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Explore every episode of the podcast Willy Willy Harry Stee...

Dive into the complete episode list for Willy Willy Harry Stee.... Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
The Willy Willy Pub Quiz!29 Aug 202400:25:41

To end our series of short episodes, Charlie Higson brings you the much anticipated Willy Willy Harry Stee Pub Quiz!


So gather round your family and friends and see how many you get right in the King of all Quizzes!

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Willy Willy Shorts - The Origin Of Language29 Aug 202400:22:52

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, Charlie looks at the origins of many words we use everyday without knowing why.

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Willy Willy Shorts - The Cat, The Rat & Lovell The Dog15 Aug 202400:04:53

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, explains why Richard III was The Hog and why Viscount Frances Lovell was The Dog.

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Willy Willy Shorts - Royal Ceremonial Regalia14 Aug 202400:06:45

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, Charlie talks is through the ceremonial regalia that has been used over the years.

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Willy Willy Short - The Hashashin13 Aug 202400:04:52

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, Charlie looks at the middle east and examines the myth of it's peaceful past prior to the Crusades.

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Willy Willy Shorts - Time Immemorial12 Aug 202400:07:04

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, Helen Castor reveals the origin of the phrase 'Time Immemorial'.

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Willy Willy Shorts - What Is History11 Aug 202400:04:53

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, Ian Mortimer, author of The Time Traveller's Guide books chats with Charlie Higson about what 'history' actually is and give his views on what it isn't.

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BONUS EPISODE - Alice Loxton08 Aug 202400:39:19
In this special bonus episode, Charlie Higson welcomes the splendid Alice Loxton back to the podcast, this time to discuss her latest book '18 - A history Of Britain In 18 Young Lives'

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Willy Willy Shorts - Elephant & Castle07 Aug 202400:04:46

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, Charlie explain how popular legends can sometimes be less than accurate and how Elephant & Castle in London is nothing to do with Eleanor of Castile.

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Willy Willy Shorts - East & West06 Aug 202400:12:10

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, Charlie explores the evolution of accents.

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Willy Willy Shorts - Surnames05 Aug 202400:06:01

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy.


In today's episode, what's in a surname?

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Willy Willy Shorts - The Illegitimates04 Aug 202400:15:09

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy.


In this first episode, Charlie looks at how some English Kings were able to produce vast numbers of illegitimate children, while singularly failing to produce legitimate heirs.

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Willy Willy Shorts - The alternative rhyme27 Aug 202400:08:56

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, Charlie's diversion concerns the actual rhyme that inspired the podcast. Willy Willy Harry Stee, or rather an alternative version which requires a lot of learning.

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BONUS EPISODE - The Rise of Henry Tudor01 Aug 202400:47:30

In this special Bonus episode, Charlie Higson welcomes back a guest from earlier in the series, Nathen Amin, a proud Welshman and self-proclaimed Henry VII super-fan.


Charlie chats with Nathen about his new book Son Of Prophecy: The Rise Of Henry Tudor temporarily shining the spotlight away from Henry's notorious son, Henry VIII

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BONUS EPISODE - Fake History25 Jul 202400:42:46

Historical facts are just that.....facts.....aren't they? Well some are and some are not and lucky for us, Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse, who is also known as The Fake History Hunter has devoted much of her life to peeling away the fakes from the facts.


In this special Bonus episode, Jo speaks to Charlie Higson about her book Fake History, 101 Facts That Never Happened. Find out more on X at @fakehistoryhunt.

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BONUS EPISODE - A Guide To Mediaeval England 18 Jul 202400:46:08

In this bonus episode, Charlie Higson welcomes back one his previous guests, Matt Lewis, who originally joined Charlie back on Episode 22 to make the case for 'Dick The Bad', unsurprising as Matt is chair of the Richard III society.


Now though, Matt goes all mediaeval on us as he talks about his newest book, The History Hit Guide To Mediaeval England.

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BONUS EPISODE - World War II Explained11 Jul 202401:01:06

In this bonus episode, Charlie Higson takes a more detailed look at the greatest challenge in King George VI's reign, The Second World War.


To help Charlie understand some of the key points is a man who, by his own admission, is obsessed with WW2, James Holland, author of over 30 books on the subject, host of the We Have Ways podcast with Al Murray and co-founder of the Chalke and We Have Ways festivals.

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BONUS EPISODE - Chalke History Festival 202404 Jul 202401:05:28

In this special episode, recorded live at the Chalke History Festival in Wiltshire, Charlie Higson invites 3 special guests to discuss whether we can trust history and how it is presented in films and television, books and in our schools.


