Towards the end of the 1600s, the drama and glamour of the restoration court of Charles II

was eclipsed by the so-called glorious revolution to depose James II.

But lost between these two enormous events and left behind by history lies the story

of two women, Mary of Modena and Mary the second. One, a Catholic queen consort, the other

a Protestant princess who would become the first joint monarch of the United Kingdom.

Today, we want to ask who were these women and how did they navigate a world of heightened

religious tension and dangerous politics? Were they simply political pawns? Or were they thinkers, believers, and even survivors?

I'm chief historian Tracy Borman, and today we are going to explore the lives of the women

of the glorious revolution, Mary of Modena and Mary the Second.

Hello listeners and welcome to the Historic Royal Palaces podcast.

I'm so excited to get started with this episode.

But before we do, I should introduce our guests today.

I'm joined by Dr. Breeze Barrington.

Breeze is a cultural historian, writer and critic specialising in the artistic cultures of the 17th century. Her latest book, The Graces,

tells the story of Mary of Modena and the network of female learning she cultivated within the Jacobite Court.

Thank you so much for joining me today, Breeze.

Thanks so much for having me.

I'm also joined by our very own assistant research curator, Dr Holly Marsden, who is no stranger

to the podcast.

Holly recently completed her PhD on the multiple identities

of Mary the second. Holly, it's wonderful to have you back on the podcast. It's lovely to be here.

Thank you very much. I have to say before we begin, I'm quite enjoying being let out of the

...