Anglotopia Podcast: Episode 38 – The Queen Who Brought Tea to Britain: Discover Catherine of Braganza’s Untold Story

In this captivating episode of the Anglotopia Podcast, we sit down with historian and author Sophie Shorland to discuss her new book, The Lost Queen: The Surprising Life of Catherine of Braganza. Sophie takes us through the life of this often-overlooked queen, whose marriage to Charles II played a pivotal role in shaping Anglo-Portuguese relations, Britain’s cultural landscape, and the introduction of tea drinking to the UK. The conversation dives into Catherine’s struggles with her childlessness, her husband’s numerous affairs, and her attempts to influence both Portuguese and British politics—all while remaining a devout Catholic in a staunchly Protestant England.

Links

• Win a Copy of The Lost Queen
• Buy The Lost Queen on Amazon
• Buy The Lost Queen on Bookshop.org

Key Takeaways:

• Catherine of Braganza was a Portuguese queen who married Charles II, becoming an essential figure in Anglo-Portuguese relations.
• Her marriage helped bring Bombay (now Mumbai) into British hands, influencing the future of the British Empire in India.
• Catherine introduced tea drinking to the English aristocracy, helping to popularize tea in Britain.
• Despite her struggles with infertility and Charles II’s mistresses, she maintained her dignity and navigated her complex royal life.
• Catherine’s influence extended beyond her personal life, including contributions to the arts, Baroque music, and diplomacy between Britain and Portugal.
• She returned to Portugal after Charles II’s death, where she played a significant role in the country’s political affairs.

Sound Bites:

• “Catherine of Braganza was much more than just Charles II’s wife. She shaped diplomacy, influenced the arts, and brought tea drinking to England—an entire culture owes its roots to her.”
• “Despite being childless and dealing with a king known for his mistresses, Catherine managed to hold her ground and maintain her dignity as queen.”
• “Catherine’s dowry brought Bombay into British hands, which set the stage for the future of Britain’s empire in India.”
• “Imagine arriving in a new country, seasick, and the first thing you ask for is tea—but no one in England had even heard of it back then!”

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Catherine of Braganza 02:38 Catherine’s Early Life and Historical Context 05:07 Restoration England and Political Landscape 07:54 Catherine’s Influence on British Imperialism 10:32 Catherine as a Cultural Influencer 13:20 Catherine’s Role in the Arts 15:46 Navigating Catholicism in a Protestant England 18:31 Catherine’s Personal Challenges and Resilience 21:28 Surprising Discoveries in Research 24:08 Catherine’s Diplomatic Role 26:34 Catherine’s Financial Impact on England 28:46 Catherine’s Legacy in Anglo-Portuguese Relations 31:10 Lessons from Catherine’s Life