Pledge $2 per month
$2 or more per month • 50 patrons
You will be filled with a warm fuzzy glow in the knowledge that you have helped the podcast and joined the Privy Council! Plus, we'll give you an on-air thanks and free access to the Privy Chamber bonus podcasts (recordings we now do after each normal episode with some extra material we couldn't fit in, post-review reflections and reading out messages), which are exclusive to Privy Councillors.
GET $2 REWARDPledge $5 per month
$5 or more per month • 258 patrons
A warm fuzzy glow, an on-air mention and comment/question read out, access the Privy Chamber podcasts AND free access to all our special episodes which normally cost $2 each.
GET $5 REWARDPledge $10 per month
$10 or more per month • 54 patrons
The rewards are building up! At $10 you get a warm fuzzy glow, an on-air mention and comment/question, access to the Privy Chamber podcasts and special episodes PLUS a Privy Councillor mug!
GET $10 REWARDPledge $15 per month
$15 or more per month • 15 patrons
At $15 you get a warm fuzzy glow, an on-air mention and comment/question, access to the Privy Chamber podcasts and special episodes, a Privy Councillor mug AND to commission a blog on the subject of your choice.
GET $15 REWARDRex Factor is a free podcast reviewing all the kings and queens of England and Scotland.
Rex Factor is a free and podcast reviewing all the kings and queens of England and Scotland by a number of factors and deciding which ones have that special quality that we call 'the Rex Factor'. The podcast has been running for a number of years and will always be free to listen to, but we do incur a number of costs in producing the podcast (hosting fees, sound equipment, books, etc.) and we would love to be able to work full-time on Rex Factor. By pledging to us, you will be helping us to keep going and one day, hopefully, to work full-time on Rex Factor, and in return you will gain access to special bonus features and episodes.
Latest Episodes
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Ali's Pennance for Edgar the Peaceable
By far the most controversial moment on Rex Factor was Ali's decision not to award Edgar the Peaceable the Rex Factor, for which he has received complaints ever since. One listener suggested, in the style of Henry II for Thomas Becket, that Ali do pennance for his crime but rather than being flayed by monks Ali should row a representative of Edgar the Peaceable, recreating Edgar's famous ceremony in 973 when he was rowed by various sub-kings. If we reach the donation target, Ali will do pennance and the video will be shared!
Graham's New Microphone
The sound quality has been a common source of feedback for where we can improve the podcast, and while we have made improvements we'd really like to invest in some quality microphones that will make a significant difference to our recordings and make Rex Factor even better to listen to! The new microphone will cut out background noise and make Graham's voice clearer and richer!
Ali's New Microphone
The new microphones will just pick up one person rather than the whole room (and police sirens!) so in order to hear Ali, he will need a microphone as well or else his "Crikey Moses"s will go unheard!
Complicated thing that makes the new microphones work!
The new microphones need an audio interface so that they can link into the computer, otherwise neither Graham nor Ali will be heard!
Ongoing Support
I've been advised by Podbean that the 'goals' system is going to be removed in the next update to the site, so I'm not going to add any new ones on here. However, we may continue to do something similar on an informal basis via the podcast but ultimately all the money donated will go towards meeting our costs, improving our recording technology and hopefully expanding into other exciting areas!
Account Upgrade
We recently launched premium podcasts but found our account was limited to a small number which has caused a lot of problems for people purchasing the episode and left unable to access it without us sending manual links. To solve this problem, we need to upgrade our account but this will be a pretty big jump (effectively paying in a month almost what we used to pay for the whole year!) so your donations will help us cover this cost and allow us to continue to produce more bonus episodes (possibly commissioned by you if you go for the top reward!)
Video Cameras
We are hoping to add another level to their podcasting in future with videos on location at some of the historic sites that we discuss in the podcasts and so we're saving up for a nice one with decent sound that will work outdoors so you can both see us and hear us at the same time!
Ongoing Support
We've got some exciting plans for doing more with Rex Factor, including video episodes, additional audio stuff and many more exciting things besides, so it's really a huge help for us to fund all of this with your support.
Full-Time Rex Factor
We would love to be able to dedicate even more time to the podcast and make Rex Factor our full-time occupation so that we can do even more podcasting and branch out into other areas.
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Rewards
Pledge $2 per month
$2 or more per month • 50 patrons
You will be filled with a warm fuzzy glow in the knowledge that you have helped the podcast and joined the Privy Council! Plus, we'll give you an on-air thanks and free access to the Privy Chamber bonus podcasts (recordings we now do after each normal episode with some extra material we couldn't fit in, post-review reflections and reading out messages), which are exclusive to Privy Councillors.
