Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria, then Edward, George and Ned The Eighth, quickly goes and Abdicat’th... Then Comes George We're up to our final George.... King George VI. A man who, though never destined to be the ...
May 30, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria, Edward, George..... and Ned The Eighth, quickly goes and Abdicath... Charlie Higson's monarchical quest moves one step closer to the present day as he reached Edward VIII , the only...
May 23, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria, Edward, George..... Yes, we're up to George V , a man who didn't expect to be King, but ended up being quite good at it, in fact his actions saved the monarchy when all around Europ...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 60
In this special BONUS EDITION of Charlie Higson's history of the monarchy, he takes a fascinating look at how the real life horror of a volcanic eruption in 1815 gave birth to imaginary horrors that haunt us still. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 09, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria, Then Comes Edward..... King Edward VII to be precise, though you may call him Bertie . A man who, as Prince Edward, loved the good things in life but, as we'll hear, matured into a ...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria! We're starting to move into familiar territory here as Charlie Higson looks at a Queen we all think we know. Victoria , but as we'll hear, we probably don't know anywhere near as mu...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William..... After the extravagance of George IV, his more austere son King William IV is pushed into the spotlight. A latecomer to the throne, here was a man who would much rather have been on a battles...
Apr 18, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges..... And so the final George hove's into view, as Charlie Higson brings us George IV. The Prince Regent who became a king, eventually, he liked the finer things in life and changed fashion forever! Helpin...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Before Charlie Higson uncovers the fourth of our run of George's , he brings you this bonus episode, looking at the fascinating – and often over-looked history of black people in Britain, as well as the history of slavery and how that affected British society. Joining Charlie is Dr. Onyeka Nubia . A writer, presenter and historian, Onyeka is senior lecturer in history at the University of Nottingham, with a particular focus on Africans in ancient and mediaeval England. In 2013 he published Black...
Apr 04, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 54
In this special bonus episode, Charlie Higson continues his romp through the Georgian period with a focus on the Satirists. Let's face it, there was a lot going on. The Napoleonic Wars, Royal Madness, Political Intrigue. All juicy content with fine comedic potential if you're a brilliant young artist with a sense of humour, someone like James Gillray. Far from being worried by scathing political cartoons, the leaders of the day sobbed if they weren't caricatured. It truly was the forerunner to S...
Mar 29, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 53
In this special bonus episode of Willy Willy Harry Stee, Charlie Higson looks at the greatest conflict of the 18th century, The Seven Years War. In reality, this can be seen as the first World War, taking in Europe, North America, The Caribbean and India. To help navigate this dangerous path, Charlie is joined by Dan Snow, creator of History Hit and author of Death Or Victory: The Battle For Quebec and The Birth of Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 22, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges..... With a reign so long it demanded two episodes, Charlie Higson wraps up King George III and it's a pretty epic task, taking in the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, the creation of the United Ki...
Mar 15, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges..... Our quartet of George's reaches number 3 with our longest serving King.....so far! It's a reign so long that we've had to split it into two parts. In this episode, Charlie Higson looks at the early l...
Mar 08, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges..... The second of our four Georges hove's into view... George II. He hated his dad, he wasn't particularly passionate (just ask his mistress!) but he was the last British sovereign to fight alongside his...
Mar 01, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges..... Skip around 50 more eligible heirs and what do you get? You get the House of Hanover and the first of our four Georges....... George I. If you've ever wondered how we ended up with a German king, Cha...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria..... This is the tale of our one and only Queen Anne, who despite giving birth 17 times, was unable to produce an heir, ending the Stuart dynasty forever. Joining Charlie Higson as he delves into Anne's eventful life i...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary....... Having looked at Mary's life in the last episode, it's time to focus on William III , otherwise known as William Of Orange. Just watch out for the mole! To discuss William's reign, Charlie is joined by Dr Jonathan Healey , a...
Feb 09, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary....... Having booted her Dad out of power, along comes Mary II , complete with husband William Of Orange . In the episode, the first of two on these joint rulers, Charlie Higson looks at Mary's life, along with his 'proper' histori...
