What happens when a princess fights for political change?

In this episode of Heroine City, Lynsey Shaw is joined by historian, teacher and writer Shalina Patel to explore the extraordinary life of Sophia Duleep Singh.

Born into Indian royalty and raised in Britain, Sophia became one of the most prominent suffragettes of the early twentieth century. From selling The Suffragette newspaper outside Hampton Court Palace to campaigning alongside Emmeline Pankhurst and refusing to pay taxes under the slogan "No taxation without representation," Sophia used her status to challenge injustice and fight for women's rights.

Together, Lynsey and Shalina discuss Sophia's remarkable journey, the complexities of identity, empire and belonging.

Join us for a fascinating conversation about courage, activism and one woman who refused to stay silent.

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What happens when women are born too close to the throne?

In this episode of Heroine City, Lynsey Shaw is joined by historian and bestselling author Leanda de Lisle to uncover the lives of the Grey women - Lady Jane Grey, Katherine Grey, Mary Grey, and their mother, Frances Brandon.

Often reduced to a single tragic headline, Jane’s story is only the beginning. Together, the Grey sisters’ lives reveal a far more complex and deeply human story of ambition, love, constraint, and survival in the high-stakes world of the Tudor court.

From Jane’s short and reluctant reign to Katherine’s secret marriage and imprisonment, and Mary’s often overlooked resilience, this episode explores what it meant to be a woman with royal blood in a world that offered power, but at a devastating cost.

Drawing on Leanda’s groundbreaking research, we move beyond myth to meet the real women behind the history - and ask why their stories still matter today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Heroine City, host Lynsey Shaw is joined by Ace Armande to uncover the extraordinary life of Julie d’Aubigny, better known as Mademoiselle Maupin.

A dazzling opera singer and fearless duellist, Julie defied every rule of her time, living openly as a bisexual woman, scandalising Paris with her romances, and wielding a sword as skilfully as she held an audience in song.

Together, they explore how myth and history collide, and why Julie's legend still captivates today.

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In this episode, host Lynsey Shaw is joined by Lizzie Broadbent, creator of Women Who Meant Business, and fellow women's history advocate and researcher, to explore the extraordinary life of Lucy Duff Gordon.

A trailblazing fashion designer, savvy self-promoter, and Titanic survivor, Lucy revolutionised style in the early 20th century and helped shape the modern fashion industry with her label, Lucile Ltd. Together, Heroine City unpacks the glamour, grit, and controversy surrounding the woman who brought catwalks, supermodels, and storytelling to Edwardian dress and became one of history’s first fashion celebrities.

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When Queen Eleanor of Castile died in 1290, King Edward I marked her final journey with twelve towering stone crosses, monuments of love, loss, and legacy. But who was Eleanor really, and what do these extraordinary structures reveal about her life and afterlife?

In this episode of Heroine City, host historian, Lynsey Shaw is joined by writer and researcher Decca Warrington, author of The Eleanor Crosses: The Story of King Edward I’s Lost Queen and Her Architectural Legacy. Together, they uncover the story behind the crosses, the queen who inspired them, and why these remarkable medieval monuments still matter today.

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In the first part of our two-parter, discover the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Eleanor of Castile, the queen consort who defied medieval expectations. From her political acumen and role in the Ninth Crusade to her deep partnership with Edward I and her influence on English architecture, female land ownership, and royal customs, Eleanor’s story is one of power, resilience, and intrigue.

In this podcast, host Lynsey Shaw and special guest Sue Prichard, head curator at Leeds Castle, delve into the personal and political challenges Eleanor faced as a Castilian princess navigating the English court, the love story behind the iconic Eleanor Crosses and her lasting impact on history. Join us as we uncover the fascinating, often overlooked life of a queen whose legacy lives on.

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Welcome to Heroine City, the podcast that shines a light on women in history on all their glorious shapes and form, efforts, errors and eras.

In this episode, we step into the turbulent world of Harriett Lewis, an 18th-century black woman who defied the odds. Abducted from her homeland of Guinea to Jamaica at the age of seven, she was singled out and educated, became a house mistress, travelled to England and find herself a free woman navigating the perilous streets of London’s underworld as a sex worker.

Harriett was a survivor and a business woman who carved out her own space in a society determined to keep her in her place.

Join us as host Lynsey Shaw and historian Montaz Marché piece together her remarkable story, exploring the intersections of race, gender, and survival in Georgian Britain.

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This episode of Heroine City uncovers the private world of portrait miniatures, focusing on the women who played a role in their creation, exchange, and preservation. These intimate paintings—once worn close to the heart or kept as cherished keepsakes—tell us much more than meets the eye.

Join host Lynsey Shaw and guest, curator and art historian, Emma Rutherford, as they uncover how portrait miniatures reveal hidden insights into women’s lives, their expressions of love, memory, and identity, and the artistry that shaped these miniature masterpieces.

The Limner Co. https://www.portraitminiature.com

The Reflected Self at Compton Verney https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/whats-on/the-reflected-self/

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Ever wondered about the woman behind the iconic image of Elizabeth I? 👑 📚

Join us for a deep dive with the #brilliant Dr Elizabeth Norton as she unravels the personal stories and defining relationships of this legendary queen. Don’t miss this enlightening episode! 🕯️📜🪶 

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In this Heroine City history podcast episode, Lynsey Shaw talks about Edwardian chef and hotel proprietor Rosa Lewis with the wonderful Lizzie Broadbent. 🎙️🌟👩🏻‍🍳

From scrubbing floors to running the Cavendish Hotel, Rosa Lewis’s story is one of grit and grandeur. 🧼 👑 Join us as we discuss Rosa's incredible journey from humble London beginnings to culinary stardom. Perfect for history buffs & foodies! 🍴

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