Rex Factor
339 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 859 ratingsRex Factor is a fun podcast reviewing all the kings & queens of England & Scotland.
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Episodes
Right to Reply: Lancastrian Queens
March 25, 2022 05:00 - 1 hourIn 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
The Scandal at Mayerling
March 18, 2022 09:23 - 1 hourIn 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 Ba...
S3.37 Margaret of Anjou
March 11, 2022 05:00 - 59 minutes - 82.9 MBAfter 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? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
S3.37 Margaret of Anjou: Review
March 11, 2022 05:00 - 1 hourAfter 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/...
S3.36 Margaret of Anjou: Biography
February 25, 2022 05:00 - 1 hourAs 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 ...
Local Legends - Judge Tindal
February 11, 2022 09:49 - 38 minutesWelcome 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 thi...
Dr Ellie Woodacre (Joan of Navarre)
January 28, 2022 05:00 - 1 hourWe 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 ...
S3.35 Catherine of Valois
January 14, 2022 14:37 - 1 hourCatherine 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
S3.34 Joan of Navarre
December 17, 2021 15:43 - 1 hourJoan 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...
Messages and Previews - December 2021: Part 2
December 10, 2021 05:30 - 39 minutesIn 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
Messages and Previews - December 2021: Part 1
December 03, 2021 05:30 - 52 minutesAs 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
The White Ship (Charles Spencer)
November 19, 2021 05:00 - 1 hourWe 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.c...
S3.33 Isabella of Valois
November 05, 2021 14:29 - 1 hourIsabella 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. Le...
S3.32 Anne of Bohemia
October 22, 2021 08:00 - 1 hourAnne 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
S3.31 Philippa of Hainault
October 08, 2021 08:00 - 1 hourPhilippa 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
S3.30 Isabella of France (Review)
September 24, 2021 14:27 - 1 hourHaving 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
S3.29 Isabella of France (Biography)
September 17, 2021 08:00 - 1 hourOne 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 po...
Isabella of France (Biography)
September 17, 2021 08:00 - 59 minutes - 83 MBOne 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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Messages and Previews - August 2021
August 27, 2021 09:16 - 1 hourAs 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
Simon de Montfort (Dr Sophie Thérèse Ambler)
July 23, 2021 08:00 - 1 hourIn 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. I...
S3.28 Margaret of France
July 09, 2021 08:00 - 1 hourMargaret of France was the second wife of Edward I and tends to be overshadowed by the first, Eleanor of Castile, in popular memory. It was certainly a tough act to follow for the young French princess, marrying an old and grumpy Edward, but she proved rather adept than one might have expected. However, with England at odds with France and Scotland and Edward's reign approaching its end, would Margaret be able to do enough to make a difference and win the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acas...
S3.27 Eleanor of Castile
June 28, 2021 19:43 - 1 hourEleanor of Castile was the beloved first consort of Edward I, most famous for the Eleanor Crosses he constructed in her memory. We uncover the real Eleanor behind the crosses, from the splendour of Castile and the Crusades to a surprisingly enterprising role in England. She may have won Edward's heart, but will that be enough for the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S3.26 Eleanor of Provence
June 11, 2021 21:22 - 1 hourEleanor of Provence became Queen of England at a young age, marrying King Henry III, but she became a highly influential consort thanks to her Savoyard uncles and her own influence. However, she and Henry would have to face the challenge of Simon de Montfort and the Second Barons War, with Eleanor playing a crucial role both in the build-up and the execution of the war. Will she triumph against the barons? And more importantly, will she do enough to win the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See ac...
News, Messages and Previews (June 2021)
June 01, 2021 08:00 - 56 minutesApologies for the absence, but we are finally back! Normal service with the consorts will resume shortly but we've got some news: the podcast is moving to Acast (you don't have to do anything, though there will be ads) and the patron program is moving to Patreon - go to www.patreon.com/rexfactor to sign up! Also, we read out lots of your messages and play some clips from bonus content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...
