Rex Factor

We speak to the historian and broadcaster Tom Holland about his podcast The Rest Is History and their Twitter World Cup of Monarchs poll, discussing who were the greatest kings and queens of England and comparing our respective results. In particular, we spoke to Tom about Athelstan and Æthelflæd Lady of the Mercians (both of whom Tom has written about) and why they are so important in English history. We also find out where Tom stands on the great question of Edgar the Peaceable, plus manage to sneak in a bit of Dunstan! You can follow Tom on Twitter where he is @holland_tom or his podcast @theresthistory Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we (though mainly Graham due to Ali's connection issues!) speak to Olivia Miller, an actor and playwright who has written and stars in a show called "Bloody Mary: Live!" where she plays a modern, 'queenager' version of Queen Mary I of England. We talk to Olivia about the show, her characterisation of Mary and what has inspired that, plus she has a go at rating Mary by our factors. You can follow Olivia for the latest news on 'Bloody Mary: Live!' on her website and on social media: Website: https://www.olivia-miller.net  Instagram: @thatoliviamiller  TikTok: @thatoliviamiller  Twitter: @thatlivmiller  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our first ever Right to Reply episode, we take a look back at our recent mini-series on the Lancastrian queen consorts reminding ourselves/Ali about Joan of Navarre, Catherine of Valois and Margaret of Anjou, then reading through listener's messages and questions about them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode, we teamed up with Scottish Ballet to talk about their forthcoming production 'The Scandal at Mayerling' about Crown Prince Rudolf, the heir to the Austrian throne who took his own life and his lover, Mary Vetsera, at a hunting lodge. We speak to Evan Loudon, principal dancer who plays Rudolf, about the ballet (a re-imagining of Sir Kenneth Macmillan's 'Mayerling') and historian Lucy Coatman, who is an expert on Mary, Rudolf, and the events of Mayerling. Head to Scottish Ballet's website for more information about the ballet itself, including behind the scenes photos and for booking tickets via the link below, or you can follow them on Twitter where they are @scottishballet or on Instagram (also @scottishballet). You can also follow Lucy on Twitter (@lucy_coatman) or visit her website (https://www.lucycoatman.com) https://www.scottishballet.co.uk/event/the-scandal-at-mayerling The Scandal at Mayerling opens in Glasgow on 13 April 2022 before moving on to Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, w

After doing a full-length Biography episode, this time it's all a review for Margaret of Anjou, queen consort to Henry VI. Plenty for us to get our teeth into - Margaret leading the Lancastrians in the wars of the Roses, rumours of affairs and transgressive behaviour, having to do the job of kinging. And, of course, the most important question - will she get the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Shakespeare's 'She-Wolf of France', Margaret of Anjou is one of England's most notorious queens, with one of the most dramatic stories. A young queen who was supposed to bring peace with France, the mental illness of her husband, Henry VI, saw Margaret effectively rule in opposition to the growing power and ambition of the Duke of York, resulting in the Wars of the Roses. In her bid to protect her husband and son, Margaret would raise armies, strike alliances and face exile, but who would come out on top? As for the Rex Factor, we'll review her in a separate episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Local Legends! This is a new bonus podcast series focusing not on kings and queens but on people or places that are more local to listeners. Maybe a statue or building (or, indeed, a local legend) you've wanted to know more about or would fancy hearing us talk about. In this first episode, we have Graham's choice of Judge Nicholas Conyngham Tindal. Local Legends will be a reward for Special Episode tier patrons to list to and Star Chamber members to nominate and vote on but for this first episode, we're making it available to everyone. We'll be back with the consorts and Margaret of Anjou in a couple of weeks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We talk to Dr Ellie Woodacre about one of our recently reviewed consorts, Joan of Navarre. Joan is one of England's less well-known queens but Ellie is publishing the first biography of her, so we went into more detail about Joan, how she fitted in to the complex web of European diplomacy, her status in Brittany, why she married Henry IV and even what her actual name was! You can follow Ellie on Twitter where she is @monarchyconf and @royalstudies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Catherine of Valois was the Queen Consort of Henry V, whose early life was shaped by her father's madness and the Hundred Years War, but the latter part was very much her own story, with scandalous romances and life on her own terms. Did she tick the boxes for the Rex Factor, or was she happy to play her own game? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joan of Navarre is one of Medieval England's less famous queens but she had quite the life: a Spanish princess who became Duchess of Brittany and then Queen of England. Curiously, her husband Henry IV already had son and heirs from a previous marriage, so Joan would go on to be an honorary rather than actual Queen Mother - initially a position of honour but one that would later reveal great vulnerability Would Joan emerge on top? And will she get the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the second part of our December Messages & Previews podcasts, we go through some more listener messages and share some more clips of our bonus content, while we continue to prepare for the next round of consort podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we prepare for the next round of Consort episodes, we spend some time going through listener messages as well as sharing various clips from our bonus content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We were delighted to be joined by the historian Charles Spencer for this interview podcast to talk about his book, The White Ship: Conquest, Anarchy and the Wrecking of Henry I’s Dream. Charles talked to us about why Henry I was such an impressive king, what happened in the White Ship disaster (which claimed the life of his son and heir), and why this was such an important moment in English history. For more information on Charles and his books, check out his website https://charles-spencer.com You can follow Charles on Twitter @cspencer1508 and on Instagram @charles.earl.spencer and get news on his books via @cspencerbooks_ (Twitter) and @charlesspencerbooks (Instagram) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Isabella of Valois was a French princess, but only a young girl when she married Richard II, a marriage designed to bring about peace between England and France. More helpful would have been peace between Richard and his nobles, and Isabella's life would be constantly spent in the midst of crises and internal divisions, both in England and in France. Dramatic times, but could Isabella play a big enough role to get the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anne of Bohemia is not one of the more famous queens in English history but she was the daughter of a powerful Holy Roman Emperor, was an inspiration to Chaucer and had a very close relationship with her husband, Richard II. With a reputation for kindliness, can Anne of Bohemia emerge from the shadows of history to claim the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Philippa of Hainault was the consort of Edward III during something of a golden age for England with incredible military victories against Scotland and France. Philippa was a key part of Edward's project to restore loyalty to the crown and a very popular queen renowned for her merciful intercessions, but did she have that certain something to get the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Having covered her Biography episode separately, we now review Isabella of France, queen consort of Edward II. There was plenty of juicy stuff, but just how highly will she score and will she get the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the most dramatic stories in English royal history, Isabella of France gets the double episode treatment. In this biography episode, we chart her life and consortship looking at her marriage to Edward II and the various antagonists in her life until eventually she faces off against her own husband. Next time we'll review her factor by factor and decide whether she has the Rex Factor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we prepare for the next round of consort episodes, we go through lots of excellent listener correspondence and share some previews of our most recent bonus content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's podcast we talk all things Simon de Montfort with Dr Sophie Thérèse Ambler. Simon de Montfort led a remarkable and dramatic life, most notably with the Second Barons War in the reign of Henry III, where Simon was effectively ruling England and making major advances in the cause of parliamentary democracy. He's often featured as a side character in Rex Factor, so today we go in depth in finding out who Simon was, what motivated him, why he rebelled against Henry and much more. If you want to find out more, be sure to buy Sophie's excellent book, The Song of Simon de Montfort: England's First Revolutionary. You can also find her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RG1253  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices