Dissecting the diaries of notorious bisexual Hortense Mancini

[@clairel34]

I've suddenly realized what I truly want in life: Long after I'm dead, to be refered to as a notorious bisexual

[@reesespieceshaha]

oh my god same! ultimate new life goal

[@Pinkywinkykinky]

samee bestie the more of a devious bi, the better

[@lindsayosterhoff2459]

Please consider talking about Hypatia of Alexandria. A lifelong virgin who refused the advances of men (likely asexual and aromantic) who was a well respected philosopher, astronomer, and mathematician LONG before women were typically allowed to be involved in such fields. She was quite the rebel and incredibly fascinating.

[@clrobinson1776]

Yes, please. She’s one of my favorite women of history.

[@missnaomi613]

Sounds amazing!

[@laviniasnow4494]

Absolutely! Yes!

[@the_aberration7398]

She is an interesting historical figure, but her (likely, but unconfirmed) lifelong virginity and single-hood also could have been for spiritual reasons to do with certain Neoplatonist teachings.

[@LadyVenus125]

Oh my god, that sounds so cool! I hope Jessica reads this comment.

[@CorwinFound]

I so appreciate these videos of historic queer icons. I came out as trans 3 years ago at 45 years old and I feel like I've been playing frantic catch-up to understand the history of my people. Of course complicated by centuries of erasure, willful destruction, and phobic bias. Thank you for the work of digging up these stories, good, bad, and ugly! Sometimes painful, sometimes joyful, always complicated, they help me feel less alone.

[@saraquill]

Please do a video on Nobuko Yoshiya, the mother of Japanese lesbian fiction. Supported herself with her writing and lived happily in a Boston marriage.

[@LeafyK]

I'd like to watch this episode! I've never heard of Lady Yoshiya before

[@Margar02]

In case anyone was wondering, like I- Boston marriage: A non-traditional, domestic relationship between two middle or upper-class women

[@DramaGeek1225]

You should look into Irish playwright Theresa Deevy. She became deaf as an adult and practiced lip reading by going to theatre. That indpired her to write plays and she was one of the Abbey Theatre's top playwrights until the late 1930s when they stopped producing her work. Some people think it's because the last play she submitted was too radical in the way it portrayed women.

[@beegman27]

"notorious bisexual" is probably the most fantastic thing ive heard someone be called

[@Werevampiwolf]

I feel like she'd get along with La Maupin. Or they'd hate each other, no middle ground

[@colinneagle4495]

Obviously they would hate each other, as they would have been competing for the same lovers!

[@Reverse_Cat_Cowgirl]

Right, it's like you can ether see it as bark with no bite, or with. Like he's an obnoxious old man or quirky old fuddy-duddy. 🤭

[@Bel_catlover]

I can easily imagine them in a romance, wouldn't the noble girl and the sword-fighting girl be adorable together? I think

[@lilykatmoon4508]

I love this series of yours. Hearing about women who took what power they had and leveraging it for their self expression and what freedom they could is inspiring to learn about- AND they were queer and/or disabled ❤. Fascinating woman. I definitely want to read her memoir!

[@marianneshepherd6286]

Oh my goodness! I literally just listened to Betwixt the Sheets podcast, and the episode talked about her briefly, and I literally thought, "I really hope Jessica does a video on her for queer history 101 series" 😊❤

[@jennifers5560]

Nice!

[@daniellerichardson5900]

The way your hearing aids catch the light is quite lovely. Goes with the pearl headband very well, with a classic subtle sparkle. Thanks for giving us another great video on a historical queer icon!

[@jennifers5560]

Wow, what a life she led! Super interesting video. 20:05 “Really good with people” seems like an understated way to describe her.

[@cbw900]

I love Hortense Mancini. It's so delightful that you've made a video about her!

[@Smellystrawberry]

I would love for you to consider Sarah Bernhardt. French superstar of late 18th early 19th century. She played male roles. Had both male and female lovers. At one point had to amputate her leg, but her career still continued. Was just a very dramatic lady. Considered one of the first superstars. I'm very impressed that she was so popular in America since she never preformed in any other language then French. She is the earliest born person on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

[@alyburr6645]

don't have time to watch rn, but the notification for this immediately got The King of Bling stuck in my head xD can't wait to find out more about her

[@RosalindPeters]

I love the people and the people love me

[@i_love_imi]

@@RosalindPeters So much they restored the English monarchy

[@threeleggedcat]

Priscilla Pointon was a blind female writer and poet in the 18th century, and she was pretty cool, I imagine she would make an interesting topic for a video

[@StonerWeeb]

I'd heard her name before but had no idea how much of a bicon she was. What a legend! Also, as beautiful as the art is, I'm surprised big daddy youtube hasn't age restricted this vid 😹

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

I so love learning about historical figures from you! Where were you when I was in history class?!

[@CREN13Queen]

I want a TV series of Hortense's life so badly

[@gothicwitch101]

Notorious Bisexual is going to be the name of my new band.

