Rex Factor

Rex Factor is a fun podcast reviewing all the kings & queens of England & Scotland.

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21 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 1 hr 4 min
English

Episodes 21

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August 14 · 1 hr 3 min
Eleanor Parker: The Last Anglo-Saxons
We chat to Dr Eleanor Parker about the next generation of Anglo-Saxons whose lives took a different course thanks to 1066.
July 31 · 1 hr 19 min
Tom Licence on 1066
Historian Tom Licence talks to us about 1066, the succession and Harold Godwinson's supposed marches.
July 17 · 1 hr 5 min
S4.08 Edgar the Ætheling
The forgotten figure of 1066 but perhaps the rightful king?
July 3 · 1 hr 11 min
S4.07 Harald Hardrada: Review
We review the remarkable Viking ruler Harald Hardrada and decide whether he has the Rex Factor
June 19 · 1 hr 3 min
S4.06 Harald Hardrada: Biography
We discuss the remarkable life of the ultimate Viking, Harald Hardrada - exile, Byzantium, Norway and 1066.
June 5 · 1 hr 2 min
S4.05 Edward the Exile
A forgotten man who could have averted the Norman Conquest, we learn about the remarkable exile and tragic return of Edward the Exile
May 22 · 1 hr 9 min
S4.04 Edith of Wilton
Edith of Wilton, daughter of Edgar the Peaceable: nun, princess - nearly monarch?
May 8 · 55 min
S4.03 Ælfweard and Edwin
The brothers Ælfweard and Edwin both come up short against half-brother Æthelstan - but what became of them and who was the true heir?
April 24 · 1 hr 5 min
S4.02 Æthelwold
Series 4 begins with Æthelwold, the nephew of Alfred the Great who challenged his cousin, Edward the Elder, for the throne.
April 22 · 16 min
Ludlow Live News 2026
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
April 10 · 1 hr 9 min
Emily Murdoch Perkins - The Queens Who Could Have Been
Looking at whole would have ruled if daughters were prioritised in the succession
March 27 · 34 min
S4.01 Series 4 Introduction
An overview of the forthcoming series on the Nearly Monarchs.
February 27 · 1 hr 14 min
Offa of Mercia
We review Offa of Mercia, the eighth-century ruler who built a famous Dyke and almost ruled all of England.
Dec 5, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
David Woodman - Athelstan: First King of England
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
Oct 24, 2025 · 58 min
Messages & Previews 11
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
Sep 5, 2025 · 1 hr 59 min
Battle of the Champions (Live at Ludlow 2025)
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
Aug 15, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Queen James (Gareth Russell)
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
Aug 8, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Right to Reply 10: Grand Final Results Comments
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
Aug 1, 2025 · 56 min
S3.88 Grand Final Results Analysis
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
Jul 25, 2025 · 48 min
S3.87 Play-Offs: Grand Final Results
A champion is crowned... After six years and over 60 consorts reviewed, we are finally at the end. In today's episode, we reveal the results of the Nearly Rexy Consorts, Round One and Semi-Final Losers votes (deciding positions 5th to 19th in the series), Privy Councillor prize draws, the decision on what we will be doing in Series 4 PLUS the most important vote of all - who will be crowned the Series 3 Rex Factor champion? Emma of Normandy, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France and Katherine of Aragon are competing for the title but only one can be the winner. You can watch this episode via the link below: https://youtu.be/h8jssJAT1R8 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

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