Willy Willy Harry Stee...

In this episode Alice Loxton joins Charlie Higson to talk about her new book, ‘Eleanor’.In 1290, England mourned the death of a queen, Eleanor of Castile, beloved wife of King Edward I, the warrior king.Her body was carried on a 200-mile journey from Lincoln to London, a solemn procession that would become immortalized in stone.To mark the places where it laid, a heartbroken Edward commissioned twelve magnificent Eleanor Crosses.More than seven centuries later, Alice Loxton set herself an epic challenge: following in history’s footsteps by walking the entire 200-mile funeral route on the corresponding dates and in this edition of Willy Willy Harry Stee, Charlie Higson chats with Alice about the journey and the writing of the book itself.

In this BRAND NEW episode from Charlie Higson, he mixes History and Cartography to bring you the authors of a book that shows that a map might not be the honest, accurate and useful tool you once thought. Born on Youtube, The Map Men has been an internet sensation and their new book 'This Way Up' is a funny and fascinating journey into the maps that messed up: big time!In this chat with Mark Cooper-Jones and Jay Foreman (aka, the Map Men) Charlie finds out how they got into the world of mad maps in the first place and digs into the book that takes a deep dive into the world’s most baffling and absurd map blunders, some innocent, but others not so!Remember that Charlie's book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee is available NOW in all book shops. Christmas. Sorted!!

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry, Dick, John, Harry Three.........Charlie Higson continues his canter through the Monarchy and along with Henry, comes Simon De Montfort.Was Henry weak and inept while Simon held the real power?We'll find out as Charlie welcomes this week's proper historian, Sophie Therese Ambler  author of a biography of Simon de Montfort called - The Song of Simon de Montfort: England's First Revolutionary and the Death of Chivalry. If you'd like to read all about it, remember that this episode is a book companion to Willie Willie Harry Stee the book of the podcast. Beautifully written by Charlie and illustrated by Jim Moir, its available now, so go and snap one up!

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick John.........Charlie Higson's romp through the middle ages lands on King John, who hasn't been fondly remembered.BUT...was he really that bad a King?Well, yes. He really was. In fact he was worse than we thought.Find out just how rubbish a monarch he was as Charlie digs into his hopeless life, together with this episode's proper historian, Professor Nick Vincent. And, while you're listening, why not order the book of the podcast! WIllie Willie Harry Stee with illustrations by Jim Moir, available at all book outlets.

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry Dick....... In this episode, Charlie Higson explores Richard I, or to give him his popular name Richard The Lionheart.Noble, considerate and fair.....according to Walt Disney, however Charlie digs a little deeper and finds a King of England who, well, wasn't in England very much.With guest proper historian, the excellent Dan Jones, author of The Plantagenets & Essex Dogs to help him, Charlie uncovers the REAL Richard I.And remember, Willie Willie Harry Stee, the book of the podcast, is out now, so you can read about Richard as well as listen!https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603

Willy Willy Harry Stee, Harry......yes, Charlie Higson reaches Monarch number 5 in the shape of Henry II, a man who fought and married his way to the top only for his wife and sons to rebel against him and start a revolt.What would you do?Well in this episode you'll find out exactly what Henry II did and how he did it.Helen Castor, author of 'She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth' is Charlie's guest 'proper' historian.Of course, you can also now read about Henry by buying the book of the podcast, Willie Willie Harry Stee. Available now in all bookshops, even the shabby ones. Buy it online here..... https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higsonIts the ideal Christmas gift.

The saga continues as Charlie Higson brings you the story of Stephen & Matilda. When Henry I died, the crown should have fallen to his daughter, the Empress Matilda.BUTStephen of Blois got there first to claim the crown and together with his wife, a different Matilda, Matilda of Boulogne.....it all went horribly wrong as you'll hear.Charlie's proper historian guest is Cath Hanley author of Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior.And remember, Willie Willie Harry Stee, the book of the podcast, is out now, so you can read about Henry as well as listen!https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603

Imagine you have two brothers. One of them is King of England, the other two want to be. What would YOU do?Well how about this. You have the brother who is King killed in a convenient hunting accident, then lock the other one up for the rest of his life.Farfetched? Then listen on as Charlie Higson continues his personal history of the extraordinary story of the Monarchs of England, assisted by this week's proper historian, Lord Charles Spencer.And remember, Willie Willie Harry Stee, the book of the podcast, is out now, so you can read about Henry as well as listen!https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/willie-willie-harry-stee-an-epically-short-history-of-our-kings-and-queens-charlie-higson?variant=55169046708603