Willy Willy Harry Stee..........actually, we'll stop there for this episode. The lady in question was Queen, but only for 9 days and apart from a small apologetic addendum at the end of some versions of the rhyme, Lady Jane Grey doesn't get a mention.

They say a week is a long time in politics. Well, it's nothing compared to 9 days in the Monarchy and as Charlie Higson discovers, her tale is a tragic one. She didn't even want to be Queen!

Joining him to unravel the tale is Helen Castor author of She-Wolves who returns for one last time to uncover a story of plotting, religious fanaticism and eventually, violence.

Speaking of Books, Charlie's book, WIllie WIllie Harry Stee is available to buy, read, enjoy and other things you might use books for.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Henry VIII's only legitimate son is crowned King at 9 years old and as Charlie Higson discovers, his should have been the perfect reign, but it will come as no surprise to find out that things didn't go according to plan.

Helping Charlie is this episodes proper historian, Stephen Alford who wrote about Edward for Penguin Books 'Monarch' series as well as authoring his highly acclaimed book 'The Watchers: A Secret History of the Reign of Elizabeth'

And of course, if you like books, remember to get your copy of 'Willie WIllie Harry Stee' by Charlie, available now!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.......

Henry VIII gets a second episode in which Charlie Higson tells the story of Katherine, Anne, Jane, Anne, Catherine and Katherine. The Six Wives of Henry VIII.

Assisting him on this tumultuous voyage is the husband and wife historical tag-team of Julia Fox & John Guy, authors of Hunting the Falcon: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the Marriage that Shook Europe.

The book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now, the perfect feast for your eyes as this podcast is a feast for your ears.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.......

Yes, we usher in Henry VIII.

He ate a lot. He spent a lot. He married a lot.

If that's all you know about the most famous of all our Kings, then listen on as Charlie Higson uncovers Henry's life in the first part of a story that is so epic, it requires.....well......two parts!

Such is Henry's magnitude, one guest is not enough either. In this episode we have two, the formidable husband and wife team of John Guy & Julia Fox, authors of many books on this Monarch including Hunting The Falcon, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the Marriage that Shook Europe.

Also don't forget that Charlie's book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now, with illustrations by Jim Moir, or Vic Reeves as you may know him.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.......

Yes, Charlie Higson's personal history of the Monarchy lands on Henry VII, the victor at the Battle Of Bosworth and our first Tudor King, and it turns out he was a pretty good one!

Joining Charlie is this episodes 'Proper Historian', is Nathen Amin, author of Tudor Wales, The House of Beaufort, and Henry VII and the Tudor Pretenders: Simnel, Warbeck and Warwick

The book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now, the perfect feast for your eyes as this podcast is a feast for your ears.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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!

Yes, Charlie Higson lands on Richard III.

Was he Dick The Bad or should we celebrate him as one of the good ones?

Here to argue his case is the Chairman of the Richard the Third society, Matt Lewis.

Also don't forget that Charlie's book of this podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is out now, with illustrations by Jim Moir, or Vic Reeves as you may know him.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Willie-Harry-Stee-brand-new-hilarious/dp/0008741050

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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....

As he wades through the Wars Of The Roses, Charlie Higson reaches a king whose reign can be measured in days, Edward V.

As one of the two Princes In The Tower along with his brother Richard Of Shrewsbury, Edward's life was short and tragic.

In a departure from the norm, instead of the usual 'proper historian', Charlie invites a fellow history fan to join him, as David Mitchell, author of the book Unruly chats all things Edward.

Speaking of books, Charlie's book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is available NOW in all book shops. Big ones, small ones, even those that online ones!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John Harry Three, One Two Three Neds, Richard Two, Henry's Four Five Six.........then who?

King Edward IV that's who!

The tale of bloody battles continues as Edward returns for a second stab at the crown as Charlie Higson makes sense of civil wars and the struggle for ultimate power.

This episode's proper historian is James Hawes, author of The Shortest History Of England.

Plus! A special guest historian returns as Helen Castor brings us the sad postscript to the incredible Margaret Of Anjou

You can read more about Edward by popping to the bookshop, or going online and buying what can only be described as 'The Book Of The Podcast'. Willie WIllie Harry Stee is available now, with illustrations by Jim Moir and words by our very own Charlie Higson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.