Rex Factor

It's our first Right to Reply of the Nearly Monarch series as we go through your messages on the Anglo-Saxons (and Viking) We hear of suggestions for other Nearly Monarchs to include, different approaches to the scoring system, plus your thoughts on all the nearly monarchs we've covered so far (including Offa). You can watch the recording of this episode on Spotify or on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HDZ7S_7AI6I Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠⁠ "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:05:28) General Messages" "()00:30:17) Offa "(00:35:19) Æthelwold" "(00:41:18) Ælfweard and Edwin" "(00:45:10) Edith of Wilton" "(00:52:59) Edward the Exile" "(00:57:36) Harald Hardrada" "(01:06:47) Edgar the Ætheling" "(01:10:47) Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we chat to Dr Eleanor Parker about the next generation of Anglo-Saxons in 1066 - the young men and women whose lives took a very different path with the Conquest and how they adapted. From the semi-legendary Hereward the Wake to the children of Harold Godwinson, old favourites like Edgar the Ætheling and St Margaret of Scotland, and many more! You can now watch the video of the recording on Spotify (or YouTube via the link below): https://youtu.be/yHu3XT189uY We are doing a live show in Ludlow on Friday 21 August 2026 at 19:00 - come and see us compare the contenders for the throne in 1066 at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms: ⁠ https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/⁠⁠ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠⁠ "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:03:14) Interview" "(00:58:42 ) C Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we chat to Professor Tom Licence about 1066 - initially the question of the succession and who should have succeeded Edward the Confessor, but our timing was excellent as Tom had recently been in the news for his new research that is changing how we should assess Harold Godwinson's campaigning in 1066, so we talk about that as well. You can now watch the video of the recording on Spotify (or YouTube via the link below): https://youtu.be/fSL3xRKDZPQ We are doing a live show in Ludlow on Friday 21 August 2026 at 19:00 - come and see us compare the contenders for the throne in 1066 at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/⁠⁠ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠⁠ "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:02:44) Interview" "(01:12:48) C Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 1066, and his remarkable post-Conquest life as a figurehead for Saxon rebellions and more beyond. (Unfortunately, Ali's camera stopped working for the last twenty minutes!) We are doing a live show in Ludlow on Friday 21 August 2026 at 19:00 - come and see us compare the contenders for the throne in 1066 at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/⁠⁠ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠⁠ "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:01:36) Biography" "(00:29:56 Battleyness" "(00:47:13) Scandal" "(00:49:28) Subjectivity" "(00:52:17) Longevity"  "(00:54:33) Dynasty" "(00:56:02) Rex Factor" "(00:59:59) C Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 see us compare the contenders for the throne in 1066 at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms: ⁠https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/⁠ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠⁠ "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:01:28) Biography" "(00:04:54) Battleyness" "(00:31:39) Scandal" "(00:43:51) Subjectivity" "(00:58:43) Longevity" "(01:01:06) Dynasty" "(01:02:23) Rex Factor" "(01:04:52) C Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 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 see us compare the contenders for the throne in 1066 at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms: ⁠https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/⁠ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠⁠ "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:03:55) Byzantium" "(00:18:15) Norway" "(00:33:16) England" "(00:57:33) C Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 intervene... We are doing a live show in Ludlow on Friday 21 August 2026 at 19:00 - come and see us compare the contenders for the throne in 1066 at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms: ⁠https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/⁠ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠⁠ "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:01:54) Biography" "(00:39:49) Battleyness" "(00:44:17) Scandal" "(00:46:08) Subjectivity" "(00:50:16) Longevity" "(00:52:54) Dynasty" "(00:54:59) Rex Factor" "(00:57:03) C Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 19:00 - come and see us compare the contenders for the throne in 1066 at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms: ⁠https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/⁠ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠⁠ You can now watch the podcast via the link below: LINK "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:02:16) Biography" "(00:40:29) Battleyness" "(00:46:33) Scandal" "(00:53:21) Subjectivity" "(00:59:21) Longevity" "(00:59:41) Dynasty" "(01:00:12) Rex Factor" "(01:04:01) C Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 see us compare the contenders for the throne in 1066 at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠ You can now watch the podcast via the link below: https://youtu.be/o0_8IgytX8w "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:03:09) Biography" "(00:34:56) Battleyness" "(00:38:06) Scandal" "(00:40:20) Subjectivity" "(00:43:25) Longevity" "(00:45:54) Dynasty" "(00:46:42) Rex Factor" "(00:49:46) C Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 he have what it takes to kick off the new series with the Rex Factor? We are doing a live show in Ludlow on Friday 21 August 19:00 - come and see us compare the contenders for the throne in 1066 at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠ You can now watch the podcast via the link below: https://youtu.be/-laTvhxiXAo "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:03:11 ) Biography" "(00:25:09) Battleyness" "(00:41:19) Scandal" "(00:47:22) Subjectivity" "(00:51:15) Longevity" "(00:52:27) Dynasty" "(00:54:48) Rex Factor" "(00:59:51) Correspondence Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Ætheling. You can purchase tickets to see us live via the Ludlow Assembly Rooms website: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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, that’s a limited edition until June 2026, so grab it while you can! You can find out more about Emily at www.emilymurdochperkins.com Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠ You can now watch the podcast either on Spotify or on YouTube via the link below: https://youtu.be/l3PDsRAObME "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:02:48) Introducing Emily" "(00:03:30) Book Overview" "(00:10:18) Æthelflæd Lady of the Mercians" "(00:19:53) Marie of Blois" "(00:27:10) Margaret Tudor" "(00:43:37) Eleanor of Woodstock" "(00:48:38) Anne, Princess of Orange" "(00:51:57) Princess Vicky" "(01:01:17) Outro" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠ You can now watch the podcast either on Spotify or on YouTube via the link below: https://youtu.be/gVA8FeFf2qE "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:02:07) Series Concept" "(00:10:00) The Nearly Monarchs" "(00:21:48) The Factors" "(00:29:07) Correspondence Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 to act as an introductory episode for new listeners but also a new episode so regular listeners still see it in their feed!) 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 You can now watch the podcast either on Spotify or on YouTube via the link below: https://youtu.be/cisZM3Ro_jU "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:03:07) Biography" "(00:30:59) Battleyness" "(00:41:46) Scandal" "(00:52:08) Subjectivity" "(01:05:39) Longevity" "(01:06:24) Dynasty" "(01:07:44) Rex Factor" "(01:09:05) Farewells" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 information about him and his work: https://www.dwoodman.co.uk/ 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" "(00:02:30) Athelstan Becoming King" "(00:10:29) Athelstan as First King" "(00:15:14) Vikings" "(00:28:16) Athelstan's Laws" "(00:33:12) Athelstan and Religion" "(00:38:25) Emperor of Britain" "(00:49:57) Alfred vs Athelstan" "(00:56:52) Farewells" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 the audience to vote. Whilst the votes are counted, we have a Q&A before revealing the final results. 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" "(00:05:09) Live Show" "(01:12:26) Q&A" "(01:45:35) Results" "(01:47:53) Finale" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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/garethrussell1) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/_garethrussell) 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. 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) Introduction" "(00:03:33) Nearly Rexy Consorts" "(00:13:10) Round One Losers" "(00:24:12) Semi Final Losers" "(00:32:58) Series 4" "(00:44:15) Grand Final" "(01:02:21) Ending" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 400 additional bonus podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices