Afleveringen
-
As Charlie Higson continues his canter through history, he lands on Margaret Of Anjou, the powerful French woman who fought so hard for her husband, Henry VI when his rule was challenged in the Wars of the roses, and was called by Shakespeare "The She Wolf of France", in Henry VI part III.
As ever though, historical research tells a different story of a woman who was a better leader than many of her male contemporaries, as explained in this episode by Amy Licence, author of Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou: A Marriage of Unequals.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Whan that aprill with his shoures soote
The droghte of march hath perced to the roote,
And bathed every veyne in swich licour
Of which vertu engendred is the flour;
These lines, although difficult to understand, are from a key work in English literature. They have endured today, in part, thanks to a man called William Caxton, who chose a book called 'The Canterbury Tales' as the first book to be printed in England.
In this episode, Charlie Higson looks at the life and work of William Caxton - the founder of printing in England with his introduction of the printing press, the incredible invention that changed history in so many ways.
By homogenising regional dialects he changed the English language forever. His story affects us all.
To help Charlie cross the T's and dot the I's on Caxton's life, he is joined by Dr Kat Marchant, Postdoctoral researcher in early modern literature and culture and content creator for the Reading the Past YouTube channel.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
In this brand new episode of Willy Willy Harry Stee, Charlie Higson takes in the historical view from across the pond. What do Americans think of English history and how much do they know about it?
Are they really obsessed with the Royal Family? And Henry VIII? is the UK's thirst for history echoed over the Atlantic?
To help Charlie get some insight into the American historical mindset, he's joined by Lacey Bonar Hull, Doctor of Medieval & Tudor History, based in Ohio but educating people right across the USA, and engaging with people around the world through social media.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Henry V wasn't on the throne that long, BUT his big military gains in the Hundred Years War against France helped England position itself as one of the strongest military powers in Europe.
So why would we be interested in his little brother, John?
Well, quite simply, Henry V couldn't have achieved all he did without him! Supremely loyal, a great administrator and soldier, Henry relied heavily on his bro, John of Lancaster, Duke Of Bedford.
To help Charlie Higson understand more about this man of many talents, he is joined by Joanna Arman, author of Henry V's Brother - John of Lancaster, Regent of France.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
When you think of Oxford University, what springs to mind. A serious yet peaceful seat of learning, full of people in robes with nothing more on their minds than the study of Latin or Theology.
Certainly not a place of murder, of people being thrown into wells or drowned in privies!??!?
Well, that’s just what Charlie Higson thought of it too, until that is, he studied the life of John Wycliffe in a previous episode, because that’s when he discovered the Saint Scholastica’s Day Riots.
On the 10th February 1355 there was indeed a mass riot in Oxford which led to three days of rioting in which 63 students and about 30 townspeople were killed!
Charlie welcomes Professor Rory Cox back to talk about this amazing incident which put Oxford on the murder map over 600 years before Inspector Morse came along.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Happy Easter!
Right, that's enough of that, it's time to think about Christmas. It's a tricky time of year, knowing what to buy for friends and family.
BUT, Good News, Charlie Higson has solved all your problems by writing Willy Willy Harry Stee - An Epically Short History Of Our Kings & Queens
Yes, it's the book of the podcast and even better, you can pre-order your copy by clicking the link below!
In this special Easter episode, Charlie explains how a lockdown brain exercise became a hit podcast and now has spawned an epically short book, complete with illustrations by Jim Moir.
Buy it here. You know you want to....... https://www.waterstones.com/book/willie-willie-harry-stee/charlie-higson/jim-moir/9780008741051
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
We're still in the 14th century and in this episode, Charlie Higson is looking at the confusion that ensued after Edward III basically had too many sons.
His success in the bedroom created a tangled web of family intrigue, thwarted ambition and bitter rivalry that led to Richard II's cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, kicking him off the throne and taking over.
Assisting Charlie through this quagmire of power and revenge is Helen Castor, author of The Eagle & The Hart : The Tragedy Of Richard II and Henry IV
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
As Charlie Higson guides us through some of the fascinating folk who litter English history, he lands upon John Wycliffe, an academic, a philosopher, a priest, a preacher and a religious reformer who lived during the reigns of Edward III and Richard II.
A passionate reformer, he was behind the first translation of the bible to into English – creating the so called Wycliffe bible - one that didn't require a knowledge of Latin to read and understand.
In fact, you could even argue that Wycliffe’s ideas fed into the beginnings of socialism in the UK and the foundation of the welfare state.
Helping Charlie understand the man, he welcomes back Rory Cox, author of John Wycliffe on War & Peace
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
As he continues his romp through English history, in this episode Charlie Higson looks at the life and work of Geoffrey Chaucer.
A key figure in English social history and the history of English writing, Chaucer's greatest work is The Canterbury Tales, considered to be one of the pillars of English literature.
Charlie and his guest help us understand.......in some cases literally....Chaucer's work and life, and that guest is Marion Turner - J.R.R. Tolkien Professor of English Literature and Language at the University of Oxford and Chair of the English Faculty Board.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this episode, Charlie Higson looks at the development of English music - what we know about its early history and the way the sound and styles developed from the kind of monastic chanting in unison you get in Monty Python through the introduction of polyphony and harmony, to the wonders of Thomas Tallis, the first great English composer
Assisting Charlie on his musical odyssey is Robert Hollingworth, conductor, composer, broadcaster and leader of musical group I Fagiolini who uses music to demonstrate the changing sounds of England.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this episode, Charlie Higson delves into the life of a 12 year old girl bride, who went on to rule England.
