logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2
1h 27m

The Sex Lives of Regency England

Vulgar History | Realm
About this episode
Did people in the 18th century know about contraception? How did young women learn the facts of life before their wedding nights? How accurate is Bridgerton? What do we know about queer people from this era? We answer all these questions and more in a chat with romance novelist Alexandra Vasti! Learn more about Alexandra's books: alexandravasti.com/books P ... Show More
Up next
Today
French Revolution: The Messy Bitches Who Brought Down the Monarchy
We've reached a point in our French Revolution discussion where we can no longer tell the story through the lives of women, because women were excluded from leadership roles. So instead, special guest Allison Epstein joins us to explain who were the men who led the French Revolut ... Show More
1h 40m
Jul 1
Canadian History: Who Was Laura Secord?
Laura Secord was a 19th-century Canadian woman known mostly for a) the chocolate store named after her now and b) her iconic Canadian Heritage Minute, recounting her heroic walk. We break down her real story (and what's the connection to the chocolate company?) in this Canada Day ... Show More
48m 8s
Jun 26
Connecting the French Revolution and the Haitian Revolution
The American and French Revolutions inspired people in Haiti to rise up. Yet the Haitian Revolution is not always included in discussions of the revolutionary 18th century. Here to untangle this knot of connections is author Zoe Sivak, whose novel Mademoiselle Revolution is about ... Show More
1h 20m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 10
Theodora, the rags to riches Empress
Dr. Eleanor Janega and author Stella Duffy dive into the extraordinary life and legacy of Empress Theodora.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 in the Byzantine Emp ... Show More
46m 50s
Nov 2024
The Spanish-American War
In April 1898 the United States declared war on Spain. By the end of the war that December, the Spanish had lost their centuries-old colonial empire and the US had emerged as a power in the Pacific. Join Don as he speaks to Christopher McKnight Nichols, Professor of History and W ... Show More
42m 58s
Mar 2025
Aphra Behn: Revolutionary, Author, Spy
Aphra Behn was a true original. Not only was she the first woman to earn a living by writing, she was also a spy, a political propagandist and a revolutionary. Publicly she was all brash sexuality and outspoken politics, but what is known about the woman beneath? Professor Suzann ... Show More
40m 26s
Aug 2024
Lafayette: The Marquis and the American Revolution
Why did an aristocratic French man fight for American freedom? How influential was Lafayette? And what did he do on his return visit to the United States 200 years ago this year?Don is joined by Chuck Schwam, Executive Director of the American Friends of Lafayette. You can find m ... Show More
26m 19s
Mar 2024
Adventures of a Mughal Princess
In the British Library, there is a manuscript copy of the memoir of Princess Gulbadan, the only surviving female-authored memoir from the Mughal Empire. In it, Gulbadan tells her extraordinary story: from growing up in a multi-cultural society, via life in a walled harem, to an u ... Show More
38m 6s
Jan 2025
Cesare Borgia
Cesare Borgia, one of history's most controversial figures, was known for his ruthless ambition and political cunning. From his dramatic rise to power through to his notorious military campaigns and the legends surrounding his alleged crimes and complex relationships, he inspired ... Show More
37m 3s
Sep 2023
Crown and Canvas: Henry VII, Part One
In this episode of Crown and Canvas, we are exploring the early life of Henry Tudor, later Henry VII of England. For images and sources: https://www.accessiblearthistory.com/post/podcast-episode-96-crown-and-canvas-henry-vii-part-one ______________________________________________ ... Show More
8m 11s
Apr 10
History's Worst F*ckboys: Emperor Caligula
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. From stealing brides from their wedding days to an unhealthy obsession with his sister, who ... Show More
46m 2s
Aug 2024
Gulbadan Begum: princess, explorer, author
Gulbadan Begum was meant to live a quiet life in a Mughal harem. Instead she set off on a daring pilgrimage to Islam's holy cities and, on her return, wrote an extraordinary account of her dynasty. In conversation with Spencer Mizen, Ruby Lal explores the life of a princess who t ... Show More
29m 41s
Apr 17
History's Worst F*ckboys: Casanova
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? Well today we’re going to be talking about a man who was just that…Giacamo Casanova. But is his ... Show More
28m 41s