https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dethroned-monarchs--7302181
Each episode reconstructs one dethronement in full, cinematic detail: the reign and its blind spots, the alliance that cracked, the uprising or coup that gathered while the court slept, and the day the monarch was dethroned by parliament, by family, or by mob. No host chatting between clips, no panel debating legitimacy. Just one complete story, narrated start to finish, built from chronicles, dispatches, and the memoirs of the dethroned themselves.

You will follow dethroned emperors sent into island exile, kings who fled with the silverware while crowds filled the square, and queens dethroned by their own sons. Some episodes follow the final weeks of a reign day by day; others trace the years of decay that made the fall inevitable. All of them treat dethroned monarchs as what they are: the sharpest proof that power obeys nobody, not even its owners.

If you are drawn to royal history told like a slow-burning thriller, this is built for you. New episodes drop regularly, each one a self-contained fall. Subscribe now so the next of the dethroned lands the moment it goes live.]]>enScience FictionCopyright OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENThttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/100d5657a79b90078e0e1bb0b2f423bc.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/dethroned-monarchs--7302181Mon, 07 Sep 2026 14:10:53 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTOBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTcreators@obomedia.comDethroned monarchs all learn the same lesson: crowns are borrowed, never owned. One year the palace obeys your whisper; the next you are signing an abdication with a soldier watching the pen. This show tells the true stories of dethroned monarchs, one...
Each episode reconstructs one dethronement in full, cinematic detail: the reign and its blind spots, the alliance that cracked, the uprising or coup that gathered while the court slept, and the day the monarch was dethroned by parliament, by family, or by mob. No host chatting between clips, no panel debating legitimacy. Just one complete story, narrated start to finish, built from chronicles, dispatches, and the memoirs of the dethroned themselves.

You will follow dethroned emperors sent into island exile, kings who fled with the silverware while crowds filled the square, and queens dethroned by their own sons. Some episodes follow the final weeks of a reign day by day; others trace the years of decay that made the fall inevitable. All of them treat dethroned monarchs as what they are: the sharpest proof that power obeys nobody, not even its owners.

If you are drawn to royal history told like a slow-burning thriller, this is built for you. New episodes drop regularly, each one a self-contained fall. Subscribe now so the next of the dethroned lands the moment it goes live.]]>false07b22e4b-fde1-5f24-bbd0-1f612cf4f6b8episodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-king-who-held-a-kingdom-and-was-stripped-of-his-name--74835399
The King Who Held a Kingdom-and Was Stripped of His Name

In this episode, we trace the life of Yi Hon from a teenage wartime regent to an ostensible monarch whose legacy was officially denied. We follow the decisions, reforms, and court maneuvers that shaped his rule and ask what it means to do the work and lose the name.

Person: Yi Hon (Gwanghaegun, Prince of Gwanghae)
Date: August 7, 1641
Location: Jeju Island (death); Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province (grave)
Period: Reign as de facto ruler from 1592; official kingship from 1608
Event: Japanese invasions of 1592-1598 and subsequent reconstruction reforms

- At seventeen, Yi Hon was installed as Crown Prince on the road while Joseon collapsed under Japanese invasion and his father had fled north.
- He commanded defensive battles, led a branch court in the field, and functioned as the kingdom’s ruler for six years before becoming king.
- After the war he implemented land redistribution, revived hopae identification, rebuilt palaces, sponsored scholarship, and instituted the Daedong tax in Gyeonggi Province.
- King Seonjo’s hidden succession decree and a factional struggle delayed Yi Hon’s official accession until 1608, after Yu Yeong-gyong’s scheme was exposed and he was executed.
- Once king, Yi Hon faced the Greater Northerners-figures like Yi I-cheom and Chŏng Inhong-who used purges and political control to govern through him and target rivals such as Grand Prince Yeongchang.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835399Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA king who held a kingdom through invasion and reform watches rival courtiers erase his title and his place in Joseon - what would you have done? The King Who Held a Kingdom-and Was Stripped of His Name In this episode, we trace the life of Yi...
The King Who Held a Kingdom-and Was Stripped of His Name

In this episode, we trace the life of Yi Hon from a teenage wartime regent to an ostensible monarch whose legacy was officially denied. We follow the decisions, reforms, and court maneuvers that shaped his rule and ask what it means to do the work and lose the name.

Person: Yi Hon (Gwanghaegun, Prince of Gwanghae)
Date: August 7, 1641
Location: Jeju Island (death); Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province (grave)
Period: Reign as de facto ruler from 1592; official kingship from 1608
Event: Japanese invasions of 1592-1598 and subsequent reconstruction reforms

- At seventeen, Yi Hon was installed as Crown Prince on the road while Joseon collapsed under Japanese invasion and his father had fled north.
- He commanded defensive battles, led a branch court in the field, and functioned as the kingdom’s ruler for six years before becoming king.
- After the war he implemented land redistribution, revived hopae identification, rebuilt palaces, sponsored scholarship, and instituted the Daedong tax in Gyeonggi Province.
- King Seonjo’s hidden succession decree and a factional struggle delayed Yi Hon’s official accession until 1608, after Yu Yeong-gyong’s scheme was exposed and he was executed.
- Once king, Yi Hon faced the Greater Northerners-figures like Yi I-cheom and Chŏng Inhong-who used purges and political control to govern through him and target rivals such as Grand Prince Yeongchang.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1217falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-refused-ransom-that-killed-twelve-thousand-men--74835391
The Refused Ransom That Killed Twelve Thousand Men

This episode explores the reign of Emperor Maurice, whose decisions, particularly regarding a crucial ransom, led to a swift and brutal end to his twenty-year rule. It delves into the question of how one man's repeated errors could lead to such a catastrophic downfall.

