The Kings and Queens podcast

In 1013, the  audacious Sweyn Forkbeard (1013-14) reappeared at Sandwich,  with  a  powerful  fleet  He  was  accompanied  by his three usual attendants,  Fire,  slaughter,  and  pillage;  and all  England  trembled  before  him,  like  the  rustling  of  a  bed of  reeds  shaken  by  the  western wind.CharactersSweyn Forkbeard - King of Denmark (986-1014), King of Norway (1000-1014), King of England (1014) Harald Bluetooth - King of Denmark (958-986), King of Norway (970-985), father of SweynGunhild - mother of Swein Cnut - son of Sweyn ForkbeardGunhild - first wife of SweynSigrid the Haughty - second wife of Sweyn, wife of Erik the VictoriousPalnatoke - founder of the JomsvikingsJari Sigvaldi - chieftain of the JomsvikingsErik Hakonarson - Norwegian jarlOlaf Tryggvason - King of Norway (995-1000)Erik the Victorious - King of Sweden (970-95)Olof Skotkonung - King of Sweden (955-1022)Otto I - Holy Roman Emperor (962-73)Otto II - Holy Roman Emperor (973-83)Aethelred - King of England (978-1013, 1014-16)Edward the Martyr - King of England (975-78), half-brother of AethelredEmma of Normandy - second wife of Aethelred, wife of CnutUlfcytel - nobleman and military leaderSt. Edmund - King of East-Anglia (855-69)Adam of Bremen - chroniclerCreditsMusic: Daudir by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.creatorchords.com)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Freesound.org 127006__bulbastre__wooden-boat-row-water194982__soundmary__wild-horses-running 241824__haldigital97__waves-1367479__timsc__small-waves-on-shingle-beach733333__haulaway__bag-of-coins-drop

Æthelred's (978-1013, 1014-16) story would be one of turbulence, political intrigue, and the relentless march of fate. The boy who would become king would soon be marked by the legacy of doubt and misfortune, a monarch whose reign would be defined by both his early promise and his later failures. According to William and Malmesbury, he was an accomplice to murder, a coward who fled from danger, a wastrel who died a miserable death.CharactersAethelred - King of England (978-1013, 1014-16)Edward the Martyr - King of England (975-78), half-brother of AethelredEdgar - King of England (959-75), father of Aethelred and EdwardAelfthryth - third wife of Edgar, mother of AethelredAelfgifu - first wife of AethelredEmma of Normandy - second wife of AethelredEdmund Ironside - son of AethelredAethelflaed - first wife of Edgar, mother of EdwardDunstan - Archbishop of Canterbury (959-88)Sigeric - Archbishop of Canterbury (990-94)Aelfheah - Archbishop of Canterbury (1006-12)Wulfstan - Archbishop of YorkAethelwold - Bishop of WinchesterOswald - Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of YorkAethelwine - Ealderman of East-AngliaAelfhere - Ealdorman of MerciaByrhtnoth - military commanderWulfgeat - favourite of AethelredEadric - nicknamed ‘the grabber’, favourite of AethelredWulfnoth - favourite of AethelredBeorhtic - favourite of AethelredOlaf Tryggvason - King of Norway (995-1000)Sweyn Forkbeard - King of Denmark (986-1014), King of Norway (1000-1014), King of England (1014)Cnut - son of Sweyn ForkbeardRichard I - nicknamed ‘the fearless’, duke of Normandy (942-96)Richard II - nicknamed ‘the good’, duke of Normandy (996-1026)William of Malmesbury - chroniclerJohn of Worcester -chroniclerCreditsMusic: Prepare for War by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.creatorchords.com)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Freesounds.org194982__soundmary__wild-horses-running 458113__brunoboselli__countryside733333__haulaway__bag-of-coins-drop231537__vkproduktion__forest-birds-loop-02449652__magnesus__walking-through-forest241824__haldigital97__waves-1

From the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle describing Edward the Martyr (975-78). 'Men murdered him, but God exalted him. In life he was an earthly king; after death he is now a heavenly saint. His earthly kinsmen would not avenge him, but his heavenly Father has greatly avenged him. The earthly killers would have destroyed his memory. Those who would not bow to his living body now humbly on their knees bow to his dead bones. How we may understand that the wisdom of men, their plans and counsel, are nothing against God’s purpose.' Characters Edward the Martyr - King of England (975-78) Aethelred - brother of Edward and claimant Edgar - King of England (959-75), father of Edward and Aethelred Aethelflaed - first wife of Edgar, mother of Edward Wulfthryth - possible second wife of Edgar Aelfthryth - third wife of Edgar, mother of Aethelred Dunstan - Archbishop of Canterbury Aethelwold - Bishop of Winchester Oswald - Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of York Aethelwine - Alderman of East-Anglia Aelfhere - Ealdorman of Mercia Brihthelm - former Archbishop of Canterbury Kenneth II - King of Scotland Geoffrey Gaimar - chronicler Lantfred - chronicler and Winchester monk Byrthferth - chronicler Osbern of Canterbury - chronicler Music: Medieval Suspense by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ In Excelsis Deo

