
Continuing on in our academic/linguistics era, I'm joined today by Dr. Jenni Nuttall to talk about her new book Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words. So many of the words that we use to chronicle women’s lives feel...
08.30.2023
Bess of Hardwick
Bess of Hardwick (birth name: Elizabeth Cavendish) appeared a few times throughout the Mary, Queen of Scots series. And today, we're diving into just how this low(ish) born woman became the second-wealthiest woman in Tudor England (after Queen Liz I). We...
08.23.2023
Author Interview: Yunte Huang (Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong's Rendezvous with American History)
This week, we're talking with Yunte Huang about his new biography of movie star Anna May Wong, Daughter of the Dragon. A trenchant reclamation of the Chinese American movie star, whose battles against cinematic exploitation and endemic racism are set against...
08.16.2023
Elisabeth of Valois (with Leah Redmond Chang)
As part of the Mary, Queen of Scots series today we're talking about Mary's sister-in-law, Elisabeth of Valois. Our guest is Leah Redmond Chang, whose biography of Elisabeth, Catherine de'Medici, and Mary, Queen of Scots has just been published. Young Queens:...
08.11.2023
Author Interview: Rachel Cantor (Half-Life of a Stolen Sister)
This week, I'm joined by author Rachel Cantor to talk about her new book, Half-Life of a Stolen Sister, a retelling of the story of the Brontë siblings. Chapter by chapter, the novel brings together diaries, letters, home movies, television and...
08.09.2023
Author Interview: Craig Shreve (The African Samurai)
This week, we're talking with author Craig Shreve about his new novel, The African Samurai. Set in late 16th-century Africa, India, Portugal, and Japan, The African Samurai is a powerful historical novel based on the true story of Yasuke, Japan’s first foreign-born samurai...
08.04.2023
Author Interview: Jamila Ahmed (Every Rising Sun)
Today we're talking with debut novelist Jamila Ahmed about her book Every Rising Sun. Every Rising Sun is a retelling of the tale of Scheherazade, set amid the real-life events of twelfth-century Persia and the third crusade. -- Buy Every Rising Sun...
08.02.2023
There's Something About Mary, Queen of Scots: Part Ten: Legacy (with Allison Epstein and Lana Wood Johnson)
When it comes to Mary's legacy and scandilicious score, there's too much for one person to cover. Which is why I've brought in Vulgar History all-stars (and Mary QofS fans) Allison Epstein and Lana Wood Johnson for this discussion. We...
07.28.2023
Author Interview: Genevieve Gornichec (The Weaver and the Witch Queen)
Talking about 10th-century Norway, the mythical figure of Gunnhild, and the importance of women's work with Genevieve Gornichec! Learn more about Genevieve and her books at genevievegornichec.com Buy The Weaver and the Witch Queen from bookshop.org and support Vulgar History with this...
07.26.2023
There’s Something About Mary Queen of Scots: Bonus: Clare Hunter (Embroidering Her Truth: Mary, Queen of Scots and the Language of Power)
As a way to tie a bow on this season, we're learning more about Mary, Queen of Scots's inner life, motivations, and emotions through her use of textiles. I'm joined by author Clare Hunter, author of Embroidering Her Truth: Mary,...
07.21.2023
Author Interview: Nikki M. Taylor (Brooding Over Bloody Revenge: Enslaved Women's Lethal Resistance)
I'm joined this week by Nikki M. Taylor to discuss her fascinating new book, Brooding Over Bloody Revenge: Enslaved Women's Lethal Resistance. Nikki is Professor and Chair in the Department of History at Howard University. She specializes in nineteenth-century African...
07.19.2023
There's Something About Mary, Queen of Scots: Part Nine: In My End Is My Beginning (with Allison Epstein)
The saga of Mary, Queen of Scots concludes with the ultimate outfit reveal. And: so much spy shit!! -- References: The Betrayal of Mary, Queen of Scots: Elizabeth I and her Greatest Rival by Kate Williams Embroidering Her Truth: Mary Queen of Scots and...
07.13.2023
Author Interview: Vanessa Riley (Queen of Exiles)
Vanessa Riley's new book Queen of Exiles is about Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid Christophe, Queen of the Kingdom of Hayti. The story of her Regency reign and exile is ripped from the headlines for this historical fiction novel. Learn more about Vanessa,...
07.12.2023
There's Something About Mary, Queen of Scots: Part Eight: Cat(te) And Mouse (with Allison Epstein)
In this week's episode we get to talk about Mary's various treason embroidery projects AND learn the fates of several of our least-favourite Scottish men. Here is a link to Mary's embroideries we discuss today, including the treason pillow, the rhinocerote,...