Person: Emperor Maurice
Date: November 27, 602
Location: Harbor of Eutropius, Chalcedonian coast
Event: Execution of Emperor Maurice and his five sons
Period: Eastern Roman Empire

- Emperor Maurice, a bureaucrat turned general, became emperor in 582 after being named Caesar by the dying Emperor Tiberius.
- Maurice stabilized imperial finances and reorganized the military, even authoring a tactical treatise called the Strategikon.
- His first major misjudgment involved falsely accusing an Arab ally, al-Mundhir, of treason, leading to an unnecessary war.
- In 590, Maurice helped restore the Persian king Khosrow II to his throne, formalizing their bond through a ceremony of "adoptio per arma."
- Maurice refused to pay the ransom for 12,000 Roman soldiers captured by the Avars, leading to their execution.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835391Sun, 06 Sep 2026 08:00:04 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTAn emperor's refusal to pay a ransom for his soldiers sets events in motion that will cost him everything. Will the empire survive? The Refused Ransom That Killed Twelve Thousand Men This episode explores the reign of Emperor Maurice, whose...
The Refused Ransom That Killed Twelve Thousand Men

This episode explores the reign of Emperor Maurice, whose decisions, particularly regarding a crucial ransom, led to a swift and brutal end to his twenty-year rule. It delves into the question of how one man's repeated errors could lead to such a catastrophic downfall.

Person: Emperor Maurice
Date: November 27, 602
Location: Harbor of Eutropius, Chalcedonian coast
Event: Execution of Emperor Maurice and his five sons
Period: Eastern Roman Empire

- Emperor Maurice, a bureaucrat turned general, became emperor in 582 after being named Caesar by the dying Emperor Tiberius.
- Maurice stabilized imperial finances and reorganized the military, even authoring a tactical treatise called the Strategikon.
- His first major misjudgment involved falsely accusing an Arab ally, al-Mundhir, of treason, leading to an unnecessary war.
- In 590, Maurice helped restore the Persian king Khosrow II to his throne, formalizing their bond through a ceremony of "adoptio per arma."
- Maurice refused to pay the ransom for 12,000 Roman soldiers captured by the Avars, leading to their execution.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1330falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-pull-on-a-second-shirt-to-stop-the-crowd-mistaking-your-tremor-for-fear--74835384
You pull on a second shirt to stop the crowd mistaking your tremor for fear

In this episode, we follow the last hours and long habits of Charles Stuart as he prepares for execution and reflect on the decisions that shaped his reign. The episode covers his childhood, courtly persona, clashes with Parliament, and the small, decisive gestures that reveal how he managed public perception-what would you have done in that cold room?

Person: Charles Stuart (Charles I)
Date: 30 January 1649
Location: scaffold at Whitehall, London
Topic: execution, royal performance, divine right
Period: early 17th century

- A fragile second son becomes heir at twelve after his brother Henry dies, forced into a role he never trained for.
- Physically weak as a child-stammering, late to walk, fitted with brass-reinforced boots-shaping a lifelong need to appear composed.
- As king, Charles commissioned monumental art like the Banqueting House ceiling to project divine authority and control the narrative.
- He repeatedly gave different promises to different audiences, privately contradicting public commitments and eroding trust with Parliament.
- On the morning of his trial execution he deliberately put on two shirts to prevent the crowd mistaking cold for fear, a final act in a life of performance.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835384Sat, 05 Sep 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTCharles I pulls on a second shirt before his execution to hide a tremor-can a lifetime of performed composure survive public judgment? You pull on a second shirt to stop the crowd mistaking your tremor for fear In this episode, we follow the...
You pull on a second shirt to stop the crowd mistaking your tremor for fear

In this episode, we follow the last hours and long habits of Charles Stuart as he prepares for execution and reflect on the decisions that shaped his reign. The episode covers his childhood, courtly persona, clashes with Parliament, and the small, decisive gestures that reveal how he managed public perception-what would you have done in that cold room?

Person: Charles Stuart (Charles I)
Date: 30 January 1649
Location: scaffold at Whitehall, London
Topic: execution, royal performance, divine right
Period: early 17th century

- A fragile second son becomes heir at twelve after his brother Henry dies, forced into a role he never trained for.
- Physically weak as a child-stammering, late to walk, fitted with brass-reinforced boots-shaping a lifelong need to appear composed.
- As king, Charles commissioned monumental art like the Banqueting House ceiling to project divine authority and control the narrative.
- He repeatedly gave different promises to different audiences, privately contradicting public commitments and eroding trust with Parliament.
- On the morning of his trial execution he deliberately put on two shirts to prevent the crowd mistaking cold for fear, a final act in a life of performance.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1456falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-documents-she-signed-limited-her-own-power--74835376
The documents she signed limited her own power

This episode explores the turbulent reign of Helen, a queen of medieval Bosnia, and the forces that shaped her time on the throne. What would you do if the people who put you in power were the same ones tearing it away?

