Monarcast

305: They Shoot Victorias, Don't They? (English Queens & Wannabes, Part 5)

In 1840, a young man aimed a pistol at Queen Victoria as she rode in her carriage. Throughout the remaining 60 years of her reign, similar events happened no less than 7 more times. Why was her public trying to kill her? Were they just insane? Were they even trying to shoot her? This week, we discuss all of these questions and more, as we chart the rule of the Queen in the Victorian Era and into the 20th century, and all the new forms of terror and threat that brought.

304: Empress Matilda, Lady of England (English Queens & Wannabes, Part 4)

400 years before Edward VI’s succession concerns, England faced the question of female rule for the first time, and the ultimate answer was very different. Matilda set a precedent for female power to be wielded in a less direct way, through male heirs or husbands, but her precedent was set through 20 years of civil war.

Sources:

She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth, Helen Castor

303: Catfight! Mary, Queen of Scots vs. Elizabeth I (English Queens & Wannabes, Part 3)

It’s Mary, Queen of Scots vs. Elizabeth I this week, as two women find themselves in history’s favorite gossip drama, the female catfight! But really, there’s a lot of family history and religious drama at play, and each woman firmly believed in her right wear the crown of England. History is told by the winners, so we unpack Mary’s story and whether she truly tried to push her cousin off the throne.

302: Queen Mary & The Nine Day Queen (English Queens & Wannabes, Part 2)

A Queen for England! Edward VI is dying, and England once again is facing the idea of religion vs. legitimacy, as, for the first time, a woman will rule England. But which woman? Will it be Henry VIII’s daughter Mary (legally illegitimate, problematically Catholic) or the Lady Jane Grey (Henry’s great-niece, properly Protestant)? Join us, as we discuss the age old tale of pitting woman against woman, in modern gossip and historical record!

301: English Queens & Wannabes - Anne of Great Britain

We’re back! This series we are talking Queens of England (and some wannabe Queens), beginning with the first Queen of Great Britain, Queen Anne, Protestant niece of Charles II. But first, we catch up on all the gossip, discussing the Sussex baby, tiara drama, and Allie’s close-up glimpse of the Invictus Games!

Tiaras

The Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara and at Eugenie’s Wedding

The Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara

209: France's Francis I

Did you ever wonder if the King in Ever After was a real person? He was! Kind of! Please excuse our French this week while we chat about Francis I of France, the last corner of our regal trifecta of monarchs dealing with Henry VIII and his shenanigans. Like Charles, Isabella and Henry, Francis dealt with religious issues and war (with an Ottoman alliance thrown in for a plot twist!) as well as matters of the…heart.  

208: Teach Me How to Duchess

This week, we are learning how to be royal! Or at least passably behave like royals. There’s so much to consider! What not to wear, how to eat, how to sit, how to travel. If you are a woman? I hope you are good at following rules! We specifically take issue with the forks, but also, Claire has a PSA for all you buffet managers re proper shellfish labeling.

207: Charles V Is Like, Totally Busy

This week, it’s a full length “Royal Oops” episode as we finally answer the question, “What is the Holy Roman Empire?” Maybe. We hope. Charles V was the most titled and powerful man in Europe, King of Castile & Aragon, Duke of Burgundy, ruler of Hapsburg Austria, Holy Roman Emperor, and nephew to Catherine of Aragon. Yet this powerful man didn’t come to his Aunt’s aid in her divorce struggle. Why not? Well, he had some other troubles happening with Lutherans in Germany, Ottomans everywhere, and dealing with the Pope and the French in Italy. He was just like, so stressed out right now, ok?

206: Isabella (& Ferdinand) of Spain

We discuss Isabella (and Ferdinand) of Spain this week, in-laws to Henry VIII and Catholic overseers of Castile and Aragon. Isabella and her husband launched Spain's reconquering of Granada, the Inquisition, and sponsored a small voyage west across the Atlantic that led to rich, unforeseen discoveries and opportunity for Spain.

205: Henry VIII Pt. 4 - The Final Catherine

This week, we wrap up our series on Henry VIII with his final wife, Catherine Parr. They had the most successful of his later marriages before his death. We discuss their time together, the succession, and his ultimate legacy.