Marquis de Lafayette, part two (with Allison Epstein)

In this instalment of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Marie Antoinette, we wrap up the saga of a man who Marie Antointte truly hated, the Marquis de Lafayette. And joining us to share the legendary life of this dirtbag (complimentary) is friend of the podcast Allison Epstein!

As mentioned in the episode, here is more info on the French revolutionary calendar.

Allison’s new book Fagin the Thief comes out in February 2025. Click here to preorder a copy.

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Marquis de Lafayette, part one (with Allison Epstein)

In this instalment of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Marie Antoinette, we look at a man who really annoyed her: the Marquis de Lafayette. And joining us to share the legendary life of this dirtbag (complimentary) is friend of the podcast Allison Epstein!

Allison’s new book Fagin the Thief comes out in February 2025. Click here to preorder a copy.

Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout

Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)

Support Vulgar History on Patreon 

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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Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier of Saint-Georges (with Julian Ledford)

As our discussion of Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution continues, we’re looking at the life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Saint-Georges was a mixed-race man born to an enslaved woman and her enslaver in Guadaloupe. Sent to Paris to be educated, his athleticism and musical gifts made him a celebrity.

We’re joined today by Professor Julian Ledford, Assistant Professor of French and French Studies at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.

References:

The Chevalier de Saint-Georges: Virtuoso of the Sword and the Bow by Gabriel Banat

Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Man of Music and Gentleman-at-Arms: The Life and Times of an Eighteenth-Century Prodigy by Gabriel Banat

Joseph Boulogne, the Chevalier de Saint-George and the Problem With Black Mozart by Julian A. Ledford

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Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse du Barry aka Madame du Barry, part two (with Amanda Matta)

We’re back on the Marie Antoinette train, and in Season 7 Part 2 the topic is “Meanwhile, Back in France.”

We’re joined again by Amanda Matta to wrap up the scandalous saga of Madame du Barry.

Follow Amanda on:

TikTok

Instagram

Substack

And keep up with her podcast, The Art of History!

Reference:

Madame du Barry: The Wages of Beauty by Joan Haslip

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Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse du Barry aka Madame du Barry, part one (with Amanda Matta)

We’re back on the Marie Antoinette train, and in Season 7 Part 2 the topic is “Meanwhile, Back in France.”

To explain the French royal court system that Marie Antoinette eventually joined, we’re taking a look at notorious mistress Madame du Barry in a saga so iconic it can’t be contained in one podcast episode.

Our guest this week is everyone’s favourite TikTok royal commentator, Amanda Matta!

Follow Amanda on:

TikTok

Instagram

Substack

And keep up with her podcast, The Art of History!

Reference:

Madame du Barry: The Wages of Beauty by Joan Haslip

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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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So This Goofball: Louis XIV

This used to be a Patreon-only bonus episode, but now everyone can hear it!

Since we’ll be discussing Versailles in upcoming episodes, it felt appropriate to share this episode about Louis XIV aka The Sun King, who basically invented that whole scenario.

To hear more bonus episodes, subscribe at the $5/month or higher level at patreon.com/annfosterwriter

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Boudica, Queen of the Iceni (Ann’s Version)

It’s a rerelease of a classic Vulgar History episode, now with better editing! Boudica was Queen of the Iceni, a Celtic tribe during the Roman conquest of Britain. She led a rebellion of united tribes against their Roman invaders, leaving a path of death and bloodshed in her wake. 

Reference:

Boudica: Warrior Woman of the Roman Empire by Caitlin C. Gillespie

Intro ends/story starts 01:49

Ad break 21:34

Outro starts 44:58

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Agrippina the Younger (Ann’s Version)

This week, we’re revisiting a classic Vulgar History episode. Agrippina the Younger was also the sister, wife/niece, and mother of three different Roman emperors and also one of the villainesses in the 1976 BBC miniseries I, Claudius!

Reference:

Agrippina: The Most Extraordinary Woman of the Roman World by Emma Southon (now available in paperback!)

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Cleopatra Discussion (with Gina Berry)

There was no way I could revisit the Cleopatra episode and score without getting Gina Berry’s assistance! She was a guest on our epic Nefertiti and Hatshepsut episodes, and now she’s here to talk all things Cleo. As ever, when the two of us get together, it will be at LEAST 2 hours of episode.

I recommend listening to the Cleopatra episode first before diving into this discussion, but you do you.

Reference:

Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

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Cleopatra VII (Ann’s Version)

Remember in early 2020 when we were doing the season Women Leaders and the Men Who Whined About Them? This was the first episode of that series, now remastered by Cristina for improved audio quality! Plus, a special new intro and extro!

Coming up next week: we revisit Cleo’s score with a very special guest.

Intro ends: 04:07

Ad break: 34:54

Story ends: 1:13:58

Reference:

Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

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