Noble Blood

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.

Episodes

July 8, 2025 32 mins

Continuing the theme of exploring Papal history, we discuss Gerbert of Aurillac, AKA Pope Sylvester II, who's scientific and mathmatical mind lead him to the highest seat of Catholic power. But after his death, detractors and enemies would spin his story into one of dark arts and deals with the devil.

Support Noble Blood:

— Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love St...

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Continuing the theme of exploring Papal history, we discuss Gerbert of Aurillac, AKA Pope Sylvester II, who's scientific and mathmatical mind lead him to the highest seat of Catholic power. But after his death, detractors and enemies would spin his story into one of dark arts and deals with the devil.

Support Noble Blood:

— Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love St...

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June 24, 2025 26 mins

In 1921, Katherine Mansfield wrote a letter to Princess Bibesco which began, "I am afraid you must stop writing these little love letters to my husband while he and I still live together." Scandalous as that is, it only scratches the surface of the glamorous and adventerous life of the daughter of a Prime Minister who became royalty.

Support Noble Blood:

— Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
— Order...

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June 17, 2025 35 mins

Queen Min was the de facto power behind the throne in Korea, and so she had plenty of enemies. Eventually, a coup would come to the palace.

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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June 9, 2025 30 mins

Through sheer force of will, Polish nobleman Casimir Pulaski came to America and forced the Continental forces to allow him to create a cavalry unit. His bold, impulsive, and sometimes reckless manuevers reinvented the way the war was fought.

Support Noble Blood:
Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'

See omny...

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June 3, 2025 26 mins

Petrus Gonsalvus was born with a rare genetic condition that meant he was entirely covered in hair. His life took him to French court, where he lived as an oddity, but also, as a nobleman, husband, and father. [NOTE: Listen to Courtney's podcast The Craft Lab on Apple or Substack!] 

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy:...

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May 27, 2025 31 mins

Queen Victoria's son, Albert Edward, was gambling with his friends at a country estate when the host's son noticed one of the guests cheating. Eventually, that evening playing baccarat spirled into a scandal that forced the Prince of Wales to take the stand in court. 

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' ...

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May 20, 2025 31 mins

In 1688, a royal ship was embarking from Stockholm harbor on its maiden voyage. The Vasa was incredibly grand and intricate; it was also incredibly top-heavy. A few minutes after it began sailing, the ship toppeled over and sank into the sea. But its story was only just beginning.

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love...

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May 13, 2025 36 mins

The Earl and Countess of Rutland were dealing with unimaginable tragedy - their eldest son had died and their second son began suffering from the same mysterious illness that killed the first.  But servants were whispering.... a servant had recently been dismissed, and her family was known outsiders. Was it possible the women of the Flowers family had been practicing evil witchcraft?

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes...

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Nostradamus's names and predictions are famous, centuries after his death. But the man behind the predictions is still largely unknown. Was he a true believer, or a savvy opportunist?

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

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Eleanor of Aquitaine's younger sister Petronilla was attractive and wealthy, but she remained unmarried until she was 19 and met the charming Ralph of Vermandois. There was one big problem with the match though, and it would have bloody consequences.

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and its sequel 'Immorta...

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April 22, 2025 31 mins

King Sejong the Great is considered, well, the greatest king in Korean history. And his greatest contribution of all might have been twenty-four letters.

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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April 15, 2025 32 mins

The 6th-century feud between Brunhild and Fredegund would last the rest of their lives, defining their kingdoms for generations as the women went from queens to rival regents.

A source that was particularly helpful in making this episode was The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry that Forged the Medieval World

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
&mdash...

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April 8, 2025 30 mins

Queen Brunhild married Sigeburt I of Austrasia. Her sister married Sigebert's brother. At least, they were married, until Brunhild's sister died under mysterious circumstances and he re-married three days later. His new queen, Fredegund, would have a bitter rivalry with Brunhild that would change the fate of both of their nations.

A source that was particularly helpful in making this episode was The Dark Queens: The Bloody Riv...

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April 1, 2025 19 mins

Cyrus the Great of Persia wanted to conquer the Massengetae people and, through cunning, he killed the son of their warrior-queen, Tomyris. It was a bad move.

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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March 25, 2025 28 mins

Agnes Sorel was the first official mistress in France, the lover of King Charles VII. But with her official position came a target on her back. Her influence meant that she would make enemies, and even the love of a king can't protect you from everything.

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and its sequel 'Im...

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March 18, 2025 25 mins

In 1858, a Jewish child was taken from his family. They said that because the boy had been secretly baptized, he was now a ward of the Papal States. And his new adoptive father would be none other than Pope Pius IX. 

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'

See omnyst...

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March 11, 2025 24 mins

Most women in 17th century France were faced with a choice: marriage, or a convent. Ninon de l'Enclos chose her own path.

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Tsar Dmitri I was murdered by assassins, but he wouledn't be the last to use the name of Ivan the Terrible's son claiming to be the rightful ruler of Russia.

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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In 1605, Dmitri — the son of Ivan the Terrible — became the Tsar of Russia. Less than a year leader, he was brutally deposed. But one question remained: was he actually even the real Dmitri? 

Support Noble Blood:

Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon
Noble Blood merch
— Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story' and its sequel 'Immortality: A Love Story'

See omnystudio.com/list...

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Dana Schwartz

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