logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
32m 56s

Catherine the Great & Her Many Lovers

Lindsay Holiday
About this episode
The deliciously witty drama series ‘The Great’ tells the occasionally true story of Catherine II, Empress of Russia. It’s a wonderful example of why historic dramas should be taken as entertainment, not a history lesson. While playing fast and loose with history it actually sanitizes a lot of the scandal in her life by transforming Peter into a romantic anti ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
A History of Scottish Clans, Tartan & Kilts
While getting swept away in the latest season of Outlander, or researching your own highland heritage, you might wonder about these key elements of Scottish culture and history. What was a clan and how did they work? Does my last name mean that I belong to a certain clan and that ... Show More
32m 20s
Mar 17
Guinness Family - Ireland's Dark Beer Dynasty
When the Guinness family saw the turmoil and scandals of other great historic dynasties, they literally said, hold our beer, and proceeded to top them all. The new series, The House of Guinness dramatizes just one generation of the famous Irish family; the 4 children of Benjamin ... Show More
36m 1s
Mar 10
Madame Jeanne du Barry - The Last Great Royal Mistress of France
Jeanne Bécu, Jeanne du Barry, Madame du Barry, clawed her way up from the illegitimate daughter of a single mother, to one of the most celebrated courtesans in Paris, to the final royal mistress of King Louis XV. Her captivating life has been dramatized in numerous operas, films ... Show More
32m 34s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2024
Catherine the Great: life of the week
Catherine the Great stands out from the rulers of Imperial Russia – a 'philosopher empress' whose wit, political savvy, and unyielding ambition transformed her empire into a European powerhouse. Seizing the throne through an audacious coup against her own husband, Catherine wield ... Show More
37m 15s
Oct 2025
The Scandalous Royal Mistress Who Ruled France
Is this strangest threesome in royal history?!We're endlessly fascinated with the lives of royal mistresses, and this has to be one of the most notorious.It takes place in 16th century France between Henry II, his wife Catherine de Medici and his much older mistress, Diane de Poi ... Show More
37m 45s
Oct 2024
Sex & Scandal in Catherine of Aragon's Court
<p>When Henry VIII wanted a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, he needed to prove that she was not a virgin when they wed. </p><br><p>One woman was key to proving this: Catalina of Motril, Catherine's enslaved servant who was always present in the royal bedroom. </p><br><p>Before ... Show More
41m 51s
Aug 2024
The Real Anne Boleyn: Sex, Scandal & Betrayal
<p>Anne Boleyn was smart, sophisticated and had SO much charisma.</p><br><p>She kept Henry VIII waiting for SEVEN YEARS before they finally got together, and even then it was on her terms.</p><br><p>So where did it all go wrong for Anne Boleyn? Were any of the wild accusations ma ... Show More
50m 56s
Feb 2025
Catherine de’ Medici: the real Serpent Queen of France
Greg Jenner is joined in 16th-Century France by Dr Estelle Paranque and comedian Shaparak Khorsandi to learn all about controversial queen Catherine de’ Medici.Catherine’s life was dramatic from the moment she was born: orphaned when she was just a few weeks old, she was brought ... Show More
57m 40s
Jul 2024
Charles II's Lost Queen: Catherine de Braganza
<p>Despite Catherine of Braganza's crucial place in British history, she has always been overshadowed by stories of Charles II’s many mistresses and forgotten as his boring, powerless wife. This could not be further from the truth.</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Not Just the Tu ... Show More
37m 30s
Jun 2025
Theodora, the rags to riches Empress
<p><br></p><p>Dr. Eleanor Janega and author Stella Duffy dive into the extraordinary life and legacy of Empress Theodora.</p><p>A woman who rose from the lowest ranks of society as a prostitute at the Hippodrome to capture the heard of an emperor to become the most powerful woman ... Show More
46m 50s
Sep 2025
History's Worst F*ckboys: Charles II
Our mini-series exploring the worst f*ckboys in history is back!In today's episode, Kate is joined by Dr. David Taylor of Oxford University to get to know the so-called Merry Monarch and the many women in his life.Was it better to be married or be a mistress to Charles II? How ma ... Show More
44m 49s
Apr 2025
History's Worst F*ckboys: Casanova
<p>Can you imagine being SO smooth-talking and seductive your surname becomes an actual noun in the dictionary to describe someone who has a reputation for being an expert at in the sack?</p><br><p>Well today we’re going to be talking about a man who was just that…Giacamo Casanov ... Show More
28m 41s
Apr 2025
History's Worst F*ckboys: Emperor Caligula
<p>Have you ever heard of the Emperor who made his horse a senator? Seems like a top bloke, right? Today on Betwixt the Sheets we’re going to meet (possibly) the most debauched Roman Emperor.</p><br><p>From stealing brides from their wedding days to an unhealthy obsession with hi ... Show More
46m 2s