Mary of Modena: a queen in the eye of a storm
Breeze Barrington explores the life of a queen at the heart of the Restoration court – and addresses a rumour about a baby in a bedpan
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Show Notes
She was an Italian Catholic in a ferociously anti-papist English court. An aspiring nun in a hotbed of hedonism. In this Long Read written by historian Breeze Barrington, we follow the extraordinary trials and tribulations of James II & VII’s second wife, Maria of Modena.
HistoryExtra Long Reads brings you the best articles from BBC History Magazine, direct to your ears. Today’s feature originally appeared in the August 2025 issue, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB.
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