Rex Factor

Series 4 begins! We review our first nearly monarch, Æthelwold, a nephew to Alfred the Great (perhaps familiar to many from The Last Kingdom series) who challenged his cousin, Edward the Elder, for the throne. Largely dismissed by the official history, we find that his claim to the throne (and the threat he posed) was serious and he was able to find some impressive allies along the way. But will he have what it takes to kick off the new series with the Rex Factor? We are doing a live show in Ludlow on Friday 21 August 19:00 - come and see us compare the contenders for the throne in 1066 at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠ You can now watch the podcast via the link below: https://youtu.be/-laTvhxiXAo "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:03:11 ) Biography" "(00:25:09) Battleyness" "(00:41:19)

Just a quick update from us to let you know that we are going to be returning to Ludlow this year for another live show. Join us at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Friday 21 August at 19:00 for The Battle of 1066, as we pit the four contenders for the throne against each other and ask you to decide who should have been the king: Harold Godwinson, William the Conqueror, Harald Hardrada or Edgar the Ætheling. You can purchase tickets to see us live via the Ludlow Assembly Rooms website: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/rex-factor/ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As an introduction to our series on the nearly monarchs, we speak to Emily Perkins about her book Regina: The Queens Who Could Have Been, which looks at the queens who could have ruled if first-born daughters had been prioritised in the succession. Emily Murdoch Perkins’ book Regina: The Queens Who Could Have Been is available in all good bookshops, but if you want the gold foil shiny hardback, that’s a limited edition until June 2026, so grab it while you can! You can find out more about Emily at www.emilymurdochperkins.com Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠ You can now watch the podcast either on Spotify or on YouTube via the link below: https://youtu.be/l3PDsRAObME "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:02:48) Introducing Emily" "(00:03:30) Book Overview" "(00:10:18) Æthelflæd Lady of the Mercians" "(00:19:53) Marie of Blois" "(00:27:10) Margaret Tudor" "(00:43:37) El

It's time for a new series of Rex Factor! In this introductory episode, we explain the concept of the series (what is a 'nearly monarch'?), who the nearly monarchs are (i.e. the individuals we will be reviewing in the series), and how we might approach scoring them. Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 450 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠⁠ You can now watch the podcast either on Spotify or on YouTube via the link below: https://youtu.be/gVA8FeFf2qE "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:02:07) Series Concept" "(00:10:00) The Nearly Monarchs" "(00:21:48) The Factors" "(00:29:07) Correspondence Corner" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, after an introduction to the podcast, we review Offa, the eighth century king of an early English kingdom called Mercia. We learn about why he was not the first king of England, links to Charlemagne and the building of the famous Offa's Dyke, plus consider whether he has the Rex Factor. Please note - this episode is identical to the first episode in the feed (we are releasing it twice to act as an introductory episode for new listeners but also a new episode so regular listeners still see it in their feed!) Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 400 additional bonus podcasts:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor⁠ You can now watch the podcast either on Spotify or on YouTube via the link below: https://youtu.be/cisZM3Ro_jU "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:03:07) Biography" "(00:30:59) Battleyness" "(00:41:46) Scandal" "(00:52:08) Subjectivity" "(01:05:39) Longevity" "(01:06:24) Dynasty" "(01:07:44) Rex Factor" "(01:09:05) Fare