Person: Queen Helen
Date: 1391-1398
Location: Bosnia
Event: Discovery of 14 skeletons, one identified as a queen
Topic: Medieval Bosnian politics

- In 2014, construction workers near Bugojno, Bosnia, unearthed the ruins of a church and 14 skeletons, one belonging to a queen named Helen.
- Helen ruled Bosnia for approximately three years, navigating threats from a foreign king and the Ottoman Empire.
- Helen's husband, King Dabiša, came to the Bosnian throne in March 1391, succeeding Tvrtko I.
- In 1394, Dabiša signed an agreement designating Hungarian King Sigismund as his heir, a move observed by Bosnia's powerful nobles.
- Upon Dabiša's death in September 1395, the Bosnian nobles rejected Sigismund's claim and chose Helen to be queen, seeing her as a manageable solution.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835376Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA medieval queen finds herself caught between powerful nobles and foreign kings. Her reign over Bosnia is a constant struggle for survival. The documents she signed limited her own power This episode explores the turbulent reign of Helen, a...
The documents she signed limited her own power

This episode explores the turbulent reign of Helen, a queen of medieval Bosnia, and the forces that shaped her time on the throne. What would you do if the people who put you in power were the same ones tearing it away?

Person: Queen Helen
Date: 1391-1398
Location: Bosnia
Event: Discovery of 14 skeletons, one identified as a queen
Topic: Medieval Bosnian politics

- In 2014, construction workers near Bugojno, Bosnia, unearthed the ruins of a church and 14 skeletons, one belonging to a queen named Helen.
- Helen ruled Bosnia for approximately three years, navigating threats from a foreign king and the Ottoman Empire.
- Helen's husband, King Dabiša, came to the Bosnian throne in March 1391, succeeding Tvrtko I.
- In 1394, Dabiša signed an agreement designating Hungarian King Sigismund as his heir, a move observed by Bosnia's powerful nobles.
- Upon Dabiša's death in September 1395, the Bosnian nobles rejected Sigismund's claim and chose Helen to be queen, seeing her as a manageable solution.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1462falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-hold-a-throne-at-seventeen-do-you-sign-the-letter-that-ends-it--74835374
You hold a throne at seventeen - do you sign the letter that ends it?

This episode explores the life of Abbas Hilmy II, the last Khedive of Egypt and Sudan, who was stripped of his title by a British decree. It delves into the complexities of his reign and the forces that shaped his destiny.

Person: Abbas Hilmy II
Date: December 19, 1944
Location: Geneva
Khedive of Egypt and Sudan
Period: 1892-1914

- Abbas Hilmy II became Khedive at 17, one year younger than Egyptian succession law allowed, giving the British an opening to assert control.
- Sir Evelyn Baring, later Lord Cromer, became the British Agent and Consul General, effectively ruling Egypt despite Abbas holding the ceremonial title.
- A letter from Lord Cromer, the British Foreign Secretary, subtly required Abbas to consult the British consul before appointing any cabinet minister.
- Abbas made disparaging remarks about British-led units during an inspection in Wadi Halfa, leading to demands for an apology from Sir Evelyn Kitchener.
- After the Wadi Halfa incident, Abbas outwardly cooperated with British policies, signing documents and endorsing initiatives like the Aswan Low Dam.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835374Thu, 03 Sep 2026 08:00:03 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA young Khedive inherits a dynasty at 17, only to find his power is an illusion. Can he reclaim his throne, or will he be forced to sign away his country's future? You hold a throne at seventeen - do you sign the letter that ends it? This...
You hold a throne at seventeen - do you sign the letter that ends it?

This episode explores the life of Abbas Hilmy II, the last Khedive of Egypt and Sudan, who was stripped of his title by a British decree. It delves into the complexities of his reign and the forces that shaped his destiny.

Person: Abbas Hilmy II
Date: December 19, 1944
Location: Geneva
Khedive of Egypt and Sudan
Period: 1892-1914

- Abbas Hilmy II became Khedive at 17, one year younger than Egyptian succession law allowed, giving the British an opening to assert control.
- Sir Evelyn Baring, later Lord Cromer, became the British Agent and Consul General, effectively ruling Egypt despite Abbas holding the ceremonial title.
- A letter from Lord Cromer, the British Foreign Secretary, subtly required Abbas to consult the British consul before appointing any cabinet minister.
- Abbas made disparaging remarks about British-led units during an inspection in Wadi Halfa, leading to demands for an apology from Sir Evelyn Kitchener.
- After the Wadi Halfa incident, Abbas outwardly cooperated with British policies, signing documents and endorsing initiatives like the Aswan Low Dam.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1155falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-constitution-that-rewrote-his-duchy-before-he-could-rule--74835368
The constitution that rewrote his duchy before he could rule

This episode explores the life of Charles II, Duke of Brunswick, who inherited a duchy whose legal foundations had been rewritten around him. It delves into his struggle to reclaim his birthright and the dramatic events that led to his exile.

