International, part 37: China’s Empress Cixi (pt 1/2)

November 30, 2022

OK this is a major episode, so get ready for the twists and turns of a truly unforgettable saga. Cixi was born to a Manchu family in China in the 19th century and, as a teen, was selected to join the emperor’s harem of concubines. The emperor mostly doesn’t matter (spoiler: none of the emperors in this saga do), because what’s most important is that in the harem she met her ride or die best friend forever, Ci’an. And what they accomplished together is truly breathtaking, changed history, and is also the cliffhanger of this week’s episode.

Recommended podcasts to learn more about Asian history:

Asian American History 101

With Chinese Characteristics

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References:

Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China by Jung Chang

Women In World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia

Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History.

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International, part 36: Ancient Iranian Warrior Queen Artemisia I of Caria

November 23, 2022

Artemisia I of Caria is one of the earliest recorded tits out women of history. She was the Queen of Halicarnassus hundreds of years before Cleopatra, and midway through the events of the Old Testament. She helped out Persian Emperor Xerxes I battle against the Greeks, and was so impressive Herodotus wrote about her (even though she was a woman).

Help for Iran. Some organizations to consider donating to in support of the women of Iran:

Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI)

Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran

Amnesty International

United for Iran

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Support Vulgar History on Patreon

Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store – use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order

References:

Wikipedia

Britannica.com

https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1492/women-in-ancient-persia

https://www.worldhistory.org/article/927/women-in-ancient-greece/

https://www.persianesquemagazine.com/4717/

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Captain Kidd’s Pirate Wife, Sarah Kidd

November 16, 2022

You may not have heard of Sarah Kidd, but you likely have heard of her third husband: Captain Kidd, the famous pirate. I’m joined by Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos, author of the first-ever full length biography of Sarah, THE PIRATE’S WIFE: THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF SARAH KIDD to learn all about this lesser-known figure from history. Arrrr!

Learn more about Daphne and her books at daphnepalmergeanacopoulos.com/

Buy a copy of THE PIRATE’S WIFE from bookshop.org to help support Vulgar History

Support Vulgar History on Patreon

Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store – use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order

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Author Interview: Kit Heyam (Before We Were Trans)

November 9, 2022

As soon as I read Kit Heyam’s new book “Before We Were Trans” I knew I had to try and get them on the podcast. And happy day, Kit agreed! We talk in this chat about the messiness of trans and queer history, women in sexy lady pants, the gender of hats, Njinga, Catalina de Erauso, Kristina of Sweden and MUCH MORE!

Learn more about Kit and their work at kitheyam.com and follow them on Twitter @krheyam

Purchase “Before We Were Trans” from bookshop.org

Also, as mentioned in the episode, some organizations to consider donating to in support of the women of Iran:

Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI)

Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran

Amnesty International

United for Iran

Support Vulgar History on Patreon

Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store – use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

International, part 33: Manuela Sáenz: Post-Revolution (pt 2/2)

November 2, 2022

Doña Manuela Sáenz de Vergara y Aizpuru was the illegitimate daughter of Spanish nobility in Quito (in modern day Ecuador). Side by side with Simón Bolívar, she was instrumental in Spanish colonies emancipating themselves from Spain. Following Simón’s death, Manuela wound up with money problems in Perú. Since the 20th century, South American feminists have reclaimed her legacy and today, she is widely beloved all over South America as their beloved Manuelita.

Support Vulgar History on Patreon

Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store – use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order

References:

Wikipedia

For Glory and Bolivar by Pamela S. Murray

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International, part 32: Manuela Sáenz: Revolutionary (pt 1/2)

October 26, 2022

Doña Manuela Sáenz de Vergara y Aizpuru was the illegitimate daughter of Spanish nobility in Quito (in modern day Ecuador). After a political awakening, she became involved in the patriot revolution seeking to emancipate South America from Spanish control. And that’s just the beginning.

Support Vulgar History on Patreon at patreon.com/annfosterwriter

Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store – use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order

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References:

Wikipedia

For Glory and Bolivar by Pamela S. Murray

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International, part 31: Lola Montez and the Gold Rush (part 2/2)

October 19, 2022

Part two of our exploration of Ireland’s most scandalous heroine covers the second part of Lola Montez’s life. Can’t mention any details here, it’s all best experienced as guest Allison Epstein (A Tip for the Hangman) did, by just vibing out while I tell the tale.