[@justagirlwearingglasses]

grew up in the french court, oui oui bonjour, life was a chore so she set sail-

[@sunnys2434]

Lol I love this reference 😂

[@michaelnewton5873]

Your intro sounded like you were jealous she had a King and a Princess as lovers. LOL Love the content more learning as usual.

[@LS-el7xc]

What an incredible life this woman lived!

[@danielahirgts]

‪Happy Birthday! The video was such a delight to watch. Learning about historical figures is always enjoyable, but your personal touch elevates it. Thank you for continuing to create and share such lovely content.

[@MeltyKun]

Jessica's lexicon and elocution is an orchestra to my ears.

[@andreaorofalo]

Ortensia Mancini! She was the ultimate party girl of the 17th century! Even her parents were such incredible characters themselves! "Palazzo Mancini" is still exsisting in Rome and it's worth a visit.

[@jennifers5560]

May this year be a tapestry of happiness, success, and wonderful surprises. Hope you have a fun and bright day. Happy Birthday!

[@sallyjordan4869]

I especially adore your historical videos, lovely Jessica! 🎀💖🎀

[@laviniasnow4494]

Thank for the interesting story! I feel like this series is my favourite on this channel. ☺️

[@jennenny87]

Jesus Christ, that ending! What a literal monster. So glad she was able to get away from that twisted, broken man, but it's baffling to me how many people were willing to stand by and let such bery public horrors continue for so long (both during their marriage and after her death). She was clearly not without her own baggage and misdeeds, but what an incredibly strong human being to survive and make a life for herself with that spector looming over her and no real legal protection/recourse. Thanks for sharing this incredible story.

[@CplAnguadaEarth]

My only previous experience with her is from Horrible Histories song about Charles II The King of Bling.

[@hannahbradshaw2186]

Yes! HORTENSE MANCINI 😂

[@oliverharris60]

I was looking for this comment!!! I’ve found my people 😂

[@MissFreyja]

Fabulous video Jessica, thank you for sharing :)

[@qgde3rty8uiojh90]

I've only just discovered your channel, Jessica. I'll have to watch a bit more of your content, but I already LOVE ❤ your (online?) personality! Keep uo the good work, girl.👍

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Great fun! What a interesting bio. Always like to hear about those historical female upstarts!

[@laurenready6662]

Love this, thank you so much for creating. Adding my suggestion for Princess Ghyka to your possible future profiles!

[@martincotterill823]

Great story, well told

[@Authentistic-ism]

Forced into a convent??? I hear this more and more in history content. It would be a fascinating topic in and of itself for a video! Any takers?

[@kateshiningdeer3334]

I read a book of women's true stories called "Lesbian Nuns" - considering the practices of the day, that was a MUCH better choice than marriage and kids! There were lots of gay male priests for the same reason.

[@Authentistic-ism]

@@kateshiningdeer3334 I went to Catholic school where some of the staff were sisters of mercy. Because I was a baby queer I was having gaydar about some of them. Probably right I remember as girls we would ask the sisters why they chose to be nuns and they wouldn't really give us satisfying answers

[@LeafyK]

Great phonics hacks: the Barton Reading program! (re: 2:44) It's designed for dyslexic learners of all ages and useful for everyone who speaks English! I'd recommend adapting some of the cue words to your own dialect (i.e. /a/ apple, /i/ itchy, etc may not match UK English, I'm not sure as a Canadian who learned this US program). Barton is designed by speech pathologists! Cheers to you if you read this far, good day friend

[@lisastenzel5713]

0:44 Not yet! Wait a few decades dear. You will go down in history for sure. You are awesome!❤

[@coreywright33]

Yay! Thank you so much for sharing, Jessica!

[@mh4971]

thank you for this series

[@karieninas]

Such a great video! Love your take on queer history. ❤

[@TheQueenOfStupidity]

I absolutely love this story, that ive of course never heard of in school (Though to be fair I am Danish) What an absolute Icon! And Ive shared it with an artist friend of mine who I think will absolutely make fanart of her

[@RebeccaEstherG]

Watching this video feeling like sitting down for a good chat about the latest in French scandals, if your bestie is a queer KZbin icon who somehow also exists in the 17th century and knows everything about every Bicon. J'aime!

[@julie_uk_]

Armand sounds like a cruel douche bag, whilst the gossip pamphlet sounds great! Im loving the journey you have told of our heroine 😊❤

[@ivanhoeluisio7718]

The first time that I listen that aristocratic charactermfrom the Renaissance but your explanation about her was very well 😊. She did what so much women do in the 21st century. It's interesting how much people to dare to being brave 😼.

[@tommcdonald1873]

This almost reminds me of the novel Moll Flanders.

[@KristanceGlam]

Liking this before it even starts, because yay for bisexual representation and stories!

[@top-notanalysis4942]

Omg omg omg, I heard of Hortence from Abigail Philosophy Tube 😂🎉

[@erraticonteuse]

YES! I was like "isn't she the Charles II mistress who Abigail Thorn is related to?"

[@tinaturner_art_poetry]

Very interesting story ,I love your videos 🤍🌺

[@erraticonteuse]

Hey, teaching something is the best way to learn it, so if Rupert is teaching you phonics, you're helping him learn!

