The Kings and Queens podcast

Æthelred's (978-1013, 1014-16) story would be one of turbulence, political intrigue, and the relentless march of fate. The boy who would become king would soon be marked by the legacy of doubt and misfortune, a monarch whose reign would be defined by both his early promise and his later failures. According to William and Malmesbury, he was an accomplice to murder, a coward who fled from danger, a wastrel who died a miserable death.CharactersAethelred - King of England (978-1013, 1014-16)Edward the Martyr - King of England (975-78), half-brother of AethelredEdgar - King of England (959-75), father of Aethelred and EdwardAelfthryth - third wife of Edgar, mother of AethelredAelfgifu - first wife of AethelredEmma of Normandy - second wife of AethelredEdmund Ironside - son of AethelredAethelflaed - first wife of Edgar, mother of EdwardDunstan - Archbishop of Canterbury (959-88)Sigeric - Archbishop of Canterbury (990-94)Aelfheah - Archbishop of Canterbury (1006-12)Wulfstan - Archbishop of YorkAethelwold - Bishop of WinchesterOswald - Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of YorkAethelwine - Ealderman of East-AngliaAelfhere - Ealdorman of MerciaByrhtnoth - military commanderWulfgeat - favourite of AethelredEadric - nicknamed ‘the grabber', favourite of AethelredWulfnoth - favourite of AethelredBeorhtic - favourite of AethelredOlaf Tryggvason - King of Norway (995-1000)Sweyn Forkbeard - King of Denmark (986-1014), King of Norway (1000-1014), King of England (1014)Cnut - son of Sweyn ForkbeardRichard I - nicknamed ‘the fearless', duke of Normandy (942-96)Richard II - nicknamed ‘the good', duke of Normandy (996-1026)William of Malmesbury - chroniclerJohn of Worcester -chroniclerCreditsMusic: Prepare for War by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.creatorchords.com)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Freesounds.org194982__soundmary__wild-horses-running 458113__brunoboselli__countryside733333__haulaway__bag-of-coins-drop231537__vkproduktion__forest-birds-loop-02449652__magnesus__walking-through-forest241824__haldigital97__waves-1

From the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle describing Edward the Martyr (975-78). 'Men murdered him, but God exalted him. In life he was an earthly king; after death he is now a heavenly saint. His earthly kinsmen would not avenge him, but his heavenly Father has greatly avenged him. The earthly killers would have destroyed his memory. Those who would not bow to his living body now humbly on their knees bow to his dead bones. How we may understand that the wisdom of men, their plans and counsel, are nothing against God's purpose.' Characters Edward the Martyr - King of England (975-78) Aethelred - brother of Edward and claimant Edgar - King of England (959-75), father of Edward and Aethelred Aethelflaed - first wife of Edgar, mother of Edward Wulfthryth - possible second wife of Edgar Aelfthryth - third wife of Edgar, mother of Aethelred Dunstan - Archbishop of Canterbury Aethelwold - Bishop of Winchester Oswald - Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of York Aethelwine - Alderman of East-Anglia Aelfhere - Ealdorman of Mercia Brihthelm - former Archbishop of Canterbury Kenneth II - King of Scotland Geoffrey Gaimar - chronicler Lantfred - chronicler and Winchester monk Byrthferth - chronicler Osbern of Canterbury - chronicler Music: Medieval Suspense by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ In Excelsis Deo

According to the Anglo-Saxon chronicle, ‘in Edgar's (959-75) days all things gladly grew good, and God granted that he dwelt in peace while he lived, and he did, as was necessary, work eagerly towards it. He was mighty in arms, exulting in sceptres and diadems, and regally protected the laws of the kingdom with militant authority.' Characters Edgar - King of England (959-975), King of the Mercians and Northumbrians (957-59) Aethelflaed - first wife of Edgar Wulfthryth - possible second wife of Edgar Aelfthryth - third wife of Edgar Eadwig - King of England (955-59), brother of Edgar Edmund I - King of England (939-46), father of Edgar Eadred - King of England (946-55), uncle of Edgar Eadgifu - grandmother of Edgar Dunstan - Archbishop of Canterbury Aethelwold - Bishop of Winchester Oswald - Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of York Aethelstan half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia Aelfsige - former Archbishop of Canterbury Brihthelm - former Archbishop of Canterbury Kenneth II - King of Scotland Geoffrey Gaimar - chronicler Lantfred - chronicler and Winchester monk Credits  Music: Cold Journey by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Suso_ramallo__binaural-catholic-gregorian-chant-mass-liturgy

Perhaps no image of an Anglo-Saxon king has been shaped as unyieldingly by his enemies as Eadwig's (955-59). Ruthless purging of the old guard of his father and uncle and the appointments of favourites resulted in his character assassination in the hagiographies of the men he'd dismissed. He was labelled an incorrigible rascal and lecher. The accounts paint a picture of a naïve, capricious, salacious misguided boy, who side-lined experienced advisors when they resisted his childish impulses. Characters  Eadwig - King of England (955-59)  Aelfgifu - wife of Eadwig Edmund I - King of England (939-46), father of Eadwig Aelfgifu of Shaftesbury - mother of Eadwig Eadgifu - grandmother of Eadwig Eadwig - son of Edmund and Eadred's successor Edgar - younger brother of Eadwig, King of the Mercians and Northumbrians Aethelgifu - mother of Aelfgifu, Eadwig's wife Aelric - Eadwig's foster parent Dunstan - Abbot of Glastonbury Oda - Archbishop of Canterbury Aethelwold - Abbot of Abingdon Aethelstan half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia B - chronicler  William of Malmesbury - chronicler Credits Music: Nomadic Dawn by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licence https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Medieval_Town_SFX_Bundle 

Within a year of being crowned, Eadred (946-55) was faced with possibly the most feared, most ruthless and most famous Viking to set foot on English shores. The battle to save Northumbria from Viking control was also fought in conjunction with a battle against a truly debilitating illness. Like his brothers before him, in securing the legacy of his forebears, he could not fail. Characters Eadred - King of England (946-55) Edmund I - King of England (939-46), elder brother of Eadred Eadgifu - third wife of Edward, mother of Eadred Edward the Elder - King of the Anglo-Saxons (899-924), father of Eadred Aethelstan - King of the Anglo-Saxons (924-37), King of England (927-939), half-brother of Eadred Eadburh - sister of Eadred Eadwig - son of Edmund and Eadred's successor Alfred - King of the West-Saxons (871-886), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-899), grandfather of Edmund Dunstan - Abbot of Glastonbury Aethelwold - Abbot of Abingdon Aethelstan Half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia Oda - Archbishop of Canterbury Hywel Dda - King of Deheubarth Oswulf I - Earl of Bamburgh, commander of Northumbria Wulstan - Archbishop of York Olaf Sihtricson - King of Northumbria (941-44, 949-52) Eric Bloodaxe - King of Northumbria (947-48, 952-54) Credits Viking Calls - Marcus Dellicompagni (www.poundsound.uk) Bbc_monasterie_07065024 bbc_bells---mo_07037647 8632__anton__male_slurping_water 432380__fedor_ogon__dry-cough

Much like those who came before and those who would follow, Edmund I's (939-46) reign was largely dominated by the Viking threat. Though his early years were tense and characterised by Viking resurgence, he recovered the land won by his father and half-brother and ultimately succeeded in keeping the Viking threat at bay and thus continued the dream of his forebears, the dream of a united, peaceful England. Characters Edmund I - King of England (939-46) Eadgifu - third wife of Edward, mother of Edmund and Eadred Aelfgith - first wife of Edmund, mother of Eadwig and Edgar Aethelflaed of Damerham - second of wife of Edmund Edward the Elder - King of the Anglo-Saxons (899-924), father of Edmund Aethelstan - King of the Anglo-Saxons (924-37), King of England (927-939), half-brother of Edmund  Eadred - brother of Edmund  Eadburh - sister of Edmund Eadwig - son of Edmund  Edgar - son of Edmund Alfred - King of the West-Saxons (871-886), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-899), grandfather of Edmund Aelfweard - half-brother of Edmund and Aethelstan and claimant Edwin - half-brother of Edmund and Aethelstan and claimant Dunstan - Abbot of Glastonbury Aethelstan Half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia Charles the Simple - King of West Francia (898-922), father of Louis Louis IV - King of West Francia (936-54), nephew of Edmund Alain - Duke of Brittany Wulstan - Archbishop of York Oda - Archbishop of Canterbury Olaf Guthfrithson - King of Dublin (934-39), King of Northumbria (939-41) Olaf Sihtricson - King of Dublin (945-47), King of Northumbria (941-44) Hywel Dda - King of Deheubarth Idwal foel - King of Gwynedd Constantine II - King of Alba (900-43) Malcolm I - King of Alba (943-54) Owain - King of Strathclyde Dyfnwal/Dunmail - King of Strathclyde/Cumbria, son of Owain Hugh the Great - Duke of the Franks Otto I - King of East Francia Leofa - outlaw and killer of Edmund Credits  Freesound.org: 567701__nox_sound__foley_rocks_stones_impacts_mono548384__nox_sound__footsteps_mountain_boots_mud_mono 682383__pnmcarrierailfan__axe-pacts-wood-09-w-crash 400380__klankbeeld__running-dog-passing 438380__craigsmith__g28-20-raucous-unruly-indoor-crowd 271206__mrprofdrdickweed__riot-crowd-immersed-in-5  505272__diegolar__surrounded-by-horse close perspective  417386__klankbeeld__hors-bristling-crow-calling-170917-1223 Music: The Wizard by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Aethelstan (924-939), renowned through the whole world whose fame flourishes and whose honour endures everywhere, whom God set as king over the English people. Raised on the high throne, and leader of these earthly armies, so that the king himself, mighty in war, could conquer other fierce kings and crush their proud necks. Characters Aethelstan - King of the Anglo-Saxons (924-927), King of the English (927-939) Edward the Elder - King of the Anglo-Saxons (899-924), father of Aethelstan Ecgwynn - first wife of Edward, mother of Aethelstan Aelfflaed - second wife of Edward, mother of Aelfweard, Edwin and Eadgifu Eadgifu - third wife of Edward, mother of Edmund and Eadred Aethelflaed - Lady of Mercia (911-918), aunt of Aethelstan Alfred - King of the West-Saxons (871-886), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-899), grandfather of Aethelstan Aelfweard - half-brother of Aethelstan and claimant Edwin - half-brother of Aethelstan and claimant Constantine II - King of Alba Owain - King of Strathclyde Sihtric - Viking King of Dublin (917-20) Guthfrith - Viking King of Dublin (920-34) Olaf Guthfrithson - Viking King of Dublin (934-39) Henry I - King of GermanyHarald Finehair - King of Norway Hywel Dda - king of Deheubarth Idwal foel - king of Gwynedd Morgan ap Owain - king of Gwent Tewdwr ap Elisse - king of Brycheiniog  William of Malmesbury - 13th century chronicler Credits Music: Chivalry Fair by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Though Edward the Elder's reign (899-924) is overshadowed by his father and his son. His achievements during his 25 years reign were unquestionable. He continued his father's work with determination and courage. Historian Frank Stenton characterised his reign as one of the best sustained and most decisive campaigns in the whole of the Dark Ages. Characters Edward the Elder - King of the Anglo-Saxons (899-924) Aethelflaed - Lady of Mercia (911-918), elder sister of Edward Alfred - King of the West-Saxons (871-886), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-899), father Edward and Aethelflaed Ealhswith - mother of Edward and Aethelflaed Aethelwold - cousin of Edward and claimant to the throne Aethelhelm - cousin of Edward and former claimant to the throne Ecgwynn - first wife of Edward, mother of Aethelstan and Edith Aelfflaed - second wife of Edward, mother of Aelfweard, Edwin and Eadgifu Eadgifu - third wife of Edward, mother of Edmund and Eadred Aethelstan - aetheling and son of Edward Aethelred - Lord of Mercia (881-911), husband of Aethelflaed Plegmund - Archbishop of Canterbury William of Malmesbury - chronicler Guthrum - Danish warlord and King of East-Anglia (878-890) Eohric - Danish Viking king of East Anglia (890-902) Western-Viking hybrid music - Alexander Nakarada Vikings-in-battle-swords-crossing-shields-bashing-men-yelling-17335 Soundmary - wild horses running Warfare and battlefields - medieval battlefield - weapons- horses- and soldiers Warfare and battlefields - medieval battlefield - weapons and horses - close perspective Factus est repente

