Episode 1: James and the Giant Feasts

Miranda and Paul launch Season 2 with a myth-busting profile of King James VI and I, a fascinating and much-misunderstood monarch whose reign was packed with drama, intrigue and excess.

Their guest is Steven Veerapen, author of a new biography of James. Steven's book. 'The Wisest Fool: the Lavish Life of James VI and I' (Birlinn), reassesses James's early life in Scotland, explores his bisexuality, and paints a vivid picture of his extravagant court in London -  "simultaneously the most colourful and the most wasteful in English history," as Steven tells us.

Yet there was more to James than drunken banquets and complicated romantic liaisons. He judiciously avoided becoming entangled in Europe's wars, showed impressive tact in his handling of religious tensions, and left behind a stable realm - though as Paul and Miranda remind us, that stability was quickly undermined by his son, Charles I.

'1666 and All That' is presented by Paul Lay and Miranda Malins. The producer is Hugh Costello. Original music by George Taylor. The episode is mixed by Sam Gunn.

To suggest episode topics for Season 2, leave a message on our website: www.podpage.com/1666-and-all-that. Or use Twitter to contact @_paullay or @MirandaMalins