[@xerxies8947]

She may not have married the prince but she was quite the queen

[@missnaomi613]

As always, thank you for making history interesting and fun! 🙏❤️🏳️‍🌈

[@Voronochka262]

Dear Jessica, I would ask you consider talking about biocon Hans Scholl, who resisted against Hitler

[@josepinheiro6064]

Hortense is Hydrangea in French there are different versions of the name in Romantic lanuguages. The "H" is silent.

[@ameena6485]

Never been this early to a video

[@yosoysoya7944]

How about Billie Jean King? She isn't as historical as most of your other profiles but she does seem pretty cool!

[@EdithAustin-l4x]

Could you please cover Elizabeth I. She may have been aromantoc as a part of her first letter turning down a proposal said (paraphrased): IIt would be unfair of me to marry you, as I cannot love you in that way you would love me

[@hannahbradshaw2186]

But her name's not as silly as...HORTENSE MANCINI! Hope someone gets the reference 😂

[@amanekabbaj]

She sounds fun definitely will read more about her

[@CREN13Queen]

Giving me Scandalous Lady W vibes with that court case

[@firebladetenn6633]

Excuse me, I disagree! There is a glaring error on your video. You are ABSOLUTELY a historical figure that will be talked about for centuries to come.

[@RosalindPeters]

Give me a wave if you recognised this name from Horrible Histories Charles II song

[@madimoe8331]

Just amazing. ❤

[@ArtingFromScratch]

@jessica PLEASE DO TOVE JANSSON

[@mrkiplingreallywasanexceed8311]

This was camp as tits, I love it! More like this, please! Fascinating isnt it, how, irrespective of epoch or mores, if you were rich enough, it didn't really matter what the frig you did - or who! So long you weren't rubbing His (Imperial) Majesty up the wrong way, it seemed that no one ACTUALLY cared who you screwed, as long as it wasnt a family pet, livestock or a corpse. Speaking of, the pettiness of the man who dragged his late wife round to places he knew she used to hate when of this Earth was exquisite having undertones of the Cadaver Trial 800 years beforehand. So it's not ENTIRELY fair to suggest Hortense's life was strictly a proto-feminist - or feminism aligned - one. I think it far more accurate to say, she embodied Man's* desire for freedom, emancipation from repression and tyranny, to be the master of his/her/their destiny and free to do what the fuck they want within the boundaries of what is nothing the fuck to do with anyone else - nor hurts them physically or impinges on their own legal rights and freedoms respectively. Doing what they want to include living whereever and with whom they want, being engaged in the business or occupation of their choice - or not having one. And believing in whatever supernatural nonsense they like - or none - whether State sanctioned or otherwise. "Churches" on the other hand, should have no "rights" whatsoever. I very much feel Hortense would have agreed .. The more you see "religion" playing out in public life - the more you become sure it is nothing more than politics in drag. That would be a FASCINATING drama, to have Jessica throw her brilliant spotlight on the 1300 year panoramic sweep where that story really gets interesting ....😏 *Man of course, being the convenient, non gender specific catch all term for all humanity; a mere handy label. A word.

[@HotDogTimeMachine385]

Cool history!

[@sarahwatts7152]

Good for her from managing to get away from that creep!

[@jennifers5560]

My suggestion for a profile is Greta Garbo.

[@tinaturner_art_poetry]

Defenetly love her

[@LadyVenus125]

Yes! I always wondered why Jessica never talked about her.

[@elspethfougere9683]

How fabulous 😍🤩

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

I am not much of a scholar, and my memory is not very great. I am curious if Vigiee Le Brun, whose name I have probably misspelled, had such inclinations, or, was simply painting the subject matter & imagery accessible to her during that era. However, since she was not outwardly or notoriously a lesbian, she isn't a suggestion for this sort of video. But, perhaps, may be a subject for people who appeared to be but weren't? (But, not what you asked for.) Still, joyous Birthday wishes to you. I hope you are having a lovely afternoon, far "across the world" (from where I sit.)

[@saraquill]

Roo may not need phonics. I learned to read whole words first, using child friendly sign language dictionaries.

[@pspence9569]

Got a wee free six months from Surfshark today, thanks.

[@cozydrug]

✨bi-con✨

[@nyves104]

❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@zanite8650]

Wish I could earn the title of 'Notorious Bisexual'

[@susanpolastaples9688]

Alphra Behn

[@Angua-tu3ot]

💜

[@isabelasabbatini4431]

Could gay Jane Austen be next...??

[@alexoglitter2700]

Red white & royal blue, how to build a girl

[@marianakamimura6561]

Of course she was a Gemini 😂

[@brennanperry8001]

You're just not a historical figure *yet*

[@msswiper3019]

This feels like the worst thing to post on a deaf person's page, but I really can't hear you with my volume all the way up and even with headphones on. As far as I know there's nothing going on with my ears or my phone; I think it's just how soft your voice is. Just wanted to offer this information in case it is useful feedback 😅🫥😶

[@LadyVenus125]

You can turn on the subtitles.

[@GirliestMammy]

💖

[@comradeghostboi7989]

❤