Alfred the Great (871-99) was the embodiment of the ideal, but practical, Christian ruler. He was the ‘truth teller', described as a brave, resourceful, pious man.  Despite his legacy being warped by Victorian and contemporary accounts, his achievements remain visible and profound. They allowed his son and grandsons to build on his political and military initiatives to unite England under the rule of one king. Characters Alfred - King of Wessex (871-86), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-99) Ealhswith - wife of Alfred Aethelred - King of Wessex (865-71), brother of Alfred Aethelbert - King of Wessex (860-65), brother of Alfred Aethelbald - King of Wessex (858-60), brother of Alfred Aethelwulf - King of Wessex (839-58), father of Alfred Ecgberht - King of Wessex (802-39), grandfather of Alfred Edward - son and heir of AlfredAethelswith - Alfred's sister, wife of Burghred Aelle - King of NorthumbriaEdmund - King of East-Anglia Burghred - King of MerciaCeolwulf - King of Mercia Lord Aethelred - Lord of the Mercians under Alfred Aefelflaed - Lady of the Mercians, wife of Lord Aethelred Viking leaders Guthrum  Ivar the Boneless Ragnar Lothbrook  Haesten Ubbe Credits Leaving for Valhalla - Alexander Nakarada 320530__suso_ramallo__binaural-catholic-gregorian-chant-mass-liturgy 704440__roemergruft__viking-horn-in-d Bbc_quiet-hall_00008086 Vikings-in-battle-swords-crossing-shields-bashing-men-yelling-17335 613317__solifer__fireplacebbc_marsh-atmo_nhu0505006 Bbc_boats--pun_07026051 bbc_water---ro_07038289

Elizabeth II (1952-2022) ruled for 70 years, the second longest verifiably recorded reign of any monarch in world history behind Louis XIV. For 4 out of 5 Brits, she was the only monarch they had ever known. In a reign that was characterised by a redefinition of monarchy and empire. She offered calmness, reassurance, comfort, leadership and perspective over perhaps the most significant period of social, economic and technological change of any reign in British history. Despite the challenges of modern perspectives around the principles and practicalities of monarchy her adaptability and strong sense of civic duty ensured its survival. Elizabeth II - Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms (1952-2022) Prince Philip - Duke of Edinburgh, Consort of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms (1952-2021) George VI - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1936-52), Emperor of India (1936-47), father of Elizabeth Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1936-52), Empress of India (1936-47), mother of Elizabeth Edward VII - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1936), uncle of ElizabethGeorge V - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1910-36), grandfather of Elizabeth Mary of Teck - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1910-36), grandmother of Elizabeth Princess Margaret - sister of Elizabeth Prince Charles - eldest son of Elizabeth and heir Princess Anne - daughter of Elizabeth Prince Andrew - son of Elizabeth Prince Edward - son of Elizabeth Prince William - son of Charles and Diana, grandson of Elizabeth Prince Harry - son of Charles and Diana, grandson of Elizabeth Princess Diana - first wife of Charles Camilla Parker-Bowles - second wife of Charles Marion Crawford - governess to Elizabeth and Margaret Cosmo Lang - Archbishop of Canterbury Winston Churchill - Prime Minister 1940-45, 51-55 Anthony Eden - Prime Minister 1955-57Harold MacMillan - Prime Minister 1957-63Alec Douglas-Home - Prime Minister 1963-64 Margaret Thatcher - Prime Minister 1979-1990 Tony Blair - Prime Minister 1997-2007 Liz Truss - Prime Minister 2022 Michael Fagan - Buckingham Palace intruder Credits Jerusalem - Hubert Parry, Edward Elgar A Moonlit Night On The Spring RiverZadok The Priest - George Friedrich Handel We Wait For Thy Loving Kindness - William McKie 76828__juskiddink__old-telephone2 660407__datari__toddler-laughing-2-years-old 581478__rvandemark__dogs-barking-in-distance_rural bbc_night-atmo_nhu0505305

George VI (1936-52) led Britain through one of the most consequential periods in world history. His modest and undramatic style of rule in stark contrast to the controversy and drama which surrounded the short reign of his brother was required to guide Britain through the Second World War and the death of the British Empire. He was a steady hand, who overcame his own personal limitations and won the respect of the British people. Characters George VI - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1936-52), Emperor of India (1936-47) Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1936-52), Empress of India (1936-47) Edward VII - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1936), brother of GeorgeGeorge V - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1910-36), father of George Edward VII - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1901-10), grandfather of George Victoria - Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1837-1901) and Empress of India (1876-1901), Great-grandmother of George Mary of Teck - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1910-36), mother of George Wallis Simpson - Wife of Edward VIII Princess Elizabeth - elder daughter of George and Elizabeth Princess Margaret - younger daughter of George and Elizabeth Prince Philip - husband of Princess Elizabeth Prime Ministers Stanley Baldwin (1935-37)Neville Chamberlain (1937-40) Winston Churchill (1940-45, 1951-55) Clement Attlee (1945-51) Aneurin Bevan - Labour Minister of Health, co-founder of the NHS Duff Cooper - anti-appeasement Conservative politician  Alec Hardinge - Private Secretary of George VI Lionel Logue - Australian speech therapist Freda Dudley Ward - Edward VIII's former mistress Phyllis Monkman - George's former love interest Sheila Chisholm - George's former mistress Cosmo Lang - Archbishop of Canterbury Adolf Hitler - Fuhrer of Germany (1934-45) Benito Mussolini - Dictator of Italy (1922-43) Richard Grigg - Historian Credits Wenn die Soldaten I was glad Hubert Parry King Oliver s Jazz Band The Planets - Jupiter - Gustav Holst Bbc_world-war-_07046171 bbc_air-raids-_07048083  bbc_bang----qu_07043166  Bbc_ships---tu_07018114 bbc_battle-of-_07008071

Edward VIII (1936) ruled for 325 days, the shortest reign of any English monarch since Lady Jane Grey in the 16th century. The first monarch to abdicate since James II in 1688 and the first to do so voluntarily. The abdication crisis shook the British establishment to its core. His connections to Nazi Germany has undoubtedly shrouded his life in ignominy. Even after the war, he was known to describe Hitler as ‘not such a bad chap'. Shunned by the royal family for the crisis he had created and for putting private desire above public duty. It could also have been because they knew, unlike the country, that he was a traitor. Characters Edward VIII - King of the United Kingdom and British Dominions. Emperor of India (1936). Duke of Windsor (1937-72) Wallis Simpson - Duchess of Windsor (1937-86), wife of Edward  George V - King of the United Kingdom and British Dominions. Emperor of India (1910-36), father of Edward VIII and George VI Mary of Teck - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and British Dominions. Empress of India (1910-36), mother of Edward VIII and George VI George VI - King of the United Kingdom and British Dominions (1936-52). Emperor of India (1936-47). Younger brother of Edward.  Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and British Dominions (1936-52. Empress of India (1936-47). Wife of George VI Queen Victoria - Queen of the United Kingdom (1837-1901), great-grandmother of Edward Edward VII - King of the United Kingdom (1901-10), grandfather of Edward Herbert Warren - Edward's tutor and President of Magdalen college, Oxford Lord Kitchener - Secretary of War Cosmo Lang - Archbishop of Canterbury Alec Hardinge - Private Secretary to the Sovereign  Louis Mountbatten - British Statesman and friend of Edward David Lloyd George - Leader of the Liberal Party, Prime Minister (1916-22) Stanley Baldwin - Leader of the Conservative Party, Prime Minister (1935-37) Winston Churchill - Leader of the Conservative Party, Prime Minister (1940-45, 51-55) Clement Attlee - Leader of the Labour Party, Prime Minister (1945-51) Anthony Eden - Foreign Secretary, Prime Minister (1955-57) Winifred Dudley Ward - mistress of Edward  Thelma Furness - mistress of Edward Ernest Simpson - husband of Wallis (1928-37) Lord Rothermere - media mogul, founder of the Daily Mail Lord Beaverbrook - owner of the Daily Express Oswald Mosley - leader of the British Union of Fascists Ricardo Espirito Santo - Portuguese banker and associate of Edward Adolf Hitler - Chancellor of Germany (1933-45), Fuhrer (1934-45) Joseph Goebbels - Reichminister of Propaganda Hermann Goering - Reichsmarschall and leading Nazi figure Joachim von Ribbentrop - German ambassador to the United Kingdom, Reichminister of Foreign Affairs, Wallis Simpson's lover. Credits Pomp and Circumstance No. 3Erika (German Soldier's song) When Eliza Rolls Her Eyes Bbc_d-i-y--and_07045141Bbc_air-raids-_07048098 Bbc_sirens---g_07033180 675234__craigsmith__s03-38-model-t-ford-in-stop Bbc_world-war-_07046171 Bbc_marching_00008067 640655__barkenov__soft-rain 36430__c97059890__fiji-beach-stereo 588640__urkki69__a-soldier-playing-bagpipes-in-edinborough 233068__newciv1__loud-tiger-ii-audio-test 559820__jackmichaelking__walking-on-wet-and-muddy-marsh-land-with-clothing-rustle 416703__funwithsound__laugh-group-of-children

George V's reign (1910-36) stretched across perhaps the most tumultuous period in world history. It saw the bloodiest war to date, the financial markets melt and the rise of fascism and communism His calm, dutiful leadership would be put to the test, the British monarchy faced perhaps its biggest existential threat as Europe faced unparalleled political and social change.  Characters George V - King of the United Kingdom and the British dominions, Emperor of India (1910-36) Mary of Teck - Queen of the United Kingdom and the British dominions, Empress of India (1910-36) Edward VII - Father of George, King (1901-10) Alexandra of Denmark - mother of George, Queen consort (1901-10) Albert ‘Eddy' - brother of George Victoria - Grandmother of George, Queen (1837-01) Albert - Grandfather of George, Prince consort (1837-61) David - eldest son of George and future Edward VIII Bertie - younger son of George and future George VII John Neale Dalton - tutor Emmeline Pankhurst - leader of the Suffragette movement Emily Davison - Suffragette killed during the 1913 Derby Edward Carson - Irish Unionist politician Bertrand Edward Dawson - George's physician Winston Churchill - Minister of Munitions, First Lord of the Admiralty, Chancellor of the Exchequer Field Marshal John French - Commander-in-chief of the British Expeditionary Force Field Marshal Douglas Haig - Commander of the Expeditionary Force on the Western Front Lord Kitchener - Secretary of State for War Tsar Alexander III - Emperor of Russia (1881-94) Tsar Nicholas II - Emperor of Russia (1894-1917), cousin of George  Kaiser Wilhelm II - Emperor of Germany (1888-1918), cousin of George Archduke Franz Ferdinand - heir presumptive to the throne of Austria-Hungary Gavrilo Princip - Serbian nationalist and Franz Ferdinand's assassin Prime Ministers Herbert Asquith - 1908-16 David Lloyd George - 1916-22 Andrew Bonar Law - 1922-23 Stanley Baldwin - 1923-24, 24-29, 35-37 Ramsey MacDonald - 1924, 1929-35 Pomp and Circumstance no. 4 The Last Post Wo alle Straßen enden bbc_world-war-_07008092 Bbc_pottery-fa_07025138 Bbc_crowds--ex_07058139 154792__supermatt1896__titanic-collision Bbc_factories-_07072111 27809__dobroide__20061224partridges 445614__cllari__owi_scrubbing-on-a-wooden-deck-or-floor

Politips host Ed Castel deep dives into the remarkable reign of Aethelstan, the man recognised as the first King of England as well as the Anglo-Saxons themselves. Many key questions are answered: Who were the Anglo-Saxons? What were the seven kingdoms and how did the deal with Viking invasions? How are sources found? The reign of Athelstan: his rise and consolidation of power, his historic coronation, becoming ‘King of the whole of Britain', the Battle of Brunanburh and the birth of English national identity, his foreign and domestic policy, and his legacy Twitter - @kingsqueenspod Instagram - @kingsqueenspodcast Facebook - The Kings and Queens Podcast Email - thekingsandqueenspodcast@gmail.com For Politips https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/poli-tips Instagram and Twitter - @politipspodcast

