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
69. Play-Offs: Group A
March 01, 2014 08:45 - 1 hour - 40.9 MBSo the play-offs finally begin. There are three rounds and in the opening round we have three groups of six, which for Group A consists of Alfred the Great, Athelstan, Henry I, Edward IV, Henry VIII & Charles II. In this episode, we look at all the monarchs together, factor by factor, and debate who should come out on top. But who goes through will be determined by voting, so once you've listened to the episode, click on the link below and vote for your THREE favourites: Group A Survey Link ...
68. The Play-Off Draw
February 11, 2014 23:50 - 24 minutes - 11.9 MBAfter 67 episodes, three and a half years and numerous broken bones (all belonging to Ali) we have reviewed all the Kings and Queens of England from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II. We were left with 18 monarchs standing tall and proud atop the Rex Factor mountain but no mountain is big enough for England's greatest monarchs so we are going to decide who is the greatest of them all. In this episode, we explain how the play-offs will work, how the monarchs will be drawn and how YOU will help ...
S1.68 The Play-Off Draw
February 11, 2014 23:50 - 29 minutesAfter 67 episodes, three and a half years and numerous broken bones (all belonging to Ali) we have reviewed all the Kings and Queens of England from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II. We were left with 18 monarchs standing tall and proud atop the Rex Factor mountain but no mountain is big enough for England's greatest monarchs so we are going to decide who is the greatest of them all. In this episode, we explain how the play-offs will work, how the monarchs will be drawn and how YOU will help ...
S1.67 Elizabeth II: The Review (Part 3/3)
December 22, 2013 12:56 - 1 hourAfter three years we finally complete the journey "From Alfred the Great to Elizabeth the Second" as in this episode we review the reign of Elizabeth II. Given that the Queen is still reigning, these are effectively provisional scores as we don't yet have sufficient perspective on how certain events will be viewed in 30 years time, nor the full knowledge of what the Queen's role has been in the affairs of the nation and the world behind the scenes. We will also not be considering whether or n...
67. Elizabeth II: The Review (Part 3/3)
December 22, 2013 12:56 - 1 hour - 40.1 MBAfter three years we finally complete the journey "From Alfred the Great to Elizabeth the Second" as in this episode we review the reign of Elizabeth II. Given that the Queen is still reigning, these are effectively provisional scores as we don't yet have sufficient perspective on how certain events will be viewed in 30 years time, nor the full knowledge of what the Queen's role has been in the affairs of the nation and the world behind the scenes. We will also not be considering whether or n...
S1.66 Elizabeth II: 1953-2013 (Part 2/3)
December 05, 2013 22:40 - 1 hourThe Queen was just 27 years old when she was crowned in 1953 and in this episode we look at her life and reign from 1953 to the present day - history becomes the present! This episode takes us from the glitz and glamour of the 1950s and her tour of the Commonwealth, through the scandals and disasters of the royal family in the 1980s and 1990s to the hugely successful Diamond Jubilee of 2012. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p...
66. Elizabeth II: 1953-2013 (Part 2/3)
December 05, 2013 22:40 - 1 hour - 35.5 MBThe Queen was just 27 years old when she was crowned in 1953 and in this episode we look at her life and reign from 1953 to the present day - history becomes the present! This episode takes us from the glitz and glamour of the 1950s and her tour of the Commonwealth, through the scandals and disasters of the royal family in the 1980s and 1990s to the hugely successful Diamond Jubilee of 2012.
65. Elizabeth II: 1926-53 (Part 1/3)
November 19, 2013 22:35 - 1 hour - 33.6 MBFrom Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II - as Rex Factor's journey through the monarchs of England reaches its close, we finally come to THE Queen! In the first of three episodes, we examine the biography of Princess Elizabeth up to and including her coronation in 1953.
S1.65 Elizabeth II: 1926-53 (Part 1/3)
November 19, 2013 22:35 - 1 hourFrom Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II - as Rex Factor's journey through the monarchs of England reaches its close, we finally come to THE Queen! In the first of three episodes, we examine the biography of Princess Elizabeth up to and including her coronation in 1953. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
History According to Ali
October 04, 2013 07:17 - 1 hourWhile Ali continues to recuperate from his bicycle injury, some Rex Factor fans have provided something to fill the audio void: History According to Ali. Trawling through every episode of Rex Factor, they have picked out some of Ali's best moments and put them all together with summaries for every monarch from Alfred the Great to George VI. Ali is coming on well and looking forward to Queen Elizabeth II, but for now, enjoy this retrospective! (P.S. Listeners new to Rex Factor may find this sl...
On Hold
August 28, 2013 17:59 - 5 minutesUnfortunately a nasty bike accident for Ali means that there's a bit of a delay in reviewing Queen Elizabeth II. I'm sure you'll all want to wish Ali well and if you want to send him a message then you can contact us in the following ways: email - [email protected] twitter - @rexfactorpod facebook - the Rex Factor Podcast facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/rexfactorpodcast The plan is to gather all your 'get well soon' messages together and give Ali one big glorious Rex Facto...
S1.64 Sweyn Forkbeard
July 08, 2013 22:09 - 1 hourThis week on Rex Factor we put right what once went wrong and step back 1,000 years in history to review England's first Viking ruler, Sweyn Forkbeard. Sweyn was the father of the legendary Cnut and the first Viking to be acknowledged as full king of England when he forced Aethelred the Unready from the throne in 1013, adding to his crown in Denmark and overlordship of Norway and Sweden. So why did he get missed out the first time round? Will his patience be rewarded with the Rex Factor? For ...
64. Sweyn Forkbeard
July 08, 2013 22:09 - 1 hour - 35.7 MBThis week on Rex Factor we put right what once went wrong and step back 1,000 years in history to review England's first Viking ruler, Sweyn Forkbeard. Sweyn was the father of the legendary Cnut and the first Viking to be acknowledged as full king of England when he forced Aethelred the Unready from the throne in 1013, adding to his crown in Denmark and overlordship of Norway and Sweden. So why did he get missed out the first time round? Will his patience be rewarded with the Rex Factor? For ...
S1.63 George VI: Review (2/2)
June 15, 2013 01:19 - 1 hourHaving covered his life and reign, this week on Rex Factor we review George VI. Hear of his exploits serving in the battle of Jutland, doing his bit in the Second World War and stoically keeping calm and carrying on through speech impediment, ill health and nationalisation. Does his record in two world wars grant him battleyness beyond compare? Does his dedication and oversight of the National Health Service win him subjectivity points to be dreamed of? Did he even bother chasing after scanda...
63. George VI: Review (2/2)
June 15, 2013 01:19 - 1 hour - 30.4 MBHaving covered his life and reign, this week on Rex Factor we review George VI. Hear of his exploits serving in the battle of Jutland, doing his bit in the Second World War and stoically keeping calm and carrying on through speech impediment, ill health and nationalisation. Does his record in two world wars grant him battleyness beyond compare? Does his dedication and oversight of the National Health Service win him subjectivity points to be dreamed of? Did he even bother chasing after scanda...
S1.62 George VI: Biography (Part 1/2)
June 02, 2013 23:13 - 1 hourAfter the shock of the Abdication Crisis in 1936, George VI came to the throne in less than ideal circumstances. And with a history of ill health, a stammer and an aversion to the limelight, George was perhaps less than the ideal future monarch. However, in his favour was a strong sense of duty, personal stoicism and a charismatic wife in the form of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon - just as well, as after the Abdication Crisis came the Second World War. In this episode, we examine George VI's life, the...
62. George VI: Biography (Part 1/2)
June 02, 2013 23:13 - 56 minutes - 26.2 MBAfter the shock of the Abdication Crisis in 1936, George VI came to the throne in less than ideal circumstances. And with a history of ill health, a stammer and an aversion to the limelight, George was perhaps less than the ideal future monarch. However, in his favour was a strong sense of duty, personal stoicism and a charismatic wife in the form of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon - just as well, as after the Abdication Crisis came the Second World War. In this episode, we examine George VI's life, the...
