Æthelflæd of Damerham did not get much time to make an impression as Queen Consort of England, but she does tell us something about the status of women in the law in Anglo-Saxon times.
Listen to her podcast episode here or read on to find out more.
Continue readingÆlfgifu of Shaftesbury was the first consort of King Edmund I of England, and while her impact on the historical record was limited in life, in death she achieved the lucrative status of sainthood. We look at who the real Ælfgifu of Shaftesbury was and how and why she came to become a saint.
Listen to her podcast episode here or read on to find out more.
Continue readingAlthough by no means a famous name today, Eadgifu of Kent is the first of the Wessex consorts to have been a major figure at court and she enjoyed great influence for half a century. Interestingly, however, it was not as the king’s wife but as the king’s mother (and even grandmother) that Eadgifu was to demonstrate the potential power that consorts could wield.
Listen to her podcast episode here or read on to find out more.
Ælfflæd was the second of Edward the Elder’s three wives and, although the longest serving of Edward’s wives, is a good example of the vulnerability of Saxon consorts. We take a look at her time as consort and then her efforts to have a role in the succession and the significance of consorts in this process.
Listen to her podcast episode here or read on to find out more.
Continue readingAfter two successful reigns, Indulf came to the throne in 954 at a time when the Scottish kingdom was on the up. His reign marks a return to a period where we have short reigns and limited evidence but despite this, the few details we have about Indulf are surprisingly rewarding. Edinburgh, Vikings and a pride before a fall await. Click here to listen to his podcast episode or read on to find out more.
After four years of podcasting, we have finally come to the end of the series and are ready to reveal your favourite royal dynasty and to crown the Rex Factor champion. Alfred the Great, Henry II and Elizabeth I were the three finalists and the winner was decided entirely by the public vote. Read on to find out who will forever wear the Rex Factor crown…
[Warning: Spoilers!]
So, the Grand Final of Rex Factor is underway and there are three very deserving finalists competing to be crowned the Rex Factor champion…but who do you vote for? How do you decide between Alfred the Great, Henry II and Elizabeth I? Some people will have their favourites but for others the decision may be more difficult. You have until 31 July to cast your vote, so if you don’t yet know you want to win then read on to find out why Alfred the Great deserves your vote.
After four years of reviewing all the kings and queens of England from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II, we are finally at an end. There were 18 monarchs awarded the Rex Factor but the play-offs have seen various legends fall away and now just three monarchs remain: Alfred the Great, Henry II and Elizabeth I. However, only one can be crowned the Rex Factor champion – read on for a summary of the final three and then click the link to vote for who you think should win Rex Factor – the deadline for voting is Thursday 31 July.
The voting for the Semi-Finals of the Rex Factor play-offs is nearly finished – you have until the close of play on Thursday 12 June to cast your vote for the three monarchs who you think should make it through to the final. If you’re not sure who to vote for and don’t have time to listen to the three play-off episodes, here’s a quick guide to the 9 monarchs competing for a place in the final as well as links to all the surveys.
In the third and final play-off, some personal favourites come to blows in the battle for the final place in the Grand Final. Alfred the Great flies the flag for the Anglo-Saxons while Edward I and his grandson Edward III hold their swords aloft for the Plantagenets. Read on for more information about the three contenders and how you can help to decide who will go through to the final.
Rex Factor 