The Angevin Queens
February 19, 2021 17:18 - 1 hourIn this interview special we talk to Dr Gabby Storey about the Angevin queens - the Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Berengaria of Navarre and Isabella of Angouleme. We reflect on their relationships with their husbands, their sons and each other as well as what they tell us about queenship. Gabby is on Twitter as herself as @GabbyStorey and you can follow her queenship account @TeamQueensHist for daily features and links to all things queens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
S3.25 Isabella of Angoulême
January 16, 2021 20:01 - 1 hourIsabella of Angoulême had the misfortune to be married to King John and is not one of England's more famous queens, and yet she had a remarkable life, with controversial marriages, shifting alliances, rebellions and plenty of scandal. Plenty of personality, but not always in a good way - will she be able to win us over for the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S3.24 Berengaria of Navarre
January 01, 2021 21:21 - 1 hourBerengaria of Navarre is not one of the more famous consorts, overshadowed by her predecessor, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and indeed her husband, Richard the Lionheart. However, Berengaria has her own story that is worth telling: accompanying Richard on the Third Crusade; fighting the English crown for her dower rights and then ruling a French city. A story worth telling, but will it be enough to earn Berengaria the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn mor...
PC48: Eleanor of Aquitaine
November 27, 2020 09:00 - 1 hourDespite having done two main podcast episodes on Eleanor, we still had lots more stuff to talk about for the Privy Chamber that was either just skirted over or not even mentioned at all previously. There's so much to talk about that we didn't have time for all our usual features, so that will all come in the next Privy Chamber episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S3.23 Eleanor of Aquitaine (Review)
November 21, 2020 16:30 - 1 hourAfter a separate full-length biography episode, we now review Eleanor of Aquitaine. And there's lots to talk about in every factor: the Crusades; the Great Revolt; threats to both of her sons as Queen Mother. A long and dramatic life that has plenty to talk about, both good and bad, but when it's all done, where will she stand? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S3.22 Eleanor of Aquitaine (Biography)
November 13, 2020 09:00 - 1 hourEleanor of Aquitaine is one of the most famous names in English history and her life is so long and eventful that we're splitting her episode in two. In this episode, we cover her biography, charting her extraordinary life from her upbringing in Aquitaine to her various queenships, encompassing Crusades, rebellions, imprisonments and high stakes diplomacy. 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 inf...
10th Anniversary: Part 2
September 25, 2020 14:36 - 1 hourIn the second and final episode celebrating our tenth anniversary we read through all of your lovely messages with good wishes, how you found the podcast, exotic places you've listened and favourite memories from the podcast. We also go through all the results of our English Monarchs Twitter Poll to crown England's Greatest Monarch for 2020. We've also been using our time productively so further episodes will be following in the coming weeks with a special episode on Sulla, a Privy Chamber ep...
10th Anniversary: Part 1
August 23, 2020 08:00 - 1 hourRex Factor is ten years old! To celebrate, we are releasing two podcasts. In this first part, we reminisce about ten years of Rex Factor, looking at each season and some of the major things we've worked on. We also reveal the details of a Twitter tournament we will be running in the following month where we pit all the English monarchs against each other and see whether this will have the same outcome as our original play-offs. PLUS we would like to hear from you - please let us know your fav...
Æthelred the Ready
July 25, 2020 15:31 - 1 hourIt's nearly 10 years since we reviewed Æthelred the Unready and gave him a score of 0 for Battleyness - not surprising for the king who suffered decades of Viking raids and was kicked off the throne (nearly twice) but have we been too harsh? We speak to Brandon Bender who has written a book about Æthelred's military campaign which suggests he was a far more proactive and capable leader than his reputation suggests. Will we be convinced or will Æthelred remain at the bottom of the pile for Bat...
