

Willy Willy Harry Stee...
Charlie Higson
Charlie Higson's History of the Monarchy. In each new weekly episode, Charlie and his friendly experts....(ie REAL historians)...learn all about one of our Kings or Queens and ask searching questions like:Were they any good?What did they actually do?Why did so many die from an exploding stomach?It's the story of families at war....literally! New episodes every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 22, 2024 • 52min
BONUS EPISODE - The Seven Years War with Dan Snow
In this special bonus episode of Willy Willy Harry Stee, Charlie Higson looks at the greatest conflict of the 18th century, The Seven Years War.In reality, this can be seen as the first World War, taking in Europe, North America, The Caribbean and India.To help navigate this dangerous path, Charlie is joined by Dan Snow, creator of History Hit and author of Death Or Victory: The Battle For Quebec and The Birth of Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 15, 2024 • 1h 6min
George III - Part 2
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.....With a reign so long it demanded two episodes, Charlie Higson wraps up King George III and it's a pretty epic task, taking in the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, the creation of the United Kingdom and some big characters like Horatio Nelson, Pitt The Younger and of course, Napoleon, with a conclusion that, on the whole, George III did a pretty good job!Helping Charlie shine a light on this often maligned monarch is national treasure Ian Hislop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 8, 2024 • 1h 21min
George III - Part 1
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.....Our quartet of George's reaches number 3 with our longest serving King.....so far! It's a reign so long that we've had to split it into two parts. In this episode, Charlie Higson looks at the early life of George III. Assisting Charlie with an overview of George's influence is the author of The Shortest History Of England and The Shortest History Of Germany - James Hawes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 1, 2024 • 1h 9min
George II
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.....The second of our four Georges hove's into view...George II. He hated his dad, he wasn't particularly passionate (just ask his mistress!) but he was the last British sovereign to fight alongside his soldiers. Charlie Higson welcomes Tracy Borman back to the podcast to discuss George II, for Tracy is a BIG fan of this monarch, and the women in his life, hence her book 'King's Mistress, Queen's Servant - The Life & Times Of Henrietta Howard' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 23, 2024 • 1h 19min
George I
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 16, 2024 • 1h 26min
Queen Anne
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 9, 2024 • 58min
William & Mary - Part 2
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 2, 2024 • 53min
William & Mary - Part 1
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 26, 2024 • 1h 6min
James II
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 19, 2024 • 1h 28min
Charles II
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


