Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John.........Charlie Higson's romp through the middle ages lands on King John, who hasn't been fondly remembered.

BUT...was he really that bad a King?

Well, yes. He really was. In fact he was worse than we thought.

Find out just how rubbish a monarch he was as Charlie digs into his hopeless life, together with this episode's proper historian, Professor Nick Vincent.

And, while you're listening, why not order the book of the podcast! WIllie Willie Harry Stee with illustrations by Jim Moir, available at all book outlets.

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Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick....... In this episode, Charlie Higson explores Richard I, or to give him his popular name Richard The Lionheart.

Noble, considerate and fair.....according to Walt Disney, however Charlie digs a little deeper and finds a King of England who, well, wasn't in England very much.

With guest proper historian, the excellent Dan Jones, author of The Plantagenets & Essex Dogs to help him, Charlie uncovers the REAL Richard I.

And remember, Willie Willie Harry Stee, the book of the podcast, is out now, so you can read about Richard as well as listen!

https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603

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Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry......yes, Charlie Higson reaches Monarch number 5 in the shape of Henry II, a man who fought and married his way to the top only for his wife and sons to rebel against him and start a revolt.

What would you do?

Well in this episode you'll find out exactly what Henry II did and how he did it.

Helen Castor, author of 'She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth' is Charlie's guest 'proper' historian.

Of course, you can also now read about Henry by buying the book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee. Available now in all bookshops, even the shabby ones.

Buy it online here..... https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson

Its the ideal Christmas gift.

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The saga continues as Charlie Higson brings you the story of Stephen & Matilda.

When Henry I died, the crown should have fallen to his daughter, the Empress Matilda.

BUT

Stephen of Blois got there first to claim the crown and together with his wife, a different Matilda, Matilda of Boulogne.....it all went horribly wrong as you'll hear.

Charlie's proper historian guest is Cath Hanley author of Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior.

And remember, Willie Willie Harry Stee, the book of the podcast, is out now, so you can read about Henry as well as listen!

https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603

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Imagine you have two brothers. One of them is King of England, the other two want to be. What would YOU do?

Well how about this. You have the brother who is King killed in a convenient hunting accident, then lock the other one up for the rest of his life.

Farfetched? Then listen on as Charlie Higson continues his personal history of the extraordinary story of the Monarchs of England, assisted by this week's proper historian, Lord Charles Spencer.

And remember, Willie Willie Harry Stee, the book of the podcast, is out now, so you can read about Henry as well as listen!

https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603

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In this, the final episode of the Summer / Autumn History Book Club, Charlie Higson welcome a talented young historian who is really making waves in the social media world.

Katie Kennedy, also known on Tik Tok as 'The History Gossip' is dedicated to popularising history and making it accessible and relatable – and she’s done all this while being a student and studying history at university.

Earlier this year, she wrote her first book, called Was Anne of Cleves a Minger?

It presents a fun and interesting historical fact to cover every day of the year and Katie and Charlie talk about her work, her passion for history and her insanely busy life!

While Charlie is off around the country with the Fast Show tour, he'll be giving you another chance to listen to the original series of Willy Willy Harry Stee, which is a fine companion to the book of the podcast, Willie WiIlie Harry Stee, a book complete with illustrations from Jim Moir.

https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603

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In this second chance to hear episode, Charlie Higson continues his voyage through the rhyme of 'Willy Willy Harry Stee', stopping at the second Willy, King William the 2nd otherwise known as William Rufus.

This week's proper expert is James Hawes, author of the smash hit 'The Shortest History of England’, who’s been in the bestseller charts as both a crime novelist and a popular historian.

In this episode, find out how the Norman invasion directly led to Brexit!

It really is a real life version of Succession!

These episodes are best enjoyed while reading the new Book of the Podcast Willie Willie Harry Stee. You can buy the book here: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603

So do!

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In the special episode of Willy Willy Harry Stee, Charlie Higson digs deep into the way history is being used, or mis-used.

His guest is Dr Rachel Moss, a medieval historian at the University of Northampton, who has been awarded a prestigious joint research grant from the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust to investigate how far-right groups in Britain have historically misused medieval imagery and narratives to promote extremist ideologies.

Rachel explains just how long this has been happening and explores some of the root causes of the appeal of this hijacking of history.

REMEMBER: Charlie's new book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee, with illustrations by Jim Moir is in bookshops NOW! Click below to buy.

https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603

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With the publication of the book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee, (available now in ALL bookshops, both those made of bricks and those made of data), Charlie Higson thought it would be a good idea to give you another chance to hear the podcast version of the monarchs, in order, starting with William the Conqueror, otherwise known as William the Bastard.

The question is WHY was he known as this?

The answer is.....well, Charlie will explain along with proper historian, Judith Green.

You can buy the book here. https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603

So do!

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Welcome to this very special episode, timed to coincide with the official launch of Charlie Higson's book of the podcast, Willie, Willie, Harry, Stee: An Epically Short History of Our Kings and Queens.

Charlie is joined by the book's illustrator, formerly known as Britain's Top Light Entertainer under his stage name Vic Reeves, the acclaimed artist Jim Moir.

The book is OUT NOW so order it here..... https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603 ..... or go and buy one, its available in all great booksellers.

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