From our latest podcast reviewing Harald Hardrada, a typically dramatic episode in which even a giant chain across the Bosphorus strait can't stop the Norwegian warrior.

Our latest episode looks at the Viking ruler Harald Hardrada, one of the most remarkable and famous Viking warriors though Ali thinks he could do with a rebrand...

From our review of Edward the Exile, we ponder on how Edward could have averted the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Our latest podcast reviews Edward the Exile, the man whose reign could have prevented 1066. Unfortunately, the bishop sent to collect him was a bit easily distracted...

Podcast Alert: Our latest podcast sees us review Edith of Wilton, daughter of Edgar the Peaceable who MAY have been offered the throne but just loved being a nun too much. pod.fo/e/41c659

This week we review the brothers Ælfweard and Edwin, sons of Edward the Elder who both came unstuck in the reign of older brother Æthelstan? But were they murdered? Were they designated heirs? Find out in our latest podcast: pod.fo/e/410d8a

Series 4 begins! We kick off the Nearly Monarchs with Æthelwold, nephew to Alfred the Great, a rival to his cousin Edward the Elder, and a challenge for Ali when it comes to names...

In our latest podcast we had a great chat with Emily Murdoch Perkins about her book Regina: The Queens Who Could Have Been - the women who would have ruled England if daughters instead of sons had been prioritised in the succession. pod.fo/e/3fafa3

We are back! Series 4 is now underway, kicking off with an introductory episode explaining the concept of this series, our approach to scoring and what we think of counterfactual history (the 'what ifs'). Listen in the usual places or you can now watch the podcast: youtu.be/gVA8FeFf2qE

This is what Ali looks like after recording five podcasts in a day! We’ve now started Series 4, but Ali might need some sleep before the next recording!

We are back in podcast land! Not yet starting series 4 but as a prelude we review King Offa of Mercia, the eighth-century monarch who built a famous Dyke, corresponded with Charlemagne and was almost the first King of England pod.fo/e/398d43

New series, new notebook (though only one of them will be featured in the series). I’m in full research mode for Series 4 reviewing all the nearly monarchs of England & the UK. Planning a new “first” episode on Offa this month then recording first episodes of series 4 in March!

New Episode Alert: We had a fantastic discussion with @davidwoodman45.bsky.social on his book The First King of England, looking at the importance of Athelstan in the formation of England as a nation. pod.fo/e/360983

Podcast Alert: This week we speak to the brilliant Gareth Russell about his new biography about James I - Queen James, discussing James's reign and the men he loved pod.fo/e/314262

It’s the last few hours of voting in the consort play-offs - will Emma of Normandy, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France or Katherine of Aragon be crowned the series champion? Cast your vote here: forms.gle/UYmjZHeMMweG...

We're getting towards the end of the play-offs now. Today is the last day of voting for the Round One Losers: forms.gle/4M55pN3xze3U...

Bayeux Tapestry to return to UK on loan after 900 years Bayeux Tapestry to return to UK on loan after 900 years www.bbc.com/news/article...

Podcast Alert: The last vote we're releasing in the consort play-offs - the Semi-Final losers, ranking the eight losing semi-finalists to give them all a final series finishing position pod.fo/e/2f596f

For the first time, we are giving a final ranking to ALL the Rex Factor winners in the series. In today's episode, we discuss the seven consorts eliminated in the first round of the Play-Offs. Have a listen and then cast your vote to rank them (1/3) pod.fo/e/2f0064

For the first time, we are giving a final ranking to ALL the Rex Factor winners in the series. In today's episode, we discuss the seven consorts eliminated in the first round of the Play-Offs. Have a listen and then cast your vote to rank them (1/3) pod.fo/e/2f0064

It's the Grand Final! Who will win the third series of Rex Factor: Emma of Normandy, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France, or Katherine of Aragon? Listen to the Grand Final podcast here: pod.fo/e/2e9a09

It's results time! Find out which of the consorts have made it through to the Grand Final in our latest episode... pod.fo/e/2e07d8

We have a new special episode out for subscribers (or to purchase on our Patreon page) on the history of biscuits. Here, Ali comes to grips with paximadia…

Live show alert! On Friday 15 August we are going to be at the Ludlow Fringe for a one-off live show, The Battle of the Champions featuring the three series champions: Henry II, Robert the Bruce and whoever wins the consort play-offs. ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/event/rex-fa...

