Imagine one of your family members attains the highest political position in American history -- your uncle or sibling becomes the President of the United States! And, as Ben, Noel and Max learn in today's episode: many people were called to play the role of First Lady. Turns out: several people genuinely didn't want the job.

Imagine one of your family members attains the highest political position in American history -- your uncle or sibling becomes the President of the United States! And, as Ben, Noel and Max learn in today's episode: many people were called to play the role of First Lady. Turns out: several people genuinely didn't want the job.

History is beautiful, brutal and, often, ridiculous. Join Ben Bowlin and Noel Brown as they dive into some of the weirdest stories from across the span of human civilization in Ridiculous History, a podcast by iHeartRadio.

Ridiculous History

First Ladies Who Weren't Wives, Part Two, Part Two: Some Folks Didn't Want The Job

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fde028d2-8c2e-4dad-a34a-b324012cd187/transcript

Queen Marie Antoinette's reputation was already tarnished by gossip in 1784, but was completely ruined by the implication that she defrauded the crown jewelers, conning them out of a dazzling, expensive diamond necklace. That's the short summary -- but the story itself is a startling tale of intrigue and iniquity. Listen in to learn more about the strange tale of the diamond necklace hoax.

Queen Marie Antoinette's reputation was already tarnished by gossip in 1784, but was completely ruined by the implication that she defrauded the crown jewelers, conning them out of a dazzling, expensive diamond necklace. That's the short summary -- but the story itself is a startling tale of intrigue and iniquity. Listen in to learn more about the strange tale of the diamond necklace hoax.

CLASSIC: Marie Antoinette and the Diamond Necklace Hoax

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/860b0a03-be84-4641-8394-b4720151d03c/transcript

Vikings! Even centuries after their heyday, these seafaring Scandinavian raiders are the subject of countless works of fiction and film -- and some of the stories about them are true. And, legend has it, there was one sort of Viking even other Viking feared: the Berserker. If you believe the stories, these blood-crazed guys rushed into battle howling like beasts, wearing nothing but a bear skin, attacking friend and foe alike. So how much of this is fact, and how much just tall tales? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max try to find out.

Vikings! Even centuries after their heyday, these seafaring Scandinavian raiders are the subject of countless works of fiction and film -- and some of the stories about them are true. And, legend has it, there was one sort of Viking even other Viking feared: the Berserker. If you believe the stories, these blood-crazed guys rushed into battle howling like beasts, wearing nothing but a bear skin, attacking friend and foe alike. So how much of this is fact, and how much just tall tales? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max try to find out.

Berserkers: Violent Viking Villains, Unverified

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d3c42ffe-811d-4e4f-9615-b4720151cba7/transcript

We all know the image of European knights: clad all over in plate armor, they conquer enemy forces and mythological creatures alike. But... how much of this historical stereotype is true? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max ask explore the nuts and bolts of historical armor: how it worked, how many people actually wore it, how much it cost -- and, perhaps most importantly, why it disappeared from warfare.

We all know the image of European knights: clad all over in plate armor, they conquer enemy forces and mythological creatures alike. But... how much of this historical stereotype is true? In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max ask explore the nuts and bolts of historical armor: how it worked, how many people actually wore it, how much it cost -- and, perhaps most importantly, why it disappeared from warfare.

Did Knights Really Wear Suits of Armor?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/70f39f40-a9ec-42a1-b01d-b472010bfce1/transcript

First Ladies Who Weren't Wives, Part Two, Part Two: Some Folks Didn't Want The Job

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