Villains and Virgins History Podcast
37 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago -A history podcast with a focus on violence, religion, and gripping stories, created by Eva Schubert, history nerd, college instructor, and jazz aficionado.
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Episodes
The Reformation Episode 3: John Calvin and Theocracy
January 18, 2024 16:40 - 1 hour - 153 MBJohn Calvin is one of the major figures of the Protestant Reformation, famous for his doctrine of pre-destination. This episode covers his time in Geneva, and how he turned that city into a grim and terrifying experiment in theocracy. It is also the story of Protestants burning a heretic at the stake, in a bizarre moment of borrowing the very punishments that had been used to suppress them. This episode captures a dramatic moment as reformers struggle to redefine the roles of church and s...
Reformation Episode 2: Martin Luther, The Man Who Split Europe
October 25, 2023 03:15 - 1 hour - 186 MBIn this episode we cover the unlikely journey of one young man from earnest Augustinian monk to rebel reformer. Martin Luther ignited a firestorm of existing anti-clerical sentiment across Europe, with results that would change Europe and the Western Christian Church forever.
The Reformation Episode 1: John Wycliffe and the Middle Ages
July 10, 2023 16:33 - 1 hour - 162 MBWhat is the Protestant Reformation and why does it matter? To begin to understand how thoroughly it has shaped Western Europe and North America we must travel back in time to see the world as it was before the Reformation. This episode is all about the Middle Ages, when an emperor braved the Alps in winter to appeal to a Pope, and thousands of people in Southern France were slaughtered by Crusaders. It is a world of towering cathedrals, in which the power of the Church rivaled that of the...
Ferdinand and Isabella: EP 5- Christopher Columbus and 1492
January 11, 2023 15:48 - 59 minutes - 114 MB1492 was a year that changed everything. In Castile, it was the end of the Reconquista, as Isabella and Ferdinand ended a decade long war with a triumphant ride through the streets of Granada. It was also the year they signed the Alhambra Decree, which banished all Jews from Castile, and it was the beginning of the end of Moorish presence as well. The connection between these two events and the Spanish Inquisition was a drive for religious purity that would forever change the history of S...
Ferdinand and Isabelle: EP4- The Spanish Inquisition
December 18, 2022 18:47 - 1 hour - 160 MBYou have probably heard of the Spanish Inquisition, even if only from a certain Monty Python sketch. The truth about why it was started and for what purpose will probably surprise you. In this episode we take a close look at the episodes in Spanish history that prepared the way for the Inquisition. We also examine how it operated, what forms of torture were used, and who it targeted. Why did the Pope try to stop it? What was an auto da fe? What did it have in common with totalitarian s...
Ferdinand and Isabella: EP 3- Slavery, Slaughter and Stake-burning in the Reconquista
December 05, 2022 11:00 - 1 hour - 160 MBIn this episode, our plucky and determined heroine discovers the mantle of religious warfare. Isabella and Ferdinand respond to an attack on a Castilian city from Moorish forces. This becomes the first skirmish in a "Holy War" against Muslims in Spain. It is a war that will last a decade, and inflict a terrible fate on the city of Malaga. Harem politics of betrayal and revenge undermine Moorish resistance to Castilian forces. Along the way, Ferdinand and Isabella champion Renaissance le...
Ferdinand and Isabella: EP 2- Queen at Last
November 11, 2022 23:02 - 1 hour - 138 MBAfter a high risk secret marriage to Prince Ferdinand of Aragon, Isabella finds there is no easy path to gaining the crown of Castile. An evil uncle, a civil war, and a heroic Portuguese flag bearer appear in this episode as Isabella fights to be Queen. An astonishing solution to a domestic quarrel paves the way for female rulers in Spain, and Isabella reveals her courage and determination as she takes on rebellious nobles and a kingdom in desperate need of management. Along the way the i...
Ferdinand and Isabella: EP 1- The Crown of Castile
October 26, 2022 10:00 - 50 minutes - 94.5 MBFerdinand and Isabella of Spain are figures you may have heard of in passing, as the sponsors of Christopher Columbus. The fact that Isabella's name is remembered in the same breath with Ferdinand's is remarkable in an age when only men could hold political power. From the Black Death to royal scandal, this episode introduces the fascinating story of these two people and how their marriage would change Spain forever.
Operation Pied Piper: England's Darkest Hour
May 30, 2022 19:04 - 59 minutes - 111 MBThe remarkable story of the mass evacuation of Britain's children in the darkest days of WWII. Britain, under Winston Churchill, faces aerial assault and imminent collapse. This is a moment when it is clear that history could have taken a radically different direction.
Henry VIII: Ep 5- A Tale of Two Queens
March 06, 2022 12:30 - 1 hour - 157 MBHenry VIII is dead, but he leaves behind an England that is forever changed by his Church of England legacy. Two of his daughters, from very different mothers, will inherit the throne. These two queens, Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I will pull the nation in opposite directions. Tales of ordinary people burning at the stake reveal how "Bloody Mary" got her name.
Henry VIII: Ep 4- Fast and Furious, the Wives Edition
January 19, 2022 21:19 - 1 hour - 173 MBAfter the execution of Anne Boleyn, what is next for Henry VIII and for England? A terrible jousting accident changes the king, and may be a hidden factor in his increasing ruthlessness. The future of England and its religion hangs in the balance as Henry decides to assert his authority over English monasteries. This episode covers the Pilgrimage of Grace, the sordid fall of Catherine Howard, and the many other marital misadventures of England's most notorious king.
Henry VIII: Ep 3- Off with her head!
December 21, 2021 21:39 - 49 minutes - 92.3 MBThis episode covers the sordid and sickeningly fast story of Anne Boleyn's fall from grace. It has rumor, scandal, and a completely hilarious introduction to the codpiece. This is also the moment that Henry VIII begins to resemble the ruthless monster that he has become in popular imagination. With Anne's position hanging precariously, what will be the fate of Protestantism in England?
Henry VIII: EP 2- Queen of Scandal
October 18, 2021 04:35 - 1 hour - 140 MBThe woman who is blamed for turning Henry VIII from a most Catholic king into the one who separated Tudor England from the Catholic Church was a dark eyed stunner named Anne Boleyn. This is the story of how a king overturned the institutions of his country to get a divorce. It is also the story of a more complex king than the Henry VIII you think you know.
Henry VIII: The Accidental King
September 23, 2021 18:42 - 1 hour - 112 MBYou may think you know all about Henry VIII, but the version of his life that gets passed around focuses on an obese maniac who married and divorced or beheaded quite a number of women. There is much more to the story than that. In this series we look at Henry the Renaissance man and his bold Spanish queen, against the dazzling backdrop of Europe in the grip of seismic changes. Henry himself will be the surprising instrument of remaking England. Find out how.
Black Amazons: EP 4 The True History of the Dora Milaje
June 30, 2021 16:35 - 58 minutes - 108 MBThis episode uncovers the forgotten history of some of the most badass women you've never heard of. The Kingdom of Dahomey in West Africa had all female army units who consistently fought better and more courageously than the men. Their deeds of bravery are recorded by their admiring enemies. These real women are the inspiration for the Dora Milaje of Wakanda in the Marvel movies. Meet the Black Amazons of Benin!
Amazons: EP 3- Shirin and other stories
May 21, 2021 17:46 - 53 minutes - 101 MBWe know the Greek legends of the Amazons, but because the warrior women were real the Greeks were not the only ones telling stories about them. In this episode we uncover legends of women fighters from the Caucasus, and the epic Persian love story of Shirin and Khusraw. Adventure, love, and revenge...these are amazing stories you have probably never heard.
Amazons: Ep 2-- Horse Tribes
May 11, 2021 16:32 - 50 minutes - 94.7 MBThe legends of the Amazons are based on real women who could ride, hunt, shoot bows, and fight. In this episode we uncover the fascinating archaeological evidence on the horse tribes of the steppe and the women warriors who lived among them. From tattoos to cannabis, there are so many surprising details.
Amazons: Episode 1- The Legend
April 30, 2021 21:13 - 33 minutes - 62.4 MBStories of badass warrior women continue to fascinate us today, as they did the ancient Greeks. In Greek stories the Amazons were a tribe of all female warriors who were formidable in combat and fascinating for their bravery, athleticism, and beauty. But the Amazons are not a myth. They were real people in history, and their stories can change the way we look at ourselves. This episode introduces the stories about Amazons, and will be followed by further episodes on their history.
Warrior Queen: EP 3- Boudica's Revenge
March 13, 2021 18:05 - 58 minutes - 109 MBAfter suffering horrifying violence and theft at the hands of the Romans, Boudica decides enough is enough. This is the story of a woman who led a rebellion against Roman occupation, preferring to risk death in battle rather than a life of slavery. Her battle cry continues to echo through history. Find out why.
Warrior Queen: Episode 2- Rebels and Romans
February 27, 2021 02:58 - 56 minutes - 105 MBWhat happened when the Romans invaded Britain? What did life under occupation look like for the native tribes? In this episode we cover the Roman policies and projects that changed the face of Britain. A Celtic queen starts an affair and honors an alliance that will end her rule. The Romans decide to teach another uppity Celtic woman a lesson, and inadvertently light a match that explodes into war. Welcome to the world of Boudica, the warrior queen.
Warrior Queen
February 06, 2021 20:52 - 47 minutes - 88.8 MBWhat was Britain like before the Romans made contact? The world of the Celts, with its wild blue Northerners, Druids, and sacrifices is painted here, setting the stage for one of the most astonishing female figures in British history. Her name is Boudica, and she is the warrior queen. This is the first of several episodes about her world and her story.
War Games of the Steppe
January 14, 2021 17:06 - 51 minutes - 96.5 MBMany fierce warrior tribes have emerged from the Eurasian Steppe, from the Huns to the Mongols and many others. What made these people such effective fighters? Learn about Mongolian wrestling, archery, and the most dangerous game on Earth. In this episode we look at the warlike sports that began on the Steppe and continue to this day.
Attila the Hun- Episode 4: Blood on the Plains
December 17, 2020 16:36 - 53 minutes - 99.8 MBIn this final episode of our series, Attila takes a massive army and storms through western Europe to the gates of Orleans, in France. The epic Battle of the Catalaunian Plains unfolds over two days, as old allies become enemies. A shocking twist leads to an ending no one expected.
Attila the Hun- Episode 3: Attila and the Princess
November 29, 2020 18:30 - 46 minutes - 86.4 MBIn this episode we learn about Hunnish women and marriage practices. A sex scandal breaks out in the Western Imperial Court, leading to pregnancy and execution. A Roman princess makes a shocking proposal to Attila that threatens to destabilize the Roman Empire.
Attila the Hun- Episode 2: The Emperor and the Barbarian
November 19, 2020 18:23 - 52 minutes - 98 MBIn this episode we see an imperial princess kidnapped, and an attempt to steal the Western Imperial throne goes wrong. The Huns become famous for extortion and impalement. An assassination plot backfires horribly.
Attila the Hun- Death from the Steppe
November 12, 2020 23:07 - 46 minutes - 87.2 MBAttila the Hun still looms in our memory, though less and less is remembered about the man himself and the fierce people he led. This episode introduces the Huns of history, paints the world they inhabited, and sets the stage for the emergence of Attila. From unique battle tactics to cranial deformation, this is an amazing group of people.
The Great Schism- Episode 4: The Rupture
September 09, 2020 17:21 - 1 hour - 128 MBAfter a century of scandal, a new Pope takes over in Rome. Leo IX has sweeping plans for reform, and then gets taken prisoner by Norman warriors. Meanwhile church controversies brew over everything from beards to communion bread until an explosive collision of personalities leads to drama in the Hagia Sophia itself. The moment that changed the Christian world forever is explained here.
The Great Schism- Episide 4: The Rupture
September 09, 2020 17:21 - 1 hour - 128 MBAfter a century of scandal, a new Pope takes over in Rome. Leo IX has sweeping plans for reform, and then gets taken prisoner by Norman warriors. Meanwhile church controversies brew over everything from beards to communion bread until an explosive collision of personalities leads to drama in the Hagia Sophia itself. The moment that changed the Christian world forever is explained here.
The Great Schism- Episode 3: Game of Thrones in the Vatican
September 02, 2020 14:15 - 35 minutes - 67.7 MBA teenaged boy inherits the Papacy and the keys to Rome, and begins a career of wild partying. John XII plays power games with dangerous military leaders, and attempts to backstab the most powerful warrior in Europe. The House of Theophylact continues to create scandal, selling the Papacy itself to an Italian godfather. It's Game of Thrones in the Vatican.
The Great Schism- Episode 2: House of Theophylact
August 19, 2020 15:55 - 35 minutes - 66.9 MBHistorians have called this period the "pornocracy". Find out why in this episode, when the powerful and ambitious women of the House of Theophylact take over Rome and control the Papacy. Sex, murder, blindings and treachery, it's a wild ride through the Dark Ages.
The Great Schism: Episode 1- Emperors and Popes
August 11, 2020 15:04 - 41 minutes - 76.7 MBIn 1054 an event occurred that split the Christian world. It has never recovered. In this mini series, we dive into the world before the Great Schism, to understand the forces that created the institutions of the Church and then tore them apart. How did we get Popes anyway? Emperors, bishops, and warriors... this is the world at the end of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Middle Ages.
Episode 4: Salem --Trial and Terror
July 03, 2020 19:01 - 1 hour - 120 MB"Devil's marks would often be found 'in their secretest parts, and therefore require diligent and careful search'". The witch trials in Salem involved strip searching and inspecting the bodies of accused women for any detail that could be used as evidence of a pact with the Devil. The process of the court was designed to eliminate any defense. In this episode we cover how the infamous Salem Witch Trials were conducted.
4: Salem Witch Trials --Trial and Terror
July 03, 2020 19:01 - 1 hour - 120 MB"Devil's marks would often be found 'in their secretest parts, and therefore require diligent and careful search'". The witch trials in Salem involved strip searching and inspecting the bodies of accused women for any detail that could be used as evidence of a pact with the Devil. The process of the court was designed to eliminate any defense. In this episode we cover how the infamous Salem Witch Trials were conducted.
3. Salem Witch Trials- The Panic Begins
June 11, 2020 03:06 - 44 minutes - 83.6 MB"What is the name of your demon lover?" "How many years have you been a witch?" These were the types of questions hurled at people accused of witchcraft in a small town in New England. A group of young girls suffer mysterious ailments and soon the whole community is in an uproar.
2. Salem Witch Trials- Burn the Witch!
June 11, 2020 03:04 - 38 minutes - 72.2 MB"Innocent have I come into prison... innocent have I been tortured... innocent must I die. For whoever comes into the witch prison must ...be tortured until he invents something out of his head." These lines come from a letter written by a father to his daughter in 1628, as the witch craze raged across Europe. In this episode we cover this horrifying period of history and explore what caused so many executions.
1. Salem Witch Trials: The Devil in the Old World
June 10, 2020 03:24 - 30 minutes - 57.3 MB"Witchcraft comes from carnal lust, which is in women insatiable.” - from the Malleus Maleficarum, the 1486 witch manual. Bodies swing from the gallows in the small town of Salem in New England. People have been executed on charges of witchcraft in America. How did we get to this? The story starts in Old Europe... Follow me on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC15u8zpwb_wdfarKIFDfwMw Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evaschubert/ Or visit my site and check out my ...
1. Salem Witch Trials I: The Devil in the Old World
June 10, 2020 03:24 - 30 minutes - 57.3 MB"Witchcraft comes from carnal lust, which is in women insatiable.” - from the Malleus Maleficarum, the 1486 witch manual. Bodies swing from the gallows in the small town of Salem in New England. People have been executed on charges of witchcraft in America. How did we get to this? The story starts in Old Europe... Follow me on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC15u8zpwb_wdfarKIFDfwMw Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evaschubert/ Or visit my site and check out my ...