Joining Charlie on the outdoor stage, in front of a large audience, were broadcaster and writer Alice Loxton, historian, television producer and writer Justin Pollard and 'Ghosts' and 'Horrible Histories' actor and comedian Laurence Rickard.

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An Overview of the Royal story so far.....27 Jun 202400:43:48
After 42 monarchs and 66 episodes, Charlie Higson reached the end of the rhyme that he learned in school and in this special overview episode, Charlie discusses the winners, the losers, whether it's changed his view of the monarchy and the startling similarity between the Royals and the Corleones.

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Charles III20 Jun 202401:04:48

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria, then Edward, George and Ned The Eighth, quickly goes and Abdicat’th...Then Comes George and Lizzie II....and Charlie Next To See UsThrough......


And so, just over a year after he began, Charlie Higson reaches the end of his rhyme, though not the end of the podcast as you'll hear.


This is the story of Charles III, a man who had to wait 73 years before he succeeded as King.


Joining Charlie to discuss Charles is Stephen Bates, once royal correspondent for the Guardian, now author of The Shortest History Of The Crown.


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Elizabeth II13 Jun 202401:24:00

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria, then Edward, George and Ned The Eighth, quickly goes and Abdicat’th...Then Comes George....and Lizzie II


This episode is a first in that it deals with a Queen that some of us might actually have met. Charlie Higson did, albeit briefly and here, he brings us the story of a long and, for the most part, expertly handled reign.


Joining Charlie to discuss Elizabeth II is Dominic Sandbrook an author and himself a king.....sort of. King of historical podcasts as one half of the very successful series 'The Rest Is History'.

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BONUS EPISODE - Live At HistFest06 Jun 202401:01:09

This special episode of Willy Willy Harry Stee was recorded live at HistFest, which took place in front of a full house at the British Library in April.


Charlie Higson hosted a panel of proper historians to discuss the best ways to Survive A Tudor or Stuart Court.


His guest panel comprised Ophelia Field, author of The Favourite, Nicola Clark, author of The Waiting Game - The untold story of the women who served the Tudor Queens and Alex Courtney, author of James VI, Britannic Prince.

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George VI30 May 202401:20:44

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria, then Edward, George and Ned The Eighth, quickly goes and Abdicat’th...Then Comes George


We're up to our final George....King George VI. A man who, though never destined to be the monarch, actually turned out to be the right man for the job....and what a massive job it was as World War II dominated his reign.


Helping Charlie Higson to unpick this member of the 'Good King Club' is James Holland, celebrated World War II historian and co-founder of the Chalke History Festival.

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Willy Willy Shorts - Wars Of The Roses from a different perspective26 Aug 202400:11:14

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, Charlie finds out that the Welsh view of the Wars Of The Roses was more like a giant family squabble!

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Edward VIII23 May 202401:12:59

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria, Edward, George.....and Ned The Eighth, quickly goes and Abdicath...


Charlie Higson's monarchical quest moves one step closer to the present day as he reached Edward VIII, the only King to have given up the throne voluntarily.


Was this due to his chivalric love and devotion to Wallace Simpson?...or was he just a selfish git?


Helping Charlie answer this question is Alexander Larman, author of The Crown In Crisis and The Power & The Glory.

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George V16 May 202401:16:04

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria, Edward, George.....


Yes, we're up to George V, a man who didn't expect to be King, but ended up being quite good at it, in fact his actions saved the monarchy when all around Europe, others fell.


Alex Churchill makes a welcome return to not only help Charlie Higson understand George, but also to understand the reasons behind the devastating First World War,

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BONUS EPISODE - Rise Of The Undead09 May 202400:59:03


In this special BONUS EDITION of Charlie Higson's history of the monarchy, he takes a fascinating look at how the real life horror of a volcanic eruption in 1815 gave birth to imaginary horrors that haunt us still.

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Edward VII02 May 202401:12:11

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria, Then Comes Edward.....


King Edward VII to be precise, though you may call him Bertie. A man who, as Prince Edward, loved the good things in life but, as we'll hear, matured into a decent King, though, like our current monarch, had to wait a while before taking the throne.


Helping Charlie Higson to dig a little deeper into this fascinating man is Professor Jane Ridley, author of Bertie, A Life Of Edward VII

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Victoria25 Apr 202401:24:15

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William and Victoria!


We're starting to move into familiar territory here as Charlie Higson looks at a Queen we all think we know. Victoria, but as we'll hear, we probably don't know anywhere near as much as we think.