We chat to the historian David Woodman about his book The First King of England: Athelstan and the Birth of a Kingdom. He tells us about why Athelstan (not Alfred) should be considered England's first king, how Athelstan was able to exert so much power in England and Britain, plus gets us exciting for the upcoming millennium of the foundation of England. Head to David's website for more information about him and his work: https://www.dwoodman.co.uk/ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 400 additional bonus podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor "(00:00:00) Intro" "(00:02:30) Athelstan Becoming King" "(00:10:29) Athelstan as First King" "(00:15:14) Vikings" "(00:28:16) Athelstan's Laws" "(00:33:12) Athelstan and Religion" "(00:38:25) Emperor of Britain" "(00:49:57) Alfred vs Athelstan" "(00:56:52) Farewells" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We respond to some of your messages about all elements of the podcast, as well as share some previews of our bonus content. Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 400 additional bonus podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor "(00:00:00) Intro" "(00:01:30) Messages" "(00:37:57:) Previews" "(00:51:06) Farewells" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Available for all to listen, the recording of our live show at the Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Friday 15 August 2025 in which we pit the champions of the first three series of Rex Factor against each other: Henry II, Robert the Bruce and Eleanor of Aquitaine. In this recording, we compare Henry, Robert and Eleanor in the traditional fashion (biographies then factor by factor) before handing over to the audience to vote. Whilst the votes are counted, we have a Q&A before revealing the final results. Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 400 additional bonus podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor "(00:00:00) Intro" "(00:05:09) Live Show" "(01:12:26) Q&A" "(01:45:35) Results" "(01:47:53) Finale" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We welcome Gareth Russell back onto the podcast, this time to talk about his latest book Queen James: The Life and Loves of Britain's First King, looking at the life and reign of King James VI (of Scots) / I (of England), with a particular focus on his personal life and the six men with whom he was infatuated or in love. For more on Gareth, you can find him on X/Twitter (https://x.com/garethrussell1) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/_garethrussell) Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 400 additional bonus podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We go through the comments from the public vote in the Grand Finals of the play-offs, talking through the perspectives on the Nearly Rexy Consorts, Round One and Semi-Final Losers, Series 4 and Grand Final votes. Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 400 additional bonus podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor "(00:00:00) Introduction" "(00:03:33) Nearly Rexy Consorts" "(00:13:10) Round One Losers" "(00:24:12) Semi Final Losers" "(00:32:58) Series 4" "(00:44:15) Grand Final" "(01:02:21) Ending" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following the Grand Final Results, we take an in-depth look at how the public voted and just how close some of the results were. Graham explains all the stats and ranked choice voting, while Ali tries to figure out who everyone is. Come and see us live in Ludlow on Friday 15 August 19:00: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-factor-battle-of-the-champions/ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 400 additional bonus podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A champion is crowned... After six years and over 60 consorts reviewed, we are finally at the end. In today's episode, we reveal the results of the Nearly Rexy Consorts, Round One and Semi-Final Losers votes (deciding positions 5th to 19th in the series), Privy Councillor prize draws, the decision on what we will be doing in Series 4 PLUS the most important vote of all - who will be crowned the Series 3 Rex Factor champion? Emma of Normandy, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France and Katherine of Aragon are competing for the title but only one can be the winner. You can watch this episode via the link below: https://youtu.be/h8jssJAT1R8 Come and see us live in Ludlow on Friday 15 August 19:00: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-factor-battle-of-the-champions/ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including an ad-free version of the main podcast and over 400 additional bonus podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the first time, we are giving all the Rex Factor-winning consorts a final ranking for the series. In this episode, we are asking you to rank all of the consorts eliminated in the semi-finals of the play-offs, ranking them from 1st to 8th (though they will be competing for positions 5th to 12th). Have a listen to our review of all 8 and then cast your vote here: https://forms.gle/GEZoGzP7nLvft6qH6 If you havent' done so yet, please also vote to decide the overall series winner in the Grand Final. Find all the main play-off voting links at our website: https://www.rexfactorpodcast.com/consort-vote Sign up for lots of bonus content, including play-off extras such as a prize draw for a Zoom chat with Ali and Graham, a mini-play-off for the consorts who nearly got the Rex Factor, and to vote for what we do in series 4. All that and more here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor And finally, come and see us live in Ludlow on Friday 15 August 19:30: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-fact