Person: Charles II, Duke of Brunswick
Date: 1808-1830
Location: Duchy of Brunswick
Event: Imposition of a new constitution
Status: Exiled

- Charles II was three years old when his mother died and ten when his father was killed in battle, leaving him to inherit the Duchy of Brunswick.
- While Charles was a child, the Kingdom of Hanover imposed a new constitution on Brunswick, redefining his sovereignty and limiting his power.
- Upon assuming government at age nineteen, Charles ignored the new constitution and governed as if it did not exist for seven years.
- In 1827, Charles formally declared the Hanoverian constitution invalid and called Hanover a "usurper," disregarding orders from the German Confederation.
- After a mob tried to break into his palace in 1830, Charles fled Brunswick, and his palace burned to the ground.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835368Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:33:56 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA young duke has his power stripped by a new constitution. What would you do when everything you inherit is taken by those meant to protect it? The constitution that rewrote his duchy before he could rule This episode explores the life of...
The constitution that rewrote his duchy before he could rule

This episode explores the life of Charles II, Duke of Brunswick, who inherited a duchy whose legal foundations had been rewritten around him. It delves into his struggle to reclaim his birthright and the dramatic events that led to his exile.

Person: Charles II, Duke of Brunswick
Date: 1808-1830
Location: Duchy of Brunswick
Event: Imposition of a new constitution
Status: Exiled

- Charles II was three years old when his mother died and ten when his father was killed in battle, leaving him to inherit the Duchy of Brunswick.
- While Charles was a child, the Kingdom of Hanover imposed a new constitution on Brunswick, redefining his sovereignty and limiting his power.
- Upon assuming government at age nineteen, Charles ignored the new constitution and governed as if it did not exist for seven years.
- In 1827, Charles formally declared the Hanoverian constitution invalid and called Hanover a "usurper," disregarding orders from the German Confederation.
- After a mob tried to break into his palace in 1830, Charles fled Brunswick, and his palace burned to the ground.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1239falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-day-that-stole-your-choice-to-quit--74835366
The Day That Stole Your Choice To Quit

This episode explores the story of King Idris of Libya, who was poised to abdicate when a coup took his throne. It delves into the burden of leadership and the meaning of carrying a responsibility you never truly desired.

Person: King Idris of Libya
Date: September 1, 1969
Location: Libya
Event: Military coup
Period: 20th Century

- King Idris was 80 years old and recovering from a medical procedure in Turkey when the coup occurred.
- He had planned to abdicate the throne on September 2, 1969, just one day after the coup.
- Born in Al-Jaghbub, Libya, Idris was part of the Senussi order, a powerful religious and governing institution.
- In 1916, at age 26, Idris took leadership of the Senussi order and strategically reversed his cousin's policy of attacking British forces.
- He negotiated three agreements with the Italians, gaining the title Emir of Cyrenaica and a stipend, but secretly maintained his military units despite the terms.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835366Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:33:52 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA king, recovering abroad, is one day from abdicating when a military coup seizes his country. What would you do if your choice to quit was stolen? The Day That Stole Your Choice To Quit This episode explores the story of King Idris of Libya,...
The Day That Stole Your Choice To Quit

This episode explores the story of King Idris of Libya, who was poised to abdicate when a coup took his throne. It delves into the burden of leadership and the meaning of carrying a responsibility you never truly desired.

Person: King Idris of Libya
Date: September 1, 1969
Location: Libya
Event: Military coup
Period: 20th Century

- King Idris was 80 years old and recovering from a medical procedure in Turkey when the coup occurred.
- He had planned to abdicate the throne on September 2, 1969, just one day after the coup.
- Born in Al-Jaghbub, Libya, Idris was part of the Senussi order, a powerful religious and governing institution.
- In 1916, at age 26, Idris took leadership of the Senussi order and strategically reversed his cousin's policy of attacking British forces.
- He negotiated three agreements with the Italians, gaining the title Emir of Cyrenaica and a stipend, but secretly maintained his military units despite the terms.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1260falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-have-one-minute-would-you-trust-the-locked-fleet-to-save-the-empire--74835363
You have one minute: would you trust the locked fleet to save the empire?

In this episode, we follow the contradictions of Abdul Hamid II's reign: modernization alongside surveillance, public projects alongside secret police, and a naval fleet kept idle out of mistrust. The episode traces decisions, institutions, and the minute that reframed a life - what would you have done with that fleet?

Person: Abdul Hamid II
Date: 21 July 1905; 31 August 1876; 6 December 1876; February 1878
Location: Yıldız Palace, Constantinople; Golden Horn harbor
Event: Bombing outside Yıldız Palace; suspension of constitution; schools and modernization projects; fleet locked in harbor

- The sultan survived a bomb after a conversation ran sixty seconds longer than planned.
- He opened 51 secondary schools, 18 professional schools, and founded Istanbul University in 1900.
- He commissioned thousands of photographs of his reign and sent albums to foreign governments.
- He froze the constitution in 1878 and did not restore it for thirty years, citing "education of the people."
- He kept the empire's third-largest naval fleet moored in the Golden Horn because he would not trust the admirals with live power.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835363Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:33:48 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA sultan locks the world's third-largest fleet in harbor to control his empire - then a single 60-second delay outside his palace nearly kills him. You have one minute: would you trust the locked fleet to save the empire? In this episode, we...
You have one minute: would you trust the locked fleet to save the empire?

In this episode, we follow the contradictions of Abdul Hamid II's reign: modernization alongside surveillance, public projects alongside secret police, and a naval fleet kept idle out of mistrust. The episode traces decisions, institutions, and the minute that reframed a life - what would you have done with that fleet?

Person: Abdul Hamid II
Date: 21 July 1905; 31 August 1876; 6 December 1876; February 1878
Location: Yıldız Palace, Constantinople; Golden Horn harbor
Event: Bombing outside Yıldız Palace; suspension of constitution; schools and modernization projects; fleet locked in harbor

- The sultan survived a bomb after a conversation ran sixty seconds longer than planned.
- He opened 51 secondary schools, 18 professional schools, and founded Istanbul University in 1900.
- He commissioned thousands of photographs of his reign and sent albums to foreign governments.
- He froze the constitution in 1878 and did not restore it for thirty years, citing "education of the people."
- He kept the empire's third-largest naval fleet moored in the Golden Horn because he would not trust the admirals with live power.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1276falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/if-your-crown-vanishes-overnight-would-you-leave-versailles-too--74835359
If your crown vanishes overnight, would you leave Versailles too?

In this episode, we follow Charles Philippe, Comte d'Artois, from Versailles into exile as his world collapses and he navigates courts, debts, and loyalties. The story traces the choices and movements he makes after his throne is taken, asking how a life built on status survives when status is gone.

Person: Charles Philippe, Comte d'Artois
Date of birth: 9 October 1757
Location of birth: Palace of Versailles
Event: Departure from France after July 17, 1789
Debt: 21 million livres (by the 1780s)

- Raised at court after losing both parents, with identity defined by rank and ceremony rather than family
- Married Marie Thérèse of Savoy at sixteen; fathered Louis Antoine (1775) and Charles Ferdinand (1778)
- Amassed personal debts of 21 million livres; his brother Louis XVI settled them
- Left France in July 1789, moving through Savoy, Turin, Trier, Koblenz and other European courts
- Sought refuge and influence as a royal exile, relying on European princes and clerical shelter while the revolution unfolded in France

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835359Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:33:45 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA king born at Versailles loses his crown - what would you do when everything that defined you vanishes overnight? If your crown vanishes overnight, would you leave Versailles too? In this episode, we follow Charles Philippe, Comte d'Artois,...
If your crown vanishes overnight, would you leave Versailles too?

In this episode, we follow Charles Philippe, Comte d'Artois, from Versailles into exile as his world collapses and he navigates courts, debts, and loyalties. The story traces the choices and movements he makes after his throne is taken, asking how a life built on status survives when status is gone.

Person: Charles Philippe, Comte d'Artois
Date of birth: 9 October 1757
Location of birth: Palace of Versailles
Event: Departure from France after July 17, 1789
Debt: 21 million livres (by the 1780s)

- Raised at court after losing both parents, with identity defined by rank and ceremony rather than family
- Married Marie Thérèse of Savoy at sixteen; fathered Louis Antoine (1775) and Charles Ferdinand (1778)
- Amassed personal debts of 21 million livres; his brother Louis XVI settled them
- Left France in July 1789, moving through Savoy, Turin, Trier, Koblenz and other European courts
- Sought refuge and influence as a royal exile, relying on European princes and clerical shelter while the revolution unfolded in France

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1345falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-hold-the-spindle-do-you-spin-for-food-or-seize-a-throne--74835357
You hold the spindle - do you spin for food or seize a throne

In this episode, we trace a fall from Constantinople to a rented room on Lesbos and the months that separate imperial gold from a spinning wheel. The episode follows the decisions, betrayals, and rituals that put Irene of Athens on the throne and then out of it - and asks what agency looks like when everything you built is stripped away.

Person: Irene of Athens
Date: October 31, 802 / November 1, 769
Location: Constantinople; Lesbos; Athens
Event: Irene’s rise to sole rule, regency for Constantine VI, and deposition
Source: Theophanes; later chroniclers (e.g., George Kedrenos)

- A Greek noblewoman arrives in Constantinople between age 13 and 19 and enters the imperial household without recorded protest, learning the court’s machinery.
- She watches and waits, keeping iconophile beliefs private while marrying Leo IV and surviving a court divided by iconoclasm.
- After Leo IV’s death in 780, Irene acts swiftly as regent: conspirators are punished, potential rivals ordained priests, and public ritual is used to close paths to the throne.
- One gold coin minted in Sicily bears the title basileus above Irene’s image - tangible evidence she claimed the masculine imperial title.
- On October 31, 802, officers led by finance minister Nikephoros remove her; Charlemagne’s ambassadors are in the city the same night, witnessing a coup that interrupts a negotiating marriage proposal.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835357Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:33:42 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA deposed empress spins wool on Lesbos to buy her food after ruling as basileus, and the question is what you do when power slips away. You hold the spindle - do you spin for food or seize a throne In this episode, we trace a fall from...
You hold the spindle - do you spin for food or seize a throne

In this episode, we trace a fall from Constantinople to a rented room on Lesbos and the months that separate imperial gold from a spinning wheel. The episode follows the decisions, betrayals, and rituals that put Irene of Athens on the throne and then out of it - and asks what agency looks like when everything you built is stripped away.

Person: Irene of Athens
Date: October 31, 802 / November 1, 769
Location: Constantinople; Lesbos; Athens
Event: Irene’s rise to sole rule, regency for Constantine VI, and deposition
Source: Theophanes; later chroniclers (e.g., George Kedrenos)

- A Greek noblewoman arrives in Constantinople between age 13 and 19 and enters the imperial household without recorded protest, learning the court’s machinery.
- She watches and waits, keeping iconophile beliefs private while marrying Leo IV and surviving a court divided by iconoclasm.
- After Leo IV’s death in 780, Irene acts swiftly as regent: conspirators are punished, potential rivals ordained priests, and public ritual is used to close paths to the throne.
- One gold coin minted in Sicily bears the title basileus above Irene’s image - tangible evidence she claimed the masculine imperial title.
- On October 31, 802, officers led by finance minister Nikephoros remove her; Charlemagne’s ambassadors are in the city the same night, witnessing a coup that interrupts a negotiating marriage proposal.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1252falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-embassy-to-suleiman-that-gave-away-your-city--74835352
The Embassy to Suleiman That Gave Away Your City

This episode explores the story of Abu Abdallah Muhammad V al-Hasan, a caliph who ruled Tunis and made a fateful decision that led to the loss of his throne. We delve into the complex political landscape of the 16th-century Mediterranean and the choices that shaped his destiny.