It was a real privilege to interview Ben Kane. We spoke about his Lionheart series, his new book Napoleon's spy, as well as the challenges faced and rewards gained from writing historical fiction. Initially well known for his excellent trilogies set in ancient Rome including the Forgotten Legion and the Spartacus series. More recently he has ventured into medieval England with his Lionheart series focussing on the reign of Richard I of England. His most recent book is set in the Napoleonic era. You can follow Ben on twitter - @BenKaneAuthor or on his website benkane.net I was joined by Ed Castel, a fellow History and Politics teacher, colleague and host of my other podcast – politips – politics for a-level and beyond. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/poli-tips

In the words of the Edward VII (1901-1910) ‘I don't mind praying to the Eternal Father, but I must be the only man in the country afflicted with an eternal mother. He had to wait 59 years to become king. Though only 9 years, the king also lent his name to an era. The Edwardian era was distinct in its social and cultural change with a rejection of certain Victorian values. The era saw significant social mobility, reform yet also hedonism. In the words of W. B. Yeats ‘everybody got down off their stilts.' He was perhaps the final monarch to hold true political power. The power and influence was held over the great monarchs of Europe, his relatives, who would soon succumb to republicanism, to socialism and to war. Politips for A-Level and Beyond https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/poli-tips Characters Edward VII ‘Bertie' – King of the United Kingdom and British Dominions, Emperor of India (1901-10)Alexandra of Denmark – Queen consort of the United Kingdom and British Dominions, Empress consort of India (1901-10)Victoria – Queen of the United Kingdom and British Dominions (1837-1901, Emperor of India (1876-1901), mother of EdwardPrince Albert – Consort of the British monarch (1840-61), father of EdwardVictoria, Princess Royal – German Empress consort, sister of Edward Prince Albert ‘Eddie' – eldest son of Edward and AlexandraPrince George – second eldest son of Edward and Alexandra and heir apparent.Mary of Teck – former fiancé of Eddie and wife of Prince George. Canon Birch – tutor of EdwardFrederick Gibbs – tutor of Edward Frederick Johnstone – close university friend ofEdwardHenry Chaplin ‘Magnifico' – close university friend of Edward Mistresses and alleged mistresses Nellie ClifdenHarriet Mordaunt Daisy GrevilleLady AylesfordAlice Keppel Lady Randolph Churchill – mother of Winston Churchill Charles Mordaunt – husband of HarrietRandolph Churchill – father of Winston ChurchillLord BlandfordLord Aylesford William Gordon-Cumming – army officer accused of cheating at baccarat. Prime Ministers Benjamin Disraeli – 1868, 1874-80William Gladstone – 1868-74, 80-85, 86, 92-94Lord Salisbury – 1895-1902Arthur Balfour – 1902-05Henry Campbell-Bannerman – 1905-08Herbert Asquith – 1908-16 Joseph Chamberlain – Conservative MP, Colonial secretary under BalfourDavid Lloyd-George – Liberal MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer under Asquith Winston Churchill – Liberal MP, Trade Secretary and Home Secretary under AsquithKeir Hardie – Founder of the Labour party Lord Kitchener – British commander during the Boer War Joseph Lister – British surgeon and medical scientist Social reformers Charles Booth Seebohm Rowntree Maud Pember Reeves Credits Land of Hope and Glory – Edward ElgarEgyptian Fantasy – Sucre d'Orge BurlesqueGilbert & Sullivan – Cow and Boxbbc_hammering-_07007064bbc_guns--gunf_07027153bbc_horse-raci_07016266bbc_cars--benz_07023013363836__mtheodp__caida-estatuabbc_the-age-of_07045057675980__craigsmith__s09-12-gavel-tapping-hitting539274__paulmerlo__playing-cards-being-dealtbbc_ships---tu_07018097

On the death of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), Arthur Balfour wrote, ‘I suppose that, in all the history of the British Monarchy, there never has been a case in which the feeling of national grief was so deep-seated as it is at present, so universal, so spontaneous. And that grief affects us not merely because we have lost a great personality, but because we feel that the end of a great epoch has come upon us—an epoch the beginning of which stretches beyond the memory, I suppose, of any individual whom I am now addressing, and which embraces within its compass sixty-three years, more important, more crowded with epoch-making change, than almost any other period of like length that could be selected in the history of the world.' Characters Queen Victoria – Queen of the United Kingdom and Ireland (1837-1901)Prince Albert – Prince Consort of the United Kingdom and Ireland (1837-61)Prince Edward (Bertie) – Duke of Edinburgh, son of Victoria and Albert, heir apparentDuchess of Kent – mother of VictoriaPrince Edward, duke of Kent – father of Victoria Previous Kings of the United Kingdom and Ireland George III –1760-1820George IV – 1820-30William IV – 1830-37   John Conroy – comptroller to the duchess of KentLouise Lehzen – governess of the Victoria's householdFeodore – Victoria's half-sisterLeopold I – King of Belgium Ernest Augustus – King ofHanover, uncle of Victoria Prime Ministers Lord Melbourne – 1835-41Robert Peel – 1841-46John Russell – 1846-52, 65-66Earl of Derby – 1846-52, 66-68Earl of Aberdeen – 1852-55, 58-59Lord Palmerston – 1855-58, 59-65Benjamin Disraeli – 1868, 74-80William Gladstone – 1868-74, 80-85, 86, 92-94Earl of Rosebury – 1894-95Lord Salisbury – 1885-86, 86-92, 95-02Arthur Balfour – 1902-05 Flora Hastings – lady-in-waiting for the DuchessJohn Snow – physician and leader in the development of anaesthesiaMary Seacole – nurse who set up the ‘British Hotel'Florence Nightingale – social reformer and founder of modern nursing Sultan Khaleefah Abdul-Majid – Sultan of the Ottoman EmpireBahadur Shah Zafar – Mughal Emperor of IndiaCecil Rhodes – mining magnate and politicianGeneral Charles Gordon – army officerLili'uokalani – Heir apparent and later Queen of HawaiiJohn Brown – Victoria's personal attendantAbdul Karim – Victoria's India SecretaryKaiser Wilhelm II – Emperor of Germany, grandson of Victoria Credits Cherry RipeSail the Ocean Blue – HMS pinafore – Gilbert and SullivanHallelujah – George Frideric Handel 328065__guntherdorksen__old-book_-old-book-hard-casesfx194982__soundmary__wild-horses-runningbbc_crowds-che_07035074365676__mr_alden__dinner-table-ambience328065__guntherdorksen__old-book_-old-book-hard-casesfxbbc_rifle---ma_0009046423918__martinsadoux__african-bush-birds-insect-ms163456__lemudcrab__pistol-shot627087__clutvh__silenced-pistol-shotbbc_clocks--gr_07070146bbc_clocks---g_07022188bbc_whistles--_07055012660975__mchrpt__load_gun_slow.ogg584126__seventhsamurai__nasik-ambiencebbc_gunfire---_07034194bbc_old-textil_07016338bbc_wolf-flies_nhu0508611bbc_ships-and-_07043335592380__cribbler__fireplace-snappy

When William IV (1830-37) was a teenage sailor drinking and debauching his way across the empire alongside such esteemed friends as Horatio Nelson, no one expected that one day he would king. He was taught no royal graces or decorum, yet his time would come. He was described as unassuming and disinterested in pomp and as hard-working and conscientious. Despite a short rule, he would provide royal assent to some of the most significant acts in British history. He had political views and his lack of royal training meant; he would not be lightly brushed aside. Characters William IV – King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1830-37) Queen Adelaide – Queen consort of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1830-37) George IV - King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1820-30), elder brother of William IV George III - King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1760-1820), father of William IV and George IV Queen Charlotte – Queen consort of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1761-1818), mother of William IV and George IV Prince Frederick – elder brother of William IV Prince Adolphus – younger brother of William IV Prince Edward, Duke of Kent – younger brother of William IV, father of Victoria Victoria, Duchess of Kent – wife of Edward, mother of Prince Victoria Princess Victoria – niece of William IV and heir to the throne George, Earl of Munster – illegitimate son of William IV and Dorothea Jordan Dorothea Jordan – long-time mistress of William Horatio Nelson – British flag officer in the Royal Navy William Wilberforce – leading abolitionist George Canning – Prime Minister (1827) Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington – Commander at the Battle of Waterloo, Prime Minister (1828-30, 1834) Charles Grey, Earl Grey – Prime Minister (1830-34) William Lamb, Viscount Melbourne – Prime Minister (1834, 1835-41) Robert Peel – Prime Minister (1834-35) John Russell – Home Secretary Henry John Temple, Viscount Palmerston – Foreign Secretary Edward Smith-Stanley, Earl of Derby – War Secretary Henry Brougham – Lord High Chancellor John Nash - architect Charles Greville – Diarist Emily Eden - Poet George Washington – Commander-in-chief of the Continental army, 1stPresident of the United States Credits Beethoven's 6th symphony ‘Pastorale' Freesound.org and BBC sound effects 419503__straget__wine-glass-sound bbc_old-textil_07016341 590155__greg_surr__creaking-wood-6 328051__btherad2000__32-getting-into-bed bbc_weather-1-_07047148 168249__gmarchisio__munching-snack 35250__malexmedia__tumble_downstairs_c bbc_whistles--_07071084 bbc_playhouse-_07003062 195116__mattskydoodle__censor-beep 412054__funwithsound__major-destruction-crash-shatter-from-pillow-fight-disaster bbc_household-_07067069 bbc_boats--sai_07034052 bbc_boats--row_07068008 175946__freefire66__horn002 388391__maadmacs__horse-and-carriage

I have started a new podcast with my teaching colleagues. Politips... Politics for A-Level and Beyond. Reviewing the biggest stories in the world of politics in the UK and the US. Give it a try - links below for more episodes. https://anchor.fm/poli-tips Also available on Spotify, Google, Amazon and Apple podcasts

Napoleon III, the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte holds a unique distinction. He became the first President of France in 1848 before becoming its last monarch when he ruled as Emperor between 1852-1870 founding the second French empire. He oversaw the modernisation of the French economy, the grand reconstruction of Paris, considerable social reform, further colonisation overseas and renewed rivalries in Europe. The impact of his rule would be felt deep into the 20th century. I was lucky enough to speak to Sam, my British housemate who grew up in France about Napoleon III.

