Regal: Rebels and Rulers

Maud of Norway: The Queen Who Fashioned a Monarchy

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 10:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we are exploring the fascinating life of Maud of Norway, a British princess who became Norway’s first modern queen consort; she helped built the foundations of one of Europe’s newest, but most popular monarchies. She wholeheartedly threw herself into Norway's attempt to fashion a new national identity in the early years of the 20th Century.

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We wanted to share a quick schedule update. Our supplemental episode on Françoise d'Aubigné, Madame de Maintenon has been moved from March 23 to April 27.

Queen Christina of Sweden: The Unconventional Queen

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:00:00 GMT

In this episode, we explore the fascinating life of one of Europe’s most unconventional monarchs, a Queen who defied gender norms, rejected marriage, challenged her culture's religious expectations, and lived life almost entirely by her own rules.

Join us as we travel back to 17th century Sweden and explore the life and legacy of Queen Christina, the first Queen Regnant we have featured on our podcast.

Maxims of A Queen

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Nell Gwyn: Pretty, Witty Nell

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

In today’s episode, we travel back to 17th century England and explore the life and legacy of Nell Gwyn, the fondly-remembered and extremely popular mistress of King Charles II. Nell, also known as "The People's Mistress," has been a subject of enduring interest in popular culture for centuries. A product of the vibrant new theatre scene in Restoration England, "pretty, witty Nell" (as Samuel Pepys described her) might have been one of history's first media celebrities.

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Saint Adelaide of Italy: The Holy Empress

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

In our first episode of 2026, we explore the fascinating life of one of the most influential women of 10th-century Europe. Imagine it is the year 951, a young queen is locked in a fortress on Lake Garda in Northern Italy. Her husband is newly dead. Another king demands her hand in marriage. And Adelaide of Italy—widow, prisoner, future empress—refuses. What’s next?

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Catherine of Valois: A Rebel for Love

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 11:01:09 GMT

In today’s episode, we travel to 15th century England to explore the life and legacy of Catherine of Valois, Queen of England. The young widow of Henry V scandalized her contemporaries by falling in love with a Welshman named Owen Tudor, This very private choice had very public repercussions. As grandmother to Henry VII and matriarch of the Tudor line, her descendants reshaped England. Catherine, caught between warring nations and factions, risked everything for love and changed the course of history.

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The Royal Witches: Power, Politics, and Persecution in 15th-Century England

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:00:51 GMT

In this special supplemental episode, we are travelling back to 15th century England to explore the lives of four royal women who were accused of witchcraft and how those accusations were less about sorcery than about silencing and control.

For more information on the topic, please check out Gemma Holman’s book, Royal Witches: Witchcraft and the Nobility in Fifteenth-Century England, click here to grab yourself a copy https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Royal-Witches/Gemma-Hollman/9781643137704

Lament of the Duchess of Gloucester Poem https://poetrynook.com/poem/lament-duchess-gloucester

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Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd: The Welsh Warrior Princess

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:01:38 GMT

In this episode, we are traveling back to 12th century Wales and exploring the life of Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, Princess of Deheubarth.

We actually know relatively little about for sure about her life—but her lasting legend had a dramatic and significant impact on the development of her country’s culture and national identity.

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Marie Louise Gonzaga: She's Complicated

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 10:00:54 GMT

In this episode, we are traveling back to 17th century Poland and exploring the life of Marie Louise Gonzaga. She was Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania and one of the most powerful women in the 17th-century Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth..

She steered the Commonwealth through war, intrigue, and the Swedish Deluge. A survivor, strategist, and cultural patron, her story reveals how her complicated legacy still speaks to women today.

Marolles Tarot Rules (1637) https://www.pagat.com/tarot/marolles.html

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Eleanor of Toledo: A Portrait of Power

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:01:06 GMT

In this first episode of our podcast series, we are traveling back to 16th century Florence and exploring the life of Eleanor of Toledo. She was the Duchess of Florence and one of the most powerful women in the 16th-century Italian states. Eleanor wielded profound influence for a woman of her time. Her life offers several valuable lessons that remain relevant today.

This episode focuses on Eleanor's cultural and social influence and her skilled use of patronage, fashion, and the arts to promote the fortunes of the House of Medici. For fashionistas there is an extended discussion of several of her gowns, including the one pictured in her most famous portrait.

For an in-depth article on the gown we discuss in the podcast. please see Bronzino, Portrait of Eleonora of Toledo with her son Giovanni by Christine Zapella at:

https://smarthistory.org/bronzino-portrait-of-eleonora-of-toledo-with-her-son-giovanni/

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