The Medici Myth: Unravelling the Legend of Catherine's Alleged Seductive Agents with Dr. Una McIlvenna

This week I welcome Dr. Una McIlvenna, historian and senior lecturer at the Australian National University, to dismantle the myths surrounding one of Renaissance Europe's most iconic women: Catherine de Medici. We delve into the misconceptions that have plagued Catherine's legacy, particularly the myth of her "flying squadron" of seductive ladies-in-waiting.Episode Highlights:Introducing Dr. Una McIlvenna: Una shares her journey from her doctoral thesis on the French court of Catherine de Medici to her current research on execution ballads as news media.The Myth of the Flying Squadron: Una passionately debunks the myth that Catherine de Medici employed a troupe of seductive women to manipulate noblemen for political gain, arguing that it is a sexist and reductive fantasy.Catherine's True Political Influence: Discover how Catherine navigated the treacherous waters of French politics, exercising power through relentless negotiation and strategic marriages, despite the constraints of Salic Law.The Medici Legacy: Explore why the Medici family, with their rapid rise to power and influence, became the subject of so many conspiracies and myths, rivalling even the infamous Borgias.Art Patronage and Legacy: Catherine's contributions to art and architecture, including the magnificent spectacles she organized, are highlighted as part of her enduring legacy.Join us as we peel back the layers of myth and uncover the true story of Catherine de Medici, a woman whose political acumen and relentless dedication have been overshadowed by centuries of historical distortion.Connect with Dr. Una McIlvenna:Purchase her book "Scandal and Reputation at the Court of Catherine de Medici"Twitter: @UnaMcIlvenna and Bluesky: @unamcilvenna.bsky.socialSupport the ShowIf you’re fired up by this episode, consider joining the 'Angry Mob' on Patreon at patreon.com/historyrage for exclusive content, early access, and the iconic History Rage mug.Follow the Rage:- Twitter: @HistoryRage- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyrage/- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryRage- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/historyrage.bsky.socialStay Angry, Stay Informed - History Rage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Think you know history? Think again.History Rage is the weekly podcast where professional historians come armed with evidence, fury, and a burning desire to set the record straight. Hosted by Paul Bavill, each episode invites a leading historian to reveal the one historical myth, misconception, or lazy narrative they wish we’d all stop believing — and why it matters.From “Vikings wore horned helmets” to “Britain stood alone in 1940” and “medieval people never bathed,” this is history with attitude, myth-busting with academic rigor, and truth-telling that pulls no punches.Whether you’re a lifelong history buff, a student, or just someone who’s had enough of bad takes on TikTok, History Rage gives you the real story — with all the rage it deserves.📅 New episodes every Monday. 🎧 Follow now and join the resistance against historical nonsense.Follow on all social media @historyrage Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.