According to the Anglo-Saxon chronicle, ‘in Edgar's (959-75) days all things gladly grew good, and God granted that he dwelt in peace while he lived, and he did, as was necessary, work eagerly towards it. He was mighty in arms, exulting in sceptres and diadems, and regally protected the laws of the kingdom with militant authority.’ Characters Edgar - King of England (959-975), King of the Mercians and Northumbrians (957-59) Aethelflaed - first wife of Edgar Wulfthryth - possible second wife of Edgar Aelfthryth - third wife of Edgar Eadwig - King of England (955-59), brother of Edgar Edmund I - King of England (939-46), father of Edgar Eadred - King of England (946-55), uncle of Edgar Eadgifu - grandmother of Edgar Dunstan - Archbishop of Canterbury Aethelwold - Bishop of Winchester Oswald - Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of York Aethelstan half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia Aelfsige - former Archbishop of Canterbury Brihthelm - former Archbishop of Canterbury Kenneth II - King of Scotland Geoffrey Gaimar - chronicler Lantfred - chronicler and Winchester monk Credits  Music: Cold Journey by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Suso_ramallo__binaural-catholic-gregorian-chant-mass-liturgy

Perhaps no image of an Anglo-Saxon king has been shaped as unyieldingly by his enemies as Eadwig's (955-59). Ruthless purging of the old guard of his father and uncle and the appointments of favourites resulted in his character assassination in the hagiographies of the men he’d dismissed. He was labelled an incorrigible rascal and lecher. The accounts paint a picture of a naïve, capricious, salacious misguided boy, who side-lined experienced advisors when they resisted his childish impulses. Characters  Eadwig - King of England (955-59)  Aelfgifu - wife of Eadwig Edmund I - King of England (939-46), father of Eadwig Aelfgifu of Shaftesbury - mother of Eadwig Eadgifu - grandmother of Eadwig Edgar - younger brother of Eadwig, King of the Mercians and Northumbrians Aethelgifu - mother of Aelfgifu, Eadwig’s wife Aelric - Eadwig’s foster parent Dunstan - Abbot of Glastonbury Oda - Archbishop of Canterbury Aethelwold - Abbot of Abingdon Aethelstan half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia B - chronicler  William of Malmesbury - chronicler Credits Music: Nomadic Dawn by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licence https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Medieval_Town_SFX_Bundle 

Within a year of being crowned, Eadred (946-55) was faced with possibly the most feared, most ruthless and most famous Viking to set foot on English shores. The battle to save Northumbria from Viking control was also fought in conjunction with a battle against a truly debilitating illness. Like his brothers before him, in securing the legacy of his forebears, he could not fail. Characters Eadred - King of England (946-55) Edmund I - King of England (939-46), elder brother of Eadred Eadgifu - third wife of Edward, mother of Eadred Edward the Elder - King of the Anglo-Saxons (899-924), father of Eadred Aethelstan - King of the Anglo-Saxons (924-37), King of England (927-939), half-brother of Eadred Eadburh - sister of Eadred Eadwig - son of Edmund and Eadred’s successor Alfred - King of the West-Saxons (871-886), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-899), grandfather of Edmund Dunstan - Abbot of Glastonbury Aethelwold - Abbot of Abingdon Aethelstan Half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia Oda - Archbishop of Canterbury Hywel Dda - King of Deheubarth Oswulf I - Earl of Bamburgh, commander of Northumbria Wulstan - Archbishop of York Olaf Sihtricson - King of Northumbria (941-44, 949-52) Eric Bloodaxe - King of Northumbria (947-48, 952-54) Credits Viking Calls - Marcus Dellicompagni (www.poundsound.uk) Bbc_monasterie_07065024 bbc_bells---mo_07037647 8632__anton__male_slurping_water 432380__fedor_ogon__dry-cough

