This week we talk about Queens who got their hands dirty. Join us as we discuss many reasons to not mess with royalty such as being banished, being blinded, and being turned into a priest against your will.

Sources:

https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/byzantine-empire/empress-irene-athens-first-female-ruler-byzantine-empire/

https://www.rejectedprincesses.com/princesses/fredegund

https://www.rejectedprincesses.com/princesses/wu-zetian

https://www.thoughtco.com/irene-of-athens-p2-3529666

https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/roundtable/killer-queens

https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2016/08/07/brunhilde-and-fredegund/

https://historycollection.com/wu-zetain-chinas-only-female-ruler-killed-her-children-to-secure-power-but-like-many-other-great-leaders-spiraled-into-disgrace/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-demonization-of-empress-wu-20743091/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_of_Justinian

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/articles/a-cultural-history-of-tea-in-china/

https://www.ancient.eu/Bede/