We come to the end of the Six Wives of Henry VIII odyssey with Katherine Parr. Often neglected but a fascinating character: previous marriages, the Pilgrimage of Grace, and the navigating the treacherous, divided court of Henry VIII's final years. Katherine was closely involved with Henry's children and a key player in the religious divide that was raging in the final years of Henry's reign, but would she be able to emerge unscathed?<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Katherine Howard was the fifth of the Six Wives of Henry VIII. Young and pretty, she quickly caught Henry's eye while he was extricating himself from his marriage to Anne of Cleves, but Henry's infatuation turned to devastation when revelations about Katherine's past and present dalliances were revealed. Often dismissed as a foolish irrelevance, we consider alternative views of Katherine and whether she has that certain something.</p><br><p><br></p><p><br></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The fourth of the six wives of Henry VIII, Anne of Cleves is often recalled as the 'Flanders Mare' but we dig deeper into the true story of where things went wrong between Anne and Henry, why this nickname is unfair and what Anne does after Henry.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

We move on to the third of Henry VIII's six wives - one of the least famous and yet Henry's favourite, so where does Jane really deserve to rank in the annals of history? She experience life under Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, whom she ultimately supplanted as queen, and depending on how you view her either brought some much-needed stability or was just a bit dull! So, an overlooked classic or deservedly in the shadow of her more celebrated predecessors?<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Although we've reviewed Anne Boleyn, we felt that we needed one final episode to look in more detail about the fall of Anne Boleyn, and to answer the question of why it happens (and why she dies). Was she actually guilty of the crimes she was accused of? Was she brought down by Cromwell? Did Henry tire of her? Was it all just a big misunderstanding?<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

After an in-depth biography episode last time, this week we review Anne Boleyn. There's a lot to discuss: her impressive rise to power and the personal battles she had to fight to get there; the wealth of scandal laid at her door (some deserved, some not) and a major role in English history with the Reformation. And will one of Englands most famous and notorious queens be worthy of her prominent place in history and deserving of Rex Factor?<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Our Odyssey through the Six Wives of Henry VIII now turns to Anne Boleyn, the most controversial of Henry's consorts. Anne has been cast as the definitive 'other woman', turning Henry's head away from Katherine of Aragon and helping to bring about the Reformation, in which Henry broke a near millennia association with Rome to declare himself Supreme Governor of the Church of England. In the first of three episodes, today we cover Anne's biography, seeing how her international schooling made her stand out at Henry's court. How does Anne capture Henry's heart? How does she secure her place as England's queen? And why does it all go so terribly wrong? Tune in to find out!<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

After a separate biography episode, this time we review Katherine of Aragon by the factors: a regency defeating the Scots; resisting Henry in the divorce; was she being truthful about her first marriage? Lots to talk about, but the key question, as always, is will she get the Rex Factor?<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

We kick-off the Six Wives of Henry VIII with Katherine of Aragon, whose story is so dramatic that we had to split it into two. In this episode, we look at her biography, charting her life from her upbringing in Spain, to her time in England, with years of uncertainty, a near-golden age with Henry VIII before the lack of a male heir saw Katherine resisting Henry's attempts to annul their marriage, resulting in increasingly extreme behaviour from Henry but continued courage from Katherine. Next time, we'll review her and decide whether she has the Rex Factor.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In June 2022, we were a keynote speaker at the online Intelligent Speech Conference, and also took part in a Rexy Panel, discussing podcasting with the Rex Factor format alongside Rob and Jamie from Totalus Rankium and Bry from Pontifacts. For today's episode, we're bringing you the Rexy Panel discussion, where the three podcasts have an informal chat about podcasting.</p><br><p>You can find out more about the Intelligent Speech conference at their website (<a href="https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com</a>) and if you'd be interested in attending next year and want to help make that possible, the Intelligent Speech Conference team are running a Kickstarter until 27 November 2022 in order to fund their work to make it the best possible user-experience:</p><br><p><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/intelligentspeech/intelligent-speech-endowment" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/intelligentspeech/intelligent-speech-endowment</a></p><br><p>We'll be back from a research break next week to start our review of the Six Wives of Henry VIII, beginning with a biography episode for Katherine of Aragon.</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

