Rex Factor – Details, episodes & analysis

This time we review Wallis Simpson, the wife-but-not-consort of Edward VIII. There's lots for us to get our teeth stuck into: an independent spirit but not able to become queen; myriad rumours of scandals across the world plus an unhealthy dose of Nazi associations. Famous, notorious and compelling - but does she have that certain something? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first two episodes, we tackle one of the most controversial women in English royal history, Wallis Simpson. Technically not a consort, but her role in the Abdication Crisis and marrying the (former) King Edward VIII makes hers a fascinating and pertinent part of the story. In this episode, we tell her full life story, from growing up in Baltimore to marrying the king and having tea with Hitler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first of two episodes, we do a full episode just looking at the life and consortship of Prince Albert, husband to Queen Victoria, with a full review episode to come next time. One of the most famous names in British royal history, Albert has perhaps been overshadowed by the extensive memorialisation undertaken by Victoria after his death, so we put the realm man centre stage: how did he come to marry Victoria, what was his role as consort and was it really such a great romance? Head to https://www.patreon.com/rexfactor for ad-free episode and lots of bonus content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Edith of Wessex we come to the dramatic events of 1066 and the fall of the Anglo-Saxons. Edith was the daughter of the powerful earldoman, Godwin, sister to Harold Godwinson and queen consort to Edward the Confessor. Things got off to a shaky start with Edward, but Edith was able to establish herself as a powerful figure at court and tried to position herself for the succession. But when 1066 throws everything into chaos, will Edith be able to ride out the storm? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When is a consort not a consort? When she's Ælfgifu of Northampton! Ælfgifu was married to Cnut while he was king but it was his other wife, Emma of Normandy, who was considered the consort. We decide to take a look at events from Ælfgifu's perspective, revealing a remarkable woman who was for a long time Emma's chief rival, with her dramatic life taking her from a powerful midlands dynasty all across Cnut's North Sea Empire and back again in a battle for dominance. But does she count as a consort and does she deserve the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Emma takes us from the dark days of Vikings invasions under Æthelred the Unready to the threshold of 1066. Her remarkable and dramatic life saw her twice be Queen Consort, Queen Stepmother and Queen Mother! Emma was often forced to fight to retain her power as England veered between Saxon and Danish rule, but would she do enough to come out on top and gain the Rex Factor? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're back with the Saxons this week, reviewing Ealdgyth, consort to Edmund Ironside. Ealdgyth was from a prominent midlands family who fell out with King Æthelred the Unready in the difficult period of Viking invasions. We find out how these family links drove her into both danger and power amidst Saxon division and Viking invaders and decide what role she might have played in the. chaotic years of 1013-16. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We take a brief diversion from the Saxons to investigate the Viking consort of Sweyn Forkbeard, Sigrid the Haughty. Or is it? There is much debate about the true identity of Sweyn's wife (or wives) and whether Sigrid even existed at all as much of what we know of her comes from the Icelandic sagas. To help us unpack all of this and learn more about the sagas, we are joined by John and Andy from the Saga Thing podcast. Was Sigrid really Sweyn's wife? Did she really exist? And, most important of all, does she have the Rex Factor? Saga Thing is a podcast reviewing all the sagas of the Icelanders which you can find here https://sagathingpodcast.wordpress.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've back from a summer break! In this catch-up episode we explain why we've been busy (real life), read out some of your correspondence AND have an announcement about Rex Factor: The Animated Show. Without wanting to spoil the episode, we're asking you to help choose which queen (regnant) we should do next. The poll is open now and you just have one week (until Friday 13 September) to make your pick! Vote using the link below: https://forms.gle/M7rLsPAokKW6hs3S9 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's fair to say that we don't know quite as much about Æthelred the Unready's first consort, Ælfgifu of York, as we do about his mother (Ælfthryth) nor indeed his second consort (Emma of Normandy). We pick through what we can find about her and consider why there isn't more to go on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices