The Tudors Dynasty podcast.

Welcome back to the show.

I'm your host, Rebecca Larson.

On today's episode, we will dive into the daring lives of two extraordinary women who ruled the seas and defied the conventions of their time.

Jean de Cleason, the Lioness of Brittany, and Grace O'Malley, Ireland's pirate queen.

Jean de Cleson's journey began in the noble courts of 14th century France, but tragedy transformed

her into a force of vengeance. After her husband's wrongful execution by the French crown,

she sold everything she owned,

rallied a fleet of black painted ships,

and became a pirate who prowled the English Channel,

striking fear into the heart of the French monarchy.

Her story is one of resilience, justice, and an unrelenting quest for retribution.

Grace O'Malley, born nearly 200 years later in Western Ireland, charted her course as a fearless

mariner and chieftain.

Defying English rule during the Tudor conquest, she commanded ships,

led daring raids, and even stood face to face with Queen Elizabeth I to first to negotiate her

family's freedom and rights. Known as a skilled navigator and formidable leader, Grace's legacy lives on as a symbol of Irish resistance and independence.

In this episode, we'll navigate the turbulent waters of their remarkable lives, exploring how these two women challenged empires, inspired legends, and shaped the course of history.

Jeanne de Cleason, also known as Jeanne de Belleville, and famously dubbed the lioness of Brittany, was born in France in 1300.

At the time, Brittany was an autonomous region in what is now

Western France. At the age of 12, she was married off to a 19-year-old Breton noble. The marriage brought

two children before her husband's death in 1326. Her son, Jeffrey, inherited his father's title,

...