Dr Jonathan Spangler
@jspan.bsky.social
Historian of the history of monarchy, the court and the upper aristocracy of Europe. France, Louis XIV, heirs and spares, dukes and princes, sexuality. Loves to tell good stories.
Senior Editor, The Court Historian
Senior Editor, The Court Historian
And if you want to know more about the Orléans title used for spares, see my latest blog post dukesandprinces.org/2026/02/12/t...
February 13, 2026 at 3:45 PM
And if you want to know more about the Orléans title used for spares, see my latest blog post dukesandprinces.org/2026/02/12/t...
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
Oh, by the way, our international listeners can now enjoy the hugely enjoyable You’re Dead To Me episode about Philippe Duc d’Orleans (Louis XIV’s extraordinary brother)
Our excellent guests are expert historian @jspan.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan — available globally on all podcast apps
Our excellent guests are expert historian @jspan.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan — available globally on all podcast apps
February 13, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Oh, by the way, our international listeners can now enjoy the hugely enjoyable You’re Dead To Me episode about Philippe Duc d’Orleans (Louis XIV’s extraordinary brother)
Our excellent guests are expert historian @jspan.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan — available globally on all podcast apps
Our excellent guests are expert historian @jspan.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan — available globally on all podcast apps
My episode of BBC's You're Dead to Me, featuring Philippe d'Orleans and sexuality at Versailles, is now available outside the UK. And for more on the history of the Orleans title and family, I've written a two-part blog on #dukesandprinces (see comments for link). www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - You're Dead to Me, Philippe, Duc d’Orléans: in the shadow of the Sun King
Join Greg and his guests to learn all about Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, brother of Louis XIV.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 13, 2026 at 12:08 PM
My episode of BBC's You're Dead to Me, featuring Philippe d'Orleans and sexuality at Versailles, is now available outside the UK. And for more on the history of the Orleans title and family, I've written a two-part blog on #dukesandprinces (see comments for link). www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Excited to see this book arrive today, just in time to discuss this topic of French genealogical histories further next week at #RSA2026! @rsaorg.bsky.social
February 9, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Excited to see this book arrive today, just in time to discuss this topic of French genealogical histories further next week at #RSA2026! @rsaorg.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
If anyone ever had doubts that Reform and/or Cruella were evil AND stupid...
Well,
Well,
January 27, 2026 at 7:42 AM
If anyone ever had doubts that Reform and/or Cruella were evil AND stupid...
Well,
Well,
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
Discover our newest titles in #Medieval Studies with this newsletter.
Go to: bit.ly/3NFLizM
#Medievalsky #MiddleAges #Medievalists #History #Religion #Theology #Literature
Go to: bit.ly/3NFLizM
#Medievalsky #MiddleAges #Medievalists #History #Religion #Theology #Literature
January 27, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Discover our newest titles in #Medieval Studies with this newsletter.
Go to: bit.ly/3NFLizM
#Medievalsky #MiddleAges #Medievalists #History #Religion #Theology #Literature
Go to: bit.ly/3NFLizM
#Medievalsky #MiddleAges #Medievalists #History #Religion #Theology #Literature
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
On Monday 26 January, Matthew Howles (Science Museum) will delight us with his lecture on “Curating Versailles: Science and Splendour at the Science Museum”.
18:00 GMT – Online via Zoom
Register for free using this link:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/matthew-ho...
18:00 GMT – Online via Zoom
Register for free using this link:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/matthew-ho...
January 24, 2026 at 7:08 PM
On Monday 26 January, Matthew Howles (Science Museum) will delight us with his lecture on “Curating Versailles: Science and Splendour at the Science Museum”.
18:00 GMT – Online via Zoom
Register for free using this link:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/matthew-ho...
18:00 GMT – Online via Zoom
Register for free using this link:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/matthew-ho...
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
A nice little video we recorded after the recording! #YoureDeadToMe
January 16, 2026 at 1:35 PM
A nice little video we recorded after the recording! #YoureDeadToMe
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
🚨New episode alert! This week’s YOU’RE DEAD TO ME is all about King Louis XIV’s fascinating, impressive, and sometimes scandalous brother, Phillipe Duc d’Orléans!
My guests are the amazing comedian Tom Allen and the fab historian @jspan.bsky.social
Listen now on BBC SOUNDS, or wait 28 days
My guests are the amazing comedian Tom Allen and the fab historian @jspan.bsky.social
Listen now on BBC SOUNDS, or wait 28 days
January 16, 2026 at 11:43 AM
🚨New episode alert! This week’s YOU’RE DEAD TO ME is all about King Louis XIV’s fascinating, impressive, and sometimes scandalous brother, Phillipe Duc d’Orléans!
My guests are the amazing comedian Tom Allen and the fab historian @jspan.bsky.social
Listen now on BBC SOUNDS, or wait 28 days
My guests are the amazing comedian Tom Allen and the fab historian @jspan.bsky.social
Listen now on BBC SOUNDS, or wait 28 days
I'm pleased to share a new episode of BBC's You're Dead to Me where I chat with @gregjenner.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan about Philippe d'Orleans, sexuality and general shenanigans at Versailles! Available today on BBC Sounds and broadcast tomorrow at 10 on BBC 4. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
You're Dead to Me - Philippe, Duc d’Orléans: in the shadow of the Sun King - BBC Sounds
Join Greg and his guests to learn all about Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, brother of Louis XIV.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 10:40 AM
I'm pleased to share a new episode of BBC's You're Dead to Me where I chat with @gregjenner.bsky.social and comedian Tom Allan about Philippe d'Orleans, sexuality and general shenanigans at Versailles! Available today on BBC Sounds and broadcast tomorrow at 10 on BBC 4. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
#History Philippe, Duc d’Orléans: in the shadow of the Sun King
You're Dead to Me
Sat 10:00
BBC Radio 4
@gregjenner.bsky.social is joined by @jspan.bsky.social and Tom Allen to learn all about Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, Louis XIV’s younger brother.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
You're Dead to Me
Sat 10:00
BBC Radio 4
@gregjenner.bsky.social is joined by @jspan.bsky.social and Tom Allen to learn all about Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, Louis XIV’s younger brother.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - You're Dead to Me, Philippe, Duc d’Orléans: in the shadow of the Sun King
Join Greg and his guests to learn all about Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, brother of Louis XIV.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 8:27 AM
#History Philippe, Duc d’Orléans: in the shadow of the Sun King
You're Dead to Me
Sat 10:00
BBC Radio 4
@gregjenner.bsky.social is joined by @jspan.bsky.social and Tom Allen to learn all about Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, Louis XIV’s younger brother.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
You're Dead to Me
Sat 10:00
BBC Radio 4
@gregjenner.bsky.social is joined by @jspan.bsky.social and Tom Allen to learn all about Philippe, Duc d’Orléans, Louis XIV’s younger brother.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Are you fond of frangipane cake for New Years Day? How about Dalmatian princes with a name so unpronouncable (Krčki) that they borrowed another to become Frankopans? This family battled for independence against Venetians, Hungarians, Turks and Austrians, and are a symbol of Croatian nationhood today
Frankopan: Princes of Adriatic Islands and on the Frontiers of Christianity
Croatia was a kingdom for a thousand years, from 925 to 1918, yet for most of that time it was subject to rule by neighbouring dynasties, the Hungarian Arpads, the Austrian Habsburgs. Its western A…
dukesandprinces.org
January 1, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Are you fond of frangipane cake for New Years Day? How about Dalmatian princes with a name so unpronouncable (Krčki) that they borrowed another to become Frankopans? This family battled for independence against Venetians, Hungarians, Turks and Austrians, and are a symbol of Croatian nationhood today
Happy New Year to all! I am looking forward to 2026: a big podcast release, a new research project, a new *big* book, and a keynote in Prague!
