20 Minute Monarch

Audacious Audio

A weekly, 20-minute romp through the lives and reigns of every English and British king and queen from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II. Host Pete and historian Chris serve up chatty, accurate, and lightly humorous episodes that are perfect for commutes, tea breaks, or anyone who loves history without the heavy textbook tone.

Episodes

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Eadwig (955-59)

    In Episode 6 of 20 Minute Monarch Pete and Chris tackle Eadwig — sometimes called Edwy or “Eadwig All-Fair” — who ruled from 955 to 959. Eadwig bursts into the story as a young, energetic monarch who quickly clashed with powerful churchmen, issued an unusually large number of charters, and presided over a kingdom that briefly split between his rule in the south and his brother Edgar’s authority in the north. We unpack the famous coronation banquet quarrel with Dunstan (and why later medieval chroniclers loved the scandal), the messy business over his marriage to Ælfgifu and questions of consanguinity, the political fallout that led to a northern defection in 957, and what Eadwig’s surviving charters and coinage tell us about kingship, favouritism, and patronage in the 950s. Expect friendly banter, careful myth-busting, and practical reading suggestions if you want to go deeper. Quick facts: Reign: 23 November 955 – 1 October 959. Nickname: Often called “All-Fair” in later sources (appearance or reputation debated). Big moments: acrimonious dispute with Dunstan at his coronation banquet; a contested marriage to Ælfgifu; a political split with northern magnates in 957 that elevated Edgar. Notable record: unusually high rate of surviving charters for such a young king — often read as intense patronage or political manoeuvring. Recommended reading: Britannica — Eadwig (concise overview). Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (various versions) — contemporary entries for accession and 957 events. Life of St Dunstan (medieval hagiography) — entertaining but partisan source on the banquet row. Oxford DNB — Eadwig (scholarly summary; subscription). Local numismatic or museum pages for Eadwig pennies (useful for visuals and talking points). #Eadwig #Edwy #AngloSaxonEngland #Dunstan #MedievalHistory #CoronationDrama #Ælfgifu #HistoryPodcast #LearnHistory #DidYouKnow #BritishHistory #HistoryBuff #PodcastRecommendations

    19 min

  2. 8 FEB

    Eadred (946-55)

    In Episode 5 of 20 Minute Monarch Pete and Chris turn to Eadred, king from 946 to 955. We follow his surprising rise (younger brother, not the obvious heir), his campaigns to repress Viking and Norse claimants in Northumbria, the repeated political manoeuvres in York, and his use of ealdormen to stabilise the north. We’ll cover his health problems, his unmarried status, surviving documents such as his will, and why his short reign matters for the consolidation of tenth-century English kingship. Clear sources, friendly banter, and a few numismatic curiosities included. What you’ll hear in this episode: Quick hello & reminder of the format. Eadred’s background and how he came to the throne after Edmund’s assassination. The messy politics of Northumbria: Erik Bloodaxe, Anlaf/Olaf, York magnates, and the eventual restoration of English rule. Eadred’s methods: punitive raids (burning Ripon), arresting powerful opponents, appointing loyal ealdormen such as Osulf in Northumbria. Personal life: unmarried, ill health in later years, and surviving will — what those documents tell us about royal priorities. Quick summary: achievements, limits, and why his reign matters for later kings. Outro, sources, and where to read more. Quick facts (soundbite-ready) Reign: 26 May 946 – 23 November 955. Coronation: 16 August 946, Kingston upon Thames (ceremony recorded in contemporary chronicles). Parentage: Son of Edward the Elder and Eadgifu; brother of Edmund I. Key achievement: Brought Northumbria more firmly under English control (Erik Bloodaxe expelled c. 954). Personal notes: Unmarried; suffered ill health in later years and died in 955 at Frome. His will survives and shows significant gifts to Winchester religious houses. Eadred, Edred, Eadred king 946–955, Anglo-Saxon kings, Erik Bloodaxe, Northumbria reconquest, Ripon burning, Eadred will, Winchester Old Minster, 10th century England podcast, 20 Minute Monarch #Eadred #Edred #AngloSaxonEngland #ErikBloodaxe #Northumbria #Ripon #MedievalHistory #HistoryPodcast #LearnHistory #DidYouKnow #BritishHistory #HistoryBuff #PodcastRecommendations Contact the show on Facebook. Just seach for "20 Minute Monarch"

    20 min

  3. 31 JAN

    Edmund I (939-46)