Contemporary poet and critic Leigh Hunt described George IV (1820-30) as a violator of his word, a libertine, over head and ears in debt, a disgrace, a despiser of domestic ties, the companion of demi-reps and gamblers without a single claim on the gratitude of his country, nor the respect of posterity. Characters George IV – King of Great Britain, Ireland and Hanover (1820-30) George III – King of Great Britain and Ireland (1760-1820), King of Hanover (1814-20) Charlotte of Mecklenberg- Strelitz – Queen consort of Great Britain and Ireland (1761-1818), Queen consort of Hanover (1814-18) Princess Charlotte of Wales – daughter of George and Caroline Prince Frederick, duke of York – younger brother of George and one-time heir presumptive Prince William – younger brother of George and eventual heir to the throne Maria Fitzherbert – illegitimate Catholic wife of George Caroline of Brunswick – legitimate wife of George Mary Robinson – a lady-in-waiting for Queen Charlotte, love interest of George Charles James Fox – Whig statesman and friend of George William Pitt the Younger – Prime Minister (1783-1801, 1804-06) Henry Addington – Prime Minister (1801-04) Lord Liverpool – Prime Minister (1812-27) George Canning – Prime Minister (1827) Duke of Wellington – Commander at the Battle of Waterloo, Prime Minister (1828-30, 1834) Robert Peel – Home Secretary, founder of the Metropolitan Police Daniel O'Connell – political leader of Ireland's Catholic majority, later an MP Elizabeth Fry – Prison and social reformer Henry Hunt – radical speaker and agitator John Nash – Architect James Gilray – contemporary cartoonist Leigh Hunt – contemporary poet and critic Richard Sheridan – Irish satirist Napoleon Bonaparte – Emperor of France Richard II – King of England (1377-99) Charles II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660-85)

The US declaration of Independence described George III (1760-1820) as “marked by every act which may define a tyrant.” At home he was described as one of the most conscientious sovereigns who ever sat upon the English throne. Yet, he vehemently opposed catholic emancipation and the abolition of slavery. His characterisations are almost as broad as the events that unfolded during long reign. It saw an independent United States and a revolutionary France. It saw the age of enlightenment, the age of industry, science and technology and the age of imperialism that would see Europe reach the peak of its global power. Characters George III – King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain (1760-1820) and Ireland (1801-20) Charlotte of Mecklenberg-Strelitz – Queen consort of the United Kingdom of Great Britain (1760-1820) and Ireland (1801-20) Prince Frederick – father of George III, son of George II, Prince of Wales (1729-51) Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha – mother of George III Prince George – son of George III, Prince of Wales, Prince Regent of the United Kingdom (1811-20) Prince Henry – duke of Cumberland, brother of George III France Maximillien Robespierre – leading Jacobin revolutionary Charles Danton – leading Jacobin revolutionary Napoleon Bonaparte – Emperor of France Louis XVI – King of France (1774-92) Louis XVIII – King of France (1814-15, 1815-24) Marie Antoinette – Queen consort of France, wife of Louis XVI (1774-92) Pierre-Charles Villaneuve – French vice-admiral at the Battle of Trafalgar Joseph Bonaparte – King of Spain and Naples, brother of Napoleon Louis Bonaparte – King of Holland, brother of Napoleon United States Thomas Paine – English-born American revolutionary activist Benjamin Franklin – writer, diplomat and philosopher George Washington – military officer and statesman. 1st President of the United States (1789-97) James Madison – President of the United States (1809-17) Andrew Jackson – general and statesman, President of the United States (1829-37) Prime Ministers Thomas Pelham, Duke of Newcastle (1757-62) John Stuart, Earl of Bute (1762-63) George Grenville (1763-65) Charles Watson-Wentworth, Marquess of Rockingham (1765-66, 82) William Pitt (the elder), earl of Chatham – Prime Minister (1766-68) Augustus FitzRoy, Duke of Grafton (1768-70) Frederick, Lord North (1770-82) William Petty, Earl of Shelburne (1782-83) William Cavendish-Bentinck, Duke of Portland (1783, 1807-09) William Pitt (the younger) (1783-1801, 1804-06) Henry Addington (1801-04) William Grenville (1806-07) Spencer Perceval (1809-12) Robert Jenkinson, Earl of Liverpool (1812-27) Charles Fox – Whig politician Lord Effingham – in charge of the coronation Horatio Nelson – Admiral and flag officer in the Royal Navy Cuthbert Collingwood – Admiral in the Royal Navy Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington – commander at the Battle of Waterloo William Howe – commander-in-chief of the British land forces during the American War of Independence John Burgoyne – British general during the American War of Independence Charles Cornwallis – British general during the American War of Independence Thomas Gray – British poet and scholar Sarah Lennox – favourite of George John Harrison – British clockmaker and inventor of the marine chronometer Abel Tasman – Dutch seafarer and explorer James Cook – British captain and explorer Capability Brown – British gardener and landscape architect Benjamin West – American artist William Herschel – German-born British astronomer Pope Pius VI – head of the Catholic Church (1775-99)

George II's (1727-60) temper was warm and impetuous but was good natured and sincere. He was unskilled in royal of talent of dissimulation, he always was what he appeared to be. He might offend but he never deceived. What you saw was what you got. Could Britain's second Hanoverian king provide calm composure against the immense challenges presented by a new Jacobite claimant and the first true global conflict in an unforgiving environment led by burgeoning prime ministers? Characters George II – King of Great Britain, Elector of Hanover (1727-60) Caroline of Ansbach – Queen consort of Great Britain, Electress consort of Hanover (1727-37) George I – King of Great Britain (1714-27, Elector of Hanover (1698-1727), father of George II Sophia Dorothea of Celle – mother of George II Sophia of Hanover – Electress of Hanover (1692-98), heiress presumptive to the British throne, grandmother of George II Ernest Augustus – Elector of Hanover (1692-98), grandfather of George II Frederick, prince of Wales – eldest son of George II and Caroline, heir apparent to British throne William, duke of Cumberland – youngest son of George II and Caroline, British army general Philip Christoph von Konigsmarck – Swedish count and lover of Sophia Dorothea of Celle Anne – Queen of Great Britain (1702-14) John Churchill, the duke of Marlborough – British military commander under Queen Anne James Stuart (the Old Pretender) – son of James II and Jacobite pretender Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) – grandson of James II and Jacobite pretender, son of James Stuart Robert Walpole – Prime Minister of Great Britain (1721-42) Charles Townshend – Statesman and director of foreign policy under Walpole Spencer Compton, earl of Wilmington - Prime Minister of Great Britain (1742-43) Henry Pelham - Prime Minister of Great Britain (1743-54) Thomas Pelham, duke of Newcastle - Prime Minister of Great Britain (1754-57, 57-62) William Pitt – British statesman and informal leader (1756-61) Horace Walpole – statesman and son of Robert Walpole Mary Bellenden – mistress of George II Henrietta Howard – mistress of George II Amalie von Wallmoden – mistress of George II John Hervey – courtier and political writer George Friderich Handel – German-British composer Robert Jenkins – Welsh mariner who sparked the War of Jenkin's Ear Robert Clive – general and governor of the Bengal Presidency John Byng – British admiral at the Battle of Minorca James Wolfe – general at the Battle of Quebec Elizabeth Montagu – social reformer and literary critic James Caulfeild, earl of Charlemont – Irish statesman Credits Music for the Royal Fireworks – George Frideric Handel Concerto for flute in A minor – Johann Sebastian Bach bbc_18th-centu_07019161 bbc_period-bat_07019148 bbc_period-bat_07019002 bbc_large-outd_07019156 bbc_period-bat_07019151 451958__kyles__flag-flaps-back-and-forth-between-2-flags-in-high-wind-on-mountain-good-crisp-fabric-detail bbc_animals--h_07024150 horses resting bbc_700-people_07010060 bbc_atmosphere_07030054 505272__diegolar__surrounded-by-horse close perspective 464490__elynch0901__human-knocked-over 427972__lipalearning__male-grunt 365676__mr-alden__dinner-table-ambience 344145__brokenphono__swig-of-whiskey-001 275581__hinzebeat__cutlery-throwing-2 155589__leafs67__walking-in-long-grass 139973__jessepash__crowd-yay-applause-25ppl-long 98055__tomlija__wine-bottle-break-2 82019__benboncan__distant-hunt-with-shots or countryside

Author Simon Jenkins described the Georgian kings not as monarchs but as princelings, who came to power not by the sword or politics but merely descent from a distant protestant mistress. They were mostly bewigged, powdered non-entities who couldn't even control their own children, nor say boo to a goose. The first, George I (1714-27), faced a perilous threat from the moment he stepped on British shores, the shadow of the Jacobites was widening. The foreigner would need to heavily rely upon his new British statesmen to ensure the House of Hanover would survive. Characters George I – King of Great Britain (1702-27), Elector of Hanover (1698-27) Sophia Dorothea of Celle – wife of George I (1682-94) Ernest Augustus – Elector of Hanover (1692-98), duke of Brunswick-Luneberg (1679-98), father of George I Sophia of the Palatinate – Electress consort of Hanover, former heir apparent to the British throne, mother of George I Prince George Augustus – son of George I Count Christoph von Konigsmarck – lover of Sophia Dorothea Melusine von der Schulenberg – mistress of George I Sophia von Kielmansegg – half-sister and companion of George I Mustapha and Mahomet – Turkish servants of George I Peter the wild boy – feral child brought to the court of George I Robert Walpole – British statesman, first de facto Prime Minister of Great Britain Charles Townshend – British statesman and ally of Robert Walpole James Stanhope – British statesman and chief minister (1717-21) Charles Spencer – British statesman and ally of Earl Stanhope Horace Walpole – son of Robert Walpole Duke of Shrewsbury – chief minister and Whig (1714) John Younger – dean of Salisbury James Stuart ‘the Old Pretender' – chief Jacobite claimant to the British throne James Butler, duke of Ormonde – Commander-in-chief of the British forces, supporter of the Jacobite rebellion (1715) John Churchill, duke of Marlborough – commander-in-chief of the British forces Henry St. John – leader of the Tories and supporter of the Jacobite rebellion (1715) John Erskine, earl of Mar – leader of the Jacobite rebellion (1715) John Campbell, duke of Argyll – senior commander of the British army during the Jacobite rebellion (1715) George Frideric Handel – Baroque composer Louis XIV – King of France (1643-1715) Louis XV – King of France (1715-74), great-grandson of Louis XIV Philippe II, Duke of Orleans – regent of France under Louis XV Giulio Alberoni – Spanish cardinal and statesman Philip V – King of Spain (1700-46) William III – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1689-1702) Anne – Queen of Great Britain (1702-14) James II of England and VII of Scotland – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1685-88) James I of England and VI of Scotland - King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1603-25) Simon Jenkins – historian Lord Chesterfield – contemporary statesman and writer Credits Suite in D major – The Water Music – George Frideric Handel bbc_18th-centu_07019161 bbc_period-bat_07019148 bbc_period-bat_07019002 bbc_large-outd_07019156 451958__kyles__flag-flaps-back-and-forth-between-2-flags-in-high-wind-on-mountain-good-crisp-fabric-detail bbc_atmosphere_07030054 97382__soundbytez__lion-distant 33658__sagetyrtle__laughter

Anne (1702-14) was described as stubborn, miserable, weak-willed, vapid, grossly obese. A woman of ordinary character. Yet, she became the first Queen of Great Britain. Her reign would have long-lasting consequences, the establishment of the Bank of England meant the nation was now punching above its weight. The nation became the military force not seen since the days of Edward III and Henry V. Within the fledgling kingdom of Great Britain, the economic and political base was built for the golden age of the 18th century. Characters Anne – Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1702-07), Queen of Great Britain and Ireland (1707-14) Prince George of Denmark – husband of Anne Prince William, duke of Gloucester – son of Queen Anne and Prince George Mary II – Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland (1689-94), sister of Anne William III – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1689-1702), Stadholder (1672-1702), prince of Orange James II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1685-88), father of Anne Anne Hyde – mother of Anne, first wife of James II Mary of Modena – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland (1685-88) Charles II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660-85), uncle of Anne Charles I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), grandfather of Anne Henrietta Maria – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), grandmother of Anne Henrietta Anne – Aunt of Anne, sister of Charles II and James II Sarah Churchill, duchess of Marlborough – courtier of Anne, keeper of the privy purse John Churchill, duke of Marlborough – captain general of the British forces, husband of Sarah Abigail Masham – courtier of Anne Henry Compton – bishop of London, one of the immortal 7 Lord Sidney Godolphin – First Lord of the Treasury Robert Harley – Chief Minister of Great Britain Henry St. John – Secretary of State and leader of the Tories Prince Eugene of Savoy – field marshal in the Holy Roman Empire Louis XIV – King of France (1643-1715) Sophia, Electress of Hanover – granddaughter of James I, heiress presumptive to the thrones of England and Scotland George, Elector of Hanover – son of Sophia, Anne's successor Daniel Defoe – writer, journalist and spy Jonathan Swift - satirist Credits The Prince of Denmark's march – Jeremiah Clarke 438405__craigsmith__g29-45-western-bar-fight 564664__garuda1982__lace-up-leather-boots-sound-effect 157121__slave2thelight__soup-slurp 377041__milankovanda__eating-soup 618113__nachtmahrtv__walking-through-dry-bushes 422582__martin-sadoux__countryside-at-the-night-crickets 437090__craigsmith__g52-22-carriage-and-voices 475499__o-ciz__steps-stone-2-running 408202__170084__small-metal-objects-shaken bbc_period-bat_07019147 4 bbc_18th-centu_07019158 NC 194982__soundmary__wild-horses-running