Helping Charlie this episode is proper historian Alex Churchill, podcaster, sub-stacker and author of Victoria's story in Iain Dale's epic, Kings & Queens.

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William IV18 Apr 202400:56:08

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges, William.....


After the extravagance of George IV, his more austere son King William IV is pushed into the spotlight. A latecomer to the throne, here was a man who would much rather have been on a battleship than in Buckingham Palace.


Helping Charlie Higson to make sense of this complex man is Roger Knight, author of 'William IV: A King At Sea' in the Penguin Monarchs series.

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George IV11 Apr 202401:13:33

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges.....


And so the final George hove's into view, as Charlie Higson brings us George IV. The Prince Regent who became a king, eventually, he liked the finer things in life and changed fashion forever!


Helping Charlie unravel his life is Catherine Curzon, author of Kings of Georgian Britain.



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BONUS EPISODE - A History of Slavery04 Apr 202400:58:12

Before Charlie Higson uncovers the fourth of our run of George's, he brings you this bonus episode, looking at the fascinating – and often over-looked history of black people in Britain, as well as the history of slavery and how that affected British society.


Joining Charlie is Dr. Onyeka Nubia. A writer, presenter and historian, Onyeka is senior lecturer in history at the University of Nottingham, with a particular focus on Africans in ancient and mediaeval England.


In 2013 he published Blackamoores: Africans in Tudor England, Their Presence, Status and Origins



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BONUS EPISODE - The Satirists with Alice Loxton29 Mar 202400:41:37

In this special bonus episode, Charlie Higson continues his romp through the Georgian period with a focus on the Satirists.


Let's face it, there was a lot going on. The Napoleonic Wars, Royal Madness, Political Intrigue. All juicy content with fine comedic potential if you're a brilliant young artist with a sense of humour, someone like James Gillray.


Far from being worried by scathing political cartoons, the leaders of the day sobbed if they weren't caricatured. It truly was the forerunner to Spitting Image.


Helping Charlie sketch a picture of the times is Alice Loxton, social media sensation and author of Uproar! Satire, Scandal and Printmaking in Georgian London



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BONUS EPISODE - The Seven Years War with Dan Snow22 Mar 202400:51:36

In this special bonus episode of Willy Willy Harry Stee, Charlie Higson looks at the greatest conflict of the 18th century, The Seven Years War.


In reality, this can be seen as the first World War, taking in Europe, North America, The Caribbean and India.


To help navigate this dangerous path, Charlie is joined by Dan Snow, creator of History Hit and author of Death Or Victory: The Battle For Quebec and The Birth of Empire

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Willy Willy Shorts - Great Tales from English History25 Aug 202400:05:05

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, Charlie gives us an insight into how he was partly inspired to create the Willy Willy Harry Stee podcast, thanks to a fabulous book.

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George III - Part 215 Mar 202401:06:06

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges.....


With a reign so long it demanded two episodes, Charlie Higson wraps up King George III and it's a pretty epic task, taking in the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, the creation of the United Kingdom and some big characters like Horatio Nelson, Pitt The Younger and of course, Napoleon, with a conclusion that, on the whole, George III did a pretty good job!


Helping Charlie shine a light on this often maligned monarch is national treasure Ian Hislop.

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George III - Part 108 Mar 202401:21:28

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges.....


Our quartet of George's reaches number 3 with our longest serving King.....so far! It's a reign so long that we've had to split it into two parts.


In this episode, Charlie Higson looks at the early life of George III.


Assisting Charlie with an overview of George's influence is the author of The Shortest History Of England and The Shortest History Of Germany - James Hawes.

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George II01 Mar 202401:08:36

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges.....


The second of our four Georges hove's into view...George II. He hated his dad, he wasn't particularly passionate (just ask his mistress!) but he was the last British sovereign to fight alongside his soldiers.


Charlie Higson welcomes Tracy Borman back to the podcast to discuss George II, for Tracy is a BIG fan of this monarch, and the women in his life, hence her book 'King's Mistress, Queen's Servant - The Life & Times Of Henrietta Howard'

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George I23 Feb 202401:18:59

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria, Four Georges.....


Skip around 50 more eligible heirs and what do you get? You get the House of Hanover and the first of our four Georges.......George I.


If you've ever wondered how we ended up with a German king, Charlie Higson will enlighten you, along with his 'proper' historian, Catherine Curzon author of Kings Of Georgian Britain.

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Queen Anne16 Feb 202401:26:11

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary, Anna Gloria.....


