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You may think you know all of the kings and queens of the Tudor Dynasty. We know King Henry VIII had 3 children, all of whom made their way to the throne at one point or another. But we tend to forget about another queen who reigned for a mere 9 days between King Edward VI and Queen Mary I. She was a young teenage girl by the name of Jane Grey. Later in history, she becomes known as the 9-day queen. The course of history was changed forever when the Edward VI added the the words 'and her' into his line of succession, making Jane next in line after his death. Those two words resulted in an epic fight for the crown, ending with battles and bloodshed. In part one of the season finale, Elizabeth and Megan walk through the final days of of the young girl who was used as a pawn in history's greatest chess game. 

Few may recognize his name, however, we owe much of our modern chemistry to Antoine Lavoisier, a chemist who revolutionized science in the 18th century. While he was revolutionizing chemistry, though, the French people were revolutionizing their country. The Reign of Terror lasted for one year during the French Revolution (1793-1794) and resulted in 17,000 citizens being executed. The French people attacked anyone under suspicion of not supporting their cause.  Despite Antoine Lavoisier's breakthrough's in science and humanitarian efforts, this chemist faced the guillotine just like many other French citizens during this bloody year in history. 

During the final years of King Henry VIII's reign, Catholics were in charge and Protestantism was illegal. Despite this danger, Anne Askew very proudly and publicly shared her Protestant beliefs around London. Up until her imprisonment at the Tower of London, torturing women on the rack was also illegal. Anne refused to reveal the names of her fellow Protestant friends (perhaps including Queen Catherine Parr herself) and her inquisitors felt the need to take extra measures. Shockingly, this could have been the only incident on record where King Henry VIII believed in equal rights for women. Unfortunately for Anne, that meant getting her limbs slowly and painfully pulled apart.  At only 25 years, Anne Askew was the first women to have been both tortured at the Tower of London and burnt at the stake. 

Florence, Italy during the Renaissance was an era of lavish art, scientific discoveries, and powerful families. The wealth and popularity of the Medici family was not to be questioned. They owned one of Italy's largest banks and if you needed a favor, you needed the Medici's approval. The Pazzi family had plans of their own, though, and decided they wanted to be the top players. What became known as the Pazzi Conspiracy ended in bloodshed and capital punishment. Get ready for the Italian accents, because we're talking about pizza and executions in this episode of Beheaded!

Tudor monarchs are notorious for executing their lovers, and it didn’t stop with King Henry VIII. In full Tudor fashion, Queen Elizabeth I dappled in romance with the young Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex (despite being 34 years his senior). While Elizabeth was enamored with his energy, spirit, and good looks, the rest of the court rolled their eyes at Robert’s arrogance. No doubt, they were excited to see his inevitable and bloody downfall after one too many slip-ups. In his own final words, he is the “most wretched of all”.

Voodoo (also known as Vodou or Vundun) is an ancient practice that has gone back over 6,000 years with origins from West Africa. While perhaps a very misunderstood religion, people of all cultures have been fascinated and intrigued by its mysterious virtues. Despite Catholicism being claimed as the primary religion of Haiti in the 1860's, without a doubt, Vodou was the popular religion amongst citizens. But is it evil? Those on the jury during the Affaire de Bizoton may argue so. In 1864, eight Vodou practitioners were put on trial and sentenced to death for sacrificing and eating a 12-year-old girl during a Vodou ceremony.  In this episode, we talk about the grotesque and disturbing (as usual) that ends with severe and pitiful capital punishment.  

Brunhilda of Austrasia was Queen Consort  of the Merovingian age from 575 - 613 AD. She was a fierce and brave leader of the Frankish dynasty, despite having to rule through her sons and grandsons. Her story, though not widely popular, is a tale of confusing names and violence, making it sound like something out of a fable. It includes assassinations, murder, suicide, family rivalry, and brutal wars. Her execution was no different as she paid the price for decades of a savage lifestyle. 

The myths and legends of the Knights Templar goes back almost a century. At their peak of power, these glorious and brave heroes  escorted pilgrims through the Holy Land while also protecting their territories in the Crusades. They were rich and above any law, making them the ultimate celebrity of 13th century Europe. King Phillip IV got caught up in some bad debt with the Knights, though, and his only way to financial freedom was arresting, torturing, and burning thousands of members. In another 'mass execution' style episode, Elizabeth and Megan take on the epic story of that fatal night on Friday the 13th, 1307. 

Let's start with saying the ancient Romans loved a good halftime show. Very similar to modern day sporting events, it involved large stadium seating, great concessions, a boisterous crowd of thousands of people, and solid entertainment. Rather than watching a ball get tossed around, though, their form of entertainment was watching people get torn to shreds by wild animals. In this episode, Elizabeth and Megan discuss a plethora of ways the Romans executed criminals in the infamous Colosseum. From crucifixion to elephant stampedes, the Romans were notorious for their creative execution styles. The question was never if the victim would survive, but rather, how long could they survive? 

Sophie and Hans Scholl were brother and sister who shared more than blood, but a passionate hatred towards the Nazi's during their rise to power. As two young Germans who went from Hitler's Youth Program to attending the University of Munich, it was extremely illegal and beyond dangerous to speak out against the Nazi's. With a small group of their university friends who privately shared the same liberal perspective, they formed a secret society called the White Rose. Together, they worked to spread anti-Nazism belief and the truth behind the horrors of what was happening right under the German people's noses in the form of pamphlets and leaflets that were spread across their campus and country.  They knew the risk  going into it... but did they know the outcome could be losing their heads? 

