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Noble Blood

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Author Dana Schwartz explores the stories of some of history’s most fascinating royals: the tyrants and the tragic, the murderers and the murdered, and everyone in between. Because when you’re wearing a crown, mistakes often mean blood.

Episodes

Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November...

After the reign of Elizabeth I, Catholics in England were hoping their next monarch would be more leniant with them. But when James I turned out to continue his predecessor's intolerant policies, a small group of men gathered in an inn to take action. JOIN THE PILGRIMAGE TO CORNWALL! Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Jan 10, 202335 minEp. 110

In No Way Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire

What is the "Holy Roman Empire" and why does it seem to be in... Germany? The answer goes back to the King of the Franks, and a very vulnerable Pope. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jan 03, 202324 minEp. 109

The Queen of England and the Queen of Pirates

Grace O'Malley, or Gráinne Mhaol, has become an Irish folk hero, a woman who led a crew of men and galley ships and stood up to the English occupiers in Ireland. But it's her legendary meeting with Queen Elizabeth I—a moment of diplomacy—in England that has fascinated historians for centuries. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Stor y' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listen...

Dec 27, 202236 minEp. 108

The Curse of the Koh-I-Noor

Over the centuries, the fabled Koh-I-noor diamond has been a symbol of conquest and power. Now, it sits in the Tower of London. But how it got there is a story of blood and tragedy. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story ' and pre-order its seque l 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 20, 202237 minEp. 107

Bonus Episode: Dana Schwartz on Significant Others

Bonus special episode! Dana Schwartz guests on Significant Others , a narrated, nonfiction podcast about folks just beyond the spotlight of history, hosted by Liza Powel O’Brien. Each episode tells the story of a talented, difficult and little-known individual who altered the destiny of their better-known partner, child, sibling, or friend, and impacted the world they left behind. -- Liza is joined by Dana Schwartz, host of Noble Blood , which explores the stories of the world’s most fascinating...

Dec 19, 202237 min

The Princess and the Shaman and the Royal House of Norway

While I seldom cover modern royals on this podcast, the recent announcement of Princess Martha Louise of Norway stepping away from royal duties in the wake of her engagement to an American "mystic," we dive into the role of modern royalty and the problems that come from a legitimized platform. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book , 'Anatomy: A Love Story ' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/liste...

Dec 13, 202221 minEp. 106

The Corpse of Inês de Castro

King Pedro I of Portugal had one love of his life. And when she died, in 1355, Pedro would do everything in his power to make those who were responsible pay. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's boo k, 'Anatomy: A Love Story ' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Dec 06, 202232 minEp. 105

The Count, the Moose, and Thomas Jefferson

After the American Revolution, the Founding Fathers were desperate to prove America's strength on the world stage, especially compared to Europe. To Thomas Jefferson, this meant refuting the theory of "degeneracy" put forth by French naturalist, the Comte de Buffon. And of course, there was only one way to do that: have a moose shipped across the Atlantic. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story ' and pre-order ...

Nov 29, 202232 minEp. 104

The Secret History of Emperor Justinian

Procopius is considered the preeminent historian of the Byzantine age, writer of works that extolled the virtue and power of Emperor Justinian. But in the 17th century, a work discovered in the Vatican library revealed that Procopius also wrote another book—a secret book, that threatened to undo all of the good will he once built for the Emperor he served. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story ' and pre-order ...

Nov 22, 202230 minEp. 103

Lady Mary Wroth's Urania

Lady Mary Wroth is often considered the first female writer in England to publish a work of prose under her own name. But her romance, The Countess of Montgomery's Urania, would lead to scandal for more reasons than just a female author... Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book , 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story ' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Nov 15, 202232 minEp. 102

Mansa Musa and the World Map

Mansa Musa is often considered to be the richest man who ever lived. And, in the 14th century, he set out on a hajj to show his wealth and power to the world. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book , 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story ' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Nov 08, 202230 minEp. 101

The Execution of the Roman Virgin

In 1599, Beatrice Cenci, the daughter of a wealthy Roman nobleman, was convicted of her father's murder. She almost certainly did it—no one was arguing that. But some things are more complicated than they first appear. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Nov 01, 202247 minEp. 100

The Princess of Monte Carlo

In 1841, it seemed inevitable that the small, impoverished principality of Monaco would be absorbed by one of its larger neighbors. But the new Princess had an idea, a risky and possibly dangerous idea to save her country: a casino. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book , 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story ' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 25, 202232 minEp. 99

The Irish Crown Jewels, Separated

To this day, no one knows who stole the Irish Crown Jewels in 1907, but in the years since a number of suspects have emerged, and the mysterious case involves an Artic explorer, midnight "orgies," and an unlocked room. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book , 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story ' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 18, 202236 minEp. 98

The Peasants vs. John of Gaunt (with Helen Carr)

