Rex Factor

With victory in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, Henry VII becomes the first of the new Tudor dynasty. Henry had a difficult time facing down numerous threats to his reign, particularly from pretenders such as Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck, but governed effectively, particularly in improving the country's finances. His marriage to Elizabeth of York helped symbolise a unity between the Lancastrian and Yorkist factions in the Wars of the Roses and his legacy was the powerful Tudor dynasty, and yet he has been largely forgotten by history. Is his obscurity justified, or is this the time for his place in history to be celebrated? If you lose track of who is doing what to who (and there are a lot of names in this one!) check out our handy who's who guide to the episode: https://rexfactor.wordpress.com/english-monarchs/whos-who/tudors/whos-who-henry-vii/

With victory in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, Henry VII becomes the first of the new Tudor dynasty. Henry had a difficult time facing down numerous threats to his reign, particularly from pretenders such as Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck, but governed effectively, particularly in improving the country's finances. His marriage to Elizabeth of York helped symbolise a unity between the Lancastrian and Yorkist factions in the Wars of the Roses and his legacy was the powerful Tudor dynasty, and yet he has been largely forgotten by history. Is his obscurity justified, or is this the time for his place in history to be celebrated? If you lose track of who is doing what to who (and there are a lot of names in this one!) check out our handy who's who guide to the episode: http://rexfactor.podbean.com/whos-who-henry-vii/

By usurping his nephew, Edward V, in 1483 Richard III started his route to infamy and his place in English history as perhaps the most notorious and monstrous king of them all. However, to this day he has passionate supporters who claim he was a far better king than Shakespeare gave him credit. Did his death at the Battle of Bosworth end prematurely a great king? Or was England better off without the last of the Plantagenets? If you lose track of who all the people mentioned in the episode are, check out our handy who's who guide: https://rexfactor.wordpress.com/english-monarchs/whos-who/yorkists/whos-who-richard-iii/

By usurping his nephew, Edward V, in 1483 Richard III started his route to infamy and his place in English history as perhaps the most notorious and monstrous king of them all. However, to this day he has passionate supporters who claim he was a far better king than Shakespeare gave him credit. Did his death at the Battle of Bosworth end prematurely a great king? Or was England better off without the last of the Plantagenets? If you lose track of who all the people mentioned in the episode are, check out our handy who's who guide: https://rexfactor.wordpress.com/english-monarchs/whos-who/yorkists/whos-who-richard-iii/

By usurping his nephew, Edward V, in 1483 Richard III started his route to infamy and his place in English history as perhaps the most notorious and monstrous king of them all. However, to this day he has passionate supporters who claim he was a far better king than Shakespeare gave him credit. Did his death at the Battle of Bosworth end prematurely a great king? Or was England better off without the last of the Plantagenets? If you lose track of who all the people mentioned in the episode are, check out our handy who's who guide: http://rexfactor.podbean.com/whos-who-richard-iii/

The name Edward V is unfamiliar to most, but the fate of the Princes in the Tower (Edward and his brother, Richard) is one of the most famous and mysterious issues in English royal history. The 12 year-old king came to the throne in 1483 but never received his coronation, instead being usurped by his uncle Richard Duke of Gloucester (soon to become Richard III). As a reign there's not much to review, but this week Rex Factor goes all whodunit and investigates who was responsible for the murder of the princes or if, indeed, they escaped their fate. Remember to check out our who's who guide to the episode if you lose track of who everybody is: http://rexfactor.podbean.com/whos-who-edward-v-princes-in-the-tower/

The name Edward V is unfamiliar to most, but the fate of the Princes in the Tower (Edward and his brother, Richard) is one of the most famous and mysterious issues in English royal history. The 12 year-old king came to the throne in 1483 but never received his coronation, instead being usurped by his uncle Richard Duke of Gloucester (soon to become Richard III). As a reign there's not much to review, but this week Rex Factor goes all whodunit and investigates who was responsible for the murder of the princes or if, indeed, they escaped their fate. Remember to check out our who's who guide to the episode if you lose track of who everybody is: http://rexfactor.podbean.com/whos-who-edward-v-princes-in-the-tower/

