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.

Also don't forget that Charlie's book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now in Paperback, with illustrations by Jim Moir, or Vic Reeves as you may know him.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050

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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.

Also don't forget that Charlie's paperback book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now, with illustrations by Jim Moir, or Vic Reeves as you may know him.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, and do remember that Charlie's book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is available NOW in all book shops. Yes! All of them! And now in Paperback form too! Perfect for the beach!, or the pool, or the rain soaked bus shelter in Whitby.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Of course, you might prefer to read about William & Mary, in which case you should grab a copy of Willie WIllie Harry Stee, the Paperback, out now!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Also don't forget that Charlie's book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is now available in Paperback, with illustrations by Jim Moir, or Vic Reeves as you may know him.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Speaking of books, Charlie's book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is available NOW in all book shops. Big ones, small ones, even those that online ones!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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'

The book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now, the perfect feast for your eyes as this podcast is a feast for your ears.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Also don't forget that Charlie's book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now, with illustrations by Jim Moir, or Vic Reeves as you may know him.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.......

As we wave goodbye to the Tudors, we usher in the Stuarts for an episode of plotting, gunpowder or otherwise.

In the 'proper historians' chair this week, we welcome Clare Jackson, author of Devil-land - England Under Siege - 1588 to 1688 and who is currently writing a book on James VI & I

Also don't forget that Charlie's book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now, with illustrations by Jim Moir, or Vic Reeves as you may know him.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once again, the 'Willy Willy' rhyme takes a back seat as Charlie Higson digs into the extraordinary life of Mary, Queen Of Scots.

Crowned Queen at 18 months old, made Queen Consort of France before being widowed at 18, her 2nd husband was murdered, her 3rd was one of the murderers! Oh and then she was imprisoned for 20 years before being executed.

No wonder so much has been written about her, including the book that spawned a Hollywood movie, 'My Heart Is My Own' by Charlie's guest John Guy.

Speaking of books, Charlie's book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is available NOW in all book shops. Big ones, small ones, even those online ones!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.