The Royal Diaries Unlocking History

As we end the series, we share our book rankings, which girl is "most likely to", who are the worst parents, our bloopers/outtakes and our favourite learnings and takeaways from this project. Thank you to everyone who is part of the Royal Diaries Bookclub (aka fans of the pod), it's been wonderful to share in the joy of nostalgia and love of history with you all! Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

It's our last official episode and we're talking about Catherine the Great. There are many ways to talk about Catherine (her romances, intrigues and how she’s depicted over time in media from political cartoons in her era to sexy #girlboss in campy historically inaccurate shows). But we’re talking about the things that she used to redefine “Russian-ness” - her foreign policy, internal administration, and the duality of being an "Enlightened Autocrat". What makes a person great and does great always mean good? Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

In this episode, we are unpacking the history vs. legends regarding Anacaona and the Taíno people of the Caribbean. We get extra meta about how we make and understand history and share some pro-tips to becoming a  better amateur historian. We learn that so many words are actually Taíno in origin and that sometimes science catches up with facts people  knew all along (shocker, another Indigenous people group rumoured to be  'extinct' are very much still around!)  Also again we pay homage to the greatest example of bad audio editing. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

We are learning how history tends to repeat itself, especially for the royal women of Japan, namely, Kazunomiya AKA Chikako, Princess Kazu. We explore the history of Japan during the Edo period - arts, culture, food, and an interesting class structure while embarking on a side tangent into medical mysteries that could explain the collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

Since Lady of Palenque aka Yax Ahau Xoc is woefully undocumented, we're learning about Maya society! We're also exploring what contemporary Maya people groups are doing to fight for their land and cultural expressions, while we confront the concept of Heritage Tourism. If the Ancient Aliens are real and you find yourself hurdled back through time and space, this is the episode you don't want to miss! Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter. 

You're invited to meet our guest of honour, Weetamoo, at the worst Thanksgiving dinner party ever! Featuring some well-known names but not well-known personal histories.  Get your turkey and cranberry sauce and meet everyone around the dinner table and learn their contributions to the real history of the Wampanoag peoples and the Puritans. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

Again, a big thank you to everyone who has listened and supported us. Please like and review too! Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

King Kristina/Queen Christina is more than a one-dimensional symbol for being unconventional or fodder for gossip because of her sexual and gender identity. In this episode, we’re doing some personal self-examinations about how rampant intellectualism and pursuing your own self-expression at the cost of others actually isn’t the best legacy to leave behind. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

We meet one of the 'dreamiest' and tragic princesses, Elisabeth, Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, better known as Sisi. A beauty icon that still lives on in popular culture and horse-girl imaginations, she seemed to have it all: powerful husband, beauty, and the adoration of the public, but behind the fairytale lies a woman who struggled with personal tragedies and her mental health. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

We’re going through the IRL medieval soap opera that is the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. She’s the most quintessential ‘princess’ but she really was a woman not of her time. We learn about all the highs and lows of her life including crusades, a “creep” husband, a hot-tempered husband, courtly love, scandalous rumours, and a flair for redecorating. It’s a wild ride so buckle up! Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter

We are spinning the wheel of historical context to give Jahanara her long-awaited due. Jahanara is more than the favourite daughter produced by the most famous historical romance (amazingly, we do not discuss the Taj Mahal that much). We learn about how her family history, religion, and passion for architecture made her "the most powerful woman in the empire". Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

It's time for season 2! We are back with, dare we say it, our new favourite book?! We are learning about Sŏndŏk or Queen Seondeok of Silla and exploring different parts of Korean culture that are presented as themes in the book. We also pay homage to the greatest example of bad audio editing. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

Mary Queen of Scots, look at your life and look at your choices. From picturesque chateaus in France to Scotland's pristine beauty. From mother-in-law drama to horrible husbands no one should ever have to manage, Mary Stuart had quite a life. We explore how Mary Queen of Scots keeps getting the romantic drama treatment that has immortalized and mythologized her. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

P.S. Make sure to listen after the credits to find out what's next before season 2!

Queen Victoria, so much reign, so much empire and so little podcasting time. There's been a lot more Victoria in the media in recent years but there's a critical component to her story that seems to be omitted because it doesn't fit with the curated image of her being a #RelatableRoyal. We explore the idea of how collection becomes a by-product of empire and what are its results. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter. 

We're doing a remix! We discover how Lady of Ch'iao Kuo (Lady Xian) is a significant figure in China's long and complex history, we discuss the differences between the dynasties, the importance of geography, and how Lady Xian might have the best temple. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

Kaiulani has all our tears! But we don't want to reduce her to just a symbol or a figure of missed potential. Instead, we look at the history of Hawaii, how it was a free sovereign nation that was taken over in an illegal coup with the help of the good ole' US of A and how pineapples are NOT actually Hawaiian. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

We’re learning and exploring more about Nzingha. We discuss what is ‘writing’, the symbolism of flags, the music of Brazil and how Nzingha deserves MORE! Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

It's time for our mid-season break! But we couldn't just leave you without letting you know what are some extra parts for the last five episodes we didn't cover and what we're looking forward to next. We also want to give a big thank you to everyone who has listened and supported us so far, we really appreciate it! Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

Anastasia has had quite the life after death. We take time to talk about the real girl and why did rumour, the legend and the mystery of her survival persist until she was eventually declared an official martyr. FYI there is a lot more singing and recitation of lyrics in this episode so you've been forewarned! Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

We're tackling a problematic fave - Marie Antoinette. A true Scorpio, LARP-ing walking disaster but villain or victim is a too simplified approach for this icon. We put her controversies in context and how her influence was part of what created the idea of quintessentially French things. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

BONUS CONTENT

Julia was a guest on the Women Direct podcast covering Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette, lots of movie and history talk! 

Check it out on Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3fljGt0 Apple podcasts: http://apple.co/2D9V3SM or Soundcloud: http://bit.ly/2Qng1Rm

Isabel of Spain puts the capital R in Ruthless Rulers. But we try to understand how a dark childhood can lead to some very dark ideas and actions as an adult. We also learn about how EVERYTHING seemed to happen in 1492.  Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

We discuss the first infamous queen on the list, Cleopatra VII and how she really shouldn't be that infamous; at least when we compare her against her former boyfriends, Julius Caeser and Mark Antony. Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

Our first official episode is about the first queen of England, Elizabeth I. We will debate if she is technically the first queen, what was up with her and Robert  (studly) Dudley and how banishing your teen to their estate can have unforeseen consequences.  Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.

Before the official kick-off of The Royal Diaries Unlocking History Podcast, we're sharing with you an audio preface about how this project came to be and what you can expect in the series.  Follow us for more research, fun facts, soundtracks and aesthetic posts. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and Twitter.