For the first time, we are giving all the Rex Factor-winning consorts a final ranking for the series. In this episode, we are asking you to rank all of the consorts eliminated in the first round of the play-offs, ranking them from 1st to 7th (though they will be competing for positions 13th to 19th). Have a listen to our review of all 7 and then cast your vote here: https://forms.gle/NrCjh7mJtXE1p59o9 If you havent' done so yet, please also vote to decide the overall series winner in the Grand Final. Find all the main play-off voting links at our website: https://www.rexfactorpodcast.com/consort-vote Sign up for lots of bonus content, including play-off extras such as a prize draw for a Zoom chat with Ali and Graham, a mini-play-off for the consorts who nearly got the Rex Factor, and to vote for what we do in series 4. All that and more here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor And finally, come and see us live in Ludlow on Friday 15 August 19:30: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-fact

It's crunch time! Just four consorts remain to do battle in the Grand Final for English consorts to be crowned the Series 3 champion of Rex Factor. Will it be Emma of Normandy, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Isabella of France or Katherine of Aragon? The decision is entirely down to the public vote, so listen to this final run-down of the four finalists and then cast your vote via the link below: https://forms.gle/P4p25y7AYqxx6fwBA Come and see us live in Ludlow on Friday 15 August 19:30: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-factor-battle-of-the-champions/ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including play-off extras such as a prize draw for a Zoom chat with Ali and Graham, a mini-play-off for the consorts who nearly got the Rex Factor, and to vote for what we do in series 4. All that and more here: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We go through the stats from the public vote in the semi-finals of the play-offs, explaining how all of the groups finished as they did, plus go through the comments left by voters in the four semi-finals. Come and see us live in Ludlow on Friday 15 August 19:30: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-factor-battle-of-the-champions/ Sign up for lots of bonus content, including play-off extras such as a prize draw for a Zoom chat with Ali and Graham, a mini-play-off for the consorts who nearly got the Rex Factor, and to vote for what we do in series 4. All that and more here: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who will make it through to the Grand Final? Twelve will go down to four with today's results episode as we reveal the results of the four semi-finals as well as the Privy Council bonus play-offs for the Nearly Rexy consorts. Listen in or watch us reveal the results below: https://youtu.be/G8Q8RNWIO6M Sign up for lots of bonus content, including play-off extras such as a prize draw for a Zoom chat with Ali and Graham, a mini-play-off for the consorts who nearly got the Rex Factor, and to vote for what we do in series 4. All that and more here: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor Come and see us live in Ludlow on Friday 15 August 19:30: https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-factor-battle-of-the-champions/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We respond to some of your messages about all elements of the podcast, as well as share some previews of our bonus content. We are doing a live show! Join us in Ludlow on Friday 15 August 19:30 for the Battle of the Champions: ⁠https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-factor-battle-of-the-champions/⁠ On the day of release, there is one final day to vote for Semi-Final D in the play-offs: https://forms.gle/bSFXbecKNpueAFWJ9 Sign up for lots of bonus content, including play-off extras such as a prize draw for a Zoom chat with Ali and Graham, a mini-play-off for the consorts who nearly got the Rex Factor, and to vote for what we do in series 4. All that and more here: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are doing another live show! We are returning to the Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Friday 15 August 19:30 for The Battle of the Champions, as we pit our three series champions against each other: Henry II from series 1, Robert the Bruce from series 2 and whoever comes out on top in the consorts play-offs. Tickets are available now via the Ludlow Assembly Rooms website - we'd love to see you there! ⁠https://ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk/show/fringe-rex-factor-battle-of-the-champions/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the last of the semi-finals - who will be the final consort to make it to the Grand Final? Your contenders this week: Æthelflæd Lady of the Mercians, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Caroline of Ansbach. Rank them in order and help decide who makes it to the final! You have until Friday 30 May 23:59 (BST) to vote. Cast your vote via the link below: https://forms.gle/w4nx1fxU86ZVeBME9 Sign up for lots of bonus content, including play-off extras such as a prize draw for a Zoom chat with Ali and Graham, a mini-play-off for the consorts who nearly got the Rex Factor, and to vote for what we do in series 4. All that and more here: https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices