Long may she reign

Being queen is never easy, and no one knew that better than Queen Min. At only eight years old, she was left without a father, but funnily enough, her lack of ambitious male relatives made her the perfect candidate for queen to the irresponsible and impressionable King of Korea. Min bided her time under the thumb of her overbearing father-in-law until she was able to outsmart him and take over the court. Over her twenty-year reign, she managed to modernize Korea in everything from the military to education, all while dealing with the encroaching Japanese empire. Join me to learn about her story on today's episode.

This podcast is sponsored by Common Era Jewelry. Use code: AYDEN for 15% off your entire purchase.

Bibliography

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Mary Todd Lincoln does not have the best reputation amongst first ladies. She was remembered in her time as a mentally unstable overspender who had questionable ties to the Confederacy. However, in this episode, I want pepole to learn about the bright and independent young woman who tried to make the best of every situation she was in and suffered more tragedy than anyone could understand. Join me on this episode as we talk about the sad but extraordinary life of Mary Todd Lincoln.

This podcast is sponsored by Common Era Jewelry. Use code: AYDEN for 15% off your entire order.

Boomer, Lee. “Life Story: Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882).” Women & the American Story, November 11, 2020. https://wams.nyhistory.org/a-nation-divided/civil-war/mary-todd-lincoln/.

Caroli, Betty Boyd. “Mary Todd Lincoln.” Encyclopedia Britannica, July 20, 1998. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mary-Todd-Lincoln.

Contributors to Wikimedia projects. “Abraham Lincoln.” Wikipedia, August 8, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln#Assassination.

———. “Mary Todd Lincoln.” Wikipedia, July 26, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Todd_Lincoln.

———. “Robert Smith Todd.” Wikipedia, June 26, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Smith_Todd#Personal_life.

Family, Death, Facts | HISTORY Mary Todd Lincoln: “Mary Todd Lincoln: Family, Death, Facts.” HISTORY, December 16, 2009. https://www.history.com/topics/first-ladies/mary-todd-lincoln.

The White House. “Mary Todd Lincoln,” January 12, 2021. https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/first-families/mary-todd-lincoln/.

Mary Todd Lincoln House. “Mary Todd Lincoln — Mary Todd Lincoln House.” Accessed August 9, 2024. https://www.mtlhouse.org/biography.

“Mary Todd Lincoln Timeline and Highlights.” Accessed August 9, 2024. https://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/education/marytimeline.htm.

Turner, Justin G. and Turner, Linda Levitt (1987) Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Life and Letters, Fromm International Pub. Corp.

Emerson, Jason (2006). "The Madness of Mary Lincoln". American Heritage Magazine.

Catherine Clinton, Mrs. Lincoln: A Life (New York: Harper Perennial, 2010)

Many pepole know Alexander the Great. After all, he conquered most of the known world before the age of twenty-five and was considered a military genius, but few know about his little sister, who contributed to his success. Cleo grew up in a chaotic household with two parents constantly at each other's throats and living in the shadow of her golden child brother. However, when she married into the royal family of Epirus, she was able to exercise her own authority as regent for her husband and son, and she would later work with her mother to keep the peace in Greece while her brother expanded his rule across Asia where he would not have been able to do without her support. Join me in this episode to learn the story of the little sister who supported the Macedonian empire.

This Podcast is sponsored by Common Era Jewellery. Use code: AYDEN for 15% off your entire order.

Bibliography

Livius. “Cleopatra of Macedonia.” Accessed July 10, 2024. https://www.livius.org/articles/person/cleopatra-of-macedonia/.

Contributors to Wikimedia projects. “Alexander I of Epirus.” Wikipedia, December 10, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_I_of_Epirus.

———. “Cleopatra of Macedon.” Wikipedia, March 20, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleopatra_of_Macedon.

———. “Epirus (Ancient State).” Wikipedia, March 27, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epirus_(ancient_state).

———. “Neoptolemus II of Epirus.” Wikipedia, May 3, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoptolemus_II_of_Epirus.

———. “Olympias.” Wikipedia, June 4, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympias.

———. “Philip II of Macedon.” Wikipedia, June 21, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_II_of_Macedon.

Klimczak, Natalia. “Standing in the Shadow of Alexander the Great: Cleopatra of Macedon and Her Life of Danger.” Ancient Origins, December 23, 2016. https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/standing-shadow-alexander-great-cleopatra-macedon-and-her-life-danger-007239#google_vignette.

primeo. “Alexander the Great’s Sister: Cleopatra of Macedonia (354-308 BC).” Totally History, May 16, 2022. https://totallyhistory.com/alexander-the-greats-sister-cleopatra/.

Xhabrahimi, Kreshnik. “Cleopatra of Macedon: Ruling in Two Continents - Albanopedia.” Albanopedia, June 5, 2020. https://www.albanopedia.com/biographies/cleopatra-of-macedon#google_vignette.

