A Lady's Life in the Viking Age, Part 2: Relationships, Marriage, and Power
Season 6, Episode 3. In this series, we're exploring what life was like for women in the Viking (Norse) Age. In this episode, we're going to find out more about what the Vikings looked for in their ladies: what traits did the ideal Norse woman possess, according to the Sagas? We'll also explore courtship and marriage: Norse runic love notes, fathers as marriage brokers, and some amorous adventures (with a side of contraception). Bonus: we'll meet some of the Saga's most impressive queens, from the impressive Åsa Haraldsdottir to the drama queen Olga of Kiev. Our experts for this series are Eleanor Barraclough, a broadcaster and author whose latest book studies the physical remains the Vikings left us, and Nancy Marie Brown, who has been writing about Vikings, and particularly warrior women, for decades. The music in this episode comes courtesy of Solas Composer and Kevin Macleod. Ways to support The Exploress: Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes, including the full episodes with both our Viking experts and some extra tales from the Norse sagas. Grab a book by one of our guests, or read the current Exploress Book Club pick, at the Exploress Bookshop Buy some merch and art available at the Exploress shop Check out Kate's novel, NIGHTBIRDS and its sequel FYREBIRDS
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A Lady's Life in the Viking Age, Part 1: Finding the Norse
Season 6, Episode 2. In this series, we're exploring what life was like for women in the Viking (Norse) Age. Let's start by talking about our sources: how do we know what we know about the Vikings? We'll explore our written sources, runes, and archeological material, as well as the biases male writers and scholars have brought to the study of women in this age. We'll find out who the Norse where - the time period we're dealing with, societal structure, law and order - and bust some myths about women in the Viking Age. Our experts for this series are Eleanor Barraclough, a broadcaster and author whose latest book studies the physical remains the Vikings left us, and Nancy Marie Brown, who has been writing about Vikings, and particularly warrior women, for decades. The music in this episode comes courtesy of Solas Composer and Kevin Macleod. Ways to support The Exploress: Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes, including the full episodes with both our Viking experts and some extra tales from the Norse sagas. Buy some merch and art available at the Exploress shop Check out Kate's novel, NIGHTBIRDS, and its sequel FYREBIRDS
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A Lady's Life in the Viking Age: The Goddess Freyja
Season 6, Episode 1. In this series, we're going to explore what life was like for women in the Viking (Norse) Age. But first, let's meet Freyja, a powerful Nordic goddess, who will introduce us to the Viking religious pantheon. We'll hear some of her more famous stories and learn about her links to magic, fertility, sexuality, war, and death. She's quite the lady! CW: this one's clean in terms of language, but there are several references to sexy time. Ways to support The Exploress: Become a patron and enjoy exclusive bonus episodes, including one about Tomoe Gozen, an infamous Japanese warrior, and a bonus about Japanese goddess Amaterasu. Buy some merch and art available at the Exploress shop Check out Kate's novel, NIGHTBIRDS, and its sequel FYREBIRDS
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Love and War in Ancient Rome with Jenny Williamson
Season 6, Episode 1 - It's Exploress Book Club time! Join me for this excellent chat with Jenny Williamson, one half of the podcast Ancient History Fangirl, about her debut steamy ancient Roman romantasy novel, Enemy of My Dreams. We'll discuss her inspiration, how much of the true ancient past made it into her fictional novel, some of the real ancient Roman imperial women who inspired her, and why she loves Alaric of the Goths. You can find out more about Jenny and her book right here. Listen to Ancient History Fangirl wherever you get your podcasts. If you like the Exploress, consider becoming a patron, unlocking access to lots of bonus episodes and behind-the-scenes goodness.
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Re-Release: Spiritualists & Mediums of 19th-Century America
Season 5, Episode 15. Hey listener! I'm currently on maternity leave, but to get us in the Halloween spirit, I'm re-releasing my first ever Halloween special about the 19th-century mediums who used their connection to the dead to find fame and fortune. But this isn’t just an old episode repeating: I’ve remastered and re-recorded it to give it a 2024 glow up. The Exploress will be taking a break in November and December, but I’ll still be dropping new bonus episodes over on my Patreon during that time. So if you like the show and would like more of it, become a patron: they get 1 to 2 exclusive bonus episodes a month, and much more.
Join us as we time travel through women's history, one era at a time. We'll explore the lived experiences and everyday lives of historical ladies, both famous and obscure, from a variety of different time periods, countries, and cultures. Let's go traveling.
Australia