Bustles & Broadswords

Jan 31 2025 11 ep. 41 mins 37

Bustles & Broadswords Podcast artwork

Bustles and Broadswords is a podcast about historical, legendary and semi-historical, semi-legendary women with swords - with a queer twist. Researched, narrated and produced by Claire Mead.

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Fiery Joan of Flanders (ft. Joan of Penthièvre)

Jan 31 2025 45 mins

Welcome to JOANUARY, a mini-season devoted entirely to the lesser-known of the warrior Joans. This episode, it's part two with Joan of Flanders, featuring Joan of Penthièvre and the War of the Two Joans. SO. MANY. JOANS. Also featuring Brittany, arson and MORE fighting at sea. [Link to transcript and notes up shortly!]

Joan of Clisson, the Tigress of Brittany

Jan 29 2025 53 mins

Welcome to JOANUARY, a mini-season devoted entirely to the lesser-known of the warrior Joans. This episode, let's find out about Joan of Clisson and her tale of treason, revenge and axe-wielding...at sea. [Link to transcript and notes up shortly!]

Toupie Lowther

Jul 28 2024 50 mins

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of women fencers being allowed to compete in the Olympic Games let's delve into the podcast archives and talk about a lesbian fencer who didn't take part - but still made history in a range of ways: Toupie Lowther. Featuring women's fencing trousers, all-women ambulance squads, a kitten mascot and 1920s lesbian dramaaaaa. Transcript

JULIE: The Musical Interview with Abey Bradbury and Sam Kearney-Edwardes

Jun 23 2024 47 mins

For our first podcast interview, we talk to Abey Bradbury (writer and cast member) and Sam Kearney-Edwardes (playing Julie) from JULIE: The Musical (Le Gasp! and Croft & Dye Productions) about their show about chaotic bisexual opera singer duellist (and previous podcast subject) Julie d'Aubigny aka La Maupin! JULIE: The Musical is on till 30th June at The Other Palace, Lond

The Chevalière d'Eon (ft. The Chevalier de Saint-Georges)

Jun 23 2024 49 mins

This episode, it's a Chevalière and Chevalier-heavy episode as we explore the life of trans soldier, spy and bringer of 18th century courtly chaos the Chevalière d'Eon, featuring Black duellist, composer and abolionist Chevalier de Saint Georges! Expect intrigue in no less than THREE different European countries, capitalism-destroying gender feelings, too much wine, unex

La Jaguarina

Jun 23 2024 46 mins

This episode, it's another delve in the podcast pre-reboot archives. This time one from Summer 2021, all about a legendary rider who did countless duel shows on horseback against men with an unbeatable track record. Expect ambiguously queer sportswomen, absolutely devastating public challenges in the local newspaper and jaguar print hot pants. Also, Muchacho the horse. Access the e

Khutulun

Jun 23 2022 44 mins

This episode, we have a bit of a change of pace. Our warrior lady this week was a swordfighter but she's a lot more known for her high-stakes wrestling. The stakes? Her hand in marriage. Expect a primer on Mongolian warfare techniques, Marco Polo for some reason, problematic operas, iconic actresses turned queer icons and enough horses to appease the most demanding of horse girls.

Julie d'Aubigny aka La Maupin

Jun 16 2022 38 mins

This episode, I bring you back in time...okay back to the pre-reboot podcast archives with this May 2020 episode but also to 17th century France...where we join bisexual opera singer and duellist Julie d'Aubigny, aka La Maupin, for a chaotic journey throughout France leading us to the main stage of the theatre, more than a few pub duels and convent arson. To access the episode tran

The First Emancipated Duel (Part 2)

Jun 09 2022 36 mins

This episode, we continue our pun-filled adventure of Princess Pauline von Metternich taking flowers too seriously and get to the meat and potatoes...THE DUEL. But not just that. What happens after it, what is its influence, a bit of a topless duel plot twist (and some debunking), and a current-day reimagining via The Language of Flowers (2021)! Access the episode transcript and sh

The First Emancipated Duel (Part 1)

Jun 05 2022 40 mins

It's a first episode! And we're starting (very) strong and ~scandalous~ with a duel that has remained legendary...the duel between a Princess and Countess at the end of the 19th century that was allegedly fought...topless?! As we follow the story of how exactly Princess Pauline von Metternich ended up in this situation (or not), we encounter queer vibes, fashion, ridiculous duels,