William III (1689-1702) had limited interest in the affairs of England, Scotland and Ireland. His interest lay in keeping the King of France at bay and would use England as weapon to achieve his goals. It was perhaps the king's indifference that allowed parliament to gain permanent supremacy over the nation leading to a remarkable transformation in the political and religious affairs of England. During William's reign, along with Mary II (1689-94) the parliamentary state was established, to this day it remains the enduring feature of the British political system. Characters William III – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1689-1702), Stadholder (1672-1702), prince of Orange Mary II – Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland (1689-94) James II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1685-88), father of Mary II Charles II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660-85), uncles of Mary II and William III Charles I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), grandfather of Mary II and William III Princess Anne – sister of Mary II William II – Prince of Orange, father of William III Mary – Princess Royal, mother of William III Anne Hyde – mother of Mary II, first wife of James II Mary of Modena – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland (1685-88) James Stuart – son of James II and Jacobite claimant Johan de Witt – Grand Pensionary of Holland Sophia, Electress of Hanover – granddaughter of James I, heiress presumptive to the thrones of England and Scotland Louis XIV – King of France (1643-1715) Phillip V – King of Spain, grandson of Louis XIV Leopold I – Holy Roman Emperor (1658-1705) Archduke Charles – son of Leopold I John Branston – Essex MP Adam de la Prynne – English antiquary John Locke – philosopher and enlightenment thinker Mary I – Queen of England (1553-58) Philip II – King of Spain, King of England (jure uxoris) Credits Sound the trumpet – Henry Purcell Man that is born a woman – Henry Purcell bbc_tennis--ha_07012117 IMSLP312077-PMLP237007-S001-02-hbr bbc_period-bat_07019001 5 194982__soundmary__wild-horses-running CREDIT

James II of England and VII of Scotland (1685-59) followed in the footsteps of his predecessors. He too, struggled with the scope and nature of government. He believed it his duty as a Roman Catholic prince to level the religious playing field and did not learn the lessons of the civil war. He woefully underestimated the power of parliament. His rule saw the beginnings of the modern British state and the ultimate death knell of absolute monarchy. Characters James II of England and VII of Scotland Charles I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), father of James Charles II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660-85), brother of James Henrietta Maria – Queen consort of England, mother of James Anne Hyde – Queen consort of England, 1st wife of James Mary of Modena – Queen consort, 2nd wife of James Princess Mary – eldest daughter of James Princess Anne – eldest daughter of James James, prince of Wales – son of James Oliver Cromwell – 1st Lord Protector of the English commonwealth Richard Cromwell – 2nd Lord Protector of the English commonwealth George Monck – English general Titus Oates – English priest and fabricator of the Popish plot Duke of Monmouth – illegitimate son of Charles II and claimant to the throne Earl of Argyll – Scottish peer and soldier, ally of the duke of Monmouth Nell Gwynne – mistress of Charles II Henry Compton – bishop of London Robert Spencer, earl of Sunderland – Lord President of the council William Penn – quaker and founder of the province of Pennsylvania John Churchill – English general and statesman William of Orange – Prince of Orange, husband of Princess Mary Louis XIV – King of France Henri de La Tour D'Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne – Marshall general of France Charles-Maurice Le Tellier – Archbishop of Reims Mary I – Queen of England and Ireland (1553-58) Henry VI – King of England (1422-61, 70-71) Richard II – King of England (1377-99) Edward II – King of England (1307-27) John Callow – Historian Gilbert Burnet - Historian CREDITS Courante – Henry Eccles Adagio – Henry Eccles 411087__jimsim__creaking-sailing-boat C 77696__benboncan__seven-bells-ship-time C bbc_700-people_07010060 202535__abolla__books01 bbc_footsteps-_07004171 168420__gurek__bushes-01 471761__lextao__48-cortandocarne bbc_babies---a_07011219 bbc_exterior-a_07044003 bbc_footsteps-_07004179 bbc_battle-cro_07019150 Soundmary – Wild horses 400632__inspectorj__ambience-seaside-waves-close-a 218488__danmitch3ll__distant-horns

Charles II (1660-85) was described by Ronald Hutton as the playboy monarch, naughty but nice, the hero of all who prized urbanity, tolerance, good humour, and the pursuit of pleasure above more earnest, sober or material virtues. Yet, like his grandfather he struggled to pay for it. Though Restoration England brought a new respect and freedom to the monarchy, the country had survived 11 years without the crown. He would test the patience of the establishment when his lifestyle and his faith drew him to the webs of Catholic Europe. Characters Charles II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland Catherine of Braganza – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland James, duke of York – younger brother of Charles II Charles I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), father of Charles II James I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1603-25), grandfather of Charles II Henrietta Maria – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland, mother of Charles II Henrietta Anne – younger sister of Charles II, duchess of Orleans Princess Mary – daughter of James, duke of York William of Orange – prince of Orange, husband of Princess Mary Oliver Cromwell – Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (1653-58) Richard Cromwell - Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (1658-59), son of Oliver Cromwell Thomas Fairfax – Parliamentarian commander and general of the New Model Army Prince Rupert of the Rhine – Royalist cavalry commander and colonial governor, cousin of Charles II George Monck – prominent English soldier John Lambert – Parliamentarian general Henry Ireton – Parliamentary general John Bradshaw - President of the High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I Colonel Thomas Blood – Anglo-Irish officer Titus Oates – English Priest who fabricated the Popish plot Israel Tonge – English divine who helped fabricate the Popish plot Edmund Godfrey – English magistrate Edward Hyde, 1st earl of Clarendon – Lord Chancellor The CABAL - Lord Clifford, Earl of Arlington, Duke of Buckingham, Lord Ashley, Duke of Lauderdale George Pendrell – Catholic royalist Nell Gwynne - mistress of Charles II Barbara Villiers – mistress of Charles II William Harvey – physician and tutor of Charles II Christopher Wren – architect responsible for rebuilding 52 London churches Isaac Newton – mathematician and physicist Robert Boyle – philosopher, chemist, and physicist Edmund Halley – astronomer, geophysicist, and mathematician Louis XIV – King of France, cousin of Charles II Samuel Pepys – Diarist and President of the Royal society John Evelyn – diarist and writer Gilbert Burnet – contemporary historian and philosopher Figures from the past Henry V – King of England (1413-22) Richard III – King of England (1483-85) Edward, The Black Prince – son of Edward III and heir to the English throne Elizabeth II – Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms (1952-present) CREDITS Henry Purcell – The Old Bachelor bbc_period-bat_07019147 bbc_large-outd_07019157 bbc_horses---h_07039290 bbc_dusk-choru_nhu9679545 bbc_rain---rai_nhu0506113 366713__anandthethird__digging-in-dirt 240914__bdvictor__wheat-in-the-wind 516685__supreme1197__washingface 173930__johnsonbrandediting__water-pour bbc_crowds-che_07035075

The Commonwealth of England - 1649-60 In a weary speech to parliament on 4 February 1658 Oliver Cromwell told MPs that ‘I would have been glad, as to my own conscience and spirit, to have been living under a woodside to have kept a flock of sheep, rather than to have undertaken such a place as this'. In the 1630s, Oliver Cromwell raised chickens and sheep for their eggs and wool. 20 years later he was offered the crown. He helped lead an army to defeat and execute Charles I, becoming one of the most successful military leaders in British history. He now led a country that had become a republic, it had sailed into unchartered waters. As the nation leaned on the leadership and dogged personality of Oliver Cromwell would it be strong enough to sustain the religious and political ideals upon which it had been founded? Characters Oliver Cromwell – 1st Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (1653-58) Richard Cromwell – 2nd Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (1658-59), son of Oliver Cromwell Charles I – King of England (1625-49) Charles II – King of England (1660-85), son of Charles I Thomas Fairfax – Commander of the New Model Army George Monck – Prominent military leader under the Commonwealth John Lambert – Prominent Parliamentarian and military leader Arthur Aston – Prominent Royalist and military leader, Governor of Drogheda Prince Rupert – Royalist cavalry commander, nephew of Charles I David Leslie – Scottish cavalry commander Praise-God Barebone – Puritan preacher and MP, gave his name to Barebone's parliament Menasseh Ben Israel – Portuguese rabbi John Morrill – Historian GM Trevelyan – Historian John Evelyn – contemporary writer and diarist Edward the Confessor – King of England (1042-66) Credits Music - The Old Bachelor - Henry Purcell chamonesteyn brush-strokes-on-a-canvas inspectorj ambience-seaside-waves-close-a richardemoore cw-battle-endsinvictory

For his obdurate and reckless governance Charles I (1625-49) faced an equally obdurate and formidable parliament and he lost. The monarchy too lost, yet Charles grasped a martyr's crown becoming the first saint of the Church of England. His reign may have contributed hugely to the destruction of the monarchy but his conduct during the trial and the dignity he displayed afterwards also helped maintain the prestige of monarchy and contributed to its ultimate restoration. CHARACTERS Charles I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland Henrietta Maria – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland, wife of Charles James I & VI – King of England, Scotland and Ireland, father of Charles Anne of Denmark – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland, mother of Charles Prince Henry – elder brother of Charles Elizabeth – Electress consort of the Palatinate, elder sister of Charles Prince Charles – son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria, heir apparent George Villiers – duke of Buckingham William Laud – Archbishop of Canterbury Roger Manwaring – anti-Calvinist bishop of St. David's Richard Montagu – anti-Calvinist bishop of Chichester Thomas Wentworth – earl of Stafford, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Prince Rupert of the Rhine - nephew of Charles, Royalist cavalry commander Parliamentarians John Eliot John Pym Denzil Holles William Strode Arthur Heselrig John Hampden John Rolle William Prynne – prominent Puritan and lawyer Oliver Cromwell – parliamentarian and military commander Thomas Fairfax – commander of the New Model Army Robert Devereux – earl of Essex, chief commander of the Parliamentarian army John Bradshawe – President of the High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I John Finch – speaker of the House of Commons (1628-29) William Lenthall – speaker of the House of Commons (1640-47) John Felton – army lieutenant and assassin Francis Bacon – Lord Chancellor Infanta Maria Anna – suitor for Charles I, daughter of Philip III of Spain Philip III – King of Spain Louis XIII – King of France, father of Henrietta Maria Ferdinand II – Archduke of Further Austria Peter Paul Rubens – Flemish poet and diplomat Henry VII – King of England (1485-1509) Edward III – King of England (1327-77) John Milton – contemporary poet and civil servant GM Trevelyan - historian CREDITS Juan Baptiste Lully – Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme Henry Purcell – The Old Bachelor 75201__robinhood76__01113-knight-fight-orginal Dan Mitch3ll – Wild Horses 267297__claudius__cellar-atmo-large-building 380825__komal22moiz__tug-boat-horn-sound-effect bbc_period-bat_07019005 bbc_period-bat_07019147 bbc_battle-cro_07019150 490800__jordishaw__stabbing-sound 408391__turchinoa__paper-crumple 151769__gnrja__storm-wind-2

James I's (1603-25) ultimate aim was to unite the kingdoms of England and Scotland under one banner. However, his belief in the divine right of kings meant his relationship with parliament would be bitter, sour and destructive, with consequences long outlasting the reign of the first King of Great Britain. CHARACTERS James I & VI – King of England and Scotland Anne of Denmark – Queen consort of England, wife of James Mary, Queen of Scots – Queen of Scotland, mother of James Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley – father of James Prince Henry – first son of James Princess Elizabeth – daughter of James Prince Charles – second son of James Frederick V – Elector Palatine of the Rhine, King of Bohemia, husband of Princess Elizabeth James Stewart, earl of Moray – uncle and 1stregent of James Matthew Stewart, earl of Lennox – grandfather and 2nd regent of James Earl of Mar – keeper of James and his 3rd regent James, Douglas, earl of Morton – 4th regent of James Esme Stewart, earl of Lennox – cousin and favourite of James George Buchanan – tutor of James Francis Stewart, Lord Bothwell – third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots Henry VII – King of England (1485-1509), great-grandfather of James Henry VIII – King of England (1509-1547) Elizabeth I – Queen of England (1558-1603) Robert Cecil – Secretary of State under Elizabeth I and James Francis Bacon – Lord High Chancellor Robert Carr, earl of Somerset – politician and favourite of James George Villiers, duke of Buckingham – politician and favourite of James Christopher Pigott – Member of Parliament Walter Raleigh – explorer and privateer William Parker, Baron Monteagle – peer who discovered the Gunpowder Plot Frances Howard – wife of Thomas Overbury and Robert Carr Thomas Overbury – wife of Frances Howard Hugh O'Neil – Irish lord and rebel Robert Catesby – chief architect of the Gunpowder Plot Guy Fawkes – mercenary and Gunpowder plotter Thomas Percy – gunpowder plotter Francis Tresham – gunpowder plotter Frederick II – King of Denmark and Norway (1559-88), father of Anne and Christian IV Christian IV – King of Denmark and Norway (1588-1648) Charles IX – King of France (1560-74) Louis XIII – King of France (1610-43) Henrietta Maria – wife of Prince Charles, sister of Louis XIII of France Philip III – King of Spain (1598-1621) Maria Anna – daughter of Philip III and suitor of Prince Charles William Tyndale – early Protestant reformer Edward II – King of England (1307-27) William Shakespeare – contemporary playwright Charles Dickens – 19th century writer John Philipps Kenyon – 20th century historian Music Rondo_in_'Abdelazar' Corelli sonata op5.12 – Follia Sonatori-Fiorentini