This is the tale of our one and only Queen Anne, who despite giving birth 17 times, was unable to produce an heir, ending the Stuart dynasty forever.


Joining Charlie Higson as he delves into Anne's eventful life is Ophelia Field, author of The Kit Kat Club and The Favourite.


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William & Mary - Part 209 Feb 202400:57:38

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary.......


Having looked at Mary's life in the last episode, it's time to focus on William III , otherwise known as William Of Orange.


Just watch out for the mole!


To discuss William's reign, Charlie is joined by Dr Jonathan Healey, author of The Blazing World.

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William & Mary - Part 102 Feb 202400:52:43

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again. William & Mary.......


Having booted her Dad out of power, along comes Mary II, complete with husband William Of Orange.


In the episode, the first of two on these joint rulers, Charlie Higson looks at Mary's life, along with his 'proper' historian, Dr Jonathan Healey who makes a welcome return to the podcast.

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James II26 Jan 202401:06:28

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie, James again.......


In this episode, Charlie Higson examines a reign that could be filed under 'Not Very Successful', lasting only 3 years and being ended by his daughter and son-in-law.


Helping Charlie understand our last catholic king is 'proper' historian Rebecca Rideal, author of 1666 Plague War and Hellfire



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Charles II19 Jan 202401:27:37

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie Charlie.....


And so, after an 11 year gap, Britain goes from puritan republic to the land of randy rakes, headed up by Charles II.


Charlie Higson regales us with the story of a man who loved ladies, laziness and.....well, that was about it really.


And, to make it a triplet of Charles', Lord Charles Spencer author of 'Blenheim' and 'To Catch A King' joins as this episodes 'Proper' Historian.

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BONUS EPISODE - The Stuarts12 Jan 202400:50:24

Now that the podcast is firmly into the the time of The Stuarts, we welcome back the excellent Ian Mortimer to chat with Charlie Higson about life in the 17th century - a time of Puritan Piety, Republic into Reformation and Foppish Frippery. Oh, and Potatoes.


There's plenty more time travelling in Ian's book....The Time Traveller's Guide To Restoration Britain

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Willy Willy Shorts - A Baptism of Saliva22 Aug 202400:05:49

Through August, Charlie Higson brings you a summer treat. A series of short daily episodes of Willy Willy Harry Stee which allow you to hear the bits we had to cut from the original series. Interesting facts about all aspects of the monarchy and the country.


In today's episode, Charlie looks at the eventful baptism of James I.

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Oliver Cromwell05 Jan 202401:30:23

Willy Willy, Harry......er.....no. This one doesn't fit into the rhyme, BUT, after lopping Charles I's head off, Oliver Cromwell abolished the Monarchy and led the country himself, so he's a worthy inclusion.


In this episode Charlie Higson unpicks Cromwell's life and the reasons why we had 11 years without a King or Queen.


His 'proper historian' is Dr Jonathan Healey, author of 'Blazing World - A New History of Revolutionary England'



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BONUS EPISODE - The Uncrowned29 Dec 202300:27:31

Robbie, Willie, Mattie, Eustace, Harry, Arthur, Edward, Roger…


What's that? I hear you say - that's not the normal rhyme - what's happened here? Who are these people? Well, this is another special episode of Willy Willy Harry Stee - a sidebar episode, in which we take a look at some of the people in our history who should have come to the throne but never did.


Joining Charlie Higson to find out about these unfortunates is Ashley Mantle, author of Uncrowned - Royal Heirs Who Didn't Take The Throne


Remember to e-mail Charlie with your thoughts on the podcast and any suggestions on areas he should explore, the address is Charlie@WillyWilly.co.uk



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THE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL22 Dec 202301:04:48

Willy Willy Merry Christmas!


In this Christmas Special episode, Charlie Higson takes us through the many connections the Monarchy has had with Christmas over the years.


Learn about carols you've been singing incorrectly, how early Christmas trees doubled as incendiary devices and hear Charlie and guest Helen Castor discuss one of the greatest seasonal royal films of all time.

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Charles I15 Dec 202301:14:00

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who? Edward Four Five...Dick The Bad, Harry's Twain and Ned The Lad, Mary, Bessie, James The Vain, Charlie......


Charles The 1st, a king so bad he got himself executed and almost finished the Monarchy off for good.


But, of course, the story isn't that simple. Luckily for us, Charlie Higson unpicks his life with the help of Leanda De Lisle, historian and author of Henrietta Maria, Conspirator, Warrior, Phoenix Queen.

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