Person: Abu Abdallah Muhammad V al-Hasan
Date: 1534
Location: Tunis
Event: Ottoman invasion of Tunis
Topic: Hafsid dynasty

- Abu Abdallah Muhammad V al-Hasan, known to Europeans as Moulay Hasan, became the ruler of Tunis in 1526.
- To secure his power, he executed most of his brothers, but one, Rashid, escaped to Algiers.
- Rashid's escape provided a pretext for Hayreddin Barbarossa, an Ottoman admiral, to expand Ottoman influence into North Africa.
- In 1531, Abu Abdallah Muhammad sent an embassy to Suleiman the Magnificent, seeking protection against Barbarossa.
- Instead of offering protection, Suleiman directed Barbarossa to take Tunis, leading to a fleet arriving off the coast in August 1534.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835352Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:33:36 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA ruler seeks protection from a powerful empire, only for his plea to become the pretext for an invasion that gives away his city. The Embassy to Suleiman That Gave Away Your City This episode explores the story of Abu Abdallah Muhammad V...
The Embassy to Suleiman That Gave Away Your City

This episode explores the story of Abu Abdallah Muhammad V al-Hasan, a caliph who ruled Tunis and made a fateful decision that led to the loss of his throne. We delve into the complex political landscape of the 16th-century Mediterranean and the choices that shaped his destiny.

Person: Abu Abdallah Muhammad V al-Hasan
Date: 1534
Location: Tunis
Event: Ottoman invasion of Tunis
Topic: Hafsid dynasty

- Abu Abdallah Muhammad V al-Hasan, known to Europeans as Moulay Hasan, became the ruler of Tunis in 1526.
- To secure his power, he executed most of his brothers, but one, Rashid, escaped to Algiers.
- Rashid's escape provided a pretext for Hayreddin Barbarossa, an Ottoman admiral, to expand Ottoman influence into North Africa.
- In 1531, Abu Abdallah Muhammad sent an embassy to Suleiman the Magnificent, seeking protection against Barbarossa.
- Instead of offering protection, Suleiman directed Barbarossa to take Tunis, leading to a fleet arriving off the coast in August 1534.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1075falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/you-hold-the-shears-do-you-cut-a-king-s-hair-and-end-a-dynasty--74835349
You hold the shears - do you cut a king's hair and end a dynasty

In this episode, we follow the last years of Merovingian kingship and the political world that made a ceremonial king possible. It traces how mayors of the palace amassed real power and the moment a haircut in a monastery became a political act that raised the question of who truly rules.

Person: Childeric III
Person: Charles Martel
Person: Pepin the Short
Date: 751 (autumn)
Location: Saint-Bertin

- Charles Martel united the mayoralties of Neustria and Austrasia and governed without installing a king for four years after 737.
- After Charles's death, his sons Carloman and Pepin elevated a young Merovingian named Childeric in 743 to provide a royal figurehead.
- Childeric issued charters and is recorded as king with Carloman and Pepin named as consuls, signaling shared political authority.
- Carloman retired to a monastery in 747, leaving Pepin as sole mayor of the palace and the primary holder of power.
- Pepin sent a letter to Pope Zachary asking whether the kingship belongs to royal blood or to the man who actually governs, prompting a decisive papal opinion.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835349Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:33:31 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTA man with shears enters a monastery and a three-century dynasty hangs by a haircut - what do you do when power is only ceremonial? You hold the shears - do you cut a king's hair and end a dynasty In this episode, we follow the last years of...
You hold the shears - do you cut a king's hair and end a dynasty

In this episode, we follow the last years of Merovingian kingship and the political world that made a ceremonial king possible. It traces how mayors of the palace amassed real power and the moment a haircut in a monastery became a political act that raised the question of who truly rules.

Person: Childeric III
Person: Charles Martel
Person: Pepin the Short
Date: 751 (autumn)
Location: Saint-Bertin

- Charles Martel united the mayoralties of Neustria and Austrasia and governed without installing a king for four years after 737.
- After Charles's death, his sons Carloman and Pepin elevated a young Merovingian named Childeric in 743 to provide a royal figurehead.
- Childeric issued charters and is recorded as king with Carloman and Pepin named as consuls, signaling shared political authority.
- Carloman retired to a monastery in 747, leaving Pepin as sole mayor of the palace and the primary holder of power.
- Pepin sent a letter to Pope Zachary asking whether the kingship belongs to royal blood or to the man who actually governs, prompting a decisive papal opinion.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1014falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-thirteen-cadets-he-promoted-fired-the-shells-that-ended-his-rule--74835347
An eight-day monarch stands in the ruins of his own palace, having personally handpicked the port, the officers, and the arms shipments that will end his reign within days. He built every mechanism used against him and, near the end, said so himself. What kind of man hands his enemies everything they need — and still believes he is building something good?

