Greg Jenner

In History Corner, she's Associate Professor in Early Modern History at Northeastern University London. She's an expert on royal and diplomatic studies in 16th and 17th century Europe, especially queenship. And luckily for us, she's also the author of The Incredible Blood, Fire and Gold, the story of Elizabeth I and Catherine de' Medici. It's Dr Estelle Perronc. Welcome, Estelle.

In History Corner, she's Associate Professor in Early Modern History at Northeastern University London. She's an expert on royal and diplomatic studies in 16th and 17th century Europe, especially queenship. And luckily for us, she's also the author of The Incredible Blood, Fire and Gold, the story of Elizabeth I and Catherine de' Medici. It's Dr Estelle Perronc. Welcome, Estelle.

And in Comedy Corner, she's an award-winning comedian and author. You'll have seen her on all the TV, on such shows as Live at the Apollo, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Have That News For You. Maybe you've read one of her brilliant books, including her recent exploration of living with ADHD, Scatterbrain.

And in Comedy Corner, she's an award-winning comedian and author. You'll have seen her on all the TV, on such shows as Live at the Apollo, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Have That News For You. Maybe you've read one of her brilliant books, including her recent exploration of living with ADHD, Scatterbrain.

And you'll definitely remember her from our episodes on Justinian and Theodora, the ancient Olympics and the Battle of Salamis. Welcome back to Chaparral, Sandy.

And you'll definitely remember her from our episodes on Justinian and Theodora, the ancient Olympics and the Battle of Salamis. Welcome back to Chaparral, Sandy.

You are intelligent. You're a very intelligent person.

You are intelligent. You're a very intelligent person.

Okay. We've never had a sort of job swap before on the podcast.

Okay. We've never had a sort of job swap before on the podcast.

I'm sorry. Okay. Well, neither can I. Do you know the name Catherine de' Medici? She's quite famous from history.

I'm sorry. Okay. Well, neither can I. Do you know the name Catherine de' Medici? She's quite famous from history.

She is Italian. Well, half Italian, half French. We'll get to that. So, what do you know? This is where I have a go at guessing what you, our lovely listener, might know about today's subject. And Catherine de' Medici has popped up on TV screens quite a few times in recent years, most recently played as a Machiavellian operator by Samantha Morton in The Serpent Queen.

She is Italian. Well, half Italian, half French. We'll get to that. So, what do you know? This is where I have a go at guessing what you, our lovely listener, might know about today's subject. And Catherine de' Medici has popped up on TV screens quite a few times in recent years, most recently played as a Machiavellian operator by Samantha Morton in The Serpent Queen.

Maybe you will remember her as the scary mother-in-law in the wildly inaccurate but distinctively costumed Netflix series Reign, all about Mary, Queen of Scots. Or if video games are more your thing, you might know her as one of the leaders in Civilisation VI. But what about the real story of Catherine's life? Was she really as scheming as the TV dramas make out?

Maybe you will remember her as the scary mother-in-law in the wildly inaccurate but distinctively costumed Netflix series Reign, all about Mary, Queen of Scots. Or if video games are more your thing, you might know her as one of the leaders in Civilisation VI. But what about the real story of Catherine's life? Was she really as scheming as the TV dramas make out?

And what's it like to have a pope as your uncle? Let's find out. Right, Estelle, we'll start at the beginning. Actually, let's start before the beginning. You've heard of the Medici family, Chappie, actually. The name rang a bell, but you weren't sure on the pronunciation.

And what's it like to have a pope as your uncle? Let's find out. Right, Estelle, we'll start at the beginning. Actually, let's start before the beginning. You've heard of the Medici family, Chappie, actually. The name rang a bell, but you weren't sure on the pronunciation.

Yeah. And Florence is their home.

Yeah. And Florence is their home.