What's Vulgar History about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Vulgar History episodes:

Author Interview: Ella McLeod (author of The Map that Led to You)

Las Soldaderas of the Mexican Revolution (with Cristina Lumague)

Thanadelthur (with Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth)

Matoaka aka Pocahontas (with Lauren DeLeary)

Hatshepsut (with Gina Berry)

La Quintrala aka Catalina de los Ríos y Lísperguer (with Maria Marsilli)

Saint Margaret of Scotland (with E.K. McAlpine)

Anna May Wong (with Katie Gee Salisbury, author of Not Your China Doll)

Author Interview: Flora Carr (Author of The Tower)

Claire Clairmont (with Lesley McDowell, Author of Clairmont)

The Queen of Sheba (with Princess O'Nika Auguste)

Mary Ann Shadd Cary (with Nneka D. Dennie)

Author Interview: Avery Cunningham (Author of The Mayor of Maxwell Street)

Author Interview: Vanessa Miller (Author of The American Queen)

Author Interview: Andrea Penrose (Author of The Diamond of London)

Lucy Percy Hay, Countess of Carlisle (Ann's Version)

Mary Toft (Ann's Version)

Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed (Ann's Version)

Jeanne de Valois-Saint-Rémy, Comtesse de la Motte (Ann's Version)

Frances Howard, Duchess of Somerset (Ann's Version)

Iṣmat ad-Dīn Khātūn

Caroline of Brunswick (Ann's Version) (with Lana Wood Johnson)

Rachel (aka La Grande Rachel aka Mademoiselle Rachel aka Rachel Félix) (with Allison Epstein)

Brunhild of Austrasia (with Shelley Puhak)

Author Interview: Katherine Howe (A True Account: Hannah Masury’s Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself )

Mary Ann Bugg (with Meg Foster)

Author Interview: Emma Southon (A Rome Of One's Own: Forgotten Women of the Roman Empire)

Margaret Fleming, Countess of Atholl (with Lucy Hinnie)

Author Interview: John Guy and Julia Fox (Hunting the Falcon: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the Marriage That Shook Europe)

Empress Elisabeth of Russia (with Allison Epstein)

Louisa May Alcott (with Alice Rutkowski)

Author Interview: Denny S. Bryce (The Other Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria's Goddaughter)

Author Interview: Heather Redmond (Death and the Sisters: A Mary Shelley Mystery)

Elagabalus (with Kit Heyam)

Author Interview: Rosie Harte (The Royal Wardrobe: A Very Fashionable History of the Monarchy)

The Four Marys

Author Interview: Jenni Nuttall (Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women’s Words)

Bess of Hardwick

Author Interview: Yunte Huang (Daughter of the Dragon: Anna May Wong's Rendezvous with American History)

Elisabeth of Valois (with Leah Redmond Chang)

Author Interview: Rachel Cantor (Half-Life of a Stolen Sister)

Author Interview: Craig Shreve (The African Samurai)

Author Interview: Jamila Ahmed (Every Rising Sun)

There's Something About Mary, Queen of Scots: Part Ten: Legacy (with Allison Epstein and Lana Wood Johnson)

Author Interview: Genevieve Gornichec (The Weaver and the Witch Queen)

There’s Something About Mary Queen of Scots: Bonus: Clare Hunter (Embroidering Her Truth: Mary, Queen of Scots and the Language of Power)

Author Interview: Nikki M. Taylor (Brooding Over Bloody Revenge: Enslaved Women's Lethal Resistance)

There's Something About Mary, Queen of Scots: Part Nine: In My End Is My Beginning (with Allison Epstein)

Author Interview: Vanessa Riley (Queen of Exiles)

There's Something About Mary, Queen of Scots: Part Eight: Cat(te) And Mouse (with Allison Epstein)

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