Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt Among the Royals (with History On Trial's Mira Hayward)
In the 1930s, America was captivated by a scandalous courtroom drama - a custody battle of little 10-year-old Gloria Vanderbilt (mother of Anderson Cooper). Gloria's mother, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, was accused of improperly managing her daughter's trust and galivating around Europe when she shoul…
Empires and the Benin Bronzes
The Benin Bronzes are some of the most famous artifacts in the world. And the story of how they were looted from the Kingdom of Edo in the 19th century by the British is the story of colonialism, revenge, and the European scramble for African resources. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stick…
The Cabbage King and Queen vs. the Nazis
The tiny island of Sark, in the English Channel, had the distinguished honor of being the last fiefdom in Europe. And in 1929, an American businessman named Robert Hathaway became its lord. He could not have known just how challenging the next few decades would be, for all of Europe and for a tiny …
Live by the Guillotine, Die by the Guillotine
On October 6, a mob from Paris descended on Versailles, demanding blood. They stormed the palace, trying to find the private chambers of Marie Antoinette. But more shocking than a mob forcing their way through the royal gates was the member of the group rumored to be in their midsts: Louis Philippe…
A Rebel Heiress in the French Royal Family
Anne Marie's father was the brother of the King of France. Her mother was one of the country's richest women. And though in her youth Anne Marie had dreamed she would marry her cousin, King Louis XIV, in the end she would lead a life far more interesting—becoming a symbolic leader during a politica…
How the Duke of Monmouth Lost His Head
King Charles II's oldest illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, was handsome and charismatic. But more importantly, he was Protestant, which made him an attractive alternative to the Catholic Duke of York, next in line for the throne. Eventually, the power and propoganda would go to Monmouth's hea…
Love and Tragedy at the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, a tourist destination that attracts travelers from all over the globe. But the story of its construction is fascinating—a monument (sorry) to lasting love and an intricate architectural celebration of a diverse empire. Support Noble B…
Nell Gwyn's Cinderella Story
When the monarchy of England was restored and King Charles II became king, the playhouses were reoppened. And for the first time, women would be permitted to be on stage, performing. The most popular comedic actress of the age, Nell Gwyn, would become a success, but her most famous role would be as…
The Queen of Romance
Over her lifetime, Dame Barbara Cartland would write over 700 books that would sell more than 750 MILLION copies worldwide. Though her books were primarily aimed and read by women, Cartland's messages were strickingly regressive, with an ephasis on purity that seems strange to modern readers of rom…
The Corpse on Trial
When Pope Stephen was putting his predecessor on trial, there were signs that what he was doing wasn't quite right. For one, in the middle of the trial, an earthquake shook Rome. For another, his opponent was a dead body. Support Noble Blood: — Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon — No…