According to contemporary John Hayward, ‘no one knew better than Elizabeth I (1558-1603) the art of commanding men.' Even at 17 her tutor said the constitution of her mind is exempt from female weakness and she is endued with a masculine power of application. No apprehension quicker, no memory more retentive. With the nation perhaps more divided by religion than at any point in English history, the young Queen would require every ounce of skill, of nous, of guile afforded to her. CHARACTERS Elizabeth I – Queen of England Henry VIII – King of England (1509-47), father of Elizabeth, Mary I and Edward VI Edward VI – King of England (1547-53) Mary I – Queen of England (1553-58) Catherine of Aragon – 1st wife of Henry VIII, mother of Mary I Jane Seymour – 3rd wife of Henry VIII, mother of Edward VI Catherine Parr – 6th wife of Henry VIII Margaret Tudor – sister of Henry VIII, Queen consort of Scotland, wife of James IV, grandmother of Mary, Queen of Scots Mary Tudor – sister of Henry VIII, Queen consort of France, grandmother of Lady Jane Grey Mary, Queen of Scots – cousin of Elizabeth, Mary and Edward, Queen of Scotland, France and claimant to the English throne James VI – King of Scotland, son of Mary, Queen of Scots Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley – 2nd husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, father of James VI David Rizzio – confidant of Mary, Queen of Scots Lord Bothwell – 3rd husband of Mary, Queen of Scots Henry II – King of France (1547-59) Francois II – King of France (1559-60), husband of Mary, Queen of Scots Thomas Seymour – 2nd husband of Catherine Parr Edward Seymour – Lord Protector under Edward VI, brother of Thomas Seymour John Dudley – Lord President of the Council under Edward VI Lady Jane Grey – pronounced Queen of England (1554), cousin of Elizabeth, Mary and Edward Guildford Dudley – husband of Lady Jane Grey, son of John Dudley Thomas Wyatt – leader of the Wyatt rebellion Robert Dudley – Privy councillor, suitor of Elizabeth I, son of John Dudley William Cecil – Secretary of State, Lord High Treasurer Francis Walsingham – Secretary of State, Elizabeth's ‘spymaster' Christopher Hatton – Lord Chancellor of England Robert Cecil – Lord Privy seal, son of William Cecil Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex – nobleman, stepson of Robert Dudley Thomas Howard, duke of Norfolk – politician implicated in the Ridolfi plot Francis Drake – Explorer, captain and privateer Walter Raleigh – statesman and explorer Roberto Ridolfi – banker and agent who planned the Ridolfi plot Amy Robsart – 1st wife of Robert Dudley Philip II – King of Spain, former husband of Mary I Duke of Medina Sedonia – commander of the Spanish Armada Ivan the Terrible – 1st Tsar of Russia Francois, duke of Anjou and Alencon – suitor to Elizabeth I, son of Henry II, King of France Pius V – Pope (1566-72) Sixtus V – Pope (1585-90) William of Orange – leader of the Dutch revolt against the Spanish Juan Bentivollo – Italian who witnessed the Spanish Armada set sail Hugh O'Neil – Earl of Tyrone and Irish rebel John White – governor of Roanoke colony Virginia Dare – the first English child born in the New World William Adams – English explorer and western samurai William Shakespeare – playwright Christopher Marlowe - playwright Thomas Cranmer – Archbishop of Canterbury under Henry VIII and Edward VI Edmund Dudley – financial agent of Henry VII, father of John Dudley William Camden – contemporary historian Rosalind Marshall - Historian John Hayward - contemporary

Mary I (1553-58) led the only successful revolt in 16th century England becoming the first anointed Queen regnant. She had witnessed the decimation of the Roman Catholic church in England for her father's ultimate goal of siring a son. According to G.R. Elton, the vicious attack on her mother and her own bastardisation and the treatment of her religion ought to have turned Mary into a fierce instrument of hatred and vengeance upon ascending the throne but how merciful would be? CHARACTERS Mary I - Queen of England Philip - King of Spain, King of England (jure uxoris) Henry VIII – King of England (1509-47) Catherine of Aragon – Queen of England, mother of Mary I Anne Boleyn – Queen of England, 2nd wife of Henry VIII Jane Seymour – Queen of England, 3rd wife of Henry VIII Anne of Cleves – Queen of England, 4th wife of Henry VIII Catherine Howard – Queen of England, 5th wife of Henry VIII Catherine Parr – Queen of England, 6th wife of Henry VIII Edward VI - King of England (1547-53), brother of Mary I Princess Elizabeth – sister of Mary I Lady Jane Grey - cousin of Mary I, 9-day Queen, claimant to the English throne Guildford Dudley - husband of Lady Jane Grey John Dudley - Duke of Northumberland, de facto Lord Protector under Edward VI Robert Kett - leader of Kett's rebellion Mary - Queen of Scots, cousin of Mary I Thomas Cranmer – Archbishop of Canterbury under Henry VIII Reginald Pole - Archbishop of Canterbury under Mary I Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley - Anglican bishops under Edward VI Charles V – Holy Roman Emperor, father of Philip II

At the beginning of 1553, Henry VIII's only son King Edward VI was dying. For the first time in English history all potential claimants were women. Henry's daughters Mary and Elizabeth, and their cousins Jane Grey (1553) and Mary, Queen of Scots. For the first time in history, England would have a Queen regnant. Partisan councillors would jockey for position in order to secure their own futures and the religious destiny of the nation. CHARACTERS Lady Jane Grey – Queen of England (disputed) Guildford Dudley – husband of Lady Jane Grey Henry VIII – Jane great uncle and King of England (1509-47) Edward VI – Jane's cousin and King of England (1547-53) Henry Grey, duke of Suffolk – father of Lady Jane Grey Frances – mother of Lady Jane Grey Mary – daughter of Henry VIII Elizabeth – daughter of Henry VIII Mary, Queen of Scots – cousin of Lady Jane Grey Edward Seymour, duke of Somerset – Lord Protector under Edward VI John Dudley, duke of Northumberland – president of the council under Edward VI, father of Guildford Dudley Thomas Cranmer – Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Seymour – brother of Edward Seymour and husband of Catherine Parr Thomas Harding – tutor of Lady Jane Grey, family chaplain John Aylmer and Michelangelo Florio – tutors of Lady Jane Grey Catherine of Aragon – 1st wife of Henry VIII, mother of Mary Anne Boleyn – 2nd wife of Henry VIII, mother of Elizabeth Catherine Howard – 5th wife of Henry VIII Catherine Parr – 6th wife of Henry VIII Alison Plowden – Historian Richard II – King of England (1377-99) Henry IV – King of England (1399-1413), known as Henry Bolingbroke before his reign CREDITS Alfonso Ferabosco – Amor Mia Sprona BalGas9 gidion owi-spit aarnnoo – woman crying metzik – medieval market

In 1547, the last minority in English history was formed for 9 year old Edward VI (1547-53). After the titanic reign of his father Henry VIII, a contemporary may have wondered if the country may be engulfed in civil war once more.Had the rampant religious and administrative upheaval been possible due to the colossus at the helm? Would the country accept such terms under a new king? Or would the country yield to the familiar squabbles of grasping councillors?If there were nerves, they were hidden on the 20th February 1547 when the 9-year-old walked through the nave of Westminster Abbey. The nation stood on a precipice and history was not on their side. CHARACTERS Edward VI – King of England Henry VIII – King of England, father of Edward VI (1509-47) Jane Seymour – Queen of England, mother of Edward VI, 3rd wife of Henry VIII Princess Mary – half-sister of Edward VI Princess Elizabeth – half-sister of Edward VI Catherine Parr – Queen of England, 6th wife of Henry VIII Edward Seymour, duke of Somerset – Lord Protector, uncle of Edward VI Thomas Seymour – uncle of Edward VI, brother of Edward Seymour John Dudley, duke of Northumberland – Lord President of the Council Thomas Cranmer – Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Wriothesley – Lord Chancellor Hugh Latimer – Bishop of Worcester William Paget – statesman and ally of Edward Seymour, duke of Somerset Thomas Cromwell – Chancellor of the Exchequer under Henry VIII John Cheke and Richard Cox – Tutors of Edward VI Thomas Howard, duke of Norfolk – nobleman and uncle of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard Robert Kett – leader of Kett's rebellion Lady Jane Grey – cousin of Edward VI Mary, Queen of Scots – Queen of Scotland Francis – French dauphin, husband of Mary, Queen of Scots Richard Chancellor – explorer Ivan the Terrible – First Tsar of Russia Edmund Dudley – financial agent of Henry VII, father of John Dudley, duke of Northumberland Robert Dudley – son of John Dudley, duke of Northumberland Guildford Dudley – son of John Dudley, duke of Northumberland, husband of Lady Jane Grey Anne Boleyn – Queen of England, 2nd wife of Henry VIII Catherine Howard – Queen of England, 4th wife of Henry VIII Henry VII – King of England, grandfather of Edward VI (1485-1509) Henry VI – King of England (1422-61, 70-71) Richard II – King of England (1377-99) CREDITS Charpentier – Prelude aue dem Te Deum 2019 Tielman Susato – La Mourisque freesound.org jg booysen – pistol gunshot anton – dog bark Staffordshire bull terrier robin hood 76 – sledge ride 1 tiisetso – scrubbing floor mushroomjesus – baby noises 2-3 month old j-zazvurek – woman scream 5 roxis boy – chain rattling 2 hinzebeat – plate with cutlery f-r-a-g-i-l-e – medieval lute chords nickh69 -quill and parchment tim Kahn – footsteps bare feet soundmary – wild horses running

Does Juana Loca (Joanna the Mad) Queen of Castile (1504-55) and Aragon (1516-55) deserve her title? Was she really unfit for rule or was she merely a victim of her father's, her husband's and her son's political machinations? Find out with Cristina Sanchez Gomez. CHARACTERS (names in Spanish) Juana - Queen of Castile (1504-55) and Aragon (1516-55) Fernando II - King of Aragon (1479-1516), King of Castile (jure uxoris) (1475-1504), father of Juana Isabel I - Queen of Castile (1474-1504), Queen consort of Aragon (1479-1504), mother of Juana Philip - King of Castile (1506), husband of Juana Catherine of Aragon - Queen consort of England (1509-33), sister of Juana, first wife of Henry VIII of England Charles - King of Castile and Aragon (1516-66), Holy Roman Emperor (1519-56), son of Juana

