Normal Women

Philippa tells the story of women rebels and rioters - from the leaders of the Peasants' Revolt to those arrested at the vigil for Sarah Everard. We hear from 'Captain' Ann Carter, leader of a seventeenth century food riot, hanged by the authorities and just one of the thousands of women Philippa has rescued from the footnotes of history and placed at the heart of her book 'Normal Women - 900 years of Making History'. Joining Philippa to discuss women-led strikes, protests and rebellions are:Historian Sheila Rowbotham andDame Louise Casey, author of a report on London's Metropolitan Police Force.Normal Women is Philippa Gregory's radical retelling of our nation’s story – not of the rise and fall of kings and the occasional queen, but a history of the millions of women missing from the record: wives and workers, viragoes and angels, female husbands, priests and pirates.

Just how should women behave? Throughout History, they have so often been expected to act as genteel ladies and confined to the home - often described as the 'angel in the house'. But far from remaining passive, many used their influence to put themselves at the heart of radical social change. In this episode we hear about the anti slavery campaigners - and Philippa introduces us to the hundreds of women who absolutely, under no circumstances wanted the vote.Joining Philippa to discuss the push and pull of homely responsibilities throughout history are:Geri Halliwell-Horner former Spice Girl and children’s author and Kate Mosse, best-selling novelist and the founder of the Women In History campaignNormal Women: 900 Years of Making History is Philippa Gregory's radical retelling of our nation’s story – not of the rise and fall of kings and the occasional queen, but a history of the millions of women missing from the record: wives and workers, viragoes and angels, female husbands, priests and pirates.

Sapphism, the Cult of the Clitoris, coded diaries and a bower of bliss - Philippa Gregory tells the story of women who love women, and those who tried to stop them.  We hear from famous lesbians including Queen Anne and Gentleman Jack and less famous lovers rescued from the footnotes of history.Joining Philippa to discuss the history of women who love women are:TikTok stars Caitlin and Leah and Professor Laura Gowing, who teaches women's history and queer history at King's College London. Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History is Philippa Gregory's radical retelling of our nation’s story – not of the rise and fall of kings and the occasional queen, but a history of the millions of women missing from the record: wives and workers, viragoes and angels, female husbands, priests and pirates.

Whether you are on the Board or in the kitchen, a medieval peasant or modern day medic, a Victorian street-sweeper or eighteenth century hand-spinner - if you are a woman, there’s every chance you are underpaid. So why is that? Explanations vary across the centuries from women's lack of upper-body strength to the demands of motherhood and patriarchal oppression, but one thing is certain - the pay gap never closes.Joining Philippa to discuss the history of women's work are:Professor Jane Humphries, economic historian at the University of Oxford and London School of Economics anddata scientist Edwina Dunn, founder of the educational charity The Female Lead, which empowers and listens to women.Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History is Philippa Gregory's radical retelling of our nation’s story – not of the rise and fall of kings and the occasional queen, but a history of the millions of women missing from the record: wives and workers, viragoes and angels, female husbands, priests and pirates.

Throughout history women have faced the threat of sexual violence and, sadly, it's no different today. Philippa explores how rape was viewed as a crime against a man’s property, how courtly love gave way to brutal desire and the difficulties women face in bringing their attackers to justice.Joining Philippa to discuss rape - how it has changed through history and how we see it now are:Joanna Bourke, Professor of History at Birkbeck, University of London and author ‘Rape: A history ’Soma Sara anti-rape activist and founder of ‘Everyone’s Invited’ website and charityNormal Women: 900 Years of Making History is Philippa Gregory's radical retelling of our nation’s story – not of the rise and fall of kings and the occasional queen, but a history of the millions of women missing from the record: wives and workers, viragoes and angels, female husbands, priests and pirates.If you or someone you know has been affected by rape or sexual violence or needs to talk to someone, support can be found via the NHS website or via the following organisations:The Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line run by Rape Crisis England & Wales 0808 500 2222Rape Crisis Scotland 0808 801 0302Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline – Northern Ireland 0808 802 1414Clips: Gone With The Wind - director Victor Fleming - Metro Goldwyn Mayer Hey, trolly lolly lo! - The King's Singers Royal Rhymes and Rounds ℗ 2012 Signum Records

Bitten, spat on, denounced - in the 1990s newly-ordained women were met with fury by a vocal minority. But women have always played an important role in the Church, as mystics, the heads of religious houses, saints or simply as normal women seeking salvation. Joining Philippa to tell the story of women's changing place in the Church of England - from 'weaker vessels' in the sixteenth century to women bishops in the twenty-first:Rev Richard Coles, writer, broadcaster and clergymanDr Grace Heaton, historian, University of OxfordNormal Women: 900 Years of Making History is Philippa Gregory's radical retelling of our nation’s story – not of the rise and fall of kings and the occasional queen, but a history of the millions of women missing from the record: wives and workers, viragoes and angels, female husbands, priests and pirates.