In this episode, we trace Muhammad al-Badr's path from crown prince to deposed Imam, from Moscow arms deals to a cave in the northern highlands, asking how much of what destroys us we build with our own hands.

Person: Muhammad al-Badr
Location: Sana'a, Yemen (with Hodeidah port and Moscow/Cairo as key sites)
Date: September 26, 1962
Case: the coup against the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen
Status: al-Badr survived, fought an eight-year civil war, then died in exile in London in 1996

- In 1956, al-Badr personally promoted thirteen Yemeni cadets to first lieutenant in Cairo and later greeted them himself at Hodeidah port; two of them, Abd al-Latif Dayfallah and Abdullah Juzaylan, helped form the Yemeni Free Officer movement in 1960
- By 1960, more than eleven hundred Chinese laborers were employed on Yemeni road projects, part of Soviet-Chinese infrastructure cooperation al-Badr had negotiated
- On his father's orders following a 1959 crisis, al-Badr was confined to Yemen and barred from foreign travel due to his dealings with the Soviets
- In 1962, Nasser sent al-Badr a telegram asking him to kill his own father, Imam Ahmad, revealing the true purpose of the plot al-Badr had helped build
- Al-Badr's reign lasted from September 19 to September 26, 1962, during which he issued six decrees, including abolishing the hostage system and declaring political amnesty, before the shelling of his palace began at midnight

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835347Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:33:28 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTThe thirteen cadets he promoted fired the shells that ended his rule An eight-day monarch stands in the ruins of his own palace, having personally handpicked the port, the officers, and the arms shipments that will end his reign within days. He...
An eight-day monarch stands in the ruins of his own palace, having personally handpicked the port, the officers, and the arms shipments that will end his reign within days. He built every mechanism used against him and, near the end, said so himself. What kind of man hands his enemies everything they need — and still believes he is building something good?

In this episode, we trace Muhammad al-Badr's path from crown prince to deposed Imam, from Moscow arms deals to a cave in the northern highlands, asking how much of what destroys us we build with our own hands.

Person: Muhammad al-Badr
Location: Sana'a, Yemen (with Hodeidah port and Moscow/Cairo as key sites)
Date: September 26, 1962
Case: the coup against the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen
Status: al-Badr survived, fought an eight-year civil war, then died in exile in London in 1996

- In 1956, al-Badr personally promoted thirteen Yemeni cadets to first lieutenant in Cairo and later greeted them himself at Hodeidah port; two of them, Abd al-Latif Dayfallah and Abdullah Juzaylan, helped form the Yemeni Free Officer movement in 1960
- By 1960, more than eleven hundred Chinese laborers were employed on Yemeni road projects, part of Soviet-Chinese infrastructure cooperation al-Badr had negotiated
- On his father's orders following a 1959 crisis, al-Badr was confined to Yemen and barred from foreign travel due to his dealings with the Soviets
- In 1962, Nasser sent al-Badr a telegram asking him to kill his own father, Imam Ahmad, revealing the true purpose of the plot al-Badr had helped build
- Al-Badr's reign lasted from September 19 to September 26, 1962, during which he issued six decrees, including abolishing the hostage system and declaring political amnesty, before the shelling of his palace began at midnight

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1349falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/crowned-king-at-eleven-betrayed-forever-the-death-of-mary-of-anjou--74835341
A girl of eleven is crowned not queen, but king, in a ceremony held the morning after her father's burial — timed deliberately so her own fiancé could not arrive in time to contest it. Within a few years, the charters of her own government would quietly stop counting her reign at all, resetting the calendar to her husband's coronation instead. What does it take to be written out of your own kingdom's paperwork while you are still alive to see it happen?

In this episode, we trace Mary of Anjou's path from an infant betrothal signed before she could speak, through a compelled coronation, captivity, and the slow administrative erasure of her reign, asking what it means to hold power that can be rewritten out of the record before you die.

Person: Mary of Anjou, crowned "King" of Hungary
Location: Buda, Kingdom of Hungary
Date: 17 September 1382 (coronation)
Case: the crown of Hungary and the royal charters recording her reign
Status: died in 1395 at twenty-three; five years of her rule were later removed from Hungary's official regnal count

- Louis the Great betrothed Mary to Sigismund of Luxembourg before her first birthday, confirmed by deed in June 1373 and a papal dispensation on 6 December 1374
- Mary was crowned "king" of Hungary in Székesfehérvár on 17 September 1382, seven days after her father's death and one day after his burial, with Sigismund deliberately excluded
- Charles III of Naples was crowned king on 31 December 1385, fatally wounded by Blaise Forgách on 7 February 1386 in exchange for the domain of Gimes, and died on 24 February 1386
- On 25 July 1386 at Gorjani, Mary's escort was ambushed; Nicholas Garai and Blaise Forgách were beheaded and their heads

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835341Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:33:23 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTCrowned King at Eleven, Betrayed Forever: The Death of Mary of Anjou A girl of eleven is crowned not queen, but king, in a ceremony held the morning after her father's burial — timed deliberately so her own fiancé could not arrive in time to...
A girl of eleven is crowned not queen, but king, in a ceremony held the morning after her father's burial — timed deliberately so her own fiancé could not arrive in time to contest it. Within a few years, the charters of her own government would quietly stop counting her reign at all, resetting the calendar to her husband's coronation instead. What does it take to be written out of your own kingdom's paperwork while you are still alive to see it happen?