Lyngsnes, Øystein Wiklund. "The Women Who Would Be Kings": A study of the Argead royal women in the early Diadochoi Wars (323-316 BCE): The Rivalry of Adea-Eurydike and Olympias and the Death of the Argead dynasty. [Master's Thesis, Norwegian University of Science and Technology] https://ntnuopen.ntnu.no/ntnu-xmlui/bitstream/handle/11250/2503322/Lyngsnes_%C3%98ystein_Wiklund.pdf?sequence=1

Carney, Elizabeth D. (2003-01-01). "Chapter Nine: Women in Alexander's Court". Brill's Companion to Alexander the Great. Brill. pp. 227–252. doi:10.1163/9789004217553_010. ISBN 978-90-04-21755-3.

Carney, Elizabeth (1995). "Women and Basileia: Legitimacy and Female Political Action in Macedonia." The Classical Journal. 90 (4): 367–391. ISSN 0009-8353. JSTOR 3297828.

Berengaria of Castile spent much of her life as a political pawn with a throne just in her grasp, only to have it taken away from her time and time again because of her gender. Despite all that, she became an amazing politician who actively contributed to her kingdom's future, whether she was on the throne or not. In her time, she tried to find a balance between a strong politician and a demure medieval queen. Join me to hear her fascinating story.

This Podcast is sponsored by Common Era Jewelry. Use code: AYDEN for 15% off your entire order

Bibliography
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Order of Medieval Women. “Berengaria of Castile.” Accessed July 4, 2024. https://www.medievalwomen.org/berengaria-of-castile.html.

Contributors to Wikimedia projects. “Alfonso IX of León.” Wikipedia, June 14, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfonso_IX_of_Le%C3%B3n.

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———. “Berengaria of Castile.” Wikipedia, May 28, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berengaria_of_Castile.

———. “Conrad II, Duke of Swabia.” Wikipedia, April 27, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conrad_II,_Duke_of_Swabia.

———. “Eleanor of England, Queen of Castile.” Wikipedia, June 17, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleanor_of_England,_Queen_of_Castile.

———. “Henry I of Castile.” Wikipedia, March 19, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_I_of_Castile.

Jansen, Sharon L. “Berengaria ‘the Great.’” Accessed July 4, 2024. https://www.monstrousregimentofwomen.com/2017/11/berengaria-great.html.

Lewis, Jone Johnson. “Berenguela of Castile, Queen of Leon, Granddaughter of Eleanor of Aquitaine.” ThoughtCo, August 8, 2011. https://www.thoughtco.com/berenguela-of-castile-3529740.

Olaya, Vicente G. “Queen Berengaria’s Sad Message Hidden in the Ceiling of a Spanish Convent.” Ediciones EL PAÍS S.L., June 23, 2023. https://english.elpais.com/culture/2023-06-23/queen-berengarias-sad-message-hidden-in-the-ceiling-of-a-spanish-convent.html.

Ahilybai Rani of Indore is often remembered as one of India's greatest female rulers. At only eight years old, she married far above her station, and due to many unfortunate deaths, she ended up in charge of a key state in the Maharathi confederacy and started a golden age of rule lasting over thirty years. join me today to learn about her incredible story.

Bibliography

New World Encyclopedia. “Ahilyabai Holkar.” Accessed June 5, 2024. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ahilyabai_Holkar.

Aranha, Jovita. “The Untold Story of the Brave Maratha Warrior Queen Ahilyabai Holkar!” The Better India, October 31, 2017. https://www.thebetterindia.com/119761/queen-ahilyabai-holkar-maratha/#google_vignette.

Contributors to Wikimedia projects. “Ahilyabai Holkar.” Wikipedia. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahilyabai_Holkar.

———. “Dhangar.” Wikipedia, June 3, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhangar.

———. “Khanderao Holkar.” Wikipedia, June 1, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanderao_Holkar.

———. “Male Rao Holkar.” Wikipedia, May 17, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_Rao_Holkar.

———. “Malhar Rao Holkar.” Wikipedia, May 30, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malhar_Rao_Holkar.

———. “Marathi People.” Wikipedia, June 1, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathi_people.

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Malik, Tanya. “Ahilyabai Holkar: The Lesser Known Story Of Malwa’s Fearless Warrior.” HerZindagi, May 3, 2023. https://www.herzindagi.com/society-culture/ahilyabai-holkar-malwa-queen-warrior-life-story-death-article-230184.

Raikar, Sanat Pai. “Maratha Empire.” Encyclopedia Britannica, September 8, 2022. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maratha-Empire.

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Vaidya, Shefali. “Ahilya’s Daughters - Pragyata.” Pragyata - Journal of Indic Ideas, May 23, 2016. https://pragyata.com/ahilyas-daughters/.

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China has had many influential and ambitious Empresses in its history, such as Empress Wu, but Zhao Feiyan certainly gives them all a run for their money. Zhao Feiyan was born into a relatively poor family, but due to her talent as a dancer, she was able to get the attention of the emperor, and from there, hijinx ensued. Join me on today’s episode to learn about China’s most underrated and controversial Empress.

Bibliography