Rex Factor
Rex Factor is a fun podcast that reviews all the kings and queens of England and Scotland, discussing their reigns, achievements, and scandals in an entertaining way.
Episodes
S4.08 Edgar the Ætheling
The final Nearly Monarch of our first mini-series, Edgar the Ætheling is the forgotten figure of 1066 but the one with the best claim to the throne. The only royal Saxon prince left alive, the son of Edward the Exile, he was passed over in favour of Harold Godwinson, but was turned to after Hastings. We consider whether he was the true heir of Edward the Confessor, why he didn't become king in 106
S4.07 Harald Hardrada: Review
In the second part of the Harald Hardrada podcast, we review him and decide whether his exploits in Russia, Byzantium, Norway and his invasion of England will earn him the Rex Factor.
(Unfortunately the camera pointed at Graham stopped working for part of the recording, so apologies for his lack of motion at times!)
We are doing a live show in Ludlow on Friday 21 August 2026 at 19:00 - come and
S4.06 Harald Hardrada: Biography
The legendary Viking ruler, Harald Hardrada, is our first two-parter of the series due to his remarkable life story. Russian exile, adventures in the Byzantine Emperor, and becoming King of Norway all before he invaded England in 1066. In this episode, we cover the whole of his remarkable life, with the review to come in the next episode.
(Unfortunately the camera pointed at Ali stopped working f
S4.05 Edward the Exile
One of the least famous nearly monarchs but perhaps the most pivotal, Edward the Exile was the son of Edmund Ironside and a nephew to Edward the Confessor and his survival might have meant the Norman Conquest would never have happened. We learn about Edward's remarkable exile, taking in Scandinavia, Russia and Hungary and the tantalising possibility of his becoming king in England only for fate to
S4.04 Edith of Wilton
Our first female nearly monarch of the series, Edith of Wilton, was the daughter of Edgar the Peaceable and a potential rival to her half-brother, Æthelred the Unready. The question is, was she a political power player in the running for the throne, was she a holy nun with no ambitions towards secular riches, or maybe a bit of both?
We are doing a live show in Ludlow on Friday 21 August 2026 at
S4.03 Ælfweard and Edwin
It's a double-header this week with the brothers Ælfweard and Edwin - not a nearly ruling duo but both seem to have met mysteriously early ends amidst a rivalry with their older half-brother Æthelstan. We learn about divisions between Wessex and Mercia, disputes over legitimacy and the mysterious fate of each brother.
We are doing a live show in Ludlow on Friday 21 August 2026 at 19:00 - come and
S4.02 Æthelwold
Series 4 begins! We review our first nearly monarch, Æthelwold, a nephew to Alfred the Great (perhaps familiar to many from The Last Kingdom series) who challenged his cousin, Edward the Elder, for the throne. Largely dismissed by the official history, we find that his claim to the throne (and the threat he posed) was serious and he was able to find some impressive allies along the way. But will h
Ludlow Live News 2026
Just a quick update from us to let you know that we are going to be returning to Ludlow this year for another live show. Join us at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Friday 21 August at 19:00 for The Battle of 1066, as we pit the four contenders for the throne against each other and ask you to decide who should have been the king: Harold Godwinson, William the Conqueror, Harald Hardrada or Edgar the Æt
Emily Murdoch Perkins - The Queens Who Could Have Been
As an introduction to our series on the nearly monarchs, we speak to Emily Perkins about her book Regina: The Queens Who Could Have Been, which looks at the queens who could have ruled if first-born daughters had been prioritised in the succession.
Emily Murdoch Perkins’ book Regina: The Queens Who Could Have Been is available in all good bookshops, but if you want the gold foil shiny hardback, t
S4.01 Series 4 Introduction
It's time for a new series of Rex Factor! In this introductory episode, we explain the concept of the series (what is a 'nearly monarch'?), who the nearly monarchs are (i.e. the individuals we will be reviewing in the series), and how we might approach scoring them.