Learn more about Allison at allisonepstein.com and subscribe to Dirtbags Through The Ages at rapscallison.substack.com/

** I forgot to announce Lola’s total scandilicious score in the episode, scroll to the bottom of these notes to see what it is **

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Support Vulgar History on Patreon at patreon.com/annfosterwriter

Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store – use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order

References:

Wikipedia

The Irish History Podcast

Queens of the Mines podcast

Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast

The Lonely Empress by Joan Haslip

Lola Montez: A Life, by Bruce Seymour

https://decider.com/2021/02/19/dickinson-season-2-spider-dance-lola-montez-anna-baryshnikov-pico-alexander/

https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/montez-lola-4226

https://allthatsinteresting.com/lola-montez

** Lola Montez got a 23. Here is where that puts her on the overall scale:

Catalina de Erauso 23.5

Lola Montez 23

Boudica 23

Christopher Marlowe 22.5

Empress Sisi 21

–Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History: bookshop.org/shop/vulgarhistory

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

International, part 30: Irish Grifter Lola Montez (pt 1/2)

October 11, 2022

Lola Montez is such a groundbreakingly dirtbaggy grifter and icon, we had to invite friend of the pod Allison Epstein (author of A Tip for the Hangman) to share this wildly bananas saga. The saga is truly internationale as well, as part one travels along with Lola from Ireland to India, England, Scotland, Spain, France, and finally Bavaria. And it’s just part one of two!! Enjoy!!

Learn more about Allison at allisonepstein.com and subscribe to Dirtbags Through The Ages at rapscallison.substack.com/

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Support Vulgar History on Patreon at patreon.com/annfosterwriter

Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store – use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order

—

References:

Wikipedia

The Irish History Podcast

Stuff You Missed in History Slass podcast

The Lonely Empress by Joan Haslip

Lola Montez: A Life, by Bruce Seymour

https://decider.com/2021/02/19/dickinson-season-2-spider-dance-lola-montez-anna-baryshnikov-pico-alexander/

https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/montez-lola-4226

https://allthatsinteresting.com/lola-montez

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International, part 29: Queen Min Takes Over The Kingdom (pt 2/2)

October 5, 2022

In the second part of the saga of Queen Min, we see her extremely competently take control of the Joseon kingdom during a wildly chaotic period in time. China, Japan, Russia, and the US are all at play here and Min has to try and play them all off one another to try and prevent Joseon from falling to any. Meanwhile the father in law from hell, Daewongun, is STILL trying to get rid of her; some of her enemies realize they can manipulate her husband (the literal King) Gojong; she evades at least two major assassination attempts; she kind of rises from the dead; and does she let these things stop her; NO!! (until one of these things sadly does stop her; but does that let Gojong let that be the end of her story; NO!!!)

Support Vulgar History on Patreon at patreon.com/annfosterwriter

Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store – use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order

References:

Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History

https://www.factinate.com/people/facts-queen-min/amp/

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2015/10/323_70902.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Myeongseong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep_eIppXwT0&t=601s

https://legacyweb.philamuseum.org/doc_downloads/education/JoseonResourceBook.pdf

https://www.koreasociety.org/images/pdf/KoreanStudies/Curriculum_Materials/LessonbyTime/3_GoryeoJoseon/JoseonDynastyandWomensRights-CustomandLaw_Cerulo_Beth.pdf

https://www.thoughtco.com/the-joseon-dynasty-in-korea-195719

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_acUrSV0Bi0

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International, part 28: Korea’s Queen Min Surprises Everyone (pt 1/2)

September 28, 2022

This season’s internationale world trip heads to the Joseon Kingdom (modern-day Korea) in the late 19th century.

In part one of two, we meet the teenage girl (name unknown; I explain why in this episode) chosen to marry the teen Emperor because she had few connections and seemed easy to manipulate. AU CONTRAIRE, the woman known as Queen Min quickly proved herself to be more capable than anyone expected, least of all her arch-enemy, her father-in-law.

Reading recommendation: The Silence of Bones by June Hur

Support Vulgar History on Patreon at patreon.com/annfosterwriter

Get merch at http://vulgarhistory.store – use code TITSOUT for free U.S. shipping or TITSOUT10 for 10% off your order

References:

Oxford Encyclopedia of Women in World History

https://www.factinate.com/people/facts-queen-min/amp/

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2015/10/323_70902.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Myeongseong

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep_eIppXwT0&t=601s

https://legacyweb.philamuseum.org/doc_downloads/education/JoseonResourceBook.pdf

https://www.koreasociety.org/images/pdf/KoreanStudies/Curriculum_Materials/LessonbyTime/3_GoryeoJoseon/JoseonDynastyandWomensRights-CustomandLaw_Cerulo_Beth.pdf

https://www.thoughtco.com/the-joseon-dynasty-in-korea-195719