Pledge $2 per month
$2 or more per month • 64 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 • 283 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 • 67 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 • 16 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 • 64 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 • 283 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 • 67 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 • 16 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 hvhdqf's Podcast 21 hours ago
By chance stumbled on the tragic/hilarious James II (Stuart) episode first almost a year ago and have been listening/loving ever since. Thought it was high time I contributed - keep it up and can't wait to hear Emma of Normandy. Dunstan Forever.The brittainfrancesca's Podcast 2 days ago
This podcast has really been helping get through my Masters, its a nice little break to catch up on - even though I'm only at Malcolm III. My personal favourites are the Saxons, the fact we don't know so much about them is only what makes them more interesting! Keep up the great work! :)The maverickmitsche's Podcast 5 days ago
Been on the fence for months now on whether or not to become a member of the privy council, but ever since catching up on the podcast I’ve had withdrawals and decided to sign up in order to access all those special episodes. Can’t wait to learn more about William The Martial!Btw if you say my last name on air it’s pronounced Mitch-ee. Love the podcast and can’t wait for more!
The stevenfcuell's Podcast 25 days ago
Hi G-man + AliThank you so much for Rex Factor. Friend/fellow patron Amy Williams got me into listening; we spent many hours in Oxford discussing favourite monarchs.
After moving to Zurich, I tried to keep up with UK news. BUT... it’s so depressing that I’ve ditched the news in favour of old Rex Factor episodes. When asked about UK events, all I have is disbelief that Harold Godwinson could march around England at such great speed.
Edgar the Peaceable: no Rex Factor
Henry VII: Yes Factor
The pnp5gb's Podcast 2 months ago
Wishing the happiest of birthdays to long-time fan Hannah Fritschner, and thank you for bringing Rex Factor into our lives! (Even if we disagree about Mary Queen of Scots, at least we're all ride-or-die for Henry II!) We miss you already and we can't wait to see all the pics as you explore the British Isles during your extended stay in Scotland this year! Love you! From Aaron and Karen. 3 months ago
Hi guys! Thank you so much for your podcast - my friend (Privy Councillor Natalie Crown) recommended it and I just can’t get enough - I’ve just finished the Scottish series. I absolutely love hearing about the Saxons, so I’m excited to get started on series 3!Thanks again,
Emily Brown
The glksyv's Podcast 3 months ago
I have been an avid listener since I discovered your podcast, when I was 8 months pregnant with my second child. Not only did you get me through the last stage of pregnancy where I felt like a stranded whale, but also 10 hours of labor with my daughter. Even wanted to name her after the empress Mathilda, but her dad vetoed that. Thank you for a great podcast, that I continue to love listening to.- Sif (yes I am named after a Viking goddess)
Anna Hjortkjær 3 months ago
Dear Ali and GrahamI’ve been listening for years as a poor student, but I’m so excited that I can finally contribute! As a proud dane I am obviously dissapointed that Sven Forkbeard wasn’t in the english-series race and I second the person who previously suggested doing RexFactor with some of the medieval or viking scandinavians. Maybe just a special episode around the contestors for the throne in 1066?
Anyway - thank you so much for a great podcast!
Best wishes, Anna
The zjsjkw's Podcast 4 months ago
Dear Ali and Graham, lots of love from the two of us to the two of you - hope this helps keep that juicy scandal coming. You have accompanied us on many a long car journey and for many an epic baking session, and we are looking forward to being wowed by all the Rexy Facts and singing along to the theme tune for many years to come. History never sounded so good.The mqc6nb's Podcast 4 months ago
Dear Ali and Graham,You know it's time to become member of the Privy Council when you say "backgroundy stuff" or "weeeee" in a work meeting.
Love your work and, as the writer of a doorstop of a dissertation on early modern England, thrilled to bits you gave Charles II his due.
Cheers,
Carol