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Offa of Mercia
This week, after an introduction to the podcast, we review Offa, the eighth century king of an early English kingdom called Mercia. We learn about why he was not the first king of England, links to Charlemagne and the building of the famous Offa's Dyke, plus consider whether he has the Rex Factor.
Please note - this episode is identical to the first episode in the feed (we are releasing it twice
David Woodman - Athelstan: First King of England
We chat to the historian David Woodman about his book The First King of England: Athelstan and the Birth of a Kingdom. He tells us about why Athelstan (not Alfred) should be considered England's first king, how Athelstan was able to exert so much power in England and Britain, plus gets us exciting for the upcoming millennium of the foundation of England.
Head to David's website for more informati
Messages & Previews 11
We respond to some of your messages about all elements of the podcast, as well as share some previews of our bonus content.
Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 400 additional bonus podcasts:
https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor
"(00:00:00) Intro"
"(00:01:30) Messages"
"(00:37:57:) Previews"
"(00:51:06) Farewells"
Learn more abou
Battle of the Champions (Live at Ludlow 2025)
Available for all to listen, the recording of our live show at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Friday 15 August 2025 in which we pit the champions of the first three series of Rex Factor against each other: Henry II, Robert the Bruce and Eleanor of Aquitaine. In this recording, we compare Henry, Robert and Eleanor in the traditional fashion (biographies then factor by factor) before handing over to t
Queen James (Gareth Russell)
We welcome Gareth Russell back onto the podcast, this time to talk about his latest book Queen James: The Life and Loves of Britain's First King, looking at the life and reign of King James VI (of Scots) / I (of England), with a particular focus on his personal life and the six men with whom he was infatuated or in love.
For more on Gareth, you can find him on X/Twitter (https://x.com/garethrusse
Right to Reply 10: Grand Final Results Comments
We go through the comments from the public vote in the Grand Finals of the play-offs, talking through the perspectives on the Nearly Rexy Consorts, Round One and Semi-Final Losers, Series 4 and Grand Final votes.
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https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor
"(00:00:00) Intr
S3.88 Grand Final Results Analysis
Following the Grand Final Results, we take an in-depth look at how the public voted and just how close some of the results were. Graham explains all the stats and ranked choice voting, while Ali tries to figure out who everyone is.
Come and see us live in Ludlow on Friday 15 August 19:00:
https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-factor-battle-of-the-champions/
Sign up for lots of bonus
S3.87 Play-Offs: Grand Final Results
A champion is crowned... After six years and over 60 consorts reviewed, we are finally at the end. In today's episode, we reveal the results of the Nearly Rexy Consorts, Round One and Semi-Final Losers votes (deciding positions 5th to 19th in the series), Privy Councillor prize draws, the decision on what we will be doing in Series 4 PLUS the most important vote of all - who will be crowned the Se
S3.86 Play-Offs: Semi-Final Losers
For the first time, we are giving all the Rex Factor-winning consorts a final ranking for the series. In this episode, we are asking you to rank all of the consorts eliminated in the semi-finals of the play-offs, ranking them from 1st to 8th (though they will be competing for positions 5th to 12th). Have a listen to our review of all 8 and then cast your vote here:
https://forms.gle/GEZoGzP7nLvft
S3.85 Play-Offs: Round One Losers
For the first time, we are giving all the Rex Factor-winning consorts a final ranking for the series. In this episode, we are asking you to rank all of the consorts eliminated in the first round of the play-offs, ranking them from 1st to 7th (though they will be competing for positions 13th to 19th). Have a listen to our review of all 7 and then cast your vote here:
https://forms.gle/NrCjh7mJtXE1
SS3.84 Play-Offs: Grand Final
It's crunch time! Just four consorts remain to do battle in the Grand Final for English consorts to be crowned the Series 3 champion of Rex Factor. Will it be Emma of Normandy, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France or Katherine of Aragon? The decision is entirely down to the public vote, so listen to this final run-down of the four finalists and then cast your vote via the link below:
https://
Right to Reply 9: Semi-Final Results
We go through the stats from the public vote in the semi-finals of the play-offs, explaining how all of the groups finished as they did, plus go through the comments left by voters in the four semi-finals.