Henry VIII (1509-47) was described by historian Simon Jenkins as the ‘Hercules of English history – part tyrant, part polymath, part renaissance prince, who tore up the Plantagenet rulebook'. He was a prolific builder of English monarchy giving the nation a new identity, free from the shackles of Rome. His impact on religion, on government and on society was unprecedented, leaving a significant imprint on 21st century Britain. His countless iniquitous deeds, his disastrous marriages and the gratuitous purges of his foes and friends alike have done more to amalgamate his greatness than to tarnish is colossal legacy. CHARACTERS Henry VIII – King of England Catherine of Aragon – Queen of England Anne Boleyn – Queen of England Jane Seymour – Queen of England Anne of Cleves – Queen of England Catherine Howard – Queen of England Catherine Parr – Queen of England Henry VII – King of England (1485-1509), father of Henry VIII Elizabeth of York – Queen of England, mother of Henry VIII Prince Arthur – eldest son of Henry VII Mary - Queen of France, daughter of Henry VII Margaret Tudor – daughter of Henry VII, Queen of Scotland, wife of James IV Princess Mary – daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon Princess Elizabeth – daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn Prince Edward – son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour Thomas Wolsey – Lord Chancellor Thomas More – Lord Chancellor Thomas Cromwell – Chancellor of the Exchequer Thomas Cranmer – Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Howard, duke of Norfolk – nobleman and uncle of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard Anthony Denny – Groom of the stool to Henry VIII Edmund Dudley and Richard Empson – financial agents of Henry VII Martin Luther – leading figure of the Protestant Reformation William Tyndale - leading figure of the Protestant Reformation Robert Aske – lawyer and leader of the Pilgrimage of Grace Margaret Pole – daughter of George, duke of Clarence Elizabeth Blount – mistress of Henry VIII Henry FitzRoy – illegitimate son of Henry VIII and Elizabeth Blount Mary Boleyn – mistress of Henry VIII and sister of Anne Thomas Culpeper – courtier of Henry VIII and associate of Catherine Howard Francis Dereham - courtier and associate of Catherine Howard Ferdinand II of Aragon – King of Aragon and Castile Charles V – Holy Roman Emperor Louis XII - King of France Francis I – King of France James IV – King of Scotland James V – King of Scotland Simon Jenkins – Historian Thomas Wyatt – contemporary politician Lord Mountjoy – contemporary Characters referenced from the past Edward III, King of England (1327-77) Henry V, King of England (1413-22) Edward IV, King of England (1461-70, 71-83) George, duke of Clarence – brother of Edward IV Thomas Becket – Archbishop of Canterbury under Henry II CREDITS John Dowland - The King of Denmark's galliard Tu es Petrus – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Roxis boy – chain rattling hinzebeat – plate with cutlery kyles – window small trailer rv glass smash with an axe debris fall metal grill bulbastre – wooden boat row water arthni – clothing rustle sagetyrtle – distant cheer inspector – fireworks distant b bockelsound – glas weinglas einschenken trinken abstellen craigsmith – r09-12 wooden thuds and slams 1skyland – walking on grass soundmary – wild horses running danmitch3ll – distant horns jergonda – hangmans rope black snow – sword slice 5 ensasz – wooden door smash open Jordishaw – stabbing sound Tim Kahn - footsteps

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was the longest serving consort in British history. His commitment was remarkable with over 22,000 royal engagements. If Queen Elizabeth II is remembered as the greatest monarch in British history, it will be largely due to the support of her husband Prince Philip. On their golden wedding anniversary in 1997 she said, ‘Philip is a man who doesn't take too easily to compliments, he has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years and I and his family owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or he shall ever know.' CHARACTERS Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh – consort of the United Kingdom, husband of Queen Elizabeth II Princess Elizabeth/ Elizabeth II – Queen of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms (1952-present) Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark – father of Prince Philip Princess Alice of Battenburg – mother of Prince Philip Constantine I – King of Greece (1913-17, 1920-22) uncle of Prince Philip George I – King of Greece (1863-1913), grandfather of Prince Philip Louis Mountbatten – uncle of Prince Philip Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward – children of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Princess Margaret – sister of Elizabeth II Princess Diana – former wife of Prince Charles Prince William and Prince Harry – children of Prince Charles and Princess Diana Camilla, duchess of Cornwall – second wife of Prince Charles Meghan Markle – wife of Prince Harry Kurt Hahn – headmaster of Gordonstoun Victoria – Queen of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1837-1901)

According to the chronicler Vergil, ‘Henry VII's (1485-1509) spirit was distinguished, wise and prudent; his mind was brave and resolute and it never, even at moments of great danger, deserted him'. He was the last king to win the crown on the battlefield in one of the most significant moments in English history. But history does not remember him as a warrior but as a rather grey miser, as Vergil added, ‘all his virtues were obscured by avarice'. He was the only Tudor to be omitted from Shakespeare's plays yet by combining the white and red roses of York and Lancaster he brought an end to over 30 years of brutal civil war, to create a new flourishing hybrid, the Tudor rose, consolidating perhaps the most famous dynasty in English history. CHARACTERS Henry VII – King of England Elizabeth of York – Queen of England Prince Arthur – son of Henry and Elizabeth Prince Henry – son of Henry and Elizabeth, future Henry VIII Princess Katherine – daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Margaret Beaufort – Mother of Henry VII Edmund Tudor – Father of Henry VII Jasper Tudor – Uncle of Henry VII Owain Tudor – Grandfather of Henry VII Catherine of Valois – Grandmother of Henry VII, former Queen of England and wife of Henry V John de Vere, earl of Oxford – general loyal to Henry VII William Stanley – general sometimes loyal to Henry VII Henry Percy, the earl of Northumberland Edward Plantagenet, earl of Warwick – son of George, duke of Clarence Lambert Simnel – pretender to the throne, impersonated Edward Plantagenet Perkin Warbeck - pretender to the throne, impersonated Richard of Shrewsbury Margaret of Burgundy – sister of Edward IV, Richard III, duke of Clarence, aunt of Edward Plantagenet and Richard of Shrewsbury John de la Pole – cousin of Edward Plantagenet John Fisher – bishop of Rochester Edmund Dudley and Richard Empson – financial agents of Henry VII John Morton – financial agent and Archbishop of Canterbury Francis II, duke of Brittany Ferdinand II of Aragon Isabella of Castile Catherine of Aragon – wife of Prince Arthur Maximilian – Holy Roman Emperor James IV of Scotland Gerald Fitzgerald, earl of Kildare and Lord Deputy of Ireland Erasmus – Dutch philosopher and scholar of the Renaissance John Colet – scholar and Renaissance humanist Christopher Columbus – Italian explorer and navigator John Cabot – Italian explorer and navigator Vergil - Chronicler Edward Hall - Chronicler William Shakespeare - playwright Edward III – King of England (1327-77) Henry IV – King of England (1399-1413) Henry V – King of England (1413-22) Henry VI – King of England (1422-61, 70-71) Edward IV – King of England (1461-70, 71-83) Edward V – King of England (1483) Richard III – King of England (1483-85) John of Gaunt – son of Edward III George, duke of Clarence – brother of Edward IV and Richard III Richard of Shrewsbury – son of Edward IV Richard, duke of York – Yorkist claimant and father of Edward IV Owain Glyndwr – Welsh leader during War of Independence Elizabeth Woodville – Queen of England, wife of Edward IV Henry Stafford, duke of Buckingham – one-time ally of Richard III CREDITS John Dowland – Mistress Nichols Alman Lachrimae Byrd – Ave Verum Corpus Jergonda – hand mans rope Falconbeard – short toed eagle call Hazure – seagull Jordishaw – stabbing sound Tim Kahn – footsteps liamg sfx – battle cry 4 soundmary – wild horses running

The Holocaust was and remains one of the most unique, horrific and incomprehensible events of modern History. In this very special episode, I explore the causes, context and realities of History's greatest crime by interviewing the author Jeremy Dronfield about his book, The Sunday Times and Amazon No.1 Bestseller  ‘The Boy Who Followed His Father Into Auschwitz'. I am joined by a fellow teacher and my friend Tom Ferry. You can buy Jeremy's book through his website jeremydronfield.com and follow him on Twitter - @jeremydronfield The music was provided by Samuel J. Ferry - find him on Twitter - @sjferry Find the Kings and Queens Podcast on Twitter - @kingsqueenspod Finally, thank you to all the students who sent questions in for Jeremy.

Richard III (1483-85) has been portrayed as inhuman, tyrannical, treacherous and cruel. He had the monumental misfortune of character assassination by the dynasty that followed him determined to blacken his name. It will unquestionably be remembered as one of the most famous and consequential reigns in English history. CHARACTERS Richard III – King of England Edward IV – King of England, brother of Richard Edward V – King of England, son of Edward VI Anne Neville – Queen of England, wife of Richard III Elizabeth Woodville – Queen of England, wife of Edward IV George, duke of Clarence – brother of Richard and Edward Duke of York – Father of Richard Cecily Neville – Mother of Richard Prince Edward – son of Richard Richard of Shrewsbury – son of Edward IV Elizabeth of York – daughter of Edward IV Henry VI – former Lancastrian King of England Margaret – former Lancastrian Queen of England, wife of Henry VI Earl of Warwick – nobleman nicknamed the Kingmaker Earl Rivers – brother of Elizabeth Woodville, tutor and uncle of Edward V Duke of Norfolk – loyalist of Richard William Hastings – loyalist of Richard Duke of Buckingham – loyalist of Richard Ralph Shaa – pro-Ricardian theologian Sir John Cheyne – knight loyal to Henry Tudor William Brandon – Henry Tudor's standard bearer Earl of Oxford – commander loyal to Henry Tudor William Colyngbourne – covert ally of Henry Tudor Henry Percy – Earl of Northumberland Thomas Stanley – Earl of Derby, husband of Margaret Beaufort Charles VIII – King of France Chroniclers Dominic Mancini Vergil Francis Bacon Commynes Croyland William Shakespeare – playwright of Tudor England Characters from the past Richard II – former King of England Edward II – former King of England John of Gaunt – son of Edward III and ancestor of the Lancastrian claimants CREDITS Music: Winter Night by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ The Tudor Consort – 04 – Palestrina – Credo – Missa Sicut_lilium_inter_spinas Alanmckinney – JCB operating on construction site Black snow – sword slice Soundmary – wild horses running Dan Mitch3ll – distant horns eneasz – wooden door smash open metzik – medieval market Omar Alvarado – five heavy knocks on bedroom door 2 lg – torrential rain

Edward V (1483) was intelligent, articulate and ready to make the giant leap from a fresh-faced prince to a wily, formidable medieval king but even before his coronation could take place a pernicious scheme was set to take it all away. CHARACTERS Edward V – King of England, son of Edward IV Edward IV, King of England Richard, duke of Gloucester – Edward IV's brother, Edward V's uncle Richard of Shrewsbury – son of Edward IV, younger brother of Edward V Elizabeth Woodville – Queen of England, wife of Edward IV, mother of Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury Earl Rivers – brother of Elizabeth Woodville, uncle of Edward V William Hastings – nobleman and ally of Richard, duke of Gloucester Duke of Buckingham – nobleman and ally of Richard duke of Gloucester Ralph Shaa - theologian Chroniclers Dominic Mancini Thomas More – Lord Chancellor and Renaissance humanist in Tudor England Henry Gillingham Henry VI – former King of England Charles II – future King of England CREDITS Music: Winter Song by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Ryanlouis – digging in rubble spiritvoices - muffled girl ondrosik – quiet session talk bee09 – candle blow danmitch3ll – distant horns soundmary – wild horses running eneasz – wooden door smash open metzik – medieval market

Edward IV (1461-70, 71-83) represented everything Henry VI didn't. He offered courage, leadership and political intelligence but his promiscuous lifestyle and the overestimation of the power of his charm meant he was exposed to the sinister 15th century culture of deceit and treachery. CHARACTERS Edward IV – King of England (House of York) Elizabeth Woodville – Queen of England (House of York) Henry VI – King of England (House of Lancaster) Margaret of Anjou – Queen of England (House of Lancaster) George, Duke of Clarence – Brother of Edward IV Isabella Neville – Wife of the Duke of Clarence Richard, Duke of Gloucester – Brother of Edward IV Prince Edward – son of Henry VI (House of Lancaster) Duke of York – Descendant of Edward III, father of Edward IV and claimant to the English throne through the house of York Cecily Neville – mother of Edward IV Henry Tudor – young claimant to the throne (House of Lancaster) Earl of Warwick – powerful noble from the Neville family, nicknamed ‘the kingmaker' Richard Woodville – father of Elizabeth and chancellor John Woodville – brother of Elizabeth Louis XI – King of France Armagnacs – warring faction of the French Civil War and the hundred years war, fighting for the dauphin/Charles VII Burgundians – Warring faction of the French civil war and the hundred years war, initially fighting for the English claim for France Edward III – former king of England John of Gaunt – son of Edward III, focus for future descendants and claimants for the house of Lancaster Lionel, duke of Clarence - son of Edward III, focus for future descendants and claimants for the house of York Richard II – former King of England Henry IV – former king of England, grandfather of Henry VI Colin Richmond – Historian Phillip de Comine – Chronicler Thomas More – Chronicler Dominic Mancini - Chronicler CREDITS Music: Prepare for war by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License Shades – laugh women Audioman – multnomahfallsupperfallcalmwatertricklet Gnrja – storm wind 2 zimbot – longbowvolleys Soundmary – wild horses running Metzik – medieval market snaginneb – male grunt danmitch3ll – distant horns

