This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Ian Ferdock. Find him on Instagram at @ianferdock. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
It breaks my heart, but for many people, history is synonymous with boredom. Trust me, I get it. Who wants to sift through endless dates, names, and battles just to memorize them for a test and forget them later? However, learning about history is vitally important if you want to understand why the world is the way it is. Without history, you can’t grasp modern cultures, politics, and conflicts. But how do you actually make history accessible and engaging? The short answer is storytelling. When you think of history as a litany of facts, you will probably never enjoy it. Conversely, when you view history as a long and compelling narrative, it’s life changing.
Luckily, we live in a world where technology gives us access to great storytellers through content like podcasts. One of my favorite podcasts of all time is Dana Schwartz’s Noble Blood, which centers on historic royal drama. From love affairs to murders, Schwartz provides compelling narratives about some of the best historical drama, covering various regions and periods. Not only do you get to learn a bunch of insanely cool facts about impactful moments in history, but you also get a deep dive into the personal lives of those hailing from noble blood. I love history, so it was always an easy sell for me. But if you live for the drama, you’ll love it too. Without further ado, here are the best Noble Blood episodes.
#1 Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived
Okay, so technically this “episode” is 6 episodes but hear me out. If you love history or royal drama, you undoubtedly have heard of the infamous Henry VIII and his six wives. Personally, I think this tale of love and beheadings is peak royal drama and well deserving of the number one spot on this list. Each of Henry’s wives gets their own episode as Schwartz details the tragic lives of Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleaves, Catherine Howard, and Katherine Parr.
Not only will you better appreciate the precarious social status of women struggling for survival in and around the Tudor court, but you’ll also develop a deeper appreciation for the complexities and motivations behind the Protestant Revolution in England.
#2 Grand Princess Olga of Kyiv Takes Her Revenge
When most people learn about medieval Europe, much of that education is restricted to Western Europe. But where’s the fun in that? To broaden your horizons, Schwartz takes things further east in this episode. The shocking story of Grand Princess Olga of Kiev takes place during the 10th century in modern-day Russia. However, it’s important to remember that during the 10th century, a modern Russian state did not yet exist. Instead, regions of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus were a loose confederation of states otherwise known as Kyivan Rus’. Olga’s husband, Prince Igor I of Kyiv, had been consolidating power throughout the region with immense success. That was until he encountered the Drevlians in 945. Igor visited the Drevlians to collect tribute from the hostile tribe, but it all went terribly wrong. In fact, it literally tore Igor apart. When news of her husband’s brutal death reached Olga, she managed to concoct one of the greatest revenge plots of all time. I’ll keep the details to a minimum to not spoil it but believe me when I say this story is absolutely thrilling.
#3 The Witch Hunter King
Next on the list is a trip back to England. “The Witch Hunter King” focuses on James VI of Scotland, who would eventually earn the title James I of England after the death of Elizabeth I. Before he ascended to the English throne, however, James famously engaged in a newfound hobby. Witch hunting.
If you know anything about royal history, every new king needs a dignified queen. That’s exactly what James sought in his quest to bring Princess Anne of Denmark to his kingdom. While the couple had already been married by proxy, the time came for their married life to begin. Except, there were a few hiccups. Storms brewing across the North Sea prevented Anne from reaching her destination of Scotland. Fed up with the situation, James eventually made his way to Denmark. While he was there, he learned about the perils associated with practicing witchcraft.
When this new information from the continent collided with his profound religious fervor, by the time James returned to Scotland he was on a war path to punish those he blamed for his string of misfortunes at sea. What ensued was one of the most famous and detailed witch hunts ever recorded, known as the Berwick Trials.
#4 Isabella of France and Edward II of England
For a second time, a spot on the list technically refers to multiple episodes. However, I believe you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me because they share two sides of one of history’s most complicated marriages. Edward II of England was far from an effective ruler. Despite his father’s ability to subdue England’s northern neighbor Scotland, Edward II lost the territory to Robert the Bruce. If only that were the end of his troubles.
Much of the controversy surrounding his rule centered around his romantic relationships. Granted, it wasn’t uncommon for kings to have a plethora of lovers. A wee bit less common though when those lovers were men. I’m all for a queer love story, but sadly Edward’s medieval counterparts didn’t exactly share my sentiment. The episode “Piers Gaveston, the King’s Favorite” details the tumultuous relationship between Edward and the purported love of his life. There is plenty of scandal and of course a tragic end.
However, Edward’s isn’t the only story worth telling. Isabella of France had extramarital affairs of her own, fueling the controversy between her and her husband. Eventually, she would take part in an intricate scheme to overthrow his rule and supplant him with their son. “The She-Wolf, Her Husband, and Their Lovers” breaks down all the drama that ensues.
#5 The Crown Prince and His Lover Dead
Rounding out the list is the chronicling of the Mayerling Incident. Yet another disastrous tale of a romance turned tragedy. If you were awake during history class in high school, you know of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. But do you know the story of how he became the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire?
If you want some more background to this story, I highly recommend Netflix’s The Empress (or Die Kaiserin) which details the complicated marriage of Empress Sisi and Emperor Franz Joseph. The couple’s only son, Rudolf, was supposed to take over after his father’s death, but after the Mayerling Incident, that was no longer possible.
Even though Rudolf, the Crown Prince of Austria, was married to Princess Stéphanie of Belgium, he found greater comfort in his mistress. The hunting trip gone wrong in 1889 would contribute to the growing destabilization of central Europe and eventually lead to a series of events that ignited the First World War.
Best Noble Blood Episodes
While that sums up my list of the best Noble Blood episodes, it is far from comprehensive. Regardless of your favored historical settings, Schwartz provides something for everyone to enjoy. Her storytelling abilities captivate listeners while delicately dealing with the nuances of history. I really can’t recommend this podcast enough as it gives listeners an incredibly digestible opportunity to learn.
Let us know in the comments below what your favorite historical topics are to learn about!
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