Introduction and Setup

• Technical Difficulties podcast playing Citation Needed game show
• Host Tom Scott with guests Chris Joel, Gary Brannan, Will Seawood
• Topic: Julie d'Aubigny (Mademoiselle Maupin) from Wikipedia article
• Point-based quiz format with special prizes for good answers

Early Life and Background

• Born to Gaston d'Aubigny, secretary to master of horse for King Louis XIV
• Became mistress to Count d'Armagnac by age 14 (pre-French Revolution era)
• Father trained court pages - Julie learned alongside them
• Skills acquired: fencing, sword fighting
• Dressed as boy from early age

First Romantic Escapade and Flight

• Involved with assistant fencing master who killed man in legal duel
• Fled Paris to Marseilles together
• Earned living during journey: giving fencing exhibitions and singing opera
• Grew bored in Marseilles, ran away with woman (not man from Nice as guessed)

Convent Heist Scheme

• Followed female lover who was sent to convent by parents
• Elaborate escape plan executed:
  • Obtained dead body to replace lover
  • Set room on fire to cover tracks
  • Charged in absentia for: kidnapping, body snatching, arson
• Affair lasted only 3 months before girl returned to family

Paris Dueling Incident

• Moved to Paris, insulted by young nobleman Louis Joseph d'Albert de Luynes (son of Duke of Luynes)
• Fought duel, put blade through his shoulder
• Opponent recovered, sent apologies
• Became lovers and lifelong friends despite stabbing incident
• Julie still in late teens (17-20 years old) during this period

Opera Career in Paris

• Hired by Paris Opera despite criminal background
• Age 19, already infamous throughout Paris
• Society ball scandal: kissed young woman publicly
• Challenged to duels by three separate noblemen
• Fled Paris again (dueling was illegal)

Brussels Period and Final Years

• Moved to Brussels, rejoined opera
• Relationship with Madame la Marquise de Florensac
• Partner's death left Julie inconsolable
• Retired from opera, took refuge (not in convent)
• Died at age 33, no known grave
• Became legendary figure

Historical Context: German Dueling Culture

• Discussion of Otto von Bismarck's student dueling addiction
• German military 19th century formal dueling practices
• Ritual scarification with masks and thick scarves
• Scars on left cheek profile considered sign of bravery and courage
• Bismarck quote about judging men's courage by number of scars on cheeks

Game Conclusion

• Will Seawood won the quiz
• Prize: "Aristotle axolotl throttle" (Greek philosopher's Mexican salamander speed control)