GET $2 REWARDPledge $5 per month
$5 or more per month • 258 patrons
A warm fuzzy glow, an on-air mention and comment/question read out, access the Privy Chamber podcasts AND free access to all our special episodes which normally cost $2 each.
GET $5 REWARDPledge $10 per month
$10 or more per month • 54 patrons
The rewards are building up! At $10 you get a warm fuzzy glow, an on-air mention and comment/question, access to the Privy Chamber podcasts and special episodes PLUS a Privy Councillor mug!
GET $10 REWARDPledge $15 per month
$15 or more per month • 15 patrons
At $15 you get a warm fuzzy glow, an on-air mention and comment/question, access to the Privy Chamber podcasts and special episodes, a Privy Councillor mug AND to commission a blog on the subject of your choice.
GET $15 REWARDTop patrons
The gtqn8l's Podcast 4 days ago
Hi Ali & Graham, I've been meaning to make this commitment for a while as I thoroughly enjoy the history and the humour. Informative and laugh out loud funny, Love it! Sharon (a Scouser living in Dunedin, New Zealand)The kgx9hj's Podcast 11 days ago
Discovered this podcast during those first weeks with a newborn (dynasty - 1). She's almost 6 months and we've almost finished the Scots. Her first words will probably be "Edgar the Peaceable was robbed". In all honesty though, it wasn't Edgar missing out that shocked me, it was Queen Liz's dad, George 6. Can you name one other monarch that battled against their own personality/desires for the good of the country? Seemed to be a great Dad as well. He'll always have the Rex Factor to us!The y6pxyc's Podcast 15 days ago
I cancelled Netflix and joined the Privy Council... Thanks for the podcast!!Kirsti
The yqyv85's Podcast 16 days ago
Been meaning to join the Privy Council for a while now. I’m still on the Scottish series, but I’m catching up! Your podcast keeps me company on my drive to work everyday. Keep up the good work!The nwws5n's Podcast 22 days ago
Thank you so much for Rex Factor! I've been listening since mid-Series 1 and have enjoyed every step of the way since, especially the series playoffs. Because of this podcast, I started listening to Saga Thing, which led me to whole new journeys (learning Old Norse, for starters)... but I'll always cherish Rex Factor first. I'm honored to be a member of the Privy Council, and I can't wait to catch up on the special episodes--and hear everything that you're doing next!Maspha 24 days ago
Hi Ali and GrahamMy name is Mark and I come from Denmark. After listening to your podcast for 2½ years, supporting the animated show and seeing your live show in London, where I got to ask you a question, I've finally become a privy counceller :)
For the past 3 years i've worked as a tour leader, touringNormandy with Danish tourist. We pass Richard the Lionheart's Chateau Gaillard, and while talking about Richard, Henry II, Eleanor and John, I of course talk about and recommend Rex Factor ;)
Maspha 24 days ago
Do you know the book series “The Accursed Kings” by French author Maurice Druon? It’s a series of 7 historical novels, that tells the story about the Tour de Nesle Affair, that brought down the French Capet Dynasty, and ultimately led to the Hundred Years War. This book series was also an influence for George R.R. Martin writing Game of Thrones.The mmj7tg's Podcast 2 months ago
I found your podcast while researching for my advanced higher history dissertation (on the wars of Scottish independence) and I have been hooked ever since. Your podcast has not only unlocked the fascinating history behind the Scotland and England we know today but every episode makes me laugh. The way Rex Factor makes history not only accessible but incredibly informative and entertaining is brilliant. Thank you very much and keep up the amazing work.The hx7wzl's Podcast 2 months ago
I'm an American research scientist whose daily commute is horrific. Your pod cast has made the miles melt away. My youngest son is an historian and just loves the Rex facts. I am myself passionate about art, history and science.A genealogy test last year revealed I am a descendant of the English kings. I knew my grandfather was English but seriously! I confirmed all of this by using "family search". When I saw Richard the III in my antecedents, I was stunned.
ejjones0792 2 months ago
Looks like my subscription was cancelled a few months ago when I got a new debit card and forgot to update my card details on here!... as you can tell I check my emails regularly. Glad to be back on the privy council, and thank you for the shoutout on the George IV vs Charles II live episode that I didn't make it to in Oxford! George IV was robbed though. Charles was a better king but we should respect the lifetime of dedication and effort George put into being completely rubbish. - Emily