Historian Helen Carr , author of The Red Prince: The Life of John of Gaunt , to talk about a key event in the life of the third surviving son of Edward III. John of Gaunt, father of the Lancasters and eventually the Tudors, was an unofficial regent for his young nephew. And when taxes were raised too high, the unpopular John became a target of their ire.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 11, 202237 minEp. 97

The Bewitched Events at the Tour de Nesle

King Philip IV had three sons, who he married to three girls (two of whom happened to be sisters themselves). In 1314, a group accusation of adultery would spell the downfall of the Capet dynasty. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story ' and pre-order its sequel, ' Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Oct 04, 202232 minEp. 96

Libuše and Her City Touching the Stars

It's a legend, nothing more, about the founding of Prague, but in the story of a woman allegedly from the 8th century, we see the power of myth and the reasons some stories are told again and again. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book 'Anatomy: A Love Story ' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 27, 202223 minEp. 95

Queen Elizabeth II's Greatest Regret

The death of Queen Elizabeth is the death of a symbol: after 70 years on the throne, she is the only English monarch many of us have ever known. The story of a disaster in Wales in 1966 highlights that stoic inaction was both the greatest strength, and the greatest weakness, of the late queen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 20, 202221 minEp. 94

The Love of the Duchess of Devonshire, Part 2

After Georgiana Cavendish gave her husband an heir, she was free to pursue extramarital lovers. But her affair with Charles Grey would leave her forced to give birth in France while a revolution raged, terrified, and writing letters in her own blood. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book , 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 13, 202229 minEp. 93

The Love of the Duchess of Devonshire, Part 1

When she was seventeen years old, Georgiana Spencer married William Cavendish and became the Duchess of Devonshire. Almost overnight, she charmed everyone in London society... except her husband. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book , 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story ' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Sep 06, 202234 minEp. 92

The Legend of the Trung Sisters

Two sisters raised an army in 1st century Vietnam against Chinese colonialists. Over the next two thousand years, their story would change and twist. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 30, 202226 minEp. 91

The Duke and Adolf Hitler

In 1936, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in order to marry a twice-divorced American woman named Wallis Simpson. Just a few short months later, the two were hosted in Germany by Adolf Hitler himself. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 23, 202236 minEp. 90

The White Ship on the English Channel

William the Conquerer's youngest son, Henry, had to scheme and fight to become King of England. But his dreams of peacefully united England and Normandy would run into rocky waters. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Aug 16, 202240 minEp. 89

The Adult Sons of the Hanover Line in Crisis

Even though King George III had 13 living children, in 1817, he only had a single legitimate grandchild: Princess Charlotte. And then the unthinkable happened: Princess Charlotte died in childbirth and the Hanovers were left without an heir. Suddenly, all of George III's unmarried adult children were in a race to find eligible princesses and have children to carry on the family business. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatom...

Aug 09, 202239 minEp. 88

The Royal Suffragette

Sophia Duleep Singh was the granddaughter or Ranjit Singh, the 'Lion of Punjab,' but she had been born and raised in England, a goddaughter of Queen Victoria. But rather than spending her life quietly enjoying her wealth and social status, she fought on the front lines for women's right to vote. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! - Read Dana's book 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listene...

Aug 02, 202245 minEp. 87

Surgery of the First World War, with Lindsey Fitzharris

"[T]he science of healing stood baffled before the science of destroying." The consequences of World War I weren't limited to deaths on the battlefield. Men returned home disfigured beyond recognition, and the esteemed surgeon, Sir Harold Gillies—(hard "G" sound)—made it his mission to help. I interview the historian Lindsey Fitzharris about her new book, The Facemaker. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' a...

Jul 26, 202228 minEp. 86

Ivan the Terrible and his Oldest Son

A living, male heir was essential to a monarch in the 16th century who wanted a secure dynasty. So why did Ivan the Terrible, the first Tsar of Russia, murder his only viable heir to the throne? The story might be more complicated than the way it's been told for centuries. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story ' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Jul 19, 202233 minEp. 85

Queen Victoria, in White, in Black, in White

Queen Victoria wore white to her wedding, to emphasize that she was not just a monarch but also a loyal, obedient wife. The rituals of her life became heavily imitated, and we still feel the cultural consequences of her choices today. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its seque l 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 12, 202229 minEp. 84

Stede Bonnet, Gentleman Pirate

Before the HBO Max series, 'Our Flag Means Death,' Stede Bonnet was a footnote of history, an aristocrat who partnered with, and then was betrayed by, Blackbeard. But the full story of Stede Bonnet is a fascinating saga, equal parts comedy and tragedy. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story ' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story ' See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 05, 202247 minEp. 83

The Safavid Princess in Power

When the Shah of the Safavid empire died in 1576, three of his sons would eventually become Shah. But the real power behind the scenes was their sister, Pari Khan Khanum, a brilliant strategist and political thinker who maintained control of the kingdom until it led to her tragic death. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — Merch! — Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story' See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Jun 28, 202239 minEp. 82