44 min listen
Unusual Births and Disability in 17th Century England
Unusual Births and Disability in 17th Century England
ratings:
Length:
38 minutes
Released:
Apr 15, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
**WARNING: This episode contains themes that some listeners might find distressing and commonly-used historic terminology that does not reflect our own thoughts**In May 1680, England become obsessed with a pair of conjoined twins. At just two weeks old, Priscilla and Aquila Herring were kidnapped from their home in Somerset to be put on show for money. A fortnight later they were dead, and a legal battle ensued over ownership and income. It is one of the earliest examples of exploitation and the exhibition of physical difference in England, a story of public display without consent, both before and after.In this episode of Not Just the Tudors, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb talks to Dr. Whitney Dirks, whose new book Monstrosity, Bodies, and Knowledge in Early Modern England weaves the case of the Herring sisters through an examination of how physically unusual humans and animals were understood and talked about in early modern England.This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code TUDORS - sign up here: https://www.historyhit.com/subscription/You can take part in our listener survey here
Released:
Apr 15, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Anne Boleyn Special: New Discoveries: Why does Anne Boleyn continue to fascinate us, almost five centuries after her execution? by Not Just the Tudors