In this episode, we trace Mary of Anjou's path from an infant betrothal signed before she could speak, through a compelled coronation, captivity, and the slow administrative erasure of her reign, asking what it means to hold power that can be rewritten out of the record before you die.

Person: Mary of Anjou, crowned "King" of Hungary
Location: Buda, Kingdom of Hungary
Date: 17 September 1382 (coronation)
Case: the crown of Hungary and the royal charters recording her reign
Status: died in 1395 at twenty-three; five years of her rule were later removed from Hungary's official regnal count

- Louis the Great betrothed Mary to Sigismund of Luxembourg before her first birthday, confirmed by deed in June 1373 and a papal dispensation on 6 December 1374
- Mary was crowned "king" of Hungary in Székesfehérvár on 17 September 1382, seven days after her father's death and one day after his burial, with Sigismund deliberately excluded
- Charles III of Naples was crowned king on 31 December 1385, fatally wounded by Blaise Forgách on 7 February 1386 in exchange for the domain of Gimes, and died on 24 February 1386
- On 25 July 1386 at Gorjani, Mary's escort was ambushed; Nicholas Garai and Blaise Forgách were beheaded and their heads

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>961falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-nineteen-year-old-khedive-s-wadi-halfa-rebuke-toppled-his-authority--74835338
A nineteen-year-old ruler rides south to inspect his own troops, opens his mouth to criticize the officers standing before him, and by the end of the day a British general is threatening to resign. The apology that followed was public, documented, and impossible to walk back — but what did it actually cost him in the two decades after, and how did a boy educated in Lausanne, Geneva, and Vienna end up needing to make it at all?

In this episode, we trace the life and brief reign of Abbas Hilmy II from his European education to the Wadi Halfa confrontation and the immediate British reaction, asking how a seventeen‑year‑old heir became a deposed ruler and what his exile meant for the dynasty he inherited.

Person: Abbas Hilmy II
Location: Wadi Halfa, Sudan
Date: 8 January 1894
Case: the khedive's public rebuke of egyptian units and british officers during a military inspection
Status: forced into a documented apology, with his authority never fully recovering afterward

- Abbas Hilmy II was born in Alexandria on 14 July 1874 and educated at schools in Lausanne, at the Haxius School in Geneva, and at the Theresianum in Vienna.
- He became Khedive of Egypt and Sudan at seventeen after his father, Tewfik Pasha, died suddenly while Abbas was still at school in Vienna.
- At Wadi Halfa on 8 January 1894, his criticism of Egyptian units and British officers led Sir Herbert Kitchener, Sirdar of the Egyptian Army, to threaten resignation and demand a formal apology and a dismissal.
- Sir Herbert Baring, later Lord Cromer, managed Egyptian affairs as British Agent and Consul General for most of Abbas's early reign, following the British occupation of 1882.
- Abbas Hilmy II died in Geneva on 19 December 1944, thirty years to the day after the British proclamation of December 1914 that deposed him.

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© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74835338Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:33:20 +0000OBOMEDIA ENTERTAINMENTThe nineteen‑year‑old Khedive's Wadi Halfa rebuke toppled his authority A nineteen-year-old ruler rides south to inspect his own troops, opens his mouth to criticize the officers standing before him, and by the end of the day a British general is...
A nineteen-year-old ruler rides south to inspect his own troops, opens his mouth to criticize the officers standing before him, and by the end of the day a British general is threatening to resign. The apology that followed was public, documented, and impossible to walk back — but what did it actually cost him in the two decades after, and how did a boy educated in Lausanne, Geneva, and Vienna end up needing to make it at all?

In this episode, we trace the life and brief reign of Abbas Hilmy II from his European education to the Wadi Halfa confrontation and the immediate British reaction, asking how a seventeen‑year‑old heir became a deposed ruler and what his exile meant for the dynasty he inherited.

Person: Abbas Hilmy II
Location: Wadi Halfa, Sudan
Date: 8 January 1894
Case: the khedive's public rebuke of egyptian units and british officers during a military inspection
Status: forced into a documented apology, with his authority never fully recovering afterward

- Abbas Hilmy II was born in Alexandria on 14 July 1874 and educated at schools in Lausanne, at the Haxius School in Geneva, and at the Theresianum in Vienna.
- He became Khedive of Egypt and Sudan at seventeen after his father, Tewfik Pasha, died suddenly while Abbas was still at school in Vienna.
- At Wadi Halfa on 8 January 1894, his criticism of Egyptian units and British officers led Sir Herbert Kitchener, Sirdar of the Egyptian Army, to threaten resignation and demand a formal apology and a dismissal.
- Sir Herbert Baring, later Lord Cromer, managed Egyptian affairs as British Agent and Consul General for most of Abbas's early reign, following the British occupation of 1882.
- Abbas Hilmy II died in Geneva on 19 December 1944, thirty years to the day after the British proclamation of December 1914 that deposed him.

To listen to this podcast ad-free and access premium episodes, try our subscription with a 14-day free trial at obomedia.com.

© 2026 OBOMEDIA. All rights reserved.
This episode and its content (audio, text, and related materials) are the exclusive property of OBOMEDIA and are protected by applicable copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, editing, or commercial use, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from OBOMEDIA is prohibited. For permissions, licensing, and business inquiries: business@obomedia.com.]]>1230falsefull