This is the Tudors Dynasty and Beyond podcast.

History with a Twist.

And now your host, Rebecca Larson.

Today, we're stepping into the life of a woman far ahead of her time.

Margaret Cavendish.

A 17th century writer, philosopher, and visionary.

Margaret didn't just push boundaries.

She ignored them completely.

Known for her bold ideas, flamboyant fashion, and fearless opinions,

she wasn't just the Duchess of Newcastle.

She was a pioneer in science, in literature, and in the battle for women's voices to be heard.

So join me, Rebecca Larson, as we explore how this extraordinary woman carved out a space for herself in a world built by and for men,

and left behind a legacy that still challenges us today.

Margaret was born in 1623, near Colchester, into a wealthy and well-connected family.

Her parents, Elizabeth Layton, and Thomas Lucas, gave her what most girls of her social

rank received, an education in reading, writing, music, dancing, and needlework.

It was the kind of upbringing meant to prepare her for a respectable marriage, not an intellectual rebellion. But Margaret had other

ideas. At the age of 20, she begged her mother to let her go to Oxford, where she hoped to find a place

at court. And she did. She became a maid of honor to Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I.

But court life wasn't exactly a fairy tale. Shy and introverted, Margaret found it overwhelming.

The position that she had worked so hard to get wasn't the right fit after all.

Now, all of this was unfolding against the backdrop of chaos. In 1642, England descended into

...