January 1, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Happy New Year to all! I am looking forward to 2026: a big podcast release, a new research project, a new *big* book, and a keynote in Prague!
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
Lecture on Carnival and violent festivities for my second years tomorrow. As I've long lost any dreams of possibly being The Cool Lecturer, I'm absolutely throwing in my love for the most excellent of exhibition adverts:
Fêtes et divertissements à la Cour
YouTube video by Château de Versailles
www.youtube.com
December 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Lecture on Carnival and violent festivities for my second years tomorrow. As I've long lost any dreams of possibly being The Cool Lecturer, I'm absolutely throwing in my love for the most excellent of exhibition adverts:
Reading for a rainy Sunday: dukes of Manchester, dukes of Montagu; Kimbolton, last residence of Katherine of Aragon; Boughton, the Versailles of Northamptonshire; the British Museum and the Wallace Collection; American heiresses; debt and prison...it's all here! dukesandprinces.org/2025/12/07/l...
Like feuding Montagus: the troubled history of the Dukes of Manchester
The city of Manchester was a rough city in the industrial age. The history of the dukes of Manchester shares some of the underworld aspects of the great northern powerhouse, but in fact has nothing…
dukesandprinces.org
December 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Reading for a rainy Sunday: dukes of Manchester, dukes of Montagu; Kimbolton, last residence of Katherine of Aragon; Boughton, the Versailles of Northamptonshire; the British Museum and the Wallace Collection; American heiresses; debt and prison...it's all here! dukesandprinces.org/2025/12/07/l...
Very excited to see this new book fresh off the presses: a variety of approaches to writing narratives of history, including a chapter on noble genealogy by yours truly! iterpress.org/978164959143...
Constructing European Historical Narratives in the Early Modern World
This volume showcases the diversity of contributors and voices that intervened and shaped historical narratives in early modern Europe. Exploring the art of ...
iterpress.org
December 3, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Very excited to see this new book fresh off the presses: a variety of approaches to writing narratives of history, including a chapter on noble genealogy by yours truly! iterpress.org/978164959143...
Here's an interesting blog I wrote earlier this year about Prussian princes, including the fascinating homosocial tale of Prince Eulenburg and the Kaiser. Part of of a new research blog at MMU: check it out and follow! rgsi.mmu.ac.uk/2025/04/29/e...
Eulenburg and Bülow Princes: Two Scandals that shook the Prussian Court - by Jonathan Spangler - Histories of RGSI (Race, Gender, Sexuality, and Identity)
The court of Kaiser Wilhelm II is remembered for its excessive militarism—the Prussian sabre rattling that encouraged the Austrian emperor to send such a strong ultimatum to the Serbs in […]
rgsi.mmu.ac.uk
December 3, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Here's an interesting blog I wrote earlier this year about Prussian princes, including the fascinating homosocial tale of Prince Eulenburg and the Kaiser. Part of of a new research blog at MMU: check it out and follow! rgsi.mmu.ac.uk/2025/04/29/e...
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
Very pleased to see You're Dead To Me has roared back into the Top 25 UK podcasts, following our very well-received 10th series! Series 11 is in production right now and will launch in early January podnews.net/press-releas...
The Top 25 Podcasts in the UK for Q3 2025
RedHanded hits the top 25 for the first time
podnews.net
December 2, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Very pleased to see You're Dead To Me has roared back into the Top 25 UK podcasts, following our very well-received 10th series! Series 11 is in production right now and will launch in early January podnews.net/press-releas...
Next Tuesday! If you're in London, come along to hear about the medieval jewels of an English queen! It is free, but please sign up now so we know what numbers to expect. #CourtStudies #HIstoricRoyalPalaces
December 2, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Next Tuesday! If you're in London, come along to hear about the medieval jewels of an English queen! It is free, but please sign up now so we know what numbers to expect. #CourtStudies #HIstoricRoyalPalaces
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
Plantagenet jewels! You know you want them! A hybrid SCS event! Charles Farris “Of Wonderful Beauty: An Inventory of the Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302”. 9 Dec. 18:00 GMT
If you like to attend (for free) in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email [email protected].
