Edward I – Longshanks (1272-1307) is one of the most important monarchs in English history. No other king left such a mark on the island of Britain. There were no bounds to his determination and to his malice. He treated Celts with belligerence sapping his own reign of wealth and peace. His reign saw the demolition of the last Welsh principality and brought Scotland to its knees.

Edward I – King of England

CREDITS

Music: Norôur by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)

Freesound.org

soundsnap.com

Henry III (1216-72) was not cut from the same cloth as his belligerent predecessors. He was placid, he hated tournaments and grew to hate war. He was known to made bold ambitious policy pronouncements but to lack the drive and determination to see them through. It was his relationship with lords and barons that would characterise his reign releasing his own predilection for tyranny. It would bolster his critics as Magna Carta was etched into history and England saw the dawn of parliamentary democracy.

Soundmary - wild horses running

Srehpog – heavy crate smash

Mrprofdrdickweed – riot crowd immersed in 5

Zerolagtime – thuds on window

Glaneur de sons – riviere river

504636 – d1523825-2

139875__y89312_2

Metzik – medieval market

In an extra episode we look at Michael (1927-30, 40-47)

John (1199-1216) was described by historian Bishop Stubbs as ‘the very worst of our kings, a faithless son, treacherous brother, polluted with every crime. Whom no oaths could bind, there is no redeeming trait’. For Robin Hood he was the perfect iniquitous enemy. It’s a tale, popular throughout the centuries, that reflects his reputation among most contemporaries and historians alike.

Credits

Gregorian Chant by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3825-gregorian-chant

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Soundmary – wildhorses

Srehpog – light crate smash2

Ogsoundfx – footsteps walking in chainmail loop

Danmitch3ll – distant horns

Vedas – fight fighting men

Metzik – medieval market

Answers to questions that have been sent in to the show!

The reign of Richard the Lionheart (1189-99) was a brief but costly interlude in English monarchy characterised by war and chivalry. He would not continue his father’s legacy of law and order, instead the Lionheart was transfixed by honour and conquest. He was a masterful campaigner and a fine soldier who struck terror into the hearts of his enemies, but his conquests would come at a tremendous cost to his people both financially and with the leader to which his empire would be bequeathed.

Credits

Music: Battle of the Creek by Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)

freesound.org

Soundmary – wildhorses

Jordishaw – stabbing sound

Srehpog – light crate smash 2

Ogsoundfx – footsteps walking in chainmail loop

Vedas – fight fighting men

Ajexk – beheading 1 & 2

Zimbot – longbowvolleys

Metzik – medieval market

Liamg-sfx – battle cry 4

Henry II (1154-89) was the absolute image of a king, he was thick set, red-haired, strong, broad and powerful. As a contemporary claimed, he had a face upon which a man might gaze a thousand times and still feel drawn to gaze again. His accomplishments during his 34-year reign were unmatched in English history, he was Europe’s trailblazer.
CREDITS

King Stephen’s reign (1135-1154) was dominated by The Anarchy. A war between cousins vying for the crown which plagued England for nearly two decades. It led a country once rich and overflowing with luxuries into one that was wretched and desolate.

CHARACTERS

Stephen – King of England

William of Malmesbury – chronicler

(1100-35) 'Against this man, no one could prevail except God himself’. The skillful, intelligent monarch championed not crushing warfare and submission but calming, shrewd diplomacy to meet his objectives. However, the nature of kingship and volatility of medieval life meant control over his biggest objective was dashed.

CHARACTERS

Henry I – King of England

Alfred the Great – King of Wessex (886-899)

William Rufus (1087-1100) was a king who shared many of the militaristic and oppressive tendencies of his conquering father, however the focus of his tyranny would differ. His modernity and defiance of rigid medieval etiquette along with his mockery and general disregard for the church would deeply damage his legacy when the very victims of his greed and ridicule became the scribes of his reign as King of England.

William II (Rufus) – King of England

William of Malmesbury – chronicler