Villains and Virgins History Podcast

Eva Schubert
  • 4.9 (53)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A history podcast with a focus on violence, religion, and gripping stories, created by Eva Schubert, history nerd, college instructor, and jazz aficionado.

  1. FEB 9

    How the Knights Templar Survived

    The Knights Templar are one of the most famous medieval orders.  They combined legendary discipline and bravery in battle with the ascetic habits of monks.  Then they were publicly disgraced in a show trial and soon after the Pope dissolved the Order.  But some Templars survived, and even thrived in other parts of Europe, particularly in Portugal.  This episode is a sweeping ride through the Reconquista, the founding of Portugal, and the new identity that saved these knights.  It also covers a famous Templar named Gualdim Pais who fought in the Siege of Ascalon, and brought his experience back to Portugal to fight a legendary battle years later.

    1h 22m

  2. JAN 26

    Lust, Treachery, and Murder: Portugal and the 100 Years War

    The story of Portugal during the 100 Years War is a story of lust, treachery and murder.  It is also a story of survival and resistance.  This episode covers Portugal's most notorious queen: a beautiful woman who imprisoned and killed her political enemies.  The history of the royal court includes tragic love story of Ines de Castro and the military genius of Nun Alvarez.  We also cover Portugal's role in the conflict between England and France, and the involvement of the neighboring kingdom of Castile, culminating in the epic Battle of Aljubarotta which secures Portugal's survival as an independent nation.  This episode is a wild ride!

    1h 38m

  3. JAN 12

    The Destruction of Pompeii: Life and Death in a Roman City

    The volcanic eruption that buried Pompeii was a catastrophe of epic proportions. But the mass burial site it created also preserved details of daily life in a first century Roman city that we might otherwise never know. From flying phalluses and gladiators to condiments made from decaying fish, dive into the life and death of Pompeii. To support this podcast on Patreon go to: www.patreon.com/evaschubert For details of Eva's history tour, go to Geek Nation: https://geeknationtours.com/tours/villains-and-virgins-tudor-tour-with-eva-schubert/

    59 min

  4. 12/22/2025

    The History of Santa Claus

    Santa Claus is a very strange figure when you think about it.  Where does he come from and why does he fly through the sky handing out presents at night? This episode traces the connection with an old Norse god and an Anatolian bishop from the 3rd century, and explores the gritty reality of life in the Roman empire for ordinary people.  You will never look at old Saint Nick the same way again.

    40 min

  5. 12/15/2025

    A Day in the Life of A Roman Legionary

    What did life look like for the average soldier in the Roman army?  In this episode we get into the details of packs, march speed, camp construction, and food on the march.  Many of the procedures for new recruits in the Roman military machine sound shockingly familiar.  The penalties for breaking the rules were extremely severe.  Come along on the march with Legionary Valerius and experience a taste of life in the Roman legions.   Special thanks to Roger Meara and Chris Cameron @thelegionary72 for supplying images and footage for this episode.

    56 min

  6. 12/01/2025

    History of the Sword

    The sword is more than just a weapon. It has been used to dub knights and legitimise kings, determine guilt and settle matters of honour. From the ancient Romans and the Song of Roland to dueling culture and German Mensur matches, this cultural history traces the legends and traditions that have given the sword its enduring mystique.

    1h 9m

  7. 11/17/2025

    Murder in the Cathedral: The Killing of Thomas Becket

    The horrific murder of Archbishop Thomas Becket in his own cathedral shocked Europe and immediately created one of the most famous martyrs in English history.  The story begins with Thomas Becket in exile in France, fleeing the anger of Henry II of England.  Despite being the king's pick for Archbishop of Canterbury, he has refused to cooperate with the king's plans for the church.  An international game of diplomacy ensues, with the King of France and the Pope heavily involved in an effort to reconcile the two men.  King Henry takes extraordinary measures to avoid church punishments, including demanding a loyalty oath from every man in his kingdom.  Eventually he promises to reinstate Thomas Becket and make peace... only months before the murder of the century.

    1h 12m

  8. 11/03/2025

    England's Most Vengeful King?

    King Henry II was a man with a terrible temper. He was determined to have absolute control of his subjects, but one unlikely man stood up to him. In this episode women are seized from convents and forcibly married, messengers suffer grisly punishments, and a good number of body parts are forcibly removed when the king flies into a rage. This is the story of archbishop Thomas Becket who stood up to the vengeful Plantaganet king.

    1h 16m
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A history podcast with a focus on violence, religion, and gripping stories, created by Eva Schubert, history nerd, college instructor, and jazz aficionado.

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