Much like those who came before and those who would follow, Edmund I’s (939-46) reign was largely dominated by the Viking threat. Though his early years were tense and characterised by Viking resurgence, he recovered the land won by his father and half-brother and ultimately succeeded in keeping the Viking threat at bay and thus continued the dream of his forebears, the dream of a united, peaceful England. Characters Edmund I - King of England (939-46) Eadgifu - third wife of Edward, mother of Edmund and Eadred Aelfgith - first wife of Edmund, mother of Eadwig and Edgar Aethelflaed of Damerham - second of wife of Edmund Edward the Elder - King of the Anglo-Saxons (899-924), father of Edmund Aethelstan - King of the Anglo-Saxons (924-37), King of England (927-939), half-brother of Edmund  Eadred - brother of Edmund  Eadburh - sister of Edmund Eadwig - son of Edmund  Edgar - son of Edmund Alfred - King of the West-Saxons (871-886), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-899), grandfather of Edmund Aelfweard - half-brother of Edmund and Aethelstan and claimant Edwin - half-brother of Edmund and Aethelstan and claimant Dunstan - Abbot of Glastonbury Aethelstan Half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia Charles the Simple - King of West Francia (898-922), father of Louis Louis IV - King of West Francia (936-54), nephew of Edmund Alain - Duke of Brittany Wulstan - Archbishop of York Oda - Archbishop of Canterbury Olaf Guthfrithson - King of Dublin (934-39), King of Northumbria (939-41) Olaf Sihtricson - King of Dublin (945-47), King of Northumbria (941-44) Hywel Dda - King of Deheubarth Idwal foel - King of Gwynedd Constantine II - King of Alba (900-43) Malcolm I - King of Alba (943-54) Owain - King of Strathclyde Dyfnwal/Dunmail - King of Strathclyde/Cumbria, son of Owain Hugh the Great - Duke of the Franks Otto I - King of East Francia Leofa - outlaw and killer of Edmund Credits  Freesound.org: 567701__nox_sound__foley_rocks_stones_impacts_mono548384__nox_sound__footsteps_mountain_boots_mud_mono 682383__pnmcarrierailfan__axe-pacts-wood-09-w-crash 400380__klankbeeld__running-dog-passing 438380__craigsmith__g28-20-raucous-unruly-indoor-crowd 271206__mrprofdrdickweed__riot-crowd-immersed-in-5  505272__diegolar__surrounded-by-horse close perspective  417386__klankbeeld__hors-bristling-crow-calling-170917-1223 Music: The Wizard by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Aethelstan (924-939), renowned through the whole world whose fame flourishes and whose honour endures everywhere, whom God set as king over the English people. Raised on the high throne, and leader of these earthly armies, so that the king himself, mighty in war, could conquer other fierce kings and crush their proud necks. Characters Aethelstan - King of the Anglo-Saxons (924-927), King of the English (927-939) Edward the Elder - King of the Anglo-Saxons (899-924), father of Aethelstan Ecgwynn - first wife of Edward, mother of Aethelstan Aelfflaed - second wife of Edward, mother of Aelfweard, Edwin and Eadgifu Eadgifu - third wife of Edward, mother of Edmund and Eadred Aethelflaed - Lady of Mercia (911-918), aunt of Aethelstan Alfred - King of the West-Saxons (871-886), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-899), grandfather of Aethelstan Aelfweard - half-brother of Aethelstan and claimant Edwin - half-brother of Aethelstan and claimant Constantine II - King of Alba Owain - King of Strathclyde Sihtric - Viking King of Dublin (917-20) Guthfrith - Viking King of Dublin (920-34) Olaf Guthfrithson - Viking King of Dublin (934-39) Henry I - King of GermanyHarald Finehair - King of Norway Hywel Dda - king of Deheubarth Idwal foel - king of Gwynedd Morgan ap Owain - king of Gwent Tewdwr ap Elisse - king of Brycheiniog  William of Malmesbury - 13th century chronicler Credits Music: Chivalry Fair by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Though Edward the Elder's reign (899-924) is overshadowed by his father and his son. His achievements during his 25 years reign were unquestionable. He continued his father’s work with determination and courage. Historian Frank Stenton characterised his reign as one of the best sustained and most decisive campaigns in the whole of the Dark Ages. Characters Edward the Elder - King of the Anglo-Saxons (899-924) Aethelflaed - Lady of Mercia (911-918), elder sister of Edward Alfred - King of the West-Saxons (871-886), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-899), father Edward and Aethelflaed Ealhswith - mother of Edward and Aethelflaed Aethelwold - cousin of Edward and claimant to the throne Aethelhelm - cousin of Edward and former claimant to the throne Ecgwynn - first wife of Edward, mother of Aethelstan and Edith Aelfflaed - second wife of Edward, mother of Aelfweard, Edwin and Eadgifu Eadgifu - third wife of Edward, mother of Edmund and Eadred Aethelstan - aetheling and son of Edward Aethelred - Lord of Mercia (881-911), husband of Aethelflaed Plegmund - Archbishop of Canterbury William of Malmesbury - chronicler Guthrum - Danish warlord and King of East-Anglia (878-890) Eohric - Danish Viking king of East Anglia (890-902) Western-Viking hybrid music - Alexander Nakarada Vikings-in-battle-swords-crossing-shields-bashing-men-yelling-17335 Soundmary - wild horses running Warfare and battlefields - medieval battlefield - weapons- horses- and soldiers Warfare and battlefields - medieval battlefield - weapons and horses - close perspective Factus est repente

Alfred the Great (871-99) was the embodiment of the ideal, but practical, Christian ruler. He was the ‘truth teller’, described as a brave, resourceful, pious man.  Despite his legacy being warped by Victorian and contemporary accounts, his achievements remain visible and profound. They allowed his son and grandsons to build on his political and military initiatives to unite England under the rule of one king. Characters Alfred - King of Wessex (871-86), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-99) Ealhswith - wife of Alfred Aethelred - King of Wessex (865-71), brother of Alfred Aethelbert - King of Wessex (860-65), brother of Alfred Aethelbald - King of Wessex (858-60), brother of Alfred Aethelwulf - King of Wessex (839-58), father of Alfred Ecgberht - King of Wessex (802-39), grandfather of Alfred Edward - son and heir of AlfredAethelswith - Alfred’s sister, wife of Burghred Aelle - King of NorthumbriaEdmund - King of East-Anglia Burghred - King of MerciaCeolwulf - King of Mercia Lord Aethelred - Lord of the Mercians under Alfred Aefelflaed - Lady of the Mercians, wife of Lord Aethelred Viking leaders Guthrum  Ivar the Boneless Ragnar Lothbrook  Haesten Ubbe Credits Leaving for Valhalla - Alexander Nakarada 320530__suso_ramallo__binaural-catholic-gregorian-chant-mass-liturgy 704440__roemergruft__viking-horn-in-d Bbc_quiet-hall_00008086 Vikings-in-battle-swords-crossing-shields-bashing-men-yelling-17335 613317__solifer__fireplacebbc_marsh-atmo_nhu0505006 Bbc_boats--pun_07026051 bbc_water---ro_07038289