H.H Holmes is one of America's oldest serial killers who met his fate with an excruciating hanging. While he confessed to 27 murders, historians believe there could have been as many as 200 victims. Evidence suggests the majority of his crimes took place in his own Chicago based building conveniently blocks away from the World's Fair. The building was primarily retail space and apartment living, but later became known as the Murder Castle due to its vast size and and terrifying presence. The building was a series of maze-like hallways, mysterious hidden rooms, chutes that lead to the basement, and, not to mention, an entire torture chamber. Despite Holmes' wit and charming allure, he was a villain loose on a killing spree and eventually received his well deserved ending.                                   

Giordano Bruno was an Italian philosopher born too early for his time.  Despite starting his early career as a monk, he quickly traded out his priesthood attire for some travel breeches and started teaching his progressive beliefs about the infinite universe across Europe. His views about religion and philosophy were groundbreaking, yet controversial. In the 16th century, this was the perfect recipe to get the Roman Inquisition coming after you. Elizabeth and Megan pull out their terrible Italian accents again in this episode of Beheaded. 

Charles I was the first and only king of England to be found guilty of high treason and executed for his crimes. This outcome was especially a shock to poor old Chuck, as he was convinced that there was no higher power than him besides God himself. However, England wasn't so happy about his constant desire to "dissolve" Parliament and use his own subjects to financially invest in his love for war. Elizabeth and Megan rejoin in the kickoff to season 3 of Beheaded with one of our favorite kings of England who proved having nice hair and shoes just may not be enough. 

SPECIAL EDITION! Rebecca Larson, owner of the website and podcast Tudors Dynasty, shares her expertise on the very notable Thomas Seymour. Rebecca sheds light on some of the most controversial rumors about Thomas Seymour, who was uncle to King Edward VI and the younger brother of  Sir  Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset. As an author and well-known podcast host herself, Rebecca started her blog Tudors Dynasty in 2015 and it has since exploded into a go-to source for Tudor knowledge. She has interviewed herself a variety of well-known historians such as Tracy Borman, Margaret George, Alison Weir, Dan Jones, Suzannah Lipscomb and so many more. In this exclusive interview, Rebecca and Megan chat about everything from Thomas Seymour's romantic appeal to the 33 charges his own brother and nephew threw at him, leading him to the dreaded scaffold. Enjoy this off-season interview-style episode and, of course, please be sure to check out tudorsdynasty.com for more on Rebecca Larson and Tudor history. 

The time has finally come. On May 19, 1536, Queen Anne Boleyn was guided to a scaffold at the Tower of London and was the first queen in history to be publicly executed. Just two days before, her brother and 4 other men were also beheaded for adultery and treason. Anne's final words at the scaffold were "If any person will meddle of my cause, I require thee to judge the best", and so, we shall. Anne Boleyn's trial and execution has been investigated by historians from all angles, and while she has been misunderstood or censored, we are here to share her real story. In this very special season finale we have the pleasure of having Stefanie, a historian from The Historic Royal Palaces, join us as we discuss the final days of our favorite monarch: Anne Boleyn. 

"The time will come -  I, Anne Boleyn". These are the words Anne Boleyn wrote in her Book of Hours, and the phrase could not be more fitting. History has become obsessed with the mysterious and foreboding figure of Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII's second wife. Her passionate love for the king of England forever changed history and the shape of Europe, making her one of the most intriguing and complex characters in history. In part 1 of our season finale, we start with the early life and uprise of Anne with her arrival to the English Court, her intense romance with the king, and her grueling fight for marriage and the crown. Anne Boleyn has been written out as a ruthless and cunning woman who will stop at nothing to see herself and her lineage on the throne. But modern historians now grasp to understand the type of woman she truly was - a woman ahead of her times. She was intelligent, witty and ambitious, all virtues that took her to the top quickly, but can come with an even quicker downfall. Whether this is a familiar story for you or you are just being introduced to Henry's second wife, listen to our two part finale of 'Beheaded' today! 

Guy Fawkes may just be the baddest English Catholic around. His story has been re-told throughout history as the 'guy' who was caught red-handed and ready to plow up Parliament in the year 1605. While there were at least 13 conspirators involved in the "Gunpowder Plot", Guy is one of the most memorable and seen as the main instigator behind the failed assassination. And well deserved, shall we say, as he took the real heat on the rack before giving up some names. To this day, Brits across England celebrate Guy Fawkes day. But did you ever wonder what it was really about? Remember, remember the 5th of November by listening to this latest episode of 'Beheaded'. 

In the early 1800s, the progression of medical discovery was thriving. However, doctors were running short on cadavers, which were necessary to dissect and research in order to further develop their scientific breakthroughs. If it weren’t for some of the more seedier characters of the time, the ‘spare parts' would have been harder to come by. William Burke and William Hare, two Scottish men with an appetite for whiskey and money,  learned the hard way that killing in the name of science (and greed) comes at a high price. In this episode of “Beheaded”, you’ll find that the punishment can fit the crime. 

Maggie Dickson is a Scottish legend known not just for her trial and execution... but for what came after! This gal truly earned the nickname "Half-Hangit Maggie" after the unexpected turn of events at her public hanging. Megan and Elizabeth share the story of this resilient young woman who now has a pub named after her in Old Town Edinburgh. 

Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya may have a complicated name, but, nonetheless, upheld the Soviet spirit in the midst of World War II. At the tender age of 18 years old, she joined the 'sabotage school' to help ward off the invading Nazis. Her relentlessness and courage inspired Stalin himself to use her as the face of nationalist propaganda to help encourage others to fight for Mother Russia. Listen to yet another strong,  heroine story in this episode of Beheaded.