Come and see us live in Ludlow on Friday 15 August 19:30:
https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-factor-battle-of-the-champions/
Sign up for lots of bonus content, including play-o
S3.83 Play-Offs: Semi-Final Results
Who will make it through to the Grand Final? Twelve will go down to four with today's results episode as we reveal the results of the four semi-finals as well as the Privy Council bonus play-offs for the Nearly Rexy consorts. Listen in or watch us reveal the results below:
https://youtu.be/G8Q8RNWIO6M
Sign up for lots of bonus content, including play-off extras such as a prize draw for a Zoom ch
Messages & Previews 10
We respond to some of your messages about all elements of the podcast, as well as share some previews of our bonus content.
We are doing a live show! Join us in Ludlow on Friday 15 August 19:30 for the Battle of the Champions:
https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-factor-battle-of-the-champions/
On the day of release, there is one final day to vote for Semi-Final D in the play-o
Live in Ludlow 2025 News
We are doing another live show! We are returning to the Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Friday 15 August 19:30 for The Battle of the Champions, as we pit our three series champions against each other: Henry II from series 1, Robert the Bruce from series 2 and whoever comes out on top in the consorts play-offs.
Tickets are available now via the Ludlow Assembly Rooms website - we'd love to see you there
S3.82 Play-Offs: Semi-Final D
It's the last of the semi-finals - who will be the final consort to make it to the Grand Final? Your contenders this week: Æthelflæd Lady of the Mercians, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Caroline of Ansbach. Rank them in order and help decide who makes it to the final! You have until Friday 30 May 23:59 (BST) to vote. Cast your vote via the link below:
https://forms.gle/w4nx1fxU86ZVeBME9
Sign up for l
S3.81 Play-Offs: Semi-Final C
The semi-finals are underway and the stakes are getting higher: just three consorts in each group and only the winner to go through to the Grand Final. Your contenders this week: Ælfthryth, Isabella of France and Katherine Parr. Rank them in order and help decide who makes it to the final! You have until Friday 23 May 23:59 (BST) to vote. Cast your vote via the link below:
https://forms.gle/8VhNd
S3.80 Play-Offs: Semi-Final B
The semi-finals are underway and the stakes are getting higher: just three consorts in each group and only the winner to go through to the Grand Final. Your contenders this week: Emma of Normandy, Matilda of Boulogne, and Anne Boleyn. Rank them in order and help decide who makes it to the final! You have until Friday 16 May 23:59 (BST) to vote. Cast your vote via the link below:
https://forms.gle
S3.79 Play-Offs: Semi-Final A
The semi-finals begin and the stakes are getting higher: just three consorts in each group and only the winner to go through to the Grand Final. Your contenders this week: Margaret of Anjou, Katherine of Aragon, and Henrietta Maria. Rank them in order and help decide who makes it to the final! You have until Friday 09 May 23:59 (BST) to vote. Cast your vote via the link below:
https://forms.gle/z
Right to Reply 8: First Round Results Comments
We go through lots of your comments from the voting forms for the First Round Results of the play-offs, hearing your thoughts (good and bad) about all of the consorts, helping us to get a sense of how the consorts are viewed by you and (more to the point) the extent to which Ali understands who everybody is.
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S3.78 First Round Results Analysis
Ahead of the semi-finals, we have a look at the voting stats from the First Round. We know who has gone through and who was placed where by the public, but how did they get there? Graham explains the voting percentages and all the preferential voting, Ali tries to remember who everybody is, and we consider who is looking well-set ahead of the semi-finals.
Sign up for lots of bonus content, includ
S3.77 Play-Offs: First Round Results
We have reviewed all the queen and prince consorts of England from Ealhswith to prince Philip, and now it's time to find our series champion! In this episode, we reveal the results from the First Round - who is going through to the Semi-Finals and who has been eliminated?
Watch us reveal the results via the link below:
https://youtu.be/jbO84TZnltc
Sign up to become a Privy Councillor and access
Messages & Previews 9
We respond to some of your messages about all elements of the podcast, as well as share some previews of our bonus content.