Elizabeth II (1952-2022) ruled for 70 years, the second longest verifiably recorded reign of any monarch in world history behind Louis XIV. For 4 out of 5 Brits, she was the only monarch they had ever known. In a reign that was characterised by a redefinition of monarchy and empire. She offered calmness, reassurance, comfort, leadership and perspective over perhaps the most significant period of social, economic and technological change of any reign in British history. Despite the challenges of modern perspectives around the principles and practicalities of monarchy her adaptability and strong sense of civic duty ensured its survival. Elizabeth II - Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms (1952-2022) Prince Philip - Duke of Edinburgh, Consort of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms (1952-2021) George VI - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1936-52), Emperor of India (1936-47), father of Elizabeth Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1936-52), Empress of India (1936-47), mother of Elizabeth Edward VII - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1936), uncle of ElizabethGeorge V - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1910-36), grandfather of Elizabeth Mary of Teck - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1910-36), grandmother of Elizabeth Princess Margaret - sister of Elizabeth Prince Charles - eldest son of Elizabeth and heir Princess Anne - daughter of Elizabeth Prince Andrew - son of Elizabeth Prince Edward - son of Elizabeth Prince William - son of Charles and Diana, grandson of Elizabeth Prince Harry - son of Charles and Diana, grandson of Elizabeth Princess Diana - first wife of Charles Camilla Parker-Bowles - second wife of Charles Marion Crawford - governess to Elizabeth and Margaret Cosmo Lang - Archbishop of Canterbury Winston Churchill - Prime Minister 1940-45, 51-55 Anthony Eden - Prime Minister 1955-57Harold MacMillan - Prime Minister 1957-63Alec Douglas-Home - Prime Minister 1963-64 Margaret Thatcher - Prime Minister 1979-1990 Tony Blair - Prime Minister 1997-2007 Liz Truss - Prime Minister 2022 Michael Fagan - Buckingham Palace intruder Credits Jerusalem - Hubert Parry, Edward Elgar A Moonlit Night On The Spring RiverZadok The Priest - George Friedrich Handel We Wait For Thy Loving Kindness - William McKie 76828__juskiddink__old-telephone2 660407__datari__toddler-laughing-2-years-old 581478__rvandemark__dogs-barking-in-distance_rural bbc_night-atmo_nhu0505305

George VI (1936-52) led Britain through one of the most consequential periods in world history. His modest and undramatic style of rule in stark contrast to the controversy and drama which surrounded the short reign of his brother was required to guide Britain through the Second World War and the death of the British Empire. He was a steady hand, who overcame his own personal limitations and won the respect of the British people. Characters George VI - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1936-52), Emperor of India (1936-47) Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1936-52), Empress of India (1936-47) Edward VII - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1936), brother of GeorgeGeorge V - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1910-36), father of George Edward VII - King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1901-10), grandfather of George Victoria - Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1837-1901) and Empress of India (1876-1901), Great-grandmother of George Mary of Teck - Queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India (1910-36), mother of George Wallis Simpson - Wife of Edward VIII Princess Elizabeth - elder daughter of George and Elizabeth Princess Margaret - younger daughter of George and Elizabeth Prince Philip - husband of Princess Elizabeth Prime Ministers Stanley Baldwin (1935-37)Neville Chamberlain (1937-40) Winston Churchill (1940-45, 1951-55) Clement Attlee (1945-51) Aneurin Bevan - Labour Minister of Health, co-founder of the NHS Duff Cooper - anti-appeasement Conservative politician  Alec Hardinge - Private Secretary of George VI Lionel Logue - Australian speech therapist Freda Dudley Ward - Edward VIII’s former mistress Phyllis Monkman - George’s former love interest Sheila Chisholm - George’s former mistress Cosmo Lang - Archbishop of Canterbury Adolf Hitler - Fuhrer of Germany (1934-45) Benito Mussolini - Dictator of Italy (1922-43) Richard Grigg - Historian Credits Wenn die Soldaten I was glad Hubert Parry King Oliver s Jazz Band The Planets - Jupiter - Gustav Holst Bbc_world-war-_07046171 bbc_air-raids-_07048083  bbc_bang----qu_07043166  Bbc_ships---tu_07018114 bbc_battle-of-_07008071