Rexflix: The King
June 26, 2020 09:22 - 1 hourWe're starting a new, intermittent film review podcast for Privy Councillors where we watch and review films relating to kings and queens. In each episode, we'll go through the film plot (largely for Ali's benefit), then review it for historical accuracy and entertainment. Our first film is The King, starring Timothée Chalamet as King Henry V in a sort-of-adaptation of William Shakespeare. As this is the first one and we've not been able to do our normal podcasting recently, we're making this...
S3.21 Matilda of Boulogne
May 15, 2020 23:14 - 1 hourThe last of the Normans and the last of the Matilda's, Matilda of Boulogne was Queen Consort to King Stephen through the Anarchy. Stephen's reign was not particularly successful but it would have been far worse had he not had the support of his wife, who played a strong and vital leadership role in his cause. Overshadowed by her namesake and rival, the Empress Matilda, could this be the time for Matilda of Boulogne to shine? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn m...
S3.20 Adeliza of Louvain
April 24, 2020 08:00 - 1 hourAdeliza was the second consort of Henry I of England with the primary task being to produce a new heir for Henry after the death of his only (legitimate) son in the White Ship Disaster. After two very powerful Norman consorts, Adeliza had a lot to live up to as the years without an heir mount up, Henry would look to his daughter, Matilda, instead and Adeliza would be dragged into the drama of the Anarchy. Cometh the hour, cometh the woman? Or would Adeliza be lost amidst the chaos? Hosted on ...
S3.19 Matilda of Scotland
April 11, 2020 15:26 - 1 hourMatilda of Scotland (confusingly originally called Edith) was the daughter of the King of Scots and inheritor of the Anglo-Saxon royal line, which made her an alluring prospect of consort for the Norman king Henry I. Matilda was a highly confident and capable queen who proved very popular with her subjects as well as providing ample opportunity for Rex Facts. But will this be enough to get the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad ch...
Podcasting From Home
March 27, 2020 17:35 - 1 hourA global lockdown is not enough to stop Rex Factor! For the first time, we do a full episode via Skype, meaning Ali is in charge of his own recording equipment! After a slightly chaotic first ten minutes, we have an extended Correspondents Corner with lots of messages from listeners and then previews of some of our bonus content with a clip from our most recent Privy Chamber episode (on Matilda of Flanders) and our most recent special episode (Chateau Gaillard). Normal service will resume nex...
S3.18 Matilda of Flanders
March 13, 2020 10:08 - 1 hourWe leave the Saxons behind and enter the Norman era. Matilda of Flanders was the first of the Norman consorts, bringing some prestigious French royal genes to the illegitimate William the Conqueror. Matilda was a trusted partner of William in Normandy and enjoyed great status as Queen of England after 1066. Revered for her piety, Matilda also had an independent streak and would clash with William when their eldest son, Robert, rebelled. Who will come out on top? And will Matilda start the new...
S3.17 Ealdgyth of Mercia
February 07, 2020 14:53 - 1 hourEaldgyth of Mercia is not a famous name, but her episode is full of Rex Factors. As consort to Harold Godwinson, she was the last Anglo-Saxon consort and her story has plenty to fascinate: Lady Godiva, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn and a Welsh/Mercian alliance, and of course the dramatic events of 1066. So will the Saxons go out on a high or is Ealdgyth another queen who will remain lost to history? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...
S3.16 Edith of Wessex
January 24, 2020 13:40 - 1 hourWith Edith of Wessex we come to the dramatic events of 1066 and the fall of the Anglo-Saxons. Edith was the daughter of the powerful earldoman, Godwin, sister to Harold Godwinson and queen consort to Edward the Confessor. Things got off to a shaky start with Edward, but Edith was able to establish herself as a powerful figure at court and tried to position herself for the succession. But when 1066 throws everything into chaos, will Edith be able to ride out the storm? Hosted on Acast. See aca...