On the day of release, there is one final day to vote for Group C and one more week to vote for Group D in the play-offs - all the links are available here:
https://www.rexfactorpodcast.com/consort-vote
Sign up for lots of bonus content, including play-off extras such as a
S3.76 Play-Offs: First Round - Group D
The play-offs have begun! In the last of the first round contests, we pit Ælfthryth, Elizabeth Woodville, Matilda of Boulogne, and Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians against each other. All of them have the Rex Factor, but only three can make it through to the Semi-Finals, so who will it be?
In this episode, we consider all four consorts in each factor, then at the end of the episode, Ali and Graham
S3.75 Play-Offs: First Round - Group C
The play-offs have begun! In the third of the first round contests, we pit Isabella of France, Henrietta Maria, Caroline of Ansbach, Mary of Teck and Caroline of Brunswick against each other. All of them have the Rex Factor, but only three can make it through to the Semi-Finals, so who will it be?
In this episode, we consider all five consorts in each factor, then at the end of the episode, Ali a
S3.74 Play-Offs: First Round - Group B
The play-offs have begun! In the first of the first round contests, we pit Eleanor of Aquitaine, Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Eadgifu of Kent against each other. All of them have the Rex Factor, but only three can make it through to the Semi-Finals, so who will it be?
In this episode, we consider all five consorts in each factor, then at the end of the episode, Ali a
S3.73 Play-Offs: First Round - Group A
The play-offs have begun! In the first of the first round contests, we pit Emma of Normandy, Prince Albert, Matilda of Scotland, Katherine Parr and Margaret of Anjou against each other. All of them have the Rex Factor, but only three can make it through to the Semi-Finals, so who will it be?
In this episode, we consider all five consorts in each factor, then at the end of the episode, Ali and Gra
Right to Reply 7: Play-Off Draw
Before we get started on the Play-Offs, we respond to your messages about the play-off draw - your thoughts on the process, who you are predicting/wanting to win, and what should win the vote for series 4. The first play-off episode (Group A) will be out next Friday.
Sign up to join the Privy Council at https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor to get the podcast ad-free, as well as over 350 bonus podcas
S3.72 The Play-Off Draw
We have reviewed all the queen and prince consorts of England from Ealhswith to prince Philip, and now it's time to find our series champion! In this episode, we reveal how the play-offs will work and do the draw to see which Rex Factor-winning consorts will be up against each other in the first round, as well as details about series 4 and bonuses for Privy Councillors.
We also recorded this on vi
Messages & Previews 8
Before we get on to the play-offs in the new year, we read some of your messages relating to all aspects of the podcast (both recent and long ago) and share some previews of our bonus content on Patreon. If you would like to join the Privy Council and access the over 350 episodes of bonus content (plus ad-free versions of the main podcast) you can sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor
Le
Lucy Hughes-Hallett (The Duke of Buckingham)
We speak to Lucy Hughes-Hallett about her fascinating book Scapegoat: The Brilliant Brief Life of the Duke of Buckingham. Buckingham was a favourite of both James I and Charles I, lover to the former and mentor to the latter. Lucy tells us about his unlike rise to power and some of the dramatic (and sometimes farcical) stories from his life.
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Jane Tippett (The Lost Memoir of Edward VIII)
We speak to Jane Tippett on the fascinating story of Edward VIII's memoir, with Jane telling us about how and why the book was written and the wealth of new material that she has found giving us further insight into Edward's views on his childhood, time as Prince of Wales and the Abdication Crisis.
You can find out more about Jane at her website http://janemtippett.com/ and on Instagram https://w
Right to Reply: Windsor Consorts - Part 2
After taking your messages on the first three Windsor consorts, today we deal respond to your messages about Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Prince Philip - only two of them, but as the most recent and very much within living memory, they very much generated the most discussion!