Feb 02, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again....... In this episode, Charlie Higson examines a reign that could be filed under 'Not Very Successful', lasting only 3 years and being ended by his daughter and son-in-law. Helping Charlie understand our last catholic king is 'proper' historian Rebec...
Jan 26, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie..... And so, after an 11 year gap, Britain goes from puritan republic to the land of randy rakes, headed up by Charles II. Charlie Higson regales us with the story of a man who loved ladies, laziness and.....well, that was about it really. And, to make it a triple...
Jan 19, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Now that the podcast is firmly into the the time of The Stuarts , we welcome back the excellent Ian Mortimer to chat with Charlie Higson about life in the 17th century - a time of Puritan Piety, Republic into Reformation and Foppish Frippery. Oh, and Potatoes. There's plenty more time travelling in Ian's book.... The Time Traveller's Guide To Restoration Britain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 12, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Willy Willy, Harry......er.....no. This one doesn't fit into the rhyme, BUT, after lopping Charles I's head off, Oliver Cromwell abolished the Monarchy and led the country himself, so he's a worthy inclusion. In this episode Charlie Higson unpicks Cromwell's life and the reasons why we had 11 years without a King or Queen. His 'proper historian' is Dr Jonathan Healey , author of 'Blazing World - A New History of Revolutionary England' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jan 05, 2024•2 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Robbie, Willie, Mattie, Eustace, Harry, Arthur, Edward, Roger… What's that? I hear you say - that's not the normal rhyme - what's happened here? Who are these people? Well, this is another special episode of Willy Willy Harry Stee - a sidebar episode, in which we take a look at some of the people in our history who should have come to the throne but never did. Joining Charlie Higson to find out about these unfortunates is Ashley Mantle, author of Uncrowned - Royal Heirs Who Didn't Take The Thron...
Dec 29, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Willy Willy Merry Christmas! In this Christmas Special episode, Charlie Higson takes us through the many connections the Monarchy has had with Christmas over the years. Learn about carols you've been singing incorrectly, how early Christmas trees doubled as incendiary devices and hear Charlie and guest Helen Castor discuss one of the greatest seasonal royal films of all time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 22, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie...... Charles The 1st, a king so bad he got himself executed and almost finished the Monarchy off for good. But, of course, the story isn't that simple. Luckily for us, Charlie Higson unpicks his life with the help of Leanda De Lisle, historian and author of Henrietta Mar...
Dec 15, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain....... As we wave goodbye to the Tudors, we usher in the Stuarts for an episode of plotting, gunpowder or otherwise. In the 'proper historians' chair this week, we welcome Clare Jackson, author of Devil-land - England Under Siege - 1588 to 1688 and who is currently writing a book ...
Dec 08, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In this special bonus episode of Charlie Higson's Personal History Of The Monarchy , he's joined by Suzannah Lipscomb , author of A Visitors Guide To Tudor England. And what a visit that would be! It was a time when life was precarious, London was smelly and the next plague was just around the corner! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Dec 06, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Once again, the 'Willy Willy' rhyme takes a back seat as Charlie Higson digs into the extraordinary life of Mary, Queen Of Scots. Crowned Queen at 18 months old, made Queen Consort of France before being widowed at 18, her 2nd husband was murdered, her 3rd was one of the murderers! Oh and then she was imprisoned for 20 years before being executed. No wonder so much has been written about her, including the book that spawned a Hollywood movie, ' My Heart Is My Own' by Charlie's guest John Guy . H...
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 35
This special edition of Charlie Higson's meander through the Monarchy was recorded live at the Chalke Valley History Festival , back in May of 2023. Joining Charlie, on an open air stage in front of a large audience, were historian and co-host of The Rest Is History podcast Tom Holland, Have I Got News For You regular and Private Eye editor Ian Hislop and historian Leanda De Lisle . The topic of discussion? The Best & Worst Monarchs including thoughts from the panel, but also from the audien...
Nov 24, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 34
Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie...... It's part 2 of the story of Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth I and there's a lot to fit in. Plots, suitors, even an Armada and she survives them all. Joining Charlie Higson as he navigates her life is Tracy Borman , self confessed Elizabeth I super-fan and author of Elizabeth's Women: The Hidden ...
Nov 17, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 33
