Lady Swindlers Season 2: Lucy Worsley Uncovers History’s Female Con Artists

Lucy Worsley, the esteemed historian and BBC presenter, returns with the second season of her captivating podcast series, Lady Swindlers. Building upon the success of the first season, this new installment delves deeper into the lives of women who defied societal norms and engaged in acts of deception, fraud, and cunning to navigate a world dominated by men. Available on BBC Sounds and Radio 4, Lady Swindlers offers a unique blend of true crime and historical analysis, shedding light on the complexities of female agency in history.

Podcast cover of Lucy Worsley's podcast on BBC

Table of Contents

Exploring the Intriguing World of Female Swindlers

In Lady Swindlers, Worsley and her all-female team of historians and experts journey through time to uncover the stories of women who used wit, charm, and audacity to manipulate the systems stacked against them. These narratives are not just tales of crime; they are windows into the societal constraints and expectations placed upon women throughout history.

A Feminist Lens on Historical Crimes

The podcast adopts a contemporary feminist perspective, analyzing how gender roles and societal pressures influenced the actions of these women. By doing so, it challenges listeners to reconsider the definitions of crime and morality within historical contexts.

Season 2 Highlights: Unveiling New Stories

The second season of Lady Swindlers introduces listeners to a fresh array of compelling characters:

Mary Bateman – The Yorkshire Witch: A notorious figure who combined superstition and fraud to exploit her victims.
Catharine Murphy – The Money Maker: A woman who navigated the male-dominated world of finance with cunning and deceit.
Annie Gordon Baillie – Serial Swindler: Known for her repeated offenses and ability to reinvent herself to escape justice.

Each episode delves into the personal histories, societal influences, and the broader implications of these women’s actions.

The All-Female Team Behind the Podcast

A distinctive feature of Lady Swindlers is its commitment to female perspectives, both in front of and behind the microphone. Worsley collaborates with a team of female historians, criminologists, and legal experts to provide in-depth analyses of each case. This approach ensures a nuanced exploration of the intersection between gender and crime.

Expert Contributions

The podcast features insights from contemporary female professionals, including:

Denise Mina: A crime novelist who offers narrative context.
Jackie Malton: A former police officer providing law enforcement perspectives.
Nneka Akudolu KC: A legal expert discussing the judicial aspects of the cases.

These contributions enrich the storytelling, connecting historical events to modern-day understandings of crime and justice.

The Significance of Revisiting These Stories

By spotlighting these historical figures, Lady Swindlers prompts listeners to reflect on the societal structures that have historically marginalized women. The podcast encourages a reevaluation of how history is told and whose stories are prioritized.

Relevance to Contemporary Issues

The themes explored in Lady Swindlers resonate with ongoing discussions about gender equality, systemic bias, and the representation of women in media and history. By drawing parallels between past and present, the podcast fosters a deeper understanding of the challenges women have faced—and continue to face—in asserting autonomy and agency.

How to Listen

Lady Swindlers Season 2 is available for streaming on BBC Sounds and airs on BBC Radio 4. New episodes are released weekly, offering listeners a regular dose of historical intrigue and analysis.