Family Tree, Meet Shrub

In this week's episode The Mystics unravel one of history’s most unsettling royal legacies: King Charles II of Spain 🤔 and the devastating cost of keeping bloodlines what they call "pure" 🥴The Gruesome Twosome take a deep dive into the Habsburg family tree (or… wreath), exploring why generations of royals married only within their own family and how that decision led to profound physical and medical consequences 🧬 From severe illnesses to lifelong suffering, we break down just how sick Charles truly was, what symptoms historians believe he endured, and how his condition became a living example of what happens when power outweighs biology 🌳 It’s a grim chapter of history, told with curiosity, context, and just enough dark humor to survive the absolute chaos of it all. THE IMPORTANT LINKS AND CRED 📸 Cover Art by Rainbowfishdesign 🎶 The Grimm Mystics Theme Song by Bear Golden and Abby Golden King Charles II on Britannica King Charles II on Medium King Charles II on All That's Interesting

You can listen to Family Tree, Meet Shrub online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Family Tree, Meet Shrub is an episode from The Grimm Mystics by Amber Ringus & Lesley Gregg.

This episode is 56:48 long.

This episode was published on Jan 6, 2026.

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