Throughout history, roughly 50% of the human population has identified as female, while women only occupy around .05% of written history. In many cases from the past, even when women were referenced in history books it was written by men.

In today’s episode, I will be discussing the lives of four Medieval women who not only wrote but put their names to their work; insuring they would be remembered for generations to come. Joining me to discuss Marie de France, Julian of Norwich, Christine de Pizan and Margery Kemp, is Hetta Howes, author of Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife: The Extraordinary Lives of Medieval Women.

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Rogers and Hammerstein, George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rogers, Leonard Bernstein: these are just a few names of composers and lyricists who changed the landscape and at times defined an entire era of Broadway. But what of the women who were writing shows at the same time? Why have some stories been included in the history books and others left out?

In today’s episode I’ll be discussing these questions and more with Jennifer Ashley Tepper, a musical theater historian and producer and author of the book Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy that the History Books Left Out.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The bloody visage of Mary I has existed in the public imagination since her death. Depicted as an abused daughter, a murderous maniac, an inept queen, a cruel sister, and a pathetic wife, Mary I has rarely received a positive portrayal. In recent years, scholars have worked on rehabilitating the image of a woman so often called Bloody Mary.

In today’s episode, we go into the realm of fiction, and how it can help in breaking down stereotypes and humanize individuals from history. Joining me is Amanda Schiavo, author of the new book In Her Own Right: A Novel of Lady Mary Tudor.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.