On the death of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), Arthur Balfour wrote, ‘I suppose that, in all the history of the British Monarchy, there never has been a case in which the feeling of national grief was so deep-seated as it is at present, so universal, so spontaneous. And that grief affects us not merely because we have lost a great personality, but because we feel that the end of a great epoch has come upon us—an epoch the beginning of which stretches beyond the memory, I suppose, of any individual whom I am now addressing, and which embraces within its compass sixty-three years, more important, more crowded with epoch-making change, than almost any other period of like length that could be selected in the history of the world.’ Characters Queen Victoria – Queen of the United Kingdom and Ireland (1837-1901)Prince Albert – Prince Consort of the United Kingdom and Ireland (1837-61)Prince Edward (Bertie) – Duke of Edinburgh, son of Victoria and Albert, heir apparentDuchess of Kent – mother of VictoriaPrince Edward, duke of Kent – father of Victoria Previous Kings of the United Kingdom and Ireland George III –1760-1820George IV – 1820-30William IV – 1830-37   John Conroy – comptroller to the duchess of KentLouise Lehzen – governess of the Victoria’s householdFeodore – Victoria’s half-sisterLeopold I – King of Belgium Ernest Augustus – King ofHanover, uncle of Victoria Prime Ministers Lord Melbourne – 1835-41Robert Peel – 1841-46John Russell – 1846-52, 65-66Earl of Derby – 1846-52, 66-68Earl of Aberdeen – 1852-55, 58-59Lord Palmerston – 1855-58, 59-65Benjamin Disraeli – 1868, 74-80William Gladstone – 1868-74, 80-85, 86, 92-94Earl of Rosebury – 1894-95Lord Salisbury – 1885-86, 86-92, 95-02Arthur Balfour – 1902-05 Flora Hastings – lady-in-waiting for the DuchessJohn Snow – physician and leader in the development of anaesthesiaMary Seacole – nurse who set up the ‘British Hotel’Florence Nightingale – social reformer and founder of modern nursing Sultan Khaleefah Abdul-Majid – Sultan of the Ottoman EmpireBahadur Shah Zafar – Mughal Emperor of IndiaCecil Rhodes – mining magnate and politicianGeneral Charles Gordon – army officerLili’uokalani – Heir apparent and later Queen of HawaiiJohn Brown – Victoria’s personal attendantAbdul Karim – Victoria’s India SecretaryKaiser Wilhelm II – Emperor of Germany, grandson of Victoria Credits Cherry RipeSail the Ocean Blue – HMS pinafore – Gilbert and SullivanHallelujah – George Frideric Handel 328065__guntherdorksen__old-book_-old-book-hard-casesfx194982__soundmary__wild-horses-runningbbc_crowds-che_07035074365676__mr_alden__dinner-table-ambience328065__guntherdorksen__old-book_-old-book-hard-casesfxbbc_rifle---ma_0009046423918__martinsadoux__african-bush-birds-insect-ms163456__lemudcrab__pistol-shot627087__clutvh__silenced-pistol-shotbbc_clocks--gr_07070146bbc_clocks---g_07022188bbc_whistles--_07055012660975__mchrpt__load_gun_slow.ogg584126__seventhsamurai__nasik-ambiencebbc_gunfire---_07034194bbc_old-textil_07016338bbc_wolf-flies_nhu0508611bbc_ships-and-_07043335592380__cribbler__fireplace-snappy

When William IV (1830-37) was a teenage sailor drinking and debauching his way across the empire alongside such esteemed friends as Horatio Nelson, no one expected that one day he would king. He was taught no royal graces or decorum, yet his time would come. He was described as unassuming and disinterested in pomp and as hard-working and conscientious. Despite a short rule, he would provide royal assent to some of the most significant acts in British history. He had political views and his lack of royal training meant; he would not be lightly brushed aside. Characters William IV – King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1830-37) Queen Adelaide – Queen consort of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1830-37) George IV - King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1820-30), elder brother of William IV George III - King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1760-1820), father of William IV and George IV Queen Charlotte – Queen consort of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1761-1818), mother of William IV and George IV Prince Frederick – elder brother of William IV Prince Adolphus – younger brother of William IV Prince Edward, Duke of Kent – younger brother of William IV, father of Victoria Victoria, Duchess of Kent – wife of Edward, mother of Prince Victoria Princess Victoria – niece of William IV and heir to the throne George, Earl of Munster – illegitimate son of William IV and Dorothea Jordan Dorothea Jordan – long-time mistress of William Horatio Nelson – British flag officer in the Royal Navy William Wilberforce – leading abolitionist George Canning – Prime Minister (1827) Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington – Commander at the Battle of Waterloo, Prime Minister (1828-30, 1834) Charles Grey, Earl Grey – Prime Minister (1830-34) William Lamb, Viscount Melbourne – Prime Minister (1834, 1835-41) Robert Peel – Prime Minister (1834-35) John Russell – Home Secretary Henry John Temple, Viscount Palmerston – Foreign Secretary Edward Smith-Stanley, Earl of Derby – War Secretary Henry Brougham – Lord High Chancellor John Nash - architect Charles Greville – Diarist Emily Eden - Poet George Washington – Commander-in-chief of the Continental army, 1stPresident of the United States Credits Beethoven’s 6th symphony ‘Pastorale’ Freesound.org and BBC sound effects 419503__straget__wine-glass-sound bbc_old-textil_07016341 590155__greg_surr__creaking-wood-6 328051__btherad2000__32-getting-into-bed bbc_weather-1-_07047148 168249__gmarchisio__munching-snack 35250__malexmedia__tumble_downstairs_c bbc_whistles--_07071084 bbc_playhouse-_07003062 195116__mattskydoodle__censor-beep 412054__funwithsound__major-destruction-crash-shatter-from-pillow-fight-disaster bbc_household-_07067069 bbc_boats--sai_07034052 bbc_boats--row_07068008 175946__freefire66__horn002 388391__maadmacs__horse-and-carriage

