Willy Willy Harry Stee...

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 Europe, others fell. Alex Churchill makes a welcome return to not only help Charlie Higson understand George, but also to understand the reasons behind the devastating First World War, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 decent King, though, like our current monarch, had to wait a while before taking the throne. Helping Charlie Higson to dig a little deeper into this fascinating man is Professor Jane Ridley, author of Bertie, A Life Of Edward VII Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 much as we think. Helping Charlie this episode is proper historian Alex Churchill, podcaster, sub-stacker and author of Victoria's story in Iain Dale's epic, Kings & Queens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 battleship than in Buckingham Palace. Helping Charlie Higson to make sense of this complex man is Roger Knight, author of 'William IV: A King At Sea' in the Penguin Monarchs series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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! Helping Charlie unravel his life is Catherine Curzon, author of Kings of Georgian Britain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Blackamoores: Africans in Tudor England, Their Presence, Status and Origins Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Spitting Image. Helping Charlie sketch a picture of the times is Alice Loxton, social media sensation and author of Uproar! Satire, Scandal and Printmaking in Georgian London Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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 Kingdom and some big characters like Horatio Nelson, Pitt The Younger and of course, Napoleon, with a conclusion that, on the whole, George III did a pretty good job! Helping Charlie shine a light on this often maligned monarch is national treasure Ian Hislop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 life of George III. Assisting Charlie with an overview of George's influence is the author of The Shortest History Of England and The Shortest History Of Germany - James Hawes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 soldiers. Charlie Higson welcomes Tracy Borman back to the podcast to discuss George II, for Tracy is a BIG fan of this monarch, and the women in his life, hence her book 'King's Mistress, Queen's Servant - The Life & Times Of Henrietta Howard' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, Charlie Higson will enlighten you, along with his 'proper' historian, Catherine Curzon author of Kings Of Georgian Britain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 is Ophelia Field, author of The Kit Kat Club and The Favourite. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, author of The Blazing World. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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' historian, Dr Jonathan Healey who makes a welcome return to the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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' historian, Dr Jonathan Healey who makes a welcome return to the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Rebecca Rideal, author of 1666 Plague War and Hellfire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 triplet of Charles', Lord Charles Spencer author of 'Blenheim' and 'To Catch A King' joins as this episodes 'Proper' Historian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.