If you like to attend (for free) in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email [email protected].
November 20, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Plantagenet jewels! You know you want them! A hybrid SCS event! Charles Farris “Of Wonderful Beauty: An Inventory of the Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302”. 9 Dec. 18:00 GMT
If you like to attend (for free) in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email [email protected].
If you like to attend (for free) in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email [email protected].
Exciting book launch in Madrid earlier this week. In fact two! The first to appear in Brepols Court Cultures series, co-efited by me (for whom the empty chair)
November 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Exciting book launch in Madrid earlier this week. In fact two! The first to appear in Brepols Court Cultures series, co-efited by me (for whom the empty chair)
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
A hybrid SCS event! Charles Farris “Of Wonderful Beauty: An Inventory of the Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302”. On 9 Dec. 18:00 GMT.
If you would like to attend in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email [email protected]. Pre-booking essential
If you would like to attend in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email [email protected]. Pre-booking essential
November 15, 2025 at 7:04 PM
A hybrid SCS event! Charles Farris “Of Wonderful Beauty: An Inventory of the Jewels of Margaret of France in 1302”. On 9 Dec. 18:00 GMT.
If you would like to attend in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email [email protected]. Pre-booking essential
If you would like to attend in-person at the Royal Anthropological Institute, email [email protected]. Pre-booking essential
Polish princes who were grandparents of the Queen of France--and given the rare right to be called 'cousin du roi'. Defenders of Polish independence, then Russian and Austrian princes: Jablonowski. dukesandprinces.org/2025/11/10/j...
Jablonowski—Polish princes, kin to French royals
The Kingdom of Poland, a remarkably egalitarian society, officially had no title rankings within its nobility. It therefore had very few families with the titles duke or princes within its borders—…
dukesandprinces.org
November 10, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Polish princes who were grandparents of the Queen of France--and given the rare right to be called 'cousin du roi'. Defenders of Polish independence, then Russian and Austrian princes: Jablonowski. dukesandprinces.org/2025/11/10/j...
To follow on from last week’s post on the new Grand Duke of Luxembourg, here’s a new post on the family of the new Grand Duchess, Stephanie de Lannoy: dukesandprinces.org/2025/10/09/l...
Lannoy: A Quintessentially Belgian Noble House
The new Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, born Countess Stéphanie de Lannoy, comes from an old noble family from the Low Countries. The House of Lannoy is one of the most distinguished noble houses in B…
dukesandprinces.org
October 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
To follow on from last week’s post on the new Grand Duke of Luxembourg, here’s a new post on the family of the new Grand Duchess, Stephanie de Lannoy: dukesandprinces.org/2025/10/09/l...
Reposted by Dr Jonathan Spangler
Check out the latest 'The Court Observer' blog post titled "Theirs For Ever: Marie Antoinette and The Hand Over Ceremony" by Elizabeth Jane Timms!
Read on to discover how Marie Antoinette officially became the Dauphine of France in May 1770.
courtstudies.hypotheses.org/1570
Read on to discover how Marie Antoinette officially became the Dauphine of France in May 1770.
courtstudies.hypotheses.org/1570
Theirs For Ever: Marie Antoinette and The Hand Over Ceremony
On 7 May 1770, the fourteen-year-old Marie Antoinette, already Dauphine by proxy, approached an island near Kehl on the River Rhine in which she would be formally given to France. It represented the c...
courtstudies.hypotheses.org
October 3, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Check out the latest 'The Court Observer' blog post titled "Theirs For Ever: Marie Antoinette and The Hand Over Ceremony" by Elizabeth Jane Timms!
Read on to discover how Marie Antoinette officially became the Dauphine of France in May 1770.
courtstudies.hypotheses.org/1570
Read on to discover how Marie Antoinette officially became the Dauphine of France in May 1770.
courtstudies.hypotheses.org/1570