Happy St Dunstan’s Day! Ali was delighted with his new mug and card…

Podcast Alert: The Play-Offs continue with the Semi-Finals. In Semi-Final D we have Æthelflæd Lady of the Mercians, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Caroline of Ansbach. Only ONE can go through to the Grand Final, so who will get your vote? Listen here: pod.fo/e/2cfa5c

Podcast Alert: The Play-Offs continue with the Semi-Finals. In Semi-Final C we have Ælfthryth, Isabella of France and Katherine Parr. Only ONE can go through to the Grand Final, so who will get your vote? Listen here: pod.fo/e/2cca2c

Podcast Alert: The Play-Offs continue with the Semi-Finals. In Semi-Final B we have Emma of Normandy, Matilda of Boulogne and Anne Boleyn. Only ONE can go through to the Grand Final, so who will get your vote? Listen here: pod.fo/e/2c9928

Justice for Æthelflæd: www.bbc.com/news/article...

Podcast Alert: The Play-Offs continue with the Semi-Finals. In Semi-Final A we have Margaret of Anjou, Katherine of Aragon and Henrietta Maria. Only ONE can go through to the Grand Final, so who will get your vote? Listen here: pod.fo/e/2c66a7

It’s time for the First Round Results! Watch to find out who is into the semi-finals and who has been eliminated. Available in video or the podcast in the usual places: youtu.be/jbO84TZnltc?...

Podcast Alert: Our latest podcast is Messages & Previews 9 - going through your excellent messages, plus previews of our bonus content. pod.fo/e/2b8fb9

It’s the last few hours of voting for Group B, with Eadgifu of Kent, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon battling for a place in the semi-finals. www.rexfactorpodcast.com/consort-vote

Podcast Alert: The Play-Offs continue with Group D: Æthelflæd Lady of the Mercians, Ælfthryth, Matilda of Boulogne and Elizabeth Woodville do battle to make it to the semi-finals. Only three can go through, so who will get your vote? pod.fo/e/2b3274

Podcast Alert: The Play-Offs continue with Group C: Isabella of France, Henrietta Maria, Caroline of Ansbach, Caroline of Brunswick and Mary of Teck do battle to make it to the semi-finals. Only three can go through, so who will get your vote? pod.fo/e/2b0674

Podcast Alert: The Play-Offs continue with Group B: Eadgifu of Kent, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon do battle to make it into the semi-finals. Only three can go through, so who will get your vote? pod.fo/e/2acc16

Here’s Ali’s post-match analysis after recording Group A of the play-offs - listen to the podcast episode and head to our website for the link to vote! www.rexfactorpodcast.com/consort-vote

Play-Off Time! The first of our play-off contests is now live. In Group A, it's a battle between Emma of Normandy, Prince Albert, Matilda of Scotland, Katherine Parr and Margaret of Anjou. Who will get your vote? The top three progress to the semi-finals: pod.fo/e/2a9b88

Podcast Alert: This week we make the play-off draw, finding out which of our Rex Factor winning consorts will be up against each other. You can watch this episode (along with a secondary camera and additional graphics!) here youtu.be/P96ESCgVSGg?...

We’re going to be back next week and it’s play-off time! The 19 Rex factor winners from the consider series will be up against each other to become series champion. Next week, we make the play-off draw and find out who will be against who in the first round.

This one features John and Andy doing a variety of voices, contributions from both the Pfrenger and Sexton clans, and a special guest appearance by @rexfactor.bsky.social Graham Duke as King Athelstan. We recommend listening on headphones to enjoy the full experience.

Gleðileg jól frá Saga Thing! This year, we present "Egil's Yuletide Carol" in the style of the radio broadcasts of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol starring Lionel Barrymore from the 1930s. sagathingpodcast.wordpress.com/2024/12/23/h... #christmas #holidays #medieval #iceland #vikings #yule

Podcast Alert: We had a fascinating talk with Lucy Hughes-Hallett about her brilliant book The Scapegoat, telling the dramatic story of the Duke of Buckingham, lover to James I and mentor to Charles I pod.fo/e/293d03

Was out at the weekend so unable to post that we have a new episode out! We had a great chat with Jane Tippett about the memoirs of Edward VIII pod.fo/e/290763

Podcast Alert: This week, it's the second part of our Right to Reply episode on the Windsor consort, taking your messages on Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and Prince Philip: pod.fo/e/28cb38

Podcast Alert: We tackle your messages in Right to Reply: Windsor Consorts Part 1. Part 1 because we wittered on so much that we had to split it into two! pod.fo/e/2894e9

We are now on Bluesky, so we mark a new beginning with an ending as we release our episode reviewing Prince Philip, the final consort in the current series. Will he be joining the other Rex Factor winners in the play-offs? t.co/qtNZBpDW6M