h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

>> James, Duke of York, was the second son of Charles I - he became James VII of Scotland and James II of England after his brother King Charles II fled to France.

Um. No. He became James II of England after his brother King Charles II died. They both fled to France before the execution of Charles I, and they both stayed on the continent throughout the Commonwealth, (rather quaintly called the "interregnum" on royal.gov.uk.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page76.asp
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page101.asp
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page92.asp
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page97.asp

I'm really shocked that a mistake that sloppy could get through PR and Subbing.

B

While I'm at it:

>> Previous famous 'spares' were Henry VIII, whose divorce from his older brother's widow Catherine of Aragon led to the Church of England's break with Rome; and John 'Lackland' (so-called because as the fourth child of his generation he was not expected to inherit anything), who became King John upon the death of Richard 'the Lionheart'.

Also:

William IV, brother of George IV
Mary I, sister of Edward VI ("Bloody" Mary Tudor)
Elizabeth I, sister of Mary I and Edward VI (Queen Elizabeth - slightly famous, I'd suggest)
Anne, sister of Mary II (of William-and-Mary)

I'm not very good at anything pre-Tudor, but royalty.gov tells us:

Henry I succeeded his brother William II (I am not sure of the wisdom of calling our two William and Harry: "while the next youngest, William, became king of England. Their younger brother Henry would become king on William II's death. The uneasy divide continued until Henry captured and imprisoned his elder brother."

I'll accept that Henry I and William II aren't particularly famous, but the Tudor women and to a lesser extent the Stuart women are.

B

Hi researcher,
You need to repeat your points at Feedback-Editorial as the curators will not see them here - and they are the only ones who have access to the entry now.

Wilma

Ooops

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/Feedback-Editorial

Perhaps, Galaxy Babe could comment over at that thread, and tell me whether this is a valid criticism.

I would have commented here, Gnomon, but the Researcher had unsubscribed so I didn't see the point.

I will comment at EF now I know there's a thread there, thank you