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Guest lectures

When the side chick goes mainstream; how to be a royal mistress

  • 18.00 - 19.00
  • 26 Mar 2026
  • Woold Lecture Theatre 2, City Campus
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When the side chick goes mainstream; how to be a royal mistress
The Centre for Culture and Humanities welcomes Dr Kate Lister for a talk as part of Women's History Month.

Join Dr Kate Lister for a history lesson that may make your fortune; how to become a royal mistress. We will traverse the intriguing world of history’s most infamous royal mistresses, women whose lives were often shrouded in scandal and intrigue. From the maîtresse-en-titres of the French court, to the passionate liaisons of the English monarchy, the history of these women reveals not just personal tales of love and betrayal, but also the shifting dynamics of power and politics. Beyond the sex, the glamour and the jewels, these women often shaped royal policies and societal norms, all from behind the shadows of the throne.

But what made a royal mistress? How did they get the job, and even more crucially, how did they hold on to it?

Dr. Kate Lister is an award winning historian, columnist, podcast host, and television presenter, specialising in the history of sexuality and gender studies.

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