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Right to Reply: Windsor Consorts - Part 1
We tackle your messages about the Windsor consorts, but because we had so many messages and so much to talk about, we've had to cut the episode in half! So in Part 1, we respond to your messages about Alexandra of Denmark, Mary of Teck and Wallis Simpson, with messages on Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Prince Philip to follow next week.
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S3.71 Prince Philip: Review
It's the end of the series - with this episode, we finish our review of all the consorts from Ealhswith to Prince Philip. With the war, gaffes galore and a record-breaking stint as consort, there's plenty to discuss. The question is, will Prince Philip, consort to Elizabeth II, take the final place on the Rex Factor mountain?
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S3.70 Prince Philip: Biography
We reach the end of the series, or nearly the end, as we embark on the first of two episodes for Prince Philip, the consort to Elizabeth II. No reviewing this time, but instead we take a look at his life and consortship, particularly a dramatic start to life which sees flight from revolution, family tragedy and the Second World War before things settle down and he becomes consort.
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S3.69 Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon: Review
In Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon's second episode, we review the consort of King George VI by all the factors and decide whether or not she had the Rex Factor.
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S3.68 Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon: Biography
In the first of two episodes, we look at the life and queenship of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (AKA the Queen Mother), consort to King George VI. From growing up in a Scottish castle to the First World War, becoming the Duchess of York, helping the monarchy through the Abdication Crisis and the Second World to a half-century as the Queen Mother, Elizabeth spanned the twentieth century. We tell the story
S3.67 Wallis Simpson: Review
This time we review Wallis Simpson, the wife-but-not-consort of Edward VIII. There's lots for us to get our teeth stuck into: an independent spirit but not able to become queen; myriad rumours of scandals across the world plus an unhealthy dose of Nazi associations. Famous, notorious and compelling - but does she have that certain something?
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S3.66 Wallis Simpson: Biography
In the first two episodes, we tackle one of the most controversial women in English royal history, Wallis Simpson. Technically not a consort, but her role in the Abdication Crisis and marrying the (former) King Edward VIII makes hers a fascinating and pertinent part of the story. In this episode, we tell her full life story, from growing up in Baltimore to marrying the king and having tea with Hit
S3.65 Mary of Teck
Mary of Teck (or Queen Mary, as many would have known her) was the consort of George V, and the first proper Windsor consort. Together with George, she helped set a model for the modern monarchy, facing a remarkable succession of crises (including two world wars). It was quite the story to get there as well, with a disrupted childhood, a royal tragedy and much more besides. Mary of Teck was there
S3.64 Alexandra of Denmark
We are into our final mini-series of the series, with Alexandra of Denmark (or Alix, as she was known), consort to King Edward VII. Alix enjoyed a surprisingly modest upbringing and was not initially favoured as a bride by Queen Victoria, but her kindly character and natural beauty saw her win the day. However, she would have to deal with excessive nagging from her mother-in-law and serial infidel
Messages and Previews 7
Before we get started on the Windsor consorts, we read through various listener correspondence as well as sharing previews of our bonus content, including our new special episode on Geoffrey Chaucer.
You can sign up to join the Privy Council and gain access to all our bonus content here: https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor
And you can purchase the Geoffrey Chaucer special episode (as well as all our
Gretchen Gerzina (Britain's Black Georgian History)
We chat to the historian Professor Gretchen Gerzina about Black Britons in Georgian Britain. There is a widespread misconception that Britain's black history only begins with Windrush, but we discuss the sizeable black and mixed raced population in Georgian Britain, the differing experiences that these people faced and some of the fascinating characters of the time.
For more information on Gretche
Gareth Russell (Hampton Court Palace)
We speak to the historian Gareth Russell about his book The Palace, which covers the history of Hampton Court Palace, from the Tudors to the Windsors. It's a fascinating book (and podcast!) covering lots of fascinating characters - from Henry VIII and George III to chocolatiers and the Romanovs.
For more on Gareth, you can find him on Twitter (https://x.com/garethrussell1) and Instagram (https://w
Penelope Corfield (The Georgians)
We speak to the historian Professor Penelope Corfield about the Georgians in a wide-ranging discussion that takes us from epoch-shifting changes in technology and literacy to the beginnings of handshakes and the postal system.
For more information on Penelope and her essays, check out her website:
https://www.penelopejcorfield.com/
For additional resources on the Georgians:
https://www.thegeorgian
Right to Reply: Hanoverian Consorts
Having finished our mini-series on the Hanoverian consorts, we go through some of your messages, points of debate and more Max Boneyman!
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S3.63 Prince Albert: Review
After a full biography episode last week, this time we review Prince Albert, scoring him on the factors and deciding whether or not he has the Rex Factor.
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S3.62 Prince Albert: Biography
In the first of two episodes, we do a full episode just looking at the life and consortship of Prince Albert, husband to Queen Victoria, with a full review episode to come next time. One of the most famous names in British royal history, Albert has perhaps been overshadowed by the extensive memorialisation undertaken by Victoria after his death, so we put the realm man centre stage: how did he com
Feed Swap: History Daily
We are off for Easter for a couple of weeks before getting back to Prince Albert, so this week we're doing a feed swap with the History Daily Podcast, which releases c. 15 minute episodes every weekday covering an event in history. We are showcasing two of their episodes which should hopefully be of interest to Rex Factor Listeners: the jousting injury that changed the course of Henry VIII's life
Linda Porter: Mistresses of Charles II
We speak to the historian Dr Linda Porter about some of the most notable mistresses of Charles II (Lucy Walter, Barbara Villiers, Frances Stuart, Nell Gwynn, Hortense Mancini), discussing why we know so much about them, what they tell us about Charles and how this affected his wife and queen, Catherine of Braganza.
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S3.61 Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen
Adelaide is probably one of the least famous of Britain's consorts, wife of William IV. A very different character to her predecessor, Queen Caroline, Adelaide was quiet and kind but faced the challenge of an eccentric and uncouth husband in William and a febrile political atmosphere with agitation for reform. Will slow and steady win the race?
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S3.60 Caroline of Brunswick
If Ali still had his scandal bell, this episode might break it! It's Caroline of Brunswick this week, consort to George IV despite his spending their entire marriage trying to prevent that eventuality. A poorly matched couple, Caroline lived life according to her own rules, creating scandal in England and then in European exile before returning for a grand battle as George tried to deny her her po
S3.59 Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
This week we review Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife and consort of King George III. We look at how she came to be queen at all, what was her role as consort and how her life was turned up side down by the Regency Crisis of 1788-89 when George III suffered a total collapse in his mental health. We will see whether her reaction to this, alongside her output as consort over a signif
S3.58 Caroline of Ansbach
It's the first Hanoverian consort proper this week with Caroline of Ansbach, queen consort to George II. She's not so famous now, but Caroline was a highly influential consort, loved and respected by her husband and enjoying great influence through an alliance with Robert Walpole (the country's first Prime Minister). However, she also had to manage the usual Hanoverian family conflicts, with each
S3.57 Sophia Dorothea of Celle
Sophia Dorothea of Celle was the wife of King George I but she was not, technically, a consort. We'll explain why this was the case, taking in dynastic politics, an unhappy marriage, a passionate romance, high drama and a new heroic character mostly invented by Ali.
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Royals at War: We Have Ways Fest 2022 (Live)
A little bonus to finish 2023, we've dipped into the archives and pulled out this recording of a live show we did at the We Have Ways of Making You Talk Festival in July 2022. We Have Ways of Making You Talk is a Second World War podcast, so we were talking about the royals during the war, specifically focusing on the former king (Edward VIII) and the actual king (George VI), looking at their diff
Messages and Previews 6
Before we get started on the Hanoverian consorts, we read through various listener correspondence as well as sharing previews of our bonus content, including our new special episode on Edgar the Ætheling.
