
Noble Blood
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.
Latest episodes

Jan 10, 2023 • 35min
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 privacy information.

Jan 3, 2023 • 24min
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.

Dec 27, 2022 • 36min
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 Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 20, 2022 • 37min
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 sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 19, 2022 • 37min
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 nobles. Today, Dana takes us on a crash course through the complicated dynamics of royal marriages and answers our burning questions! What set Catherine the Great apart? Did Anne Boleyn play her cards right? And who was the first appointed royal spouse that was male? Turns out that relationships aren't so easy when your nation depends on their success. Who knew? Want to support Significant Others? Rate and review wherever you listen to your podcasts and keep sending suggestions of Significant Others you’d like to hear about our way at significantpod@gmail.com! And 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.

Dec 13, 2022 • 21min
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/listener for privacy information.

Dec 6, 2022 • 32min
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 book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and pre-order its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 29, 2022 • 32min
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 its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 snips
Nov 22, 2022 • 30min
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 its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 15, 2022 • 32min
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.