Henry VI (1422-61, 70-71) was the antithesis of a warrior king, he was the first since the Norman conquest never to command an army. Yet it was his incompetence and inertia that contributed to the unbridled, unparalleled bloodshed of his deeply turbulent reign. CHARACTERS Henry VI – King of England Margaret of Anjou – Queen of England Henry V – Father of Henry VI, former King of England Catherine of Valois – Mother of Henry VI, former Queen of England Prince Edward – son of Henry VI John, Duke of Bedford – Regent of France under his nephew, Henry VI Humphrey, duke of Gloucester – Regent of England under his nephew, Henry VI Earl of Suffolk – stalwart of Henry VI Duke of Somerset – stalwart of Henry VI Duke of York – Descendant of Edward III, uncle of Henry VI and claimant to the English throne through the house of York Edward – son of the duke of York Jack Cade – Kentish rebel Earl of Warwick – from the Neville family, loyal to the house of York Charles VII – King of France Joan of Arc – French peasant who supported Charles VII Louis XI – King of France, son of Charles VII Armagnacs – warring faction of the French Civil War and the hundred years war, fighting for the dauphin/Charles VII Burgundians – Warring faction of the French civil war and the hundred years war, initially fighting for the English claim for France Charles VI – King of France, father of Charles VII and Catherine of Valois Edward III – former king of England John of Gaunt – son of Edward III, focus for future descendants and claimants for the house of Lancaster Lionel, duke of Clarence - son of Edward III, focus for future descendants and claimants for the house of York Richard II – former King of England Henry IV – former king of England, grandfather of Henry VI Robin Storey – historian John Wythensteed – chronicler CREDITS Music: Now we ride by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License Shades – laugh women Audioman – multnomahfallsupperfallcalmwatertricklet Gnrja – storm wind 2 zimbot – longbowvolleys Soundmary – wild horses running Metzik – medieval market snaginneb – male grunt danmitch3ll – distant horns

Picking up the reins of a deeply fractured country, Henry V (1413-22) transformed it into a united, dominant force. He believed strongly in the divine right of kingship and used it to reignite the hundred years war. Beloved and revered by future kings, his success in all facets of rule is unparalleled. According to historian KB McFarlane, he was perhaps the greatest man who ever ruled England. CHARACTERS Henry V – King of England Henry IV – Henry V's father, King of England Richard II – King of England, Henry V's cousin Edward III – King of England, great-grandfather of Henry V Prince Henry – son of Henry V and future Henry VI Catherine of Valois – Queen of England, wife of Henry V Mary de Bohun – former Queen of England, mother of Henry V John, Thomas, Humphrey – brothers of Henry V Charles VI – King of France, nicknamed the ‘mad king' The dauphin – son of the king of France and heir The Burgundians and the Armagnacs – rival factions seeking power in France Edmund Mortimer the elder – cousin of Henry IV and claimant to his crown Edmund Mortimer the younger – Nephew of Edmund Mortimer and potential claimant to Henry V's crown Owain Glyndwr – Welsh leader and rebel under Henry IV Harry Hotspur – Rebel under Henry IV, tutor to Henry V Richard Scrope – Archbishop of York, rebel under Henry IV The Lollards – Religious sect critical of the Roman Catholic church John Oldcastle – leader of the Lollards Thomas Walsingham – Chronicler and Benedictine monk Characters mentioned from the past Henry II – King of England in the 12th century Richard the lionheart – King of England in the 12th century CREDITS Music: Mjolnir by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License Music: Gavin Gamboa 08 – Duplex iii Metzik – medieval market mativve – mud leaves walking heavy shoe zimbot – longbowvolleys soundflakes – axe throwing hitting flesh dobroide – horse at walk visualaslyum – unsheathing a sword

DESCRIPTION The manner of Henry IV's (1399-1413) ascent not only consumed the king with almighty guilt for the rest of his life, accusations of his illegitimacy completely dominated his reign. So deep was the rift, so potent was the suspicion and so rampant was the opportunism that it served as a precursor for the violent theatre of the war of the roses. CHARACTERS Henry IV – King of England Richard II – King of England, Henry VI's cousin The Black Prince – Father of Richard II Edward III – King of England, father of the Black Prince and grandfather of Henry IV and Richard II John of Gaunt – Duke of Lancaster, father of Henry VI Blanche of Lancaster – Mother of Henry VI Prince Henry – son of Henry IV and the future Henry V Rebels Edmund Mortimer – cousin of Henry IV and claimant Owain Glyndwr – Welsh leader Earl of Northumberland Harry ‘Hotspur – son of the earl Richard Scrope – Archbishop of York Lords Appellant – group of nobles who sought to restrict rule of Richard II and impeach his favourites at court. Included Henry and Thomas Mowbray The Lollards – critics of the Roman Catholic church Thomas Walsingham – Chronicler and Benedictine monk William Rees - Historian Characters mentioned from the past Saint Thomas Becket – Archbishop of Canterbury assassinated apparently on the orders of King Henry II in 1170. King William the Conqueror King Henry I King Henry II King Edward I – longshanks King Edward II Matilda – daughter of Henry I and claimant to the English throne CREDITS Music: Grundar by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License Danmitch3ll – distant horns rickaldo09 – olive oil xserra – notre dame paris 1 Soundmary – wild horses running zimbot – longbowvolleys

An era of camaraderie, chivalry and glory was a distant memory. Richard II's (1377-99) reign demonstrated just how rapidly tethered royal powers of post-Magna Carta could be dashed, how deep schisms could be dug and how susceptible England still was to absolute tyranny. CHARACTERS Richard II – King of England The Black Prince – Father of Richard II Edward III – King of England, father of the Black Prince and grandfather of Richard II John of Gaunt – Duke of Lancaster, son of Edward III, uncle of Richard II Robert de Vere – earl of Oxford, companion of Richard II Michael de la Pole – Chancellor, companion of Richard II Anne of Bohemia – Queen of England, wife of Richard II Edward II – King of England, father of Edward III Edward the Confessor – King of England in the 11th century Lords Appellant – group of nobles who sought to restrict rule of Richard II and impeach his favourites at court Duke of Gloucester – son of Edward III Earl of Arundel Earl of Warwick Thomas Mowbray Henry Bolingbroke – cousin of Richard II, son of John of Gaunt John Wycliffe – leader of the lollards – critics of the Catholic church John Ball – radical priest and leader of the Peasant's revolt Wat Tyler – Kentish leader of the Peasant's revolt Jack Straw – Essex leader of the Peasant's revolt Thomas Walsingham – Chronicler and Benedictine monk Simon Burley – Tutor of Richard II CREDITS Music: Blacksmith by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License Metzik – medieval market Tim Kahn – Cheering Sergenious – bridge Tim Kahn – cupboard creak Juan merie venter – cupboard door soundsforhim – knife sword stab 2 Juan merie venter – dog bark

Edward III (1327-77) combined the regal majesty of Henry the third and the military prowess of Edward longshanks in marshaling the cult of chivalry. It produced the most glorious age in English history. CHARACTERS Kings of England Edward III Edward II – Father of Edward III Edward I (Longshanks) – Father of Edward II Henry III – Father of Edward I (Longshanks) John – Father of Henry III Richard the Lionheart – Brother of John Queen Philippa – Wife of Edward III Queen Isabella – Mother of Edward III and wife of Edward II Roger Mortimer – lover of Isabella, earl of March and de facto ruler of England Edward of Woodstock (The Black Prince) – son of Edward III John of Gaunt – son of Edward III William Montagu – friend of Edward III Thomas, earl of Lancaster Richard of Bordeaux – son of Edward of Woodstock (The Black Prince) Scotland Robert the Bruce – King of Scots David Bruce – King of Scots, son of Robert Edward Balliol – King of Scots, son of John John Balliol – King of Scots Kings of France Charles V John II Philip VI Charles IV Chroniclers Henry Knighton Jean le Bel Jean de Vallette King of Bohemia CREDITS Music: Celebration by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Akrythael – bard melody Sergenious – bridge aarnnoo – woman crying enaesz – wooden door smash open soundmary – wild horses running danmitch3ll – distant horns vedas – fight fighting men liamg sfx – battle cry 4 zimbot – longbow volleys

I interview Heather Darsie about her new book - 'Anna, Duchess of Cleves: The King's Beloved Sister'. We talk about her life as a young princess before becoming the Queen and wife of the King of England, the mighty Henry VIII. You can buy her book here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anna-Duchess-Cleves-Beloved-Sister/dp/1445677105 You can follow her on twitter here - @HRDarsieHistory

Edward II's (1307-27) reign was plagued with military and political incompetence. He was concerned not with the deeds of chivalry but in fulfilling his own desires. So dangerous were the men he allowed to control him that it bred a sinister and violent culture not seen in England for centuries. Characters Edward II - King of England Edward I (longshanks) - Father of Edward II and former King of England Isabella of France - Queen of England, Princess and daughter of Phillip IV, King of France Henry III - Father of Edward I and former King of England Piers Gaveston - Gason noble, earl of Cornwall and favourite of the King Earl of Lancaster - the King's cousin and a powerful noble Roger Mortimer - noble and ally of the earl of Lancaster Robert the Bruce - King of Scots Simon de Montfort - revolutionary noble from Henry III's court Giles d'Argentan - legendary knight Despenser senior and Despenser junior - nobles and favourites of the King Prince Edward - Edward II's son and heir Phillipa of Hainault - betrothed to Prince Edward Christopher Marlowe - Elizabethan playwright CREDITS Music: Borgar by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ soundsnap.com freesound.org leady – horse scene jgriffie919 – blunt force impact kessir – wooden spinning wheel dobroide – 20070325 – distant neigh mono soundflakes – spear penetration erikschenkel – laughing man 4 klankbeeld – audience becomes quiet 130525 dbkeebler – sfx struggle sinewave – rowing robinhood76_01741 – tortured man danmitch3ll – distant horns mrprofdrdickweed – riot crowd immersed in 5 tomlija – epic laughter ogsoundfx – footsteps walking in chainmail loop craftcrest – strong wind in the winter forest the sound of moving trees front soundflakes – axe throwing hitting flesh

Edward I – Longshanks (1272-1307) is one of the most important monarchs in English history. No other king left such a mark on the island of Britain. There were no bounds to his determination and to his malice. He treated Celts with belligerence sapping his own reign of wealth and peace. His reign saw the demolition of the last Welsh principality and brought Scotland to its knees. CHARACTERS Edward I – King of England Eleanor of Castile – Queen of England Edward of Caernarfon – the son of Edward I and the heir to the throne of England King Henry III – The old king and father of Edward I Simon de Montfort – rebel baron in the reign of Henry III Llywelyn ap Gruffudd – The Prince of Wales Dafydd ap Gruffydd – the brother of Llewelyn and briefly Prince of Wales John Balliol – King of Scotland Robert Bruce – Claimant to the throne William Wallace – Rebel to English rule and Guardian of Scotland Andrew Moray – Scottish rebel to English rule Earl of Surrey – English commander at Stirling Bridge Hugh de Cressingham – English commander and treasurer in Scotland Robert the Bruce – Son of Robert Bruce and later King of Scots Robert Burns – 18th century Scottish poet and lyricist CREDITS Music: Norôur by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Freesound.org Dobroide – horse at walk Soundmary – wild horses running Visualasylum – unsheathing a sword Vedas – fighting men Metzik – medieval market Mrprofdickweed – riot crowd immersed in 5 Samulis – chain rustler med3 Cgeffex – chopping wood 02 Jordishaw – stabbing sound Ajexk – beheading – sfx 2 Inspectorej – tearing newspaper b Ogsoundsfx – footsteps walking in chainmail loop Zimbot – longbowvolleys Ylearkisto – rajahdys Kallio rajaytetaan explosion a rock blasting stones pattering mix soundsnap.com