George II's (1727-60) temper was warm and impetuous but was good natured and sincere. He was unskilled in royal of talent of dissimulation, he always was what he appeared to be. He might offend but he never deceived. What you saw was what you got. Could Britain’s second Hanoverian king provide calm composure against the immense challenges presented by a new Jacobite claimant and the first true global conflict in an unforgiving environment led by burgeoning prime ministers?  Characters George II – King of Great Britain, Elector of Hanover (1727-60) Caroline of Ansbach – Queen consort of Great Britain, Electress consort of Hanover (1727-37) George I – King of Great Britain (1714-27, Elector of Hanover (1698-1727), father of George II Sophia Dorothea of Celle – mother of George II Sophia of Hanover – Electress of Hanover (1692-98), heiress presumptive to the British throne, grandmother of George II Ernest Augustus – Elector of Hanover (1692-98), grandfather of George II Frederick, prince of Wales – eldest son of George II and Caroline, heir apparent to British throne William, duke of Cumberland – youngest son of George II and Caroline, British army general Philip Christoph von Konigsmarck – Swedish count and lover of Sophia Dorothea of Celle Anne – Queen of Great Britain (1702-14) John Churchill, the duke of Marlborough – British military commander under Queen Anne James Stuart (the Old Pretender) – son of James II and Jacobite pretender Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) – grandson of James II and Jacobite pretender, son of James Stuart Robert Walpole – Prime Minister of Great Britain (1721-42) Charles Townshend – Statesman and director of foreign policy under Walpole Spencer Compton, earl of Wilmington - Prime Minister of Great Britain (1742-43) Henry Pelham - Prime Minister of Great Britain (1743-54) Thomas Pelham, duke of Newcastle - Prime Minister of Great Britain (1754-57, 57-62) William Pitt – British statesman and informal leader (1756-61) Horace Walpole – statesman and son of Robert Walpole Mary Bellenden – mistress of George II Henrietta Howard – mistress of George II Amalie von Wallmoden – mistress of George II John Hervey – courtier and political writer George Friderich Handel – German-British composer Robert Jenkins – Welsh mariner who sparked the War of Jenkin’s Ear Robert Clive – general and governor of the Bengal Presidency John Byng – British admiral at the Battle of Minorca James Wolfe – general at the Battle of Quebec Elizabeth Montagu – social reformer and literary critic James Caulfeild, earl of Charlemont – Irish statesman Credits Music for the Royal Fireworks – George Frideric Handel Concerto for flute in A minor – Johann Sebastian Bach bbc_18th-centu_07019161 bbc_period-bat_07019148 bbc_period-bat_07019002 bbc_large-outd_07019156 bbc_period-bat_07019151 451958__kyles__flag-flaps-back-and-forth-between-2-flags-in-high-wind-on-mountain-good-crisp-fabric-detail bbc_animals--h_07024150 horses resting bbc_700-people_07010060 bbc_atmosphere_07030054 505272__diegolar__surrounded-by-horse close perspective 464490__elynch0901__human-knocked-over 427972__lipalearning__male-grunt 365676__mr-alden__dinner-table-ambience 344145__brokenphono__swig-of-whiskey-001 275581__hinzebeat__cutlery-throwing-2 155589__leafs67__walking-in-long-grass 139973__jessepash__crowd-yay-applause-25ppl-long 98055__tomlija__wine-bottle-break-2 82019__benboncan__distant-hunt-with-shots or countryside

Author Simon Jenkins described the Georgian kings not as monarchs but as princelings, who came to power not by the sword or politics but merely descent from a distant protestant mistress. They were mostly bewigged, powdered non-entities who couldn’t even control their own children, nor say boo to a goose. The first, George I (1714-27), faced a perilous threat from the moment he stepped on British shores, the shadow of the Jacobites was widening. The foreigner would need to heavily rely upon his new British statesmen to ensure the House of Hanover would survive. Characters George I – King of Great Britain (1702-27), Elector of Hanover (1698-27) Sophia Dorothea of Celle – wife of George I (1682-94) Ernest Augustus – Elector of Hanover (1692-98), duke of Brunswick-Luneberg (1679-98), father of George I Sophia of the Palatinate – Electress consort of Hanover, former heir apparent to the British throne, mother of George I Prince George Augustus – son of George I Count Christoph von Konigsmarck – lover of Sophia Dorothea Melusine von der Schulenberg – mistress of George I Sophia von Kielmansegg – half-sister and companion of George I Mustapha and Mahomet – Turkish servants of George I Peter the wild boy – feral child brought to the court of George I Robert Walpole – British statesman, first de facto Prime Minister of Great Britain Charles Townshend – British statesman and ally of Robert Walpole James Stanhope – British statesman and chief minister (1717-21) Charles Spencer – British statesman and ally of Earl Stanhope Horace Walpole – son of Robert Walpole Duke of Shrewsbury – chief minister and Whig (1714) John Younger – dean of Salisbury James Stuart ‘the Old Pretender’ – chief Jacobite claimant to the British throne James Butler, duke of Ormonde – Commander-in-chief of the British forces, supporter of the Jacobite rebellion (1715) John Churchill, duke of Marlborough – commander-in-chief of the British forces Henry St. John – leader of the Tories and supporter of the Jacobite rebellion (1715) John Erskine, earl of Mar – leader of the Jacobite rebellion (1715) John Campbell, duke of Argyll – senior commander of the British army during the Jacobite rebellion (1715) George Frideric Handel – Baroque composer Louis XIV – King of France (1643-1715) Louis XV – King of France (1715-74), great-grandson of Louis XIV Philippe II, Duke of Orleans – regent of France under Louis XV Giulio Alberoni – Spanish cardinal and statesman Philip V – King of Spain (1700-46) William III – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1689-1702) Anne – Queen of Great Britain (1702-14) James II of England and VII of Scotland – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1685-88) James I of England and VI of Scotland - King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1603-25) Simon Jenkins – historian Lord Chesterfield – contemporary statesman and writer Credits Suite in D major – The Water Music – George Frideric Handel bbc_18th-centu_07019161 bbc_period-bat_07019148 bbc_period-bat_07019002 bbc_large-outd_07019156 451958__kyles__flag-flaps-back-and-forth-between-2-flags-in-high-wind-on-mountain-good-crisp-fabric-detail bbc_atmosphere_07030054 97382__soundbytez__lion-distant 33658__sagetyrtle__laughter

