King James I was a man whose sexuality was known by people in France, let alone (the newly formed) Britain of the early 17th century.
So it may come as no surprise that men, such as the handsome George Villiers, might use their sexuality to their advantage and gain status, money and power whilst romancing the king.
Helping Kate explore the sex and scandal of the Jacobean court is Anthony Delaney, historian and co-host of History Hit sister podcast After Dark.
As an added treat, Kate's also joined by Robbie Taylor Hunt, who was the intimacy coordinator on the hit TV show based on this story, Mary & George.
Robbie can be found on @RTaylorHunt (X/Twitter), @robbietaylorhunt (Instagram).
He's the co-creator of Pansexual Pregnant Piracy at Soho Theatre (March 26th - April 13th) which is a raucous comedy based on the true queer seafaring tale of 18th-Century pirate Anne Bonny.
Was the King and George's well-known relationship purely sexual and conceited? Or was it a full blown love affair? How were same sex relationships thought of in the 17th century?
This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.
Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code BETWIXT sign up at https://historyhit/subscription/
You can take part in our listener survey here.
History of Make-Up
Eleanor Aquitaine: The Life of a Medieval Badass
Lube: A Slippery History
Victorian Abortion & Birth Control
Barbie: Feminist Icon?
Scottish Kings' Sex Lives
Althea Gibson: The Wimbledon Champion Who Beat The Odds
Mozart's Sex Life
Victorian Baby Farming Killer: Amelia Dyer
History of Breastfeeding
April Ashley: Paris Showgirl, Vogue Model & Trans Trailblazer
Women Warriors: From Boudicca to Ukrainian Snipers
Stonewall Uprising: Liberation & Mafia Exploitation
History of Camp: From Oscar Wilde to James Bond
Dick Pics: The History
Shakespeare's Sex Life
Anne Lister: The First Modern Lesbian?
Victorian Pregnancy & Childbirth: The Untold History
The Pre-Raphaelites: Art & Sexual Liberation
A History of Queer Women
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
Gone Medieval
Not Just the Tudors
Empire
Real Dictators