

Vulgar History: Regency Era
Vulgar History | Realm
A feminist women's history comedy podcast. We look at history through a feminist lens, focusing on the women often removed from the narrative.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 19, 2025 • 45min
Regency Era Heiresses and the History of Enslavement
Regency Era heiresses are a part of most Jane Austen novels, as women with fortunes men want to marry into. Some of these fortunes were from old family money, but many of them were new wealth founded on human exploitation on Caribbean plantations.
Our guest, Dr. Miranda Kaufmann, reveals what she's found in her research about heiresses as well as the stories of the people the heiresses enslaved.
Learn more in Miranda's book Heiresses: Marriage, Inheritance, and Slavery in the Caribbean (affiliate link)
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Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency!
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Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
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Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
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Support Vulgar History on Patreon
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Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 34min
Anne Lister: Regency-Era Power Lesbian
Join our Patreon to enjoy this as a video episode!
Anne Lister was many things: secret sex diarist, land-owner, mountain climber, womanizer, power lesbian. How did she find a way to thrive during the patriarchal Regency Era, and what does her life story mean to today's queer community?
We're joined by returning guest Kit Heyam and new guest Sarah Wingrove to dish all about Anne Lister's wild life and legacy.
Learn more about Kit and their work at kitheyam.com
Learn more about Sarah and her work at sarahwingrove.com
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Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency!
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 5, 2025 • 56min
Jane Austen: The Life of a Regency Era Literary Icon
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of England's best-loved and most-read authors. This year is the 250th anniversary of her birth in December 1775, and her works are as popular as they ever were. But her own story is far less known than that of her heroines. So we're here today to learn all about Jane Austen.
Our guest this week is Paula Byrne, one of the world's leading Jane Austen experts. Paula's new book, Six Weeks by the Sea, is a novel that imagines Jane Austen in love herself.
Buy a copy of Paula's new novel Six Weeks By The Sea (affiliate link).
Learn more about Paula at her website.
—
Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency!
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 2, 2025 • 56sec
Vulgar History: Regency Era trailer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 38min
Mary Shelley Month: Lord Byron, The Original F***boi of Literature
In this spirited discussion, guest Emily Edwards, a former host of F***bois of Literature and a literary expert, dissects Lord Byron's notorious reputation. She delves into Byron's persona as the quintessential 'fuckboy', revealing his destructive relationships and ego-driven exploits. From his chaotic social life filled with decadence to his altruistic yet self-serving actions, Emily paints a multifaceted picture of Byron. Their talk highlights his dramatic influence on literature and his complex legacy, making it a captivating exploration of one of history's most infamous figures.

Oct 24, 2025 • 1h 30min
Mary Shelley Month: Why Frankenstein Still Matters
Mary Shelley is still most famous for writing FRANKENSTEIN, and with good reason! Her story was adapted into a play shortly after it was first published, and has been adapted and retold nonstop ever since.
Horror author Claire Fitzpatrick joins us to talk about Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, and what makes this story so timeless.
Learn more about Claire and her work at her website.
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Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency!
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 15min
The Wild Life of Mary Shelley, Author of Frankenstein
It's Mary Shelley Month, which requires us to revisit this classic Vulgar History episode about Mary Shelley: Goth Queen, Mom Friend. And honestly, it hits different now that we know more about her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft.
Shop Mary Shelley: Goth Queen, Mom Friend merch! (US)
Shop Mary Shelley: Goth Queen, Mom Friend merch (rest of world)
—
Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency!
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 10min
Mary Shelley's mother, Mary Wollstonecraft (part two)
In last week's episode, Mary Wollstonecraft decided to head over to Paris as the French Revolution was turning into The Terror, just for the vibes. This week, we learn what she did when she got there (and which of our faves she ran into!), and what happened next.
Trigger warning: discussion in this episode includes depression, suicidal ideation, and attempted suicide.
Next time: we get into the story of Wollstonecraft's daughter, Mary Shelley!!
—
Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency!
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 10, 2025 • 53min
Mary Shelley Month: Slashed Beauties, with Allison Rushby
Mary Shelley's influence can be felt in countless feminist body horror novels written in the past two hundred years. But how many of those books are about anatomical wax figures who come to life to KILL THE MEN WHO PREYED UPON THEM??
Allison Rushby's novel Slashed Beauties is about just that. We talk about the real (grotesque) history behind her novel, how Mary Shelley inspired her, and how she researched the lives of 18th-century sex workers. Plus: what's her next novel about??
Buy a copy of Slashed Beauties by Allison Rushby (affiliate link)
Learn about the real-life anatomical wax figures
—
Preorder info for Ann's upcoming book, Rebel of the Regency!
—
Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout
—
Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)
—
Support Vulgar History on Patreon
—
Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 8, 2025 • 1h 15min
Mary Shelley's mother, Mary Wollstonecraft (part one)
Dive into the tumultuous life of Mary Wollstonecraft, a woman shaped by her abusive upbringing and fierce independence. Discover her struggles against domestic violence, the impact of her friend Fanny Blood, and her ambitious vision to educate girls. Explore her transition from grief over loss to becoming a renowned writer advocating for women's rights. Uncover how her radical ideas and literary achievements paved the way for future generations, all while setting the stage for the legendary Mary Shelley.