    King Edmund I, often overshadowed by his famous brother Æthelstan and his troubled sons, ruled England for just seven intense years — yet his reign was defined by relentless war, political consolidation, and the fragile survival of a united English kingdom. In this episode of 20 Minute Monarch, we explore the reign of Edmund the Magnificent, the warrior-king who spent most of his rule fighting to hold England together against Viking kings, rebel lords, and shifting alliances. Crowned at just eighteen, Edmund inherited a kingdom only recently unified and still dangerously unstable. Northumbria repeatedly slipped from English control, Viking leaders like Olaf Guthfrithson challenged royal authority, and Edmund was forced into near-constant campaigning to maintain dominance. Alongside the fighting, he worked closely with church leaders and powerful nobles to stabilise royal government and reinforce loyalty — all while ruling in the shadow of Æthelstan’s achievements. Edmund’s reign ended abruptly in 946 when he was killed in a shocking, almost mundane incident, leaving behind two young sons and a kingdom once again facing uncertainty. This episode asks why Edmund matters more than his short reign suggests — and how his violent death shaped the politics of 10th-century England. Perfect for students, history enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the kings who fought to keep England whole before the Norman Conquest. Quick facts Born: c. 921, son of King Edward the Elder Reign: 27 October 939 – 26 May 946 Coronation: 29 November 939, Kingston upon Thames Death: 26 May 946, stabbed at Pucklechurch Buried: Glastonbury Abbey #EdmundI #EdmundTheMagnificent #AngloSaxonEngland #VikingEngland #MedievalHistory #20MinuteMonarch #EnglishKings #Danelaw #PreNormanEngland #HistoryPodcast

    20 min

  4. 21 JAN

    Aethelstan (924-39)

    In Episode 3 of 20 Minute Monarch, Pete and Chris unpack the life and reign of Æthelstan. We consider how a once-questioned heir became the most powerful Anglo-Saxon ruler of his day: taking York, securing the submission of northern kings and Welsh rulers, shaping royal ceremony and law, and creating the diplomatic ties that made England visible on the European stage. Along the way we explain why many historians call Æthelstan the first king of all England — and why his reign still matters. Æthelstan, Aethelstan, Æthelstan reign 924–939, first king of England, Anglo-Saxon kings, York 927, Danelaw, early medieval England podcast, 20 Minute Monarch #BritishHistory #PublicHistory #EducationalPodcast #HistoryPodcast

    21 min

  5. 20 JAN

    Edward the Elder (899-924)

    In Episode 2 of 20 Minute Monarch, Pete and Chris take a tidy break-time tour of Edward the Elder’s life and reign. We look at how Edward inherited a fragile kingdom from Alfred, beat back internal rivals, worked with powerful regional leaders (including his sister Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians), and pushed back the Danish-controlled Danelaw. Along the way we unpack the campaigns, the burh network and frontier policy, family politics that mattered for succession, and why Edward is an important — sometimes underrated — link between Alfred and the first truly all-English king, Æthelstan. Edward the Elder, Edward 899–924, Anglo-Saxon kings, Æthelstan precursor, Danelaw reconquest, burhs, Æthelflæd, succession after Alfred, early medieval England podcast, 20 Minute Monarch #BritishHistory #PublicHistory #EducationalPodcast #HistoryPodcast

    18 min

  6. 19 JAN

    Alfred the Great (871-99)

    Welcome to 20 Minute Monarch, a bite-sized weekly podcast about every English and British king and queen from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II. In Episode 1 Pete (your host) is joined by his historian friend Chris for a relaxed, chatty exploration of Alfred — the monarch everyone remembers as “the Great.” In twenty minutes we cover Alfred’s rise in Wessex during the Viking threat, the crisis of 878 and the victory at Edington, his administrative and military reforms (hello, burhs and ships), his devotion to learning and translation, and the line between his real achievements and later legend. Expect friendly banter, surprising facts, and a quick knock-out summary of why Alfred matters today. If you like light history that still tries to get the facts right, this podcast is for you. Subscribe, tell a friend, and come back next week for the next monarch. #AlfredTheGreat #AngloSaxonEngland #VikingHistory #MedievalHistory #Edington #Burhs #HistoryPodcast #LearnHistory #DidYouKnow #BritishHistory #HistoryBuff #PodcastRecommendations

    20 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

A weekly, 20-minute romp through the lives and reigns of every English and British king and queen from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II. Host Pete and historian Chris serve up chatty, accurate, and lightly humorous episodes that are perfect for commutes, tea breaks, or anyone who loves history without the heavy textbook tone.

Information

  • Creator
    Audacious Audio
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Audacious Audio
  • Show Website
    20 Minute Monarch