logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2025
37m 29s

How Incestuous Were The Habsburgs?

History Hit
About this episode
tail spinning
Up next
Jul 31
Medieval Europe's Biggest Sex Scandal
This is the wild story of a 12th century French philosopher, Abelard, who fell in love with his student, Heloise.There are a lot of problematic issues going on. Not least their age gap, the resulting power dynamic, and, oh yes—Abelard was castrated.So why does this love story end ... Show More
41m 28s
Jul 28
The Truth About Coco Chanel
You know her from the perfume, the little black dress, the double C bag clasp, but who was the woman, Coco Chanel? What even was her real name?From her origin story, through her inspirations and affairs, to her connections to the Nazi party - today we find out more about Chanel.K ... Show More
46m 24s
Jul 24
Britain's Most Scandalous Queen
‘Who wants a girl with a personality?’ Historically, not the royals.Queen Caroline of Brunswick became Queen Consort of the United Kingdom in 1820, when her husband became King George IV. She was incredibly popular with the public, but unfortunately not so much with her husband, ... Show More
53m 22s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2022
How Inbred were the Habsburgs? 2/2: The Austrian Line
Royals throughout history are notorious for inbreeding. But the European royal family by far infamously incestuous were the Habsburgs (Hapsburgs). The royal house ruled Spain from 1506 to 1700 and held the Holy Roman Empire from 1452 until 1806. These two branches of the family v ... Show More
33m 10s
Jun 2022
How Inbred were the Habsburgs? 1/2 The Spanish Line
Royals throughout history are notorious for inbreeding. But the European royal family by far infamously incestuous were the Habsburgs (Hapsburgs). The royal house ruled Spain from 1506 to 1700 and held the Holy Roman Empire from 1452 until 1806. These two branches of the family v ... Show More
31m 19s
May 2024
445. The Habsburgs: Secrets of a Dynasty
The Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, the Habsburg dynasty's mightiest ruler, was at once King of Spain, Archduke of Austria, Lord of the Netherlands and Duke of Burgundy. With a lineage supposedly stretching back to Noah’s Ark, and a name born in Ancient Rome, the Habsburgs are one ... Show More
56m 29s
Jun 2022
A History of Royal Incest and Inbreeding
From Egyptians Pharaohs marrying their own sisters, to the Hapsburgs’ notoriously oversized lower jaws. Here are the stories of some of the most shocking incestuous relationships and tragically inbred individuals in royal history. King Tut, Queen Juana the Mad of Castile, King Ch ... Show More
31m 50s
Sep 2025
Rise of the Habsburgs
In the first of a special four-part series on the Habsburgs, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb traces the unlikely rise of Europe’s most enduring imperial family. Emerging from a modest Swiss noble house in the 10th century, the House of Habsburg would go on to dominate the political, ... Show More
44m 43s
Aug 2025
Tudor True Crime: Europe's Most Murderous Dynasty
The rich and powerful Guise family was one of the most treacherous and bloodthirsty in sixteenth-century France. They whipped up religious bigotry, overthrowing the king. They ruled Scotland for nearly 20 years through Mary Queen of Scots, plotting to invade England and overthrow ... Show More
39m 10s
Oct 2024
Richard II vs. Henry IV
<p>For the Plantagenets, family might be a curse as often as a boon. They could provide invaluable support, or dangerous rivalry. At the end of the 14th century, the relationship between two first cousins rocked England, ruptured the line of succession and had a long legacy.</p>< ... Show More
59m 7s
Oct 2017
The Medici
Historian and author Mary Hollingsworth reflects on the powerful dynasty who dominated the Italian Renaissance but whose tale also includes tyranny, crime and murder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice ... Show More
32m 47s
Jul 2025
The Rise of Isabel of Castile
**This episode contains sexually explicit language**In an age when powerful female rulers were few and far between, Isabel of Castile rose against the odds to become one of Europe's most formidable monarchs. Crowned ruler of a chaotic, divided kingdom in 1474, Isabel transformed ... Show More
51m 54s