Anne (1702-14) was described as stubborn, miserable, weak-willed, vapid, grossly obese. A woman of ordinary character. Yet, she became the first Queen of Great Britain. Her reign would have long-lasting consequences, the establishment of the Bank of England meant the nation was now punching above its weight. The nation became the military force not seen since the days of Edward III and Henry V. Within the fledgling kingdom of Great Britain, the economic and political base was built for the golden age of the 18th century. Characters Anne – Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1702-07), Queen of Great Britain and Ireland (1707-14) Prince George of Denmark – husband of Anne Prince William, duke of Gloucester – son of Queen Anne and Prince George Mary II – Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland (1689-94), sister of Anne William III – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1689-1702), Stadholder (1672-1702), prince of Orange James II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1685-88), father of Anne Anne Hyde – mother of Anne, first wife of James II Mary of Modena – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland (1685-88) Charles II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660-85), uncle of Anne Charles I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), grandfather of Anne Henrietta Maria – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), grandmother of Anne Henrietta Anne – Aunt of Anne, sister of Charles II and James II Sarah Churchill, duchess of Marlborough – courtier of Anne, keeper of the privy purse John Churchill, duke of Marlborough – captain general of the British forces, husband of Sarah Abigail Masham – courtier of Anne Henry Compton – bishop of London, one of the immortal 7 Lord Sidney Godolphin – First Lord of the Treasury Robert Harley – Chief Minister of Great Britain Henry St. John – Secretary of State and leader of the Tories Prince Eugene of Savoy – field marshal in the Holy Roman Empire Louis XIV – King of France (1643-1715) Sophia, Electress of Hanover – granddaughter of James I, heiress presumptive to the thrones of England and Scotland George, Elector of Hanover – son of Sophia, Anne’s successor Daniel Defoe – writer, journalist and spy Jonathan Swift - satirist Credits The Prince of Denmark’s march – Jeremiah Clarke 438405__craigsmith__g29-45-western-bar-fight 564664__garuda1982__lace-up-leather-boots-sound-effect 157121__slave2thelight__soup-slurp 377041__milankovanda__eating-soup 618113__nachtmahrtv__walking-through-dry-bushes 422582__martin-sadoux__countryside-at-the-night-crickets 437090__craigsmith__g52-22-carriage-and-voices 475499__o-ciz__steps-stone-2-running 408202__170084__small-metal-objects-shaken bbc_period-bat_07019147 4 bbc_18th-centu_07019158 NC 194982__soundmary__wild-horses-running

William III (1689-1702) had limited interest in the affairs of England, Scotland and Ireland. His interest lay in keeping the King of France at bay and would use England as weapon to achieve his goals. It was perhaps the king’s indifference that allowed parliament to gain permanent supremacy over the nation leading to a remarkable transformation in the political and religious affairs of England. During William's reign, along with Mary II (1689-94) the parliamentary state was established, to this day it remains the enduring feature of the British political system. Characters William III – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1689-1702), Stadholder (1672-1702), prince of Orange Mary II – Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland (1689-94) James II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1685-88), father of Mary II Charles II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660-85), uncles of Mary II and William III Charles I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), grandfather of Mary II and William III Princess Anne – sister of Mary II William II – Prince of Orange, father of William III Mary – Princess Royal, mother of William III Anne Hyde – mother of Mary II, first wife of James II Mary of Modena – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland (1685-88) James Stuart – son of James II and Jacobite claimant Johan de Witt – Grand Pensionary of Holland Sophia, Electress of Hanover – granddaughter of James I, heiress presumptive to the thrones of England and Scotland Louis XIV – King of France (1643-1715) Phillip V – King of Spain, grandson of Louis XIV Leopold I – Holy Roman Emperor (1658-1705) Archduke Charles – son of Leopold I John Branston – Essex MP Adam de la Prynne – English antiquary John Locke – philosopher and enlightenment thinker Mary I – Queen of England (1553-58) Philip II – King of Spain, King of England (jure uxoris) Credits Sound the trumpet – Henry Purcell Man that is born a woman – Henry Purcell bbc_tennis--ha_07012117 IMSLP312077-PMLP237007-S001-02-hbr bbc_period-bat_07019001 5 194982__soundmary__wild-horses-running CREDIT

