Rex Factor

The dynastic conflict at the heart of the Scottish monarchy continues with Kenneth II's accession in 971. Kenneth (Team Blue) is taking on Olaf (Team Red) in a bid to win dominance, but will Kenneth be able to succeed where the previous monarchs have failed and draw a line under the succession problems once and for all? Plus we bid a sad farewell to the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba while welcoming back an old friend of the podcast...

The dynastic warfare continues in Scotland, with Cuilean usurping the throne in 967. The rival branches of the Scottish royal family continue to dispute the throne and the violence continues. Will Cuilean be able to deliver a good reign for team red or is the merry-go-round set to continue?

The dynastic warfare continues in Scotland, with Cuilean usurping the throne in 967. The rival branches of the Scottish royal family continue to dispute the throne and the violence continues. Will Cuilean be able to deliver a good reign for team red or is the merry-go-round set to continue?

Dubh (or Duff) comes to the throne in 962 and marks the beginning of a period of dynastic conflict in Scotland. The system of an alternating succession has made family ties rather distant and rival claimants rather numerous, and Dubh must taken on his distant cousin, Cuilean, to be king. But who will come out triumphant?

Dubh (or Duff) comes to the throne in 962 and marks the beginning of a period of dynastic conflict in Scotland. The system of an alternating succession has made family ties rather distant and rival claimants rather numerous, and Dubh must taken on his distant cousin, Cuilean, to be king. But who will come out triumphant?

Indulf became the King of Scots in 962 and while there is not a lot written about him, there's quite a bit for us to get our teeth into. Edinburgh, Vikings and an unintentionally amusing account of Indulf's demise all await...

Indulf became the King of Scots in 962 and while there is not a lot written about him, there's quite a bit for us to get our teeth into. Edinburgh, Vikings and an unintentionally amusing account of Indulf's demise all await...

Malcolm has to wait a long time to become king and when Constantine II finally abdicates in 943, there's a lot going on. The death of the Saxon king Athelstan has left a power vacuum in Northumbria and Malcolm is very much at the centre of events, making new alliances and facing off against the legendary Viking Erik the Bloodaxe. Will Malcolm come out on top or will the Vikings once again prove the undoing of a Scottish king? If you find yourself losing track of who is who and where is where, have a look at our handy glossary for the episode: https://rexfactor.wordpress.com/2015/07/03/malcolm-i-podcast-glossary/

Malcolm has to wait a long time to become king and when Constantine II finally abdicates in 943, there's a lot going on. The death of the Saxon king Athelstan has left a power vacuum in Northumbria and Malcolm is very much at the centre of events, making new alliances and facing off against the legendary Viking Erik the Bloodaxe. Will Malcolm come out on top or will the Vikings once again prove the undoing of a Scottish king?If you find yourself losing track of who is who and where is where, have a look at our handy glossary for the episode:https://rexfactor.wordpress.com/2015/07/03/malcolm-i-podcast-glossary/

After a succession of short and unsuccessful reigns, Constantine II's reign would be crucial in the formation of the Scottish nation. Coming to the throne in 900, his intray included a country still divided by internal strife, facing invasion from the Viking grandsons of Ivar the Boneless while to the south the new country of England was growing under Edward the Elder and then, most ominously, Athelstan. Could Constantine succeed where others had failed?

After a succession of short and unsuccessful reigns, Constantine II's reign would be crucial in the formation of the Scottish nation. Coming to the throne in 900, his intray included a country still divided by internal strife, facing invasion from the Viking grandsons of Ivar the Boneless while to the south the new country of England was growing under Edward the Elder and then, most ominously, Athelstan. Could Constantine succeed where others had failed?

After the Alpin dynasty was sent packing by Giric and/or Eochaid, it came roaring back in 889 with Donald II, winning back the throne after a decade in Irish exile. However, it's one thing to defeat Giric but there are still the tricky issue of Vikings on the horizon - could Donald finally see off the Scandinavian party poopers or would yet another Scottish king be laid low before his time?

After the Alpin dynasty was sent packing by Giric and/or Eochaid, it came roaring back in 889 with Donald II, winning back the throne after a decade in Irish exile. However, it's one thing to defeat Giric but there are still the tricky issue of Vikings on the horizon - could Donald finally see off the Scandinavian party poopers or would yet another Scottish king be laid low before his time?

After the memorably unmemorable reign of Aed (#RememberAed) came to  an end in 878, things get rather uncertain in Scotland. So, this week we review Giric...or Eochaid...or is it Giric AND Eochaid? Who is really wearing the crown and will they deserve the Rex Factor?

After the memorably unmemorable reign of Aed (#RememberAed) came to  an end in 878, things get rather uncertain in Scotland. So, this week we review Giric...or Eochaid...or is it Giric AND Eochaid? Who is really wearing the crown and will they deserve the Rex Factor?