S3.15 Ælfgifu of Northampton
January 10, 2020 09:00 - 1 hourWhen is a consort not a consort? When she's Ælfgifu of Northampton! Ælfgifu was married to Cnut while he was king but it was his other wife, Emma of Normandy, who was considered the consort. We decide to take a look at events from Ælfgifu's perspective, revealing a remarkable woman who was for a long time Emma's chief rival, with her dramatic life taking her from a powerful midlands dynasty all across Cnut's North Sea Empire and back again in a battle for dominance. But does she count as a co...
S3.14 Emma of Normandy
December 14, 2019 15:28 - 1 hourEmma takes us from the dark days of Vikings invasions under Æthelred the Unready to the threshold of 1066. Her remarkable and dramatic life saw her twice be Queen Consort, Queen Stepmother and Queen Mother! Emma was often forced to fight to retain her power as England veered between Saxon and Danish rule, but would she do enough to come out on top and gain the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/ad...
S3.13 Ealdgyth
November 29, 2019 20:03 - 1 hourWe're back with the Saxons this week, reviewing Ealdgyth, consort to Edmund Ironside. Ealdgyth was from a prominent midlands family who fell out with King Æthelred the Unready in the difficult period of Viking invasions. We find out how these family links drove her into both danger and power amidst Saxon division and Viking invaders and decide what role she might have played in the. chaotic years of 1013-16. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad...
S13. Ealdgyth
November 29, 2019 20:03 - 59 minutes - 68.7 MBWe're back with the Saxons this week, reviewing Ealdgyth, consort to Edmund Ironside. Ealdgyth was from a prominent midlands family who fell out with King Æthelred the Unready in the difficult period of Viking invasions. We find out how these family links drove her into both danger and power amidst Saxon division and Viking invaders and decide what role she might have played in the. chaotic years of 1013-16.
S3.12 Sigrid the Haughty
November 15, 2019 11:34 - 1 hourWe take a brief diversion from the Saxons to investigate the Viking consort of Sweyn Forkbeard, Sigrid the Haughty. Or is it? There is much debate about the true identity of Sweyn's wife (or wives) and whether Sigrid even existed at all as much of what we know of her comes from the Icelandic sagas. To help us unpack all of this and learn more about the sagas, we are joined by John and Andy from the Saga Thing podcast. Was Sigrid really Sweyn's wife? Did she really exist? And, most important o...
Animated Show and Other News
September 06, 2019 08:00 - 47 minutesWe've back from a summer break! In this catch-up episode we explain why we've been busy (real life), read out some of your correspondence AND have an announcement about Rex Factor: The Animated Show. Without wanting to spoil the episode, we're asking you to help choose which queen (regnant) we should do next. The poll is open now and you just have one week (until Friday 13 September) to make your pick! Vote using the link below: https://forms.gle/M7rLsPAokKW6hs3S9 Hosted on Acast. See acast....
S3.11 Ælfgifu of York
July 05, 2019 08:00 - 50 minutesIt's fair to say that we don't know quite as much about Æthelred the Unready's first consort, Ælfgifu of York, as we do about his mother (Ælfthryth) nor indeed his second consort (Emma of Normandy). We pick through what we can find about her and consider why there isn't more to go on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
S3.10 Ælfthryth
June 21, 2019 21:13 - 1 hourÆlfthryth was Edgar the Peaceable's third consort but England's first crowned and anointed queen. By building alliances in the church, she was able to raise the office of queenship higher than anything enjoyed by her predecessors and was one of the most influential figures at court. However, she would still face a battle to get her son on the throne, not least from everyone's favourite (and seemingly indestructible) archbishop, Dunstan. Could she fend off the patron saint of fun sponges and w...
S3.09 Wulfthryth of Wilton
June 07, 2019 07:54 - 1 hourIt's two episodes in one this time as we review the first two of Edgar the Peaceable's consorts. Very little is known about his first consort, Æthelflæd Candida/Eneda, so most of the episode is about Wulfthryth of Wilton, a source of much controversy because she was potentially a nun (or at least intended to become one!) As such, we take an in-depth look at the real history behind 'sex with nuns'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. V...