A living, male heir was essential to a monarch in the 16th century who wanted a secure dynasty. So why did Ivan the Terrible, the first Tsar of Russia, murder his only viable heir to the throne? The story might be more complicated than the way it's been told for centuries. Support Noble Blood: <a href="http://patreon.com/noblebloodtales"> — </a><a href="http://patreon.com/noblebloodtales">Bonus episodes, stickers, and scripts on Patreon</a> <a href="https://store.dftba.com/collections/noble-blood">— </a><a href="https://store.dftba.com/collections/noble-blood">Merch!</a> <a href="https://read.macmillan.com/lp/anatomy-a-love-story/">— </a><a href="https://read.macmillan.com/lp/anatomy-a-love-story/">Order Dana's book, 'Anatomy: A Love Story</a>' and pre-order its sequel <a href="https://read.macmillan.com/lp/immortality-a-love-story/">'Immortality: A Love Story'</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

Surgery of the First World War, with Lindsey Fitzharris

Author Dana Schwartz explores the stories of some of history&rsquo;s most fascinating royals: the tyrants and the tragic, the murderers and the murdered, and everyone in between. Because when you&rsquo;re wearing a crown, mistakes often mean blood.