You can sign up to join the Privy Council and gain access to all our bonus content here: https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor
And you can purchase the Edgar the Ætheling special episode (as well as
Male Consorts (Dr Ellie Woodacre)
We speak to Dr Ellie Woodacre again, this time about male consorts. Our last mini series had two male consorts (Philip II and Prince George of Denmark) as well as covering the time period of Elizabeth I (with no consort) and William and Mary. We speak to Ellie about where England's experience fits in with other European countries - did England come to queens regnant late? What kind of roles, power
Emma Southon: A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women
We speak to Dr Emma Southon for the second time on the podcast, this time discussing her new book A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women (or A Rome of One's Own in the US), a fascinating look at women from Roman history that (mostly) people don't tend to have heard of, but who give us a fascinating alternative look at the history of Ancient Rome and the varying experience of women in that histo
Leah Redmond Chang (Young Queens)
We speak to the author and historian Lead Redmond about her book 'Three Renaissance Women and the Price of Power', which looks at the lives of Catherine de' Medici (Queen Consort and Mother of France), Elisabeth de Valois (Queen Consort of Spain) and Mary Queen of Scots (Queen Regnant of Scotland and Consort of France). For a time, they all lived under one roof, but even when their paths diverged,
Right to Reply: Stuart Consorts
Having finished our mini-series on the Stuart consorts (plus a couple of others), we go through some of your messages, responding to corrections, points of debate and whatever else comes up.
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S3.56 Prince George of Denmark
It's the last of the Stuart consorts this time with the consort of Queen Anne, Prince George of Denmark. Often maligned by contemporaries, George nevertheless had a significant role as the first male consort not to be king. Derided by many but loved by Anne, George was a player in the tumultuous events of the late seventeenth century and a bit of a trailblazer for unambitious chaps, but is that en
S3.55 Mary of Modena
Mary of Modena is not one of the more famous names for English consorts but subject to one of the most notorious incidents as mother to the so-called 'bedpan baby'. We look at the truth of this as well as Mary's life, second wife to the man who would become James II, at the eye of the storm for the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and then the life of the Jacobite Matriarch in French exile. Will the re
S3.54 Catherine of Braganza
Catherine of Braganza has often been overshadowed by Charles II's numerous mistresses, but she has an interesting story in her own right. She faced a difficult start in England, finding her own space in a court where the mistresses were publicly honoured, as well as being a Catholic queen for a decidedly not Catholic country. She would need to find a way to adapt to the more relaxed Restoration co
S3.53 Elizabeth Cromwell
Elizabeth Cromwell was the wife to one of the most (in)famous figures in British history, but Oliver Cromwell's wife is something of a forgotten figure. Though the evidence for her life is limited, we track her from Essex and East Anglia to the dizzy heights of Lady Protector, seeing the Civil War and Protectorate from a different perspective. Elizabeth had to transition from managing a large but
S3.52 Henrietta Maria
Henrietta Maria of France was the highly controversial queen of Charles I. An avowed Catholic in an increasingly Puritanical country, her efforts to promote her religion were one of the factors that led to the Civil War. A forceful character, Henrietta played her part in the war (despite being a target for Parliamentarians), but would she be able to survive? And can such an unpopular queen be in t
S3.51 Anne of Denmark
We start the Stuarts proper with Anne of Denmark, consort to James I, though originally to James VI of Scotland. Anne had quite a difficult time getting to Scotland, then found herself caught up in various controversies when she did get there, clashing with the church, nobles and James himself. When she became Queen of England, there were controversies over her religion and more person disputes, b
Susan Doran: Elizabeth I's Suitors
Elizabeth I famously never married, but there were various suitors for her hand who came close to becoming Elizabeth's consort. We spoke to Professor Susan Doran about Elizabeth I and the marriage question, with a particular question on her relationship with Robert Dudley, the Hapsburgs and the French candidates and consider why she never married, if she ever wanted to and how close she came. Host
S3.50 Philip II of Spain
It's our first chap of the consort series in the form of Philip II of Spain. A powerful king in his own right, and notorious in England as the man who launched the Spanish Armada against Elizabeth I, it's often forgotten that he was actually King of England through his marriage to Mary I. We learn about Philip's upbringing, how he came to marry Mary, what sort of powers he did or didn't have as Ki
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