The story of George Villiers and King James I & VI reads like a stylish, sexy and scandalous historic drama series. It probably hasn’t been made into one before because, until recently, Hollywood wasn’t too keen on portraying homosexual characters and relationships, authentically. However, the new Starz series, Mary and George promises to finally introduce t ... Show More
Sep 1
A History of Bubonic Plague | The Black Death & Quarantining with The Decameron
“How many valiant men, how many fair ladies, how many sprightly youths, … breakfasted in the morning with their kinsfolk, comrades and friends, and that same night supped with their ancestors in the other world.” Giovanni Boccaccio, The Decameron Between 1346 and 1353 a horrifyin ... Show More
31m 29s
Aug 25
Lady Godiva, Medieval Nude Equestrian
Lovers of folklore and Chocolate will have heard of the famous Lady Godiva, who rode her horse naked through the streets of Coventry with only her golden hair to preserve her modesty. And of peeping Tom, the only man in the town who dared to gaze upon her birthday suit and was st ... Show More
29m 5s
Apr 2024
Seducing James I: Mary & George
<p>The major new TV series, <em>Mary & George</em> tells<em> </em>the scandalous story of George Villiers, who rose - thanks to his mother Mary’s machinations - from minor gentry to enrapture King James VI & I, Britain’s first Stuart king. For a decade, George Vill ... Show More
47m 22s
Apr 2024
Sex & Scandal in King James' Court
King James I was a man whose sexuality was known by people in France, let alone (the newly formed) Britain of the early 17th century.So it may come as no surprise that men, such as the handsome George Villiers, might use their sexuality to their advantage and gain status, money a ... Show More
1h 1m
Jul 2023
Scottish Kings' Sex Lives
One thing royal families strive for is the common touch. Whilst some have struggled with it, King James IV and V in the 15th and 16th centuries excelled in it. It could be said, however, they took the term ‘common touch’ too literally, as it wasn’t uncommon for them to have sexua ... Show More
47m 17s
May 2024
The REAL Bridgerton: Queen Charlotte, Lord Byron & Georgian Celebrity
The third season of Bridgerton is out and we are back in sexy scandalous Georgian society. But while we watch, we're taking a step back to ask: how real is Bridgerton?On this second episode in our REAL Bridgerton mini-series, we're looking at the royals and celebrities who filled ... Show More
43m 8s
Nov 2024
George Villiers Part 2: George on Top | 49
In part one, George Villiers joins King James’ Royal Bedchamber and quickly becomes the king’s Favorite – and his lover. But George is desperate to prove that he’s more than just a pretty face, so he starts a new career in politics. In the end, he’ll have to make some hard choice ... Show More
42m 43s
Sep 2022
Bad King James VI & I
You might know him best as the longest reigning Scottish king, the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, the father of Charles I, or the eponymous poster of the translation of the bible into English.But King James VI of Scotland, and I of England, had some very questionable traits and got ... Show More
38m 43s
Mar 2024
Scandalous Sex Lives of Royalty
We've been fascinated by royalty for hundreds of years, but what do we know about their sex lives? Quite a lot, it turns out.Today we're revisiting an episode Kate recorded with bestselling author Eleanor Herman to find out about what it took to not just be a mistress of a royal, ... Show More
42m 55s
Sep 2023
Sex & Scandal in Hampton Court
From Catherine Howard’s affairs whilst she was with Henry VIII, to Charles II’s mistress staging a lesbian wedding as part of a threesome… Hampton Court has seen it all. Today’s guest is Gareth Russell, historian and author of The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Year ... Show More
43m 56s