Episode One looks at an era when mistresses rise to the level of official office at the royal court. Louis XIV, who for political reasons married a Spanish princess, considers his 'dangerous liaisons' so vital that he risks a breach with both church and public opinion. This episode recounts the story of the Sun King's first official mistress, Madame de Montespan, and her adversaries. Montespan su..

Episode Two takes Western viewers into the exotic world of the Ottoman Empire during the phase of its greatest political expansion. This new interpretation of the history of the harem and its members not only puts an end to many common misconceptions but also uncovers amazing new findings. The fact that European ladies of the harem determined the destiny of an Islamic empire of monumental scale fo..

Episode Three takes us to Italy during the Renaissance, when - inconceivable by today's standards - cardinals and Popes kept mistresses and had children by them. "Papal Brides" tells the story of two mistresses of Alexander VI - alias Rodrigo Borgia. The narrative revolves around Vannozza Catanai - the mother of his notorious offspring Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia, and Giulia Farnese, who became Rod..