Isabella of France led an invasion that ultimately resulted in the deposition of her King and husband, Edward II, in January 1327.
Isabella is a fascinating character and assisting Charlie to understand her motivation and drive, we welcome the bestselling historian Alison Weir, author of Isabella: She-Wolf of France, Queen of England.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this episode, Charlie Higson uncovers a bromance. In fact he uncovers TWO bromances, both involving King Edward II.
If the names Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despencer don't mean anything to you now, listen on, for it is a tale of male bonding that ultimately ends in the death of two of the Kings best friends, people to whom he'd given way too much power.
And what a death for one of them!
Helping Charlie pick through the hanging, drawing and quartering is Helen Carr author of The Red Prince; The life of John Of Gaunt, Duke Of Lancaster as well as the forthcoming book Sceptred Isle, a new history of the 14th century.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this episode, Charlie Higson heads north of the border.
Joined by eminent Scottish historian Alistair Moffat, Charlie discovers the truth behind Macbeth and tracks a path from him, (don't believe anything Shakespeare told you!), through to the decisive victory for Robert The Bruce at The Battle Of Bannockburn.
As well as the excellent stories he tells on this podcast, Alistair Moffat's book Bannockburn: The Battle for a Nation is required reading for anyone interested in this gripping tale.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this episode, Charlie Higson gets properly acquainted with the great knight and statesman, Simon De Montfort, who started out originally as one of Henry III's chief supporters but became increasingly enraged by how badly he thought Henry was running the country.
Inevitably this led to wars and power struggles as de Montfort ended up leading the opposition to Henry as head of the baronial forces, trying to depose him, or at least curb his powers.
It's a fascinating story and to help Charlie through the slings and arrows, he welcomes back Dr Sophie Therese Ambler, author of The Song of Simon de Montfort: The Life and Death of a Medieval Revolutionary
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
So when did The British Empire begin? Well, the idea of it was probably much earlier than you think and in this episode Charlie Higson is going to be asking questions about a time in English history when English monarchs seriously started looking at colonising other nations.
And to assist Charlie in his quest, he's invited James Hawes back on the show. James is the author of The Shortest History of England and as well as looking at Empire, he also explains how England has been - and in many ways still is - split between a French elite and an English man in the street.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this third series of Willy Willy Harry Stee, Charlie Higson is looking at the interesting characters who pop up alongside the monarchs and there are few more interesting than Eustace The Black Monk.
Don't be fooled by the 'Monk' part of his moniker. Eustace was a Pirate, a Mercenary and other very un-Monk-like things.
To help Charlie tell his fascinating tale, he's joined by Dr Sean McGlynn, author of Blood Cries Afar: The Forgotten Invasion of England and Kill Them All: Cathars and Carnage in the Albigensian Crusade.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this episode, Charlie Higson uncovers the rather amazing story of King Louis Of England.
"Who's that", you say? Well, just over 800 years ago Louis, son and heir of the king of France, rode through the streets of London and was acclaimed king of England by cheering crowds.
And yet you've probably not heard of him. Well, lucky for us, Cath Hanley is something of an expert on Louis having written the excellent book Louis: The French Prince who invaded England and she returns from her guest appearance in Series 1 to discuss the king we never knew we had.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
Imagine the scene. You're the king but through tragic circumstances you have no legitimate male heirs. To maintain the lineage, you agree with those in power that your daughter would become Queen on your death. They all agree. Jobs a good 'un.
That is until you die and your daughter's pesky cousin, a bloke, nips in and steals the crown.
Farfetched? Not at all and in this episode, Charlie Higson uncovers the life of the woman who had the throne pinched from under her, Empress Matilda.
To assist Charlie, he is joined once again by best-selling author and historian Helen Castor, author of She Wolves and last year's acclaimed The Eagle & The Hart - The Biography of Richard II.
Oh and if you haven't listened to Episodes 5 & 6 of the first series of Willy Willy Harry Stee, you might want to start there, it tells the story of Matilda's father, Henry I and her throne-stealing cousin, Stephen.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this episode, Charlie Higson turns his attention to an incredible figure, William Marshall, dubbed The Greatest Knight In Christendom and it's easy to see why.
Not only did he live into his 70's, amazing considering he was born in 1146, but he served 5 kings at a time when life expectancy in a royal court was, well, limited.
Joining Charlie is Sophie Therese Ambler, author of a biography of Simon De Montfort, the man who led a rebellion against King Henry III, the last King that William Marshall served.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
-
In this special Medieval guest-fest, Charlie Higson welcomes not one but THREE fabulous historians to the show, recorded live in front of an audience at the British Library, as part of Medieval Fest! which took place in December 2024.
The discussion was 'How To Depose A Medieval Ruler', and Charlie was joined by a star-studded team of experts – Nathen Amin (Son of Prophecy: The Rise of Henry Tudor), Helen Castor (The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV) and Lubaaba Al-Azami (Travellers in the Golden Realm: How Mughal India Connected England to the World)
It's a chance to take a deep dive into medieval plots, conspiracies and power.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Laat meer zien