As Graham gets started on the research for the Six Wives of Henry VIII, we have a one-off episode going through lots of listener correspondence and sharing some previews of our bonus content.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>We speak to the historian Dr Nicola Tallis about Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII who lived a dramatic life, enduring the trials and tribulations of the Wars of the Roses to ultimately see her son, against all odds, become king, founding the Tudor dynasty.</p><br><p>You can follow Nicola on Twitter where she is <a href="https://twitter.com/NicolaTallis" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@NicolaTallis</a> or find out more information about her on her website <a href="https://nicolatallis.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://nicolatallis.com/</a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Following the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II, we wanted to record our thoughts on her life and reign and some of the feelings that her death has evoked. We do a recap of her life and reign as originally covered in our 2013 episodes, plus an update for the near-decade of her reign since then, as well as some impressive statistics and looking ahead to the week leading up to the Queen's funeral.</p><br><p>This episode was recorded on Monday 12 September.</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>We speak to historian Nathen Amin about the House of Beaufort, the initially illegitimate line of John of Gaunt who enjoyed great power and influence under the Lancastrian kings and were major players in the Wars of the Roses. We learn about some of the key figures, why the Wars of the Roses may have started earlier than you think, and how they ultimately found one of their own on the throne with Henry VII.</p><br><p>To hear more from Nathen, you can follow him on Twitter where he is <a href="https://twitter.com/NathenAmin" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@NathenAmin</a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>We start a new round of interview podcasts, kicking off with Matt Lewis, Chair of the Richard III Society. Matt spoke to us, appropriately enough, about Richard III, suggesting alternative ways of interpreting Richard's character and motivation, what he was up to in 1483 and the fate of the Princes in the Tower.</p><br><p>You can follow Matt on Twitter where he is <a href="https://twitter.com/MattLewisAuthor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@MattLewisAuthor</a> or check out his website for more information <a href="http://mattlewisauthor.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://mattlewisauthor.com</a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

In our second Right to Reply episode, we look back at the Yorkist consorts Elizabeth Woodville, Anne Neville and Elizabeth of York, comparing their scores and lives before then going through listener correspondence on the queens.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The last of our Yorkist consorts (though technically first of the Tudors), Elizabeth of York was the daughter of Elizabeth Woodville and Edward IV, experiencing all the drama and tribulations of the Wars and the Roses and Richard III before helping to kickstart the Tudor dynasty by marrying Henry VII. Elizabeth would have a key role in reconciling Yorkists to Henry VII's rule and proved a popular figure, but would that be enough for the Rex Factor?<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

One of the more obscure English queens, despite being married to one of the most famous kings in Richard III, Anne Neville certainly had a dramatic life: daughter of Warwick the Kingmaker, married into the Lancastrian and Yorkist royal families, facing triumph and disaster throughout her life. We see whether we can shine more of a light on Anne and whether she has that certain something, we call...<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

We move onto the Yorkist consorts with Elizabeth Woodville, Queen Consort to Edward IV. Originally a Lancastrian, she was an unlikely and controversial consort, who had to endure great hardship and loss through the Wars of the Roses, facing off against Margaret of Anjou, Warwick the Kingmaker and Richard III. Find out whether she can survive the Wars of the Roses and whether she is worthy of the Rex Factor.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

As Graham gets started on the research for the Yorkist queens, we have a one-off episode going through lots of listener correspondence and sharing some previews of our bonus content.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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!</p><br><p>You can follow Tom on Twitter where he is <a href="https://twitter.com/holland_tom" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@holland_tom</a> or his podcast <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRestHistory" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@theresthistory</a></p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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.</p><br><p>You can follow Olivia for the latest news on 'Bloody Mary: Live!' on her website and on social media:</p><br><p>Website: <a href="https://www.olivia-miller.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.olivia-miller.net</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatoliviamiller/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@thatoliviamiller</a>&nbsp;</p><p>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thatoliviamiller" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@thatoliviamiller</a>&nbsp;</p><p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/thatlivmiller" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@thatlivmiller</a>&nbsp;</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

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.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>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.</p><br><p>Head to Scottish Ballet's <a href="https://www.scottishballet.co.uk/event/the-scandal-at-mayerling" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">website</a> 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 <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/scottishballet" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@scottishballet</a> or on Instagram (also <a href="https://www.instagram.com/scottishballet/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@scottishballet</a>). You can also follow Lucy on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/lucy_coatman" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@lucy_coatman</a>) or visit her website (<a href="https://www.lucycoatman.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.lucycoatman.com</a>)</p><br><p><a href="https://www.scottishballet.co.uk/event/the-scandal-at-mayerling" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.scottishballet.co.uk/event/the-scandal-at-mayerling</a></p><br><p>The Scandal at Mayerling opens in Glasgow on 13 April 2022 before moving on to Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, where the tour finishes on 28 May 2022.</p><br><p>Content warning: please note the discussion and the ballet includes themes of mental illness, sexual violence, addiction and suicide.</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

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?<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>