S1.61 Edward VIII (Abdication Crisis)
April 17, 2013 07:08 - 1 hourIn 1936, a very different character came to the throne in the shape of Edward VIII. He was handsome, charismatic and a modern man with modern interests. Unfortunately, he was also in love with a twice-divorced American, Wallis Simpson, at a time when the Church of England would not tolerate re-marriage while the former spouse(s) was still alive. At odds with his Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, and Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Lang, Edward abdicated after less than a year on the throne, th...
61. Edward VIII (Abdication Crisis)
April 17, 2013 07:08 - 1 hour - 40.6 MBIn 1936, a very different character came to the throne in the shape of Edward VIII. He was handsome, charismatic and a modern man with modern interests. Unfortunately, he was also in love with a twice-divorced American, Wallis Simpson, at a time when the Church of England would not tolerate re-marriage while the former spouse(s) was still alive. At odds with his Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, and Archbishop of Canterbury, Cosmo Lang, Edward abdicated after less than a year on the throne, th...
S1.60 George V
March 17, 2013 09:45 - 1 hourGeorge V came to the throne in 1910 in the midst of a constitutional crisis and from that point on things didn't really get any easier. As monarch, George faced hung Parliaments, social upheaval, the Great Depression and the horrors of the First World War - arguably one of the toughest in-trays for any British monarch. For a man who was rather averse to change and preferred the quiet life of a country squire, this represented something of a challenge and that the monarchy was left still stand...
60. George V
March 17, 2013 09:45 - 1 hour - 40 MBGeorge V came to the throne in 1910 in the midst of a constitutional crisis and from that point on things didn't really get any easier. As monarch, George faced hung Parliaments, social upheaval, the Great Depression and the horrors of the First World War - arguably one of the toughest in-trays for any British monarch. For a man who was rather averse to change and preferred the quiet life of a country squire, this represented something of a challenge and that the monarchy was left still stand...
59. Edward VII
January 13, 2013 23:02 - 1 hour - 37.3 MBAfter the epic reign of Victoria, Edward VII (known as Bertie) had a lot to live up to. Lacking in academic rigour, romping and making scandal like his Hanoverian forefathers, Bertie was a source of anxiety for both his parents and the country at large. However, after a nearly 60-year wait, Bertie became King Edward VII in 1901 and proved surprisingly good at kinging. His natural charm and laid-back indulgence was a breath of fresh air and characterised the Edwardian age. Edward found himsel...
S1.59 Edward VII
January 13, 2013 23:02 - 1 hourAfter the epic reign of Victoria, Edward VII (known as Bertie) had a lot to live up to. Lacking in academic rigour, romping and making scandal like his Hanoverian forefathers, Bertie was a source of anxiety for both his parents and the country at large. However, after a nearly 60-year wait, Bertie became King Edward VII in 1901 and proved surprisingly good at kinging. His natural charm and laid-back indulgence was a breath of fresh air and characterised the Edwardian age. Edward found himself...
58. Victoria: The Review (Part 5/5)
December 13, 2012 08:29 - 1 hour - 36.5 MBAfter four episodes, we finally review Queen Victoria in full. From the spirited young girl who resisted Conroy's Kensington System to the dumpy old lady celebrating her Diamond Jubilee, Victoria had her fair show of up's and downs. Some would criticise her for an often partisan and stubborn approach to politics, while her never-ending mourning for Prince Albert got so tiresome that republicanism even started to raise its head. However, Victoria's resume can also boast the British Empire, maj...
S1.58 Victoria: The Review (Part 5/5)
December 13, 2012 08:29 - 1 hourAfter four episodes, we finally review Queen Victoria in full. From the spirited young girl who resisted Conroy's Kensington System to the dumpy old lady celebrating her Diamond Jubilee, Victoria had her fair show of up's and downs. Some would criticise her for an often partisan and stubborn approach to politics, while her never-ending mourning for Prince Albert got so tiresome that republicanism even started to raise its head. However, Victoria's resume can also boast the British Empire, maj...
57. Victoria: The Prime Ministers (Part 4/5)
November 29, 2012 21:00 - 1 hour - 36.6 MBThis week we look at Victoria's Prime Ministers following the death of Lord Palmerston in 1865. Victoria was heavily into mourning Prince Albert, but the efforts of Lord John Russell and the Earl of Derby to introduce electoral reform started to coax her back into national affairs. However, it was the rivalry of the two great politicians of the age - the charming Benjamin Disraeli and the severe William Gladstone - saw her re-emerge as a dominant figure. To Victoria's great distress, Gladston...
S1.57 Victoria: The Prime Ministers (Part 4/5)
November 29, 2012 21:00 - 1 hourThis week we look at Victoria's Prime Ministers following the death of Lord Palmerston in 1865. Victoria was heavily into mourning Prince Albert, but the efforts of Lord John Russell and the Earl of Derby to introduce electoral reform started to coax her back into national affairs. However, it was the rivalry of the two great politicians of the age - the charming Benjamin Disraeli and the severe William Gladstone - saw her re-emerge as a dominant figure. To Victoria's great distress, Gladston...
56. Victoria: The Prime Ministers (Part 3/5)
November 17, 2012 23:07 - 1 hour - 35.3 MBHaving looked at Victoria's personal life, we now look at the events of her reign through her Prime Ministers. In this first of two episodes, we encounter the first six of her ten leaders. Her first PM, Melbourne, was an old-school Whig with a penchant for anecdotes and little work, while Sir Robert Peel's efforts to modernise the Conservative party saw a split that threw politics into confusion for the next ten years. Lord John Russell (Whig) and the Earl of Derby (Conservative) both struggl...
S1.56 Victoria: The Prime Ministers (Part 3/5)
November 17, 2012 23:07 - 1 hourHaving looked at Victoria's personal life, we now look at the events of her reign through her Prime Ministers. In this first of two episodes, we encounter the first six of her ten leaders. Her first PM, Melbourne, was an old-school Whig with a penchant for anecdotes and little work, while Sir Robert Peel's efforts to modernise the Conservative party saw a split that threw politics into confusion for the next ten years. Lord John Russell (Whig) and the Earl of Derby (Conservative) both struggl...
S1.55 Victoria's Biography (Part 2/5: 1861-1901)
October 12, 2012 07:16 - 1 hourFollowing the death of her beloved husband, Albert, Victoria plunged into mourning, wearing black for the rest of her life and refusing to perform her duties in public. Her reclusive habits saw her popularity plunge and the spectre of republicanism being discussed even in Parliament. However, the efforts of two prime ministers, Gladstone and Disraeli, to coax her back into public life, plus the support of a Scottish ghillie, John Brown, started to have some effect. The turning point proved to...
55. Victoria's Biography (Part 2/5: 1861-1901)
October 12, 2012 07:16 - 1 hour - 32.5 MBFollowing the death of her beloved husband, Albert, Victoria plunged into mourning, wearing black for the rest of her life and refusing to perform her duties in public. Her reclusive habits saw her popularity plunge and the spectre of republicanism being discussed even in Parliament. However, the efforts of two prime ministers, Gladstone and Disraeli, to coax her back into public life, plus the support of a Scottish ghillie, John Brown, started to have some effect. The turning point proved to...
54. Victoria's Biography (Part 1/5: 1817-61)
September 28, 2012 07:24 - 1 hour - 35.5 MBIn the first of five podcasts we look at the life and reign of Queen Victoria, beginning in 1817 with the death of the Prince Regent's only legitimate child, Princess Charlotte, and the race among George III's sons to produce a legitimate heir. The Duke of Kent was the winner, but he did not have long to enjoy it, leaving Victoria under the thumb of Sir John Conroy and her mother in the Kensington System, keeping her under strict control. In this episode, we follow her stand against Conroy, h...
S1.54 Victoria's Biography (Part 1/5: 1817-61)
September 28, 2012 07:24 - 1 hourIn the first of five podcasts we look at the life and reign of Queen Victoria, beginning in 1817 with the death of the Prince Regent's only legitimate child, Princess Charlotte, and the race among George III's sons to produce a legitimate heir. The Duke of Kent was the winner, but he did not have long to enjoy it, leaving Victoria under the thumb of Sir John Conroy and her mother in the Kensington System, keeping her under strict control. In this episode, we follow her stand against Conroy, h...
53. William IV
August 11, 2012 09:26 - 1 hour - 37.1 MBSandwiched between the Georgians and Queen Victoria, poor old William IV is perhaps the most forgotten of monarchs. Little was expected of William IV as a young man - an excitable character sent off to the navy by George III, he lived the typical life of a sailor and came home with rough habits and bad language. When he came to the throne in 1830 he proved hard-working, conscientious and arguably Britain's first truly constitutional monarch and oversaw the passing of the 1832 Reform Act whi...
S1.53 William IV
August 11, 2012 09:26 - 1 hourSandwiched between the Georgians and Queen Victoria, poor old William IV is perhaps the most forgotten of monarchs. Little was expected of William IV as a young man - an excitable character sent off to the navy by George III, he lived the typical life of a sailor and came home with rough habits and bad language. When he came to the throne in 1830 he proved hard-working, conscientious and arguably Britain's first truly constitutional monarch and oversaw the passing of the 1832 Reform Act which...
52. George IV (the Prince Regent)
July 16, 2012 20:58 - 1 hour - 35 MBWhen George III descended into his final madness in 1811 his eldest son became the Prince Regent, finally becoming George IV in 1820. Unlike his sober and dutiful father, George IV was a drinking, gambling, womanising figure of huge controversy who was extremely unpopular in a difficult period of economic and political strife. However, he was also one of the monarchy's most entertaining characters, surprisingly kind in person and in his cultural patronage left a glorious legacy still enjoyed ...
S1.52 George IV (the Prince Regent)
July 16, 2012 20:58 - 1 hourWhen George III descended into his final madness in 1811 his eldest son became the Prince Regent, finally becoming George IV in 1820. Unlike his sober and dutiful father, George IV was a drinking, gambling, womanising figure of huge controversy who was extremely unpopular in a difficult period of economic and political strife. However, he was also one of the monarchy's most entertaining characters, surprisingly kind in person and in his cultural patronage left a glorious legacy still enjoyed ...
S1.51 George III (Review)
June 22, 2012 23:30 - 1 hourIn the second part of the George III podcast we review his reign in the traditional fashion. However, reviewing George III is no easy task, for his epic reign contains some of the most glorious highs and disastrous lows of any reign. From the disastrous loss of America Britain moves to the defeat of Napoleon via its two greatest military heroes, Nelson and Wellington. George's interference in politics causes ministerial instability and he is anything but a friend of reform, yet he is a decent...
51. George III (Review)
June 22, 2012 23:30 - 1 hour - 33.1 MBIn the second part of the George III podcast we review his reign in the traditional fashion. However, reviewing George III is no easy task, for his epic reign contains some of the most glorious highs and disastrous lows of any reign. From the disastrous loss of America Britain moves to the defeat of Napoleon via its two greatest military heroes, Nelson and Wellington. George's interference in politics causes ministerial instability and he is anything but a friend of reform, yet he is a decent...
S1.50 George III (the biography)
May 30, 2012 07:09 - 1 hourIt's a slight change in format this episode as we split George III in half (so to speak) - this episode will focus on the events and background to his reign while the next will see us review him in the usual fashion and decide whether he has the Rex Factor. So why does "Mad King George" need two episodes? Besides the madness, George's reign encompasses the end of the Seven Years War, the American Revolution, the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, the political rivalry between Pitt the You...
50. George III (the biography)
May 30, 2012 07:09 - 1 hour - 34.6 MBIt's a slight change in format this episode as we split George III in half (so to speak) - this episode will focus on the events and background to his reign while the next will see us review him in the usual fashion and decide whether he has the Rex Factor. So why does "Mad King George" need two episodes? Besides the madness, George's reign encompasses the end of the Seven Years War, the American Revolution, the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, the political rivalry between Pitt the You...
49. George II
May 05, 2012 12:39 - 1 hour - 30.6 MBIt's a case of history repeating itself when George II comes to the throne in 1727 - like his father, he has Robert Walpole as his 'prime minister', is at odds with his eldest son, has a Jacobite rebellion to deal with, gets involved in the wars and diplomacy of continental Europe and is keen to get back to Hanover as much as possible. Where George II does differ, however, is in his strong and happy marriage to Caroline of Ansbach and the military triumph enjoyed under his rule, with Britain ...
S1.49 George II
May 05, 2012 12:39 - 1 hourIt's a case of history repeating itself when George II comes to the throne in 1727 - like his father, he has Robert Walpole as his 'prime minister', is at odds with his eldest son, has a Jacobite rebellion to deal with, gets involved in the wars and diplomacy of continental Europe and is keen to get back to Hanover as much as possible. Where George II does differ, however, is in his strong and happy marriage to Caroline of Ansbach and the military triumph enjoyed under his rule, with Britain ...
48. George I
April 12, 2012 21:01 - 1 hour - 29.4 MBA lack of Protestant Stuarts in 1714 meant the start of a new dynasty with George I and the Hanoverians. Poor George wasn't the happiest of monarchs - he was perfectly happy in Hanover and went back as often as he could, while his British subjects weren't too enamoured with him as a dull German who didn't speak much English. Nevertheless, George's was an interesting reign, seeing the defeat of Jacobite rebellions from the Old Pretender, the rise of Robert Walpole (particularly during the Sout...
S1.48 George I
April 12, 2012 21:01 - 1 hourA lack of Protestant Stuarts in 1714 meant the start of a new dynasty with George I and the Hanoverians. Poor George wasn't the happiest of monarchs - he was perfectly happy in Hanover and went back as often as he could, while his British subjects weren't too enamoured with him as a dull German who didn't speak much English. Nevertheless, George's was an interesting reign, seeing the defeat of Jacobite rebellions from the Old Pretender, the rise of Robert Walpole (particularly during the Sout...
S1.47 Anne
March 25, 2012 01:19 - 1 hourThe tumultuous Stuart dynasty comes to an end in this episode with Queen Anne, but otherwise it's an era of new beginnings. John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) leads England to military glory against Louis XIV, particularly at Blenheim, while at home the Act of Union with Scotland sees the creation of Great Britain. In many ways a glorious reign, and yet Anne's reputation has never been very good. Has she been unfairly sullied by her once best friend, Sarah Churchill, or is history right to ...
47. Anne
March 25, 2012 01:19 - 1 hour - 30 MBThe tumultuous Stuart dynasty comes to an end in this episode with Queen Anne, but otherwise it's an era of new beginnings. John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) leads England to military glory against Louis XIV, particularly at Blenheim, while at home the Act of Union with Scotland sees the creation of Great Britain. In many ways a glorious reign, and yet Anne's reputation has never been very good. Has she been unfairly sullied by her once best friend, Sarah Churchill, or is history right to ...
46. William & Mary (Glorious Revolution)
March 03, 2012 11:58 - 1 hour - 30.2 MBWith the removal of James II in 1688 in the Glorious Revolution came the unusual position of joint rulers: the husband and wife team of William III and Mary II. William held executive power and spent most of his time fighting wars against his arch nemesis, Louis XIV of France (the Sun King), as well as stopping James II clawing his way back to England. As well as the wars, this was a period of significant constitutional and economic development that would be vital in forming the modern Britis...
S1.46 William & Mary (Glorious Revolution)
March 03, 2012 11:58 - 1 hourWith the removal of James II in 1688 in the Glorious Revolution came the unusual position of joint rulers: the husband and wife team of William III and Mary II. William held executive power and spent most of his time fighting wars against his arch nemesis, Louis XIV of France (the Sun King), as well as stopping James II clawing his way back to England. As well as the wars, this was a period of significant constitutional and economic development that would be vital in forming the modern Britis...
45. James II
February 10, 2012 00:17 - 1 hour - 29.4 MBThe monarchy was left in a pretty good state by Charles II in 1685, but the trickiest part of his reign had been to prevent Parliament excluding his Catholic brother, James, from the throne, so how would Parliament react to its first Catholic ruler since Mary I? James's life and reign proved to be somewhat turbulent and to a large degree the difficulties were of his own making. Would he be able to persuade his anti-Catholic Parliament to grant religious toleration to Catholics? Would he be wa...