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Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........   What happens when a King goes wrong? The story of Henry VI and his battles with Edward IV continues as Charlie Higson tells the story of one of history's biggest power struggles. And you thought the Roy family were bad!!   Plus we hear about the formidable Margaret Of Anjou as we welcome back Helen Castor, author of She Wolves, Joan Of Arc & Blood & Roses and do remember that Charlie's book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is available NOW in all book shops. Yes! All of them! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six......... The story of Henry VI is a tangled one, intertwined with Edward IV and, not something to be rushed. So over the next two episodes, Charlie Higson unpicks the story of a man who became king, then was deposed only to become king again, only to be deposed.....again! It's a fascinating story which takes in a couple of wars, one civil and one against the French and even Joan of Arc makes an appearance. Helping Charlie make sense of all this is the excellent Helen Castor, author of Joan Of Arc and Blood & Roses and speaking of books, remember that you can still buy the book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee, a hardback volume lovingly created by Charlie, with sumptuous illustrations by his old pal Vic Reeves....or Jim Moir to be more precise. Available now wherever books are sold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five....... In this episode, Charlie Higson looks at the second-most famous Henry.....Henry V. As you'll hear, Henry was one tough bugger! Battle Of Agincourt? Easy! Arrow embedded in your face? 'Tis but a scratch! His reign was short but he got things done as you'll hear along with Charlie's proper historian this week, Dr Rory Cox, all round Henry V expert and author of Origins Of The Just War. And speaking of books, don't forget that the book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now, the perfect feast for your eyes as this podcast is a feast for your ears. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three. One Two Three Neds, Richard II, Henry's Four........ yes, welcome to the next batch of Henry's, starting with Henry IV. Forget what Shakespeare said. In this episode, you'll hear Charlie Higson continue his voyage through history with a story of a King who lived fast and died young without really achieving much, while this episodes proper historian, Ian Mortimer, author of 'The Fears of Henry IV: The Life of England's Self-Made King', argues that Henry was actually genuinely impressive. You can read more about Henry by popping to the bookshop, or going online and buying what can only be described as 'The Book Of The Podcast'. Willie WIllie Harry Stee is available now, with illustrations by Jim Moir and words by our very own Charlie Higson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three. One Two Three Neds, Richard Two........ Charlie Higson's canter through the Monarchy takes us to Richard The 2nd. You'd think by now that they'd have got the hang of this whole King thing. What to do. What not to do. Well, they hadn't and Richard II is a good example of the 'What Not To Do' category. Charlie's proper historian this episode sees the return of Helen Castor, author of 'She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth' and 'The Eagle & The Heart, The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV. And speaking of books, don't forget that Charlie's book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now, with illustrations by Jim Moir, or Vic Reeves as you may know him. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds..... Yes, its another chance to hear Charlie Higson reach the third of his Neds, Edward III and for once in our story he actually turned out to be a half decent king, or so it was thought at the time. Find out how he contended with fighting the Scots, the French and the Black Death. Charlie's proper historian this episode is Helen Carr, author of the best-selling book The Red Prince: John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. And speaking of books, don't forget that the book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now, the perfect feast for your eyes as this podcast is a feast for your ears. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds..... So goes the rhyme Charlie Higson learnt at school, each a Monarch and each seemingly unable to learn any lessons from their predecessor, as ably demonstrated by this episode's King, Edward The 2nd. Find out how his disastrous relationships, especially with Piers Gaveston gave rise to his downfall at the hands of his own wife Queen Isabella which led to a particularly unpleasant end. Charlie's proper historian this episode is Dr Rory Cox, author of Origins of the Just War: Military Ethics and Culture in the Ancient Near East And just in case you DIDN'T unwrap a copy of Charlie's book-of-the-podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee on Christmas morning, well don't worry. Clicking the link below will get you one just as soon as the post starts up again. https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Alice Loxton joins Charlie Higson to talk about her new book, ‘Eleanor’. In 1290, England mourned the death of a queen, Eleanor of Castile, beloved wife of King Edward I, the warrior king. Her body was carried on a 200-mile journey from Lincoln to London, a solemn procession that would become immortalized in stone. To mark the places where it laid, a heartbroken Edward commissioned twelve magnificent Eleanor Crosses. More than seven centuries later, Alice Loxton set herself an epic challenge: following in history’s footsteps by walking the entire 200-mile funeral route on the corresponding dates and in this edition of Willy Willy Harry Stee, Charlie Higson chats with Alice about the journey and the writing of the book itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry, Dick, John, Harry Three, One Two Three Neds.........Well in this episode Charlie Higson concerns himself with Ned No.1..Edward The 1st, Edward Longshanks or The Hammer Of The Scots, although whilst he did a lot of hammering, the nails weren't really driven home very well. Charlie's 'Proper Historian' for this episode is the excellent Marc Morris, author of A Great & Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain and speaking of books, remember that you can still buy the book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee, a hardback volume lovingly created by Charlie, with sumptuous illustrations by his old pal Vic Reeves....or Jim Moir to be more precise. Available now wherever books are sold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this BRAND NEW episode from Charlie Higson, he mixes History and Cartography to bring you the authors of a book that shows that a map might not be the honest, accurate and useful tool you once thought. Born on Youtube, The Map Men has been an internet sensation and their new book 'This Way Up' is a funny and fascinating journey into the maps that messed up: big time! In this chat with Mark Cooper-Jones and Jay Foreman (aka, the Map Men) Charlie finds out how they got into the world of mad maps in the first place and digs into the book that takes a deep dive into the world’s most baffling and absurd map blunders, some innocent, but others not so! Remember that Charlie's book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is available NOW in all book shops. Christmas. Sorted!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry, Dick, John, Harry Three.........Charlie Higson continues his canter through the Monarchy and along with Henry, comes Simon De Montfort. Was Henry weak and inept while Simon held the real power? We'll find out as Charlie welcomes this week's proper historian, Sophie Therese Ambler  author of a biography of Simon de Montfort called - The Song of Simon de Montfort: England's First Revolutionary and the Death of Chivalry. If you'd like to read all about it, remember that this episode is a book companion to Willie Willie Harry Stee the book of the podcast. Beautifully written by Charlie and illustrated by Jim Moir, its available now, so go and snap one up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John.........Charlie Higson's romp through the middle ages lands on King John, who hasn't been fondly remembered. BUT...was he really that bad a King? Well, yes. He really was. In fact he was worse than we thought. Find out just how rubbish a monarch he was as Charlie digs into his hopeless life, together with this episode's proper historian, Professor Nick Vincent. And, while you're listening, why not order the book of the podcast! WIllie Willie Harry Stee with illustrations by Jim Moir, available at all book outlets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick....... In this episode, Charlie Higson explores Richard I, or to give him his popular name Richard The Lionheart. Noble, considerate and fair.....according to Walt Disney, however Charlie digs a little deeper and finds a King of England who, well, wasn't in England very much. With guest proper historian, the excellent Dan Jones, author of The Plantagenets & Essex Dogs to help him, Charlie uncovers the REAL Richard I. And remember, Willie Willie Harry Stee, the book of the podcast, is out now, so you can read about Richard as well as listen! https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry......yes, Charlie Higson reaches Monarch number 5 in the shape of Henry II, a man who fought and married his way to the top only for his wife and sons to rebel against him and start a revolt. What would you do? Well in this episode you'll find out exactly what Henry II did and how he did it. Helen Castor, author of 'She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth' is Charlie's guest 'proper' historian. Of course, you can also now read about Henry by buying the book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee. Available now in all bookshops, even the shabby ones. Buy it online here..... https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson Its the ideal Christmas gift. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The saga continues as Charlie Higson brings you the story of Stephen & Matilda. When Henry I died, the crown should have fallen to his daughter, the Empress Matilda. BUT Stephen of Blois got there first to claim the crown and together with his wife, a different Matilda, Matilda of Boulogne.....it all went horribly wrong as you'll hear. Charlie's proper historian guest is Cath Hanley author of Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior. And remember, Willie Willie Harry Stee, the book of the podcast, is out now, so you can read about Henry as well as listen! https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.