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

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

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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 25: Empress Sisi’s Unhappy Marriage (pt 2/3)

Last week was the set-up, this week we delve into Sisi’s whole deal. Again we’re joined by Lana Wood Johnson (author of Technically You Started It and Speak For Yourself), Sisi superfan. Learn more about Lana and her books at lanawoodjohnson.com

* Content warning: starting at 8:31, there is discussion of depression, anxiety, disordered eating, anorexia nervosa, and anorexia athletica. This content ends at 27:21.

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References:

Wikipedia

The Lonely Empress: Sisi of Austria by Joan Haslip (book from 1965, out of print)

The Reluctant Empress: A Biography of Empress Elisabeth of Austria by Brigitte Hamann (book from 1988, translated from German)

Sissi by Romy Schneider and Karlheinz Bohm from Taschen (pictures are amazing bio is not great)

The Hapsburgs: Embodying Empire by Andrew Wheatcroft (overview of Hapsburgs and useful family tree) https://bookshop.org/a/1419/9780140236347

https://www.historytoday.com/archive/anorectic-empress-elisabeth-austria

https://www.history.com/news/the-tragic-austrian-empress-who-was-murdered-by-anarchists

https://historyofyesterday.com/the-tragedies-and-triumphs-of-sissis-sisters-1f08ce9df80b

https://metropole.at/5-things-about-elisabeth-sissi/

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

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International, part 24: Empress Sisi: Teen Horse Girl (pt 1/3)

Empress Elisabeth, known to almost everyone as Sisi, was a Bavarian royal who married the Emperor of Austria (a Hapsburg!!). Because this is an era and region I didn’t know much about, we’re joined by Sisi superfan and Hapsburg expert Lana Wood Johnson (author of two YA novels: Technically You Started It, and Speak For Yourself; you should buy them!!) to help fill in the blanks.

Learn more about Lana and her books at lanawoodjohnson.com

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 Lonely Empress: Sisi of Austria by Joan Haslip (book from 1965, out of print)

The Reluctant Empress: A Biography of Empress Elisabeth of Austria by Brigitte Hamann (book from 1988, translated from German)

Sissi by Romy Schneider and Karlheinz Bohm from Taschen (pictures are amazing bio is not great)

The Hapsburgs: Embodying Empire by Andrew Wheatcroft (overview of Hapsburgs and useful family tree)

https://www.historytoday.com/archive/anorectic-empress-elisabeth-austria

https://www.history.com/news/the-tragic-austrian-empress-who-was-murdered-by-anarchists

https://historyofyesterday.com/the-tragedies-and-triumphs-of-sissis-sisters-1f08ce9df80b

https://metropole.at/5-things-about-elisabeth-sissi/

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

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International, part 21: Hortense Mancini Invents Champagne (pt 4/6)

Bonjour and welcome to Hortense’s Salon Internationale! In this week’s episode, we learn more about Hortense Mancini’s time as Charles II’s maitresse-en-titre, her relationship with Charles’s daughter Anne Lennerd, her love of swordfighting, her self-sabotaging affair with Louis I of Monaco, and her platonic life partner Charles de Marguetel de Saint-Denis, seigneur de Saint-Évremond aka CM, and overall her new era as Renaissance Influencer.

And the story doesn’t end here! Next week we’ll wrap up the Hortense Saga with her post-post Charles era, and finally see how she scores on the Fredegund memorial scale.

Support Vulgar History on Patreon at patreon.com/annfosterwriter

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Info about how to take action after the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade is at http://podvoices.help

References:

Mistresses: Sex and Scandal at the Court of Charles II by Linda Porter 

The Kings’ Mistresses: The Liberated Lives of Marie Mancini, Princess Colonna, and her Sister Hortense, Duchess Mazarin by Elizabeth C. Goldsmith

https://www.winemag.com/2022/02/11/hortense-mancini-runaway-duchess-champagne/

https://www.thecambridgelanguagecollective.com/arts-and-culture/annalisa-nicholson

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/feb/28/restoration-influencer-how-charles-iis-clever-mistress-set-trends-ahead-of-her-time

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

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International, part 20: Hortense Mancini Becomes the King’s Mistress (pt 3/6)

So in 1675, Hortense Mancini fled France to hang out in London during the Restoration era. She truly took the city by storm with her superpowered beauty and scandalous ways. But in order to appreciate just what an effect she had, we need to talk for a minute about what London was like P.H. (Pre-Hortense). This week we learn about what Charles II had been up to since he unsuccessfully tried to marry teen Hortense (like being a volunteer firefighter, sexy Captain Hook impersonator, and oh yeah being the literal King) as well as info about his mistresses Moll Davis, Nell Gwyn, Barbara Villiers, and Louise de Kéroualle AND also the jewel heist saga of Thomas Blood. 

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 

Info about how to take action after the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade is at http://podvoices.help 

References: 

Mistresses: Sex and Scandal at the Court of Charles II by Linda Porter

The Kings’ Mistresses: The Liberated Lives of Marie Mancini, Princess Colonna, and her Sister Hortense, Duchess Mazarin by Elizabeth C. Goldsmith

https://www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/sex-scandals-and-betrayals-charles-ii-and-his-court/ article by RE Pritchard 

Leading Ladies: the many mistresses of Charles II wielded real political power by Annalisa Nicholson (History Extra magazine) 

Rex Factor podcast about Charles II

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

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International, part 19: Hortense Mancini’s Escape (pt 2/6)

In the next thrilling installment of the saga of Hortense Mancini, our heroine escapes from her awful husband with the help of her brother and sister, becomes the most popular muse in Rome/Europe, has a not-so-secret sexy affair with a servant, and writes her memoirs (all before age 29). And she’s just getting started! Featuring special guest narrative: what her sister Marie had been up to since being forced to consciously uncouple from Louis XIV.

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

Info about how to take action after the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade is at http://podvoices.help

References:

Mistresses: Sex and Scandal at the Court of Charles II by Linda Porter

The Kings’ Mistresses: The Liberated Lives of Marie Mancini, Princess Colonna, and her Sister Hortense, Duchess Mazarin by Elizabeth C. Goldsmith

Marie Mancini: writing for her life, by Sarah Nelson

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

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