The Kings and Queens podcast

Jonny Langton
  • 4.9 (39)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Delve into the fascinating, individual stories of the Kings and Queens of England and the United Kingdom. From the chivalric warriors, to the hungry war-mongers to the nefarious tyrants. Discover the monarchs at their most prestigious and most fragile. New series is being produced on the Saxon kings from Alfred the Great. Hosted by Jonny Langton Twitter - @ kingsqueenspod Instagram @ kingsqueenspodcast Facebook @ kingsqueenspod

  1. 07/20/2025

    10. Sweyn Forkbeard

    In 1013, the  audacious Sweyn Forkbeard (1013-14) reappeared at Sandwich,  with  a  powerful  fleet  He  was  accompanied  by his three usual attendants,  Fire,  slaughter,  and  pillage;  and all  England  trembled  before  him,  like  the  rustling  of  a  bed of  reeds  shaken  by  the  western wind. Characters Sweyn Forkbeard - King of Denmark (986-1014), King of Norway (1000-1014), King of England (1014) Harald Bluetooth - King of Denmark (958-986), King of Norway (970-985), father of Sweyn Gunhild - mother of Swein Cnut - son of Sweyn Forkbeard Gunhild - first wife of Sweyn Sigrid the Haughty - second wife of Sweyn, wife of Erik the Victorious Palnatoke - founder of the Jomsvikings Jari Sigvaldi - chieftain of the Jomsvikings Erik Hakonarson - Norwegian jarl Olaf Tryggvason - King of Norway (995-1000) Erik the Victorious - King of Sweden (970-95) Olof Skotkonung - King of Sweden (955-1022) Otto I - Holy Roman Emperor (962-73) Otto II - Holy Roman Emperor (973-83) Aethelred - King of England (978-1013, 1014-16) Edward the Martyr - King of England (975-78), half-brother of Aethelred Emma of Normandy - second wife of Aethelred, wife of Cnut Ulfcytel - nobleman and military leader St. Edmund - King of East-Anglia (855-69) Adam of Bremen - chronicler Credits Music: Daudir by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.creatorchords.com)Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Freesound.org 127006__bulbastre__wooden-boat-row-water194982__soundmary__wild-horses-running 241824__haldigital97__waves-1367479__timsc__small-waves-on-shingle-beach733333__haulaway__bag-of-coins-drop

    25 min

  2. 05/29/2025

    9. Æthelred the Unready

    Æthelred's (978-1013, 1014-16) story would be one of turbulence, political intrigue, and the relentless march of fate. The boy who would become king would soon be marked by the legacy of doubt and misfortune, a monarch whose reign would be defined by both his early promise and his later failures. According to William and Malmesbury, he was an accomplice to murder, a coward who fled from danger, a wastrel who died a miserable death. Characters Aethelred - King of England (978-1013, 1014-16) Edward the Martyr - King of England (975-78), half-brother of Aethelred Edgar - King of England (959-75), father of Aethelred and Edward Aelfthryth - third wife of Edgar, mother of Aethelred Aelfgifu - first wife of Aethelred Emma of Normandy - second wife of Aethelred Edmund Ironside - son of Aethelred Aethelflaed - first wife of Edgar, mother of Edward Dunstan - Archbishop of Canterbury (959-88) Sigeric - Archbishop of Canterbury (990-94) Aelfheah - Archbishop of Canterbury (1006-12) Wulfstan - Archbishop of York Aethelwold - Bishop of Winchester Oswald - Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of York Aethelwine - Ealderman of East-Anglia Aelfhere - Ealdorman of MerciaByrhtnoth - military commander Wulfgeat - favourite of Aethelred Eadric - nicknamed ‘the grabber’, favourite of Aethelred Wulfnoth - favourite of AethelredBeorhtic - favourite of Aethelred Olaf Tryggvason - King of Norway (995-1000) Sweyn Forkbeard - King of Denmark (986-1014), King of Norway (1000-1014), King of England (1014) Cnut - son of Sweyn Forkbeard Richard I - nicknamed ‘the fearless’, duke of Normandy (942-96) Richard II - nicknamed ‘the good’, duke of Normandy (996-1026) William of Malmesbury - chronicler John of Worcester -chronicler Credits Music: Prepare for War by Alexander Nakarada (https://www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Freesounds.org 194982__soundmary__wild-horses-running  458113__brunoboselli__countryside 733333__haulaway__bag-of-coins-drop 231537__vkproduktion__forest-birds-loop-02 449652__magnesus__walking-through-forest 241824__haldigital97__waves-1