James II of England and VII of Scotland (1685-59) followed in the footsteps of his predecessors. He too, struggled with the scope and nature of government. He believed it his duty as a Roman Catholic prince to level the religious playing field and did not learn the lessons of the civil war. He woefully underestimated the power of parliament. His rule saw the beginnings of the modern British state and the ultimate death knell of absolute monarchy. Characters James II of England and VII of Scotland Charles I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), father of James Charles II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1660-85), brother of James Henrietta Maria – Queen consort of England, mother of James Anne Hyde – Queen consort of England, 1st wife of James Mary of Modena – Queen consort, 2nd wife of James Princess Mary – eldest daughter of James Princess Anne – eldest daughter of James James, prince of Wales – son of James Oliver Cromwell – 1st Lord Protector of the English commonwealth Richard Cromwell – 2nd Lord Protector of the English commonwealth George Monck – English general Titus Oates – English priest and fabricator of the Popish plot Duke of Monmouth – illegitimate son of Charles II and claimant to the throne Earl of Argyll – Scottish peer and soldier, ally of the duke of Monmouth Nell Gwynne – mistress of Charles II Henry Compton – bishop of London Robert Spencer, earl of Sunderland – Lord President of the council William Penn – quaker and founder of the province of Pennsylvania John Churchill – English general and statesman William of Orange – Prince of Orange, husband of Princess Mary Louis XIV – King of France Henri de La Tour D’Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne – Marshall general of France Charles-Maurice Le Tellier – Archbishop of Reims Mary I – Queen of England and Ireland (1553-58) Henry VI – King of England (1422-61, 70-71) Richard II – King of England (1377-99) Edward II – King of England (1307-27) John Callow – Historian Gilbert Burnet - Historian CREDITS Courante – Henry Eccles Adagio – Henry Eccles 411087__jimsim__creaking-sailing-boat C 77696__benboncan__seven-bells-ship-time C bbc_700-people_07010060 202535__abolla__books01 bbc_footsteps-_07004171 168420__gurek__bushes-01 471761__lextao__48-cortandocarne bbc_babies---a_07011219 bbc_exterior-a_07044003 bbc_footsteps-_07004179 bbc_battle-cro_07019150 Soundmary – Wild horses 400632__inspectorj__ambience-seaside-waves-close-a 218488__danmitch3ll__distant-horns

Charles II (1660-85) was described by Ronald Hutton as the playboy monarch, naughty but nice, the hero of all who prized urbanity, tolerance, good humour, and the pursuit of pleasure above more earnest, sober or material virtues. Yet, like his grandfather he struggled to pay for it. Though Restoration England brought a new respect and freedom to the monarchy, the country had survived 11 years without the crown. He would test the patience of the establishment when his lifestyle and his faith drew him to the webs of Catholic Europe. Characters Charles II – King of England, Scotland and Ireland Catherine of Braganza – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland James, duke of York – younger brother of Charles II Charles I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1625-49), father of Charles II James I – King of England, Scotland and Ireland (1603-25), grandfather of Charles II Henrietta Maria – Queen consort of England, Scotland and Ireland, mother of Charles II Henrietta Anne – younger sister of Charles II, duchess of Orleans Princess Mary – daughter of James, duke of York William of Orange – prince of Orange, husband of Princess Mary Oliver Cromwell – Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (1653-58) Richard Cromwell - Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland (1658-59), son of Oliver Cromwell Thomas Fairfax – Parliamentarian commander and general of the New Model Army Prince Rupert of the Rhine – Royalist cavalry commander and colonial governor, cousin of Charles II George Monck – prominent English soldier John Lambert – Parliamentarian general Henry Ireton – Parliamentary general John Bradshaw -  President of the High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I Colonel Thomas Blood – Anglo-Irish officer Titus Oates – English Priest who fabricated the Popish plot Israel Tonge – English divine who helped fabricate the Popish plot Edmund Godfrey – English magistrate Edward Hyde, 1st earl of Clarendon – Lord Chancellor The CABAL - Lord Clifford, Earl of Arlington, Duke of Buckingham, Lord Ashley, Duke of Lauderdale George Pendrell – Catholic royalist Nell Gwynne - mistress of Charles II Barbara Villiers – mistress of Charles II William Harvey – physician and tutor of Charles II Christopher Wren – architect responsible for rebuilding 52 London churches Isaac Newton – mathematician and physicist Robert Boyle – philosopher, chemist, and physicist Edmund Halley – astronomer, geophysicist, and mathematician Louis XIV – King of France, cousin of Charles II Samuel Pepys – Diarist and President of the Royal society John Evelyn – diarist and writer Gilbert Burnet – contemporary historian and philosopher Figures from the past Henry V – King of England (1413-22) Richard III – King of England (1483-85) Edward, The Black Prince – son of Edward III and heir to the English throne Elizabeth II – Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms (1952-present) CREDITS Henry Purcell – The Old Bachelor bbc_period-bat_07019147 bbc_large-outd_07019157 bbc_horses---h_07039290 bbc_dusk-choru_nhu9679545 bbc_rain---rai_nhu0506113 366713__anandthethird__digging-in-dirt 240914__bdvictor__wheat-in-the-wind 516685__supreme1197__washingface 173930__johnsonbrandediting__water-pour bbc_crowds-che_07035075