The name Edward V is unfamiliar to most, but the fate of the Princes in the Tower (Edward and his brother, Richard) is one of the most famous and mysterious issues in English royal history. The 12 year-old king came to the throne in 1483 but never received his coronation, instead being usurped by his uncle Richard Duke of Gloucester (soon to become Richard III). As a reign there's not much to review, but this week Rex Factor goes all whodunit and investigates who was responsible for the murder of the princes or if, indeed, they escaped their fate. Remember to check out our who's who guide to the episode if you lose track of who everybody is: http://rexfactor.podbean.com/whos-who-edward-v-princes-in-the-tower/

The Yorkists come to power in 1461 in the form of Edward IV. 19 years old, very tall, exceptionally attractive and a courageous soldier to boot, Edward is a very different prospect to the ailing Henry VI but his reign is not without difficulty. His marriage to Elizabeth Woodville shocks the country and he faces outright rebellion from his former champion, Warwick the Kingmaker, and his upstart brother, George Duke of Clarence. Overmighty subjects caused chaos for Henry VI but will Edward IV prove more capable and worthy of the greatest honour of all - the Rex Factor? Remember to check out our who's who for the episode in case any of the names and allegiances get confusing: http://rexfactor.podbean.com/whos-who-edward-iv/

The Yorkists come to power in 1461 in the form of Edward IV. 19 years old, very tall, exceptionally attractive and a courageous soldier to boot, Edward is a very different prospect to the ailing Henry VI but his reign is not without difficulty. His marriage to Elizabeth Woodville shocks the country and he faces outright rebellion from his former champion, Warwick the Kingmaker, and his upstart brother, George Duke of Clarence. Overmighty subjects caused chaos for Henry VI but will Edward IV prove more capable and worthy of the greatest honour of all - the Rex Factor? Remember to check out our who's who for the episode in case any of the names and allegiances get confusing: http://rexfactor.podbean.com/whos-who-edward-iv/

The Yorkists come to power in 1461 in the form of Edward IV. 19 years old, very tall, exceptionally attractive and a courageous soldier to boot, Edward is a very different prospect to the ailing Henry VI but his reign is not without difficulty. His marriage to Elizabeth Woodville shocks the country and he faces outright rebellion from his former champion, Warwick the Kingmaker, and his upstart brother, George Duke of Clarence. Overmighty subjects caused chaos for Henry VI but will Edward IV prove more capable and worthy of the greatest honour of all - the Rex Factor? Remember to check out our who's who for the episode in case any of the names and allegiances get confusing: http://rexfactor.podbean.com/whos-who-edward-iv/

Henry V's untimely death in 1422 leaves a baby on the throne in the form of Henry VI and marks a total reversal in English fortunes. Disasters in France at the hands of Joan of Arc are eclipsed by the Wars of the Roses, with the Yorkist forces of Richard Duke of York and Warwick the Kingmaker facing off against the Lancastrians led by Margaret of Anjou and the Beaufort family. This is a dramatic period of numerous battles and the deaths of the most high profile figures in the land and amidst this chaos is a man clearly not well suited to the role of king and who proves to be one of the least capable monarchs in English history.

Henry V's untimely death in 1422 leaves a baby on the throne in the form of Henry VI and marks a total reversal in English fortunes. Disasters in France at the hands of Joan of Arc are eclipsed by the Wars of the Roses, with the Yorkist forces of Richard Duke of York and Warwick the Kingmaker facing off against the Lancastrians led by Margaret of Anjou and the Beaufort family. This is a dramatic period of numerous battles and the deaths of the most high profile figures in the land and amidst this chaos is a man clearly not well suited to the role of king and who proves to be one of the least capable monarchs in English history.

Henry V's untimely death in 1422 leaves a baby on the throne in the form of Henry VI and marks a total reversal in English fortunes. Disasters in France at the hands of Joan of Arc are eclipsed by the Wars of the Roses, with the Yorkist forces of Richard Duke of York and Warwick the Kingmaker facing off against the Lancastrians led by Margaret of Anjou and the Beaufort family. This is a dramatic period of numerous battles and the deaths of the most high profile figures in the land and amidst this chaos is a man clearly not well suited to the role of king and who proves to be one of the least capable monarchs in English history.

In 1413 we welcome one of England's most legendary kings to the throne, Henry V. After the trials and tribulations of his father, Henry V makes this 'kinging' business look rather easy, unifying his country before popping off to France and winning unprecedented victories against the French, most notably at the Battle of Agincourt. Military triumph, national unity and pious streak suggests the makings of the perfect medieval king, but some historians have criticised him for his brutality and lack of fun. Does Henry V deserve his legendary status? Is he worthy of the Rex Factor crown? Only one way to find out!