Untamed Women

Lucrezia Borgia: The Woman Behind the Borgia Legend

In this episode of Untamed Women, Ezrah explores the extraordinary and often misunderstood life of Lucrezia Borgia. Born the illegitimate daughter of a cardinal who would become Pope Alexander VI, Lucrezia entered a world where marriage, loyalty, and power were all political currency. Married not once, but three times, she became a pawn in the ambitions of one of Renaissance Italy's most notorious families. But behind the legends of poison, intrigue, and scandal was a woman who endured impossible circumstances. A devoted mother of ten, a survivor of political upheaval, and a woman who found genuine love amidst the chaos, Lucrezia's life was far more complex than the myths that followed her. Together, we trace her journey from her beginnings in the shadow of the Borgias to her final years in Ferrara, where she at last emerged as something more than her family's daughter: a ruler, a patron, and a woman finally free to define herself. Topics covered: Lucrezia Borgia, Borgia family history, Renaissance Italy, Pope Alexander VI, Cesare Borgia, Renaissance women, women in power, political marriages, Alfonso of Aragon, Giovanni Sforza, Alfonso d'Este, poison myths, women and reputation, Italian history, motherhood in the Renaissance, historical myths and legends Keywords: Lucrezia Borgia biography, Borgia family, Renaissance Italy history, Pope Alexander VI daughter, Cesare Borgia sister, Lucrezia Borgia marriages, Lucrezia Borgia children, poison myths, women of the Renaissance, Italian noblewomen, historical scandals, famous women in history, Borgia legends, Renaissance politics, Untamed Women podcast

Aqua Tofana: The Deadly Poison That Terrified Italy

In this episode of Untamed Women, Jenny investigates the legend of Aqua Tofana, the infamous poison said to have helped countless women escape unhappy marriages in seventeenth-century Italy. But how much of the story is true? Who was Giulia Tofana, and what role did the women around her actually play? As rumors of a colorless, tasteless poison spread through Italy, fear, suspicion, and scandal followed close behind. Authorities launched investigations, confessions were extracted, and the resulting panic left a trail of accusations that blurred the line between fact and myth. Together, we explore the origins of Aqua Tofana, the women and men connected to the poison trade, and the surprising reality uncovered when historians separate legend from evidence. This is the story of one of history's most famous poisons—and the people whose lives became entangled in its deadly reputation. Topics covered: Aqua Tofana, Giulia Tofana, poison in early modern Italy, women and poison, arsenic poisoning, historical true crime, seventeenth century Italy, poisoners in history, women accused of murder, toxicology history, criminal investigations, historical myths and legends, women and power, Italian history, poison scandals Keywords: Aqua Tofana, Giulia Tofana, famous poisoners, historical poisonings, women poisoners in history, arsenic poison, poison used by women, Italian true crime history, seventeenth century crime, women and murder history, historical scandals, poison myths, deadly women in history, historical investigations, Untamed Women podcast

Madame de Montespan: Power, Passion, and a Poisoned Reputation

In this episode of Untamed Women, Ezrah explores the extraordinary life of Madame de Montespan, the brilliant, ambitious aristocrat who rose to become the most powerful woman at the court of Louis XIV. Born into privilege but determined to climb higher, Montespan captivated the Sun King with her wit, beauty, and intelligence, securing a position at the very center of French power. For years she dominated Versailles, influencing culture, fashion, and court life while bearing several of the king's children. But life at the top was never secure. As rivals emerged and scandals engulfed the royal court, Montespan found herself caught in one of the most infamous controversies of the seventeenth century. Her spectacular rise would be matched only by the coldness of her fall. Join us as we examine the woman behind the legend, the realities of power at Versailles, and how one of the most influential women in France became a cautionary tale of ambition, politics, and survival. Topics covered: Madame de Montespan, Louis XIV, Versailles, royal mistresses in France, maîtresse-en-titre, French court history, Sun King, women in power, court politics, royal scandal, Affair of the Poisons, Versailles culture, French aristocracy, Madame de Maintenon, royal favorites, 17th century France, women and influence in history, rise and fall of powerful women

La Voisin: Poison, Power, and the Scandal of Versailles

In this episode of Untamed Women, Jenny tells the chilling story of La Voisin — the infamous poisoner at the center of one of France’s most explosive scandals. Operating in 17th-century Paris, La Voisin built a network that catered to the highest levels of society, selling poisons, fortune-telling services, and alleged dark rituals to those desperate for power, love, or revenge. What began as whispers of mysterious deaths soon unraveled into a full-scale investigation that would reach all the way to the court of Louis XIV and the glittering halls of Versailles. As the truth emerged, nobles, mistresses, and courtiers found themselves entangled in a web of secrets, fear, and deadly ambition. At the center of it all stood a woman who understood exactly how power worked — and how to weaponize it. Topics covered: La Voisin, Affair of the Poisons, Louis XIV court scandals, Versailles secrets, poison in 17th century France, historical true crime women, famous female poisoners, black magic in France history, Paris poison trials, Madame de Montespan scandal, women and poison history, royal court intrigue, French aristocracy crime, witchcraft accusations France, early modern crime history

The Marquise de Brinvilliers: Poison, Revenge, and the Scandal That Shook France

In this dark season finale, Jenny tells the chilling story of the Marquise de Brinvilliers, a 17th-century French noblewoman whose crimes shocked Paris and terrified the court of Louis XIV. Behind the elegance of aristocratic life lurked betrayal, revenge, and ambition. Accused of poisoning her own father and two brothers in pursuit of freedom and fortune, Brinvilliers became one of the most infamous murderers in French history. But her story didn’t end with her execution. The revelations that followed helped ignite the explosive Affair of the Poisons, a scandal involving secret poisons, black magic, and members of the highest levels of French society. In this episode of Untamed Women, we explore the ruthless life of the Marquise de Brinvilliers — and how her crimes opened the door to one of the greatest scandals of the reign of Louis XIV. Topics covered: Marquise de Brinvilliers, Affair of the Poisons, poison scandals in France, poison in 17th century Europe, women criminals in history, poison as a weapon, Louis XIV court scandals, French aristocracy crime, famous female poisoners, historical true crime, women and revenge in history, early modern France, Paris poison trials, aristocratic scandals of Versailles