    42 min

  3. 01/19/2025

    8. Edward the Martyr

    From the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle describing Edward the Martyr (975-78). 'Men murdered him, but God exalted him. In life he was an earthly king; after death he is now a heavenly saint. His earthly kinsmen would not avenge him, but his heavenly Father has greatly avenged him. The earthly killers would have destroyed his memory. Those who would not bow to his living body now humbly on their knees bow to his dead bones. How we may understand that the wisdom of men, their plans and counsel, are nothing against God’s purpose.' Characters Edward the Martyr - King of England (975-78) Aethelred - brother of Edward and claimant Edgar - King of England (959-75), father of Edward and Aethelred Aethelflaed - first wife of Edgar, mother of Edward Wulfthryth - possible second wife of Edgar Aelfthryth - third wife of Edgar, mother of Aethelred Dunstan - Archbishop of Canterbury Aethelwold - Bishop of Winchester Oswald - Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of York Aethelwine - Alderman of East-Anglia Aelfhere - Ealdorman of Mercia Brihthelm - former Archbishop of Canterbury Kenneth II - King of Scotland Geoffrey Gaimar - chronicler Lantfred - chronicler and Winchester monk Byrthferth - chronicler Osbern of Canterbury - chronicler Music: Medieval Suspense by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ In Excelsis Deo

    24 min

  4. 12/08/2024

    7. Edgar

    According to the Anglo-Saxon chronicle, ‘in Edgar's (959-75) days all things gladly grew good, and God granted that he dwelt in peace while he lived, and he did, as was necessary, work eagerly towards it. He was mighty in arms, exulting in sceptres and diadems, and regally protected the laws of the kingdom with militant authority.’ Characters Edgar - King of England (959-975), King of the Mercians and Northumbrians (957-59) Aethelflaed - first wife of Edgar Wulfthryth - possible second wife of Edgar Aelfthryth - third wife of Edgar Eadwig - King of England (955-59), brother of Edgar Edmund I - King of England (939-46), father of Edgar Eadred - King of England (946-55), uncle of Edgar Eadgifu - grandmother of Edgar Dunstan - Archbishop of Canterbury Aethelwold - Bishop of Winchester Oswald - Bishop of Worcester, Archbishop of York Aethelstan half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia Aelfsige - former Archbishop of Canterbury Brihthelm - former Archbishop of Canterbury Kenneth II - King of Scotland Geoffrey Gaimar - chronicler Lantfred - chronicler and Winchester monk Credits  Music: Cold Journey by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Suso_ramallo__binaural-catholic-gregorian-chant-mass-liturgy

    30 min

  5. 10/21/2024

    6. Eadwig

    Perhaps no image of an Anglo-Saxon king has been shaped as unyieldingly by his enemies as Eadwig's (955-59). Ruthless purging of the old guard of his father and uncle and the appointments of favourites resulted in his character assassination in the hagiographies of the men he’d dismissed. He was labelled an incorrigible rascal and lecher. The accounts paint a picture of a naïve, capricious, salacious misguided boy, who side-lined experienced advisors when they resisted his childish impulses. Characters  Eadwig - King of England (955-59)  Aelfgifu - wife of Eadwig Edmund I - King of England (939-46), father of Eadwig Aelfgifu of Shaftesbury - mother of Eadwig Eadgifu - grandmother of Eadwig Edgar - younger brother of Eadwig, King of the Mercians and Northumbrians Aethelgifu - mother of Aelfgifu, Eadwig’s wife Aelric - Eadwig’s foster parent Dunstan - Abbot of Glastonbury Oda - Archbishop of Canterbury Aethelwold - Abbot of Abingdon Aethelstan half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia B - chronicler  William of Malmesbury - chronicler Credits Music: Nomadic Dawn by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licence https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Medieval_Town_SFX_Bundle

    18 min

  6. 08/30/2024

    5. Eadred

    Within a year of being crowned, Eadred (946-55) was faced with possibly the most feared, most ruthless and most famous Viking to set foot on English shores. The battle to save Northumbria from Viking control was also fought in conjunction with a battle against a truly debilitating illness. Like his brothers before him, in securing the legacy of his forebears, he could not fail. Characters Eadred - King of England (946-55) Edmund I - King of England (939-46), elder brother of Eadred Eadgifu - third wife of Edward, mother of Eadred Edward the Elder - King of the Anglo-Saxons (899-924), father of Eadred Aethelstan - King of the Anglo-Saxons (924-37), King of England (927-939), half-brother of Eadred Eadburh - sister of Eadred Eadwig - son of Edmund and Eadred’s successor Alfred - King of the West-Saxons (871-886), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-899), grandfather of Edmund Dunstan - Abbot of Glastonbury Aethelwold - Abbot of Abingdon Aethelstan Half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia Oda - Archbishop of Canterbury Hywel Dda - King of Deheubarth Oswulf I - Earl of Bamburgh, commander of Northumbria Wulstan - Archbishop of York Olaf Sihtricson - King of Northumbria (941-44, 949-52) Eric Bloodaxe - King of Northumbria (947-48, 952-54) Credits Viking Calls - Marcus Dellicompagni (www.poundsound.uk) Bbc_monasterie_07065024 bbc_bells---mo_07037647 8632__anton__male_slurping_water 432380__fedor_ogon__dry-cough

    26 min

  7. 08/02/2024

    4. Edmund I

    Much like those who came before and those who would follow, Edmund I’s (939-46) reign was largely dominated by the Viking threat. Though his early years were tense and characterised by Viking resurgence, he recovered the land won by his father and half-brother and ultimately succeeded in keeping the Viking threat at bay and thus continued the dream of his forebears, the dream of a united, peaceful England. Characters Edmund I - King of England (939-46) Eadgifu - third wife of Edward, mother of Edmund and Eadred Aelfgith - first wife of Edmund, mother of Eadwig and Edgar Aethelflaed of Damerham - second of wife of Edmund Edward the Elder - King of the Anglo-Saxons (899-924), father of Edmund Aethelstan - King of the Anglo-Saxons (924-37), King of England (927-939), half-brother of Edmund  Eadred - brother of Edmund  Eadburh - sister of Edmund Eadwig - son of Edmund  Edgar - son of Edmund Alfred - King of the West-Saxons (871-886), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-899), grandfather of Edmund Aelfweard - half-brother of Edmund and Aethelstan and claimant Edwin - half-brother of Edmund and Aethelstan and claimant Dunstan - Abbot of Glastonbury Aethelstan Half-king - Alderman of East-Anglia Charles the Simple - King of West Francia (898-922), father of Louis Louis IV - King of West Francia (936-54), nephew of Edmund Alain - Duke of Brittany Wulstan - Archbishop of York Oda - Archbishop of Canterbury Olaf Guthfrithson - King of Dublin (934-39), King of Northumbria (939-41) Olaf Sihtricson - King of Dublin (945-47), King of Northumbria (941-44) Hywel Dda - King of Deheubarth Idwal foel - King of Gwynedd Constantine II - King of Alba (900-43) Malcolm I - King of Alba (943-54) Owain - King of Strathclyde Dyfnwal/Dunmail - King of Strathclyde/Cumbria, son of Owain Hugh the Great - Duke of the Franks Otto I - King of East Francia Leofa - outlaw and killer of Edmund Credits  Freesound.org: 567701__nox_sound__foley_rocks_stones_impacts_mono548384__nox_sound__footsteps_mountain_boots_mud_mono 682383__pnmcarrierailfan__axe-pacts-wood-09-w-crash 400380__klankbeeld__running-dog-passing 438380__craigsmith__g28-20-raucous-unruly-indoor-crowd 271206__mrprofdrdickweed__riot-crowd-immersed-in-5  505272__diegolar__surrounded-by-horse close perspective  417386__klankbeeld__hors-bristling-crow-calling-170917-1223 Music: The Wizard by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 Licensehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    22 min

  8. 06/30/2024

    3. Æthelstan

    Aethelstan (924-939), renowned through the whole world whose fame flourishes and whose honour endures everywhere, whom God set as king over the English people. Raised on the high throne, and leader of these earthly armies, so that the king himself, mighty in war, could conquer other fierce kings and crush their proud necks. Characters Aethelstan - King of the Anglo-Saxons (924-927), King of the English (927-939) Edward the Elder - King of the Anglo-Saxons (899-924), father of Aethelstan Ecgwynn - first wife of Edward, mother of Aethelstan Aelfflaed - second wife of Edward, mother of Aelfweard, Edwin and Eadgifu Eadgifu - third wife of Edward, mother of Edmund and Eadred Aethelflaed - Lady of Mercia (911-918), aunt of Aethelstan Alfred - King of the West-Saxons (871-886), King of the Anglo-Saxons (886-899), grandfather of Aethelstan Aelfweard - half-brother of Aethelstan and claimant Edwin - half-brother of Aethelstan and claimant Constantine II - King of Alba Owain - King of Strathclyde Sihtric - Viking King of Dublin (917-20) Guthfrith - Viking King of Dublin (920-34) Olaf Guthfrithson - Viking King of Dublin (934-39) Henry I - King of GermanyHarald Finehair - King of Norway Hywel Dda - king of Deheubarth Idwal foel - king of Gwynedd Morgan ap Owain - king of Gwent Tewdwr ap Elisse - king of Brycheiniog  William of Malmesbury - 13th century chronicler Credits Music: Chivalry Fair by Alexander Nakarada (www.creatorchords.com) Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    33 min
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4.9
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

Delve into the fascinating, individual stories of the Kings and Queens of England and the United Kingdom. From the chivalric warriors, to the hungry war-mongers to the nefarious tyrants. Discover the monarchs at their most prestigious and most fragile. New series is being produced on the Saxon kings from Alfred the Great. Hosted by Jonny Langton Twitter - @ kingsqueenspod Instagram @ kingsqueenspodcast Facebook @ kingsqueenspod

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