This is History

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History

History

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History

History

Updated May 12

Season 10, Episode 4

S10 E4 | The Kingmaker Strikes Back

It’s a gorgeous, calculated provocation. In the summer of 1469, in Calais, the Earl of Warwick, marries his daughter Isabel to George, Duke of Clarence, brother and heir to King Edward IV. It’s another shot across the bow to Edward, who doesn’t seem to understand that the kingmaker wants him out. Within weeks, Warwick's rebels crush a royal army at Edgcote and the Kingmaker imprisons the king himself in the Tower of London. England collapses into anarchy. Warwick, humbled, is forced to release Edward. Astonishingly, he is pardoned. More astonishingly, he rebels again. Defeated at Losecoat Field, he flees to France, where he finds an unlikely ally. – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. And don’t forget to listen to this season’s accompanying bonus episodes for this miniseries, where Dan and Producer Al discuss the "congenital shitbird” that is George, Duke of Clarence. Plus, Dan settles the rumours about whether Edward IV was really illegitimate after all. – A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices –– Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Louisa Field Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S10, E4

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30 min
Season 10, Episode 3

S10 E3 | LOVEBOMBING

Richard Neville, the Earl of Warwick, knows there’s no such thing as a free lunch. And the best way to keep the people on your side is through their stomachs. It’s a lesson King Edward IV has yet to learn. After marrying for love, and starting a diplomatic thaw with Europe, Edward soon finds out that there’s really only one task that matters: keeping his most powerful subject loyal. So the young king allows a raid on a Hanseatic League storehouse on Warwick’s behalf, he moves his entire court to Coventry just to coax Warwick to a council meeting, and then stages a grand ceremony at Windsor Castle to project unity. None of it works. Warwick takes every gift and offers nothing in return. Generosity can be its own kind of trap door. The question is whether the king will recognise it before he’s swallowed whole… – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. And don’t forget to listen to this season’s accompanying bonus episodes for this miniseries, where Dan and Producer Al trace how the Earl of Warwick was able to attain power that rivalled that of the king’s. Plus, Dan gets stuck into how the restive Northern counties provides Warwick with a vulnerability to exploit. – A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices –– Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Louisa Field Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S10, E3

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30 min
Season 10, Episode 2

S10 E2 | Rise of the Woodvilles

Edward IV marries in secret, then springs the news like a trap. England’s new Queen, Elizabeth Woodville, arrives with two sons, a Lancastrian past, and a family ready to take their chance. When the newly-married couple introduces themselves at Reading Abbey, nobles gape. But Elizabeth takes her newfound royal status with aplomb. She stages a dazzling churching, forcing courtiers to kneel for hours. Elsewhere, England’s pitiable former king Henry VI is found wandering and locked quietly in the Tower. Elizabeth’s siblings are married into great royal houses at speed, tightening their grip, much to the dismay of England’s noble class. In London, her brother Anthony fights the Grand Bastard of Burgundy before a roaring crowd. All the while, a wounded Earl of Warwick watches on. The kingmaker’s been left humiliated and restless by this union, and the balance of power in between Warwick and Edward won’t stay cordial for long. – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. And don’t forget to listen to this season’s accompanying bonus episodes for this miniseries, where Dan and Producer Al discuss the basics of marriage in the medieval world… and how they bend and warp when the groom is a king. Plus, get the inside scoop on 1464’s HOTTEST scandal: Edward IV’s secret wedding to Elizabeth Woodville — the low-born widow who nobody saw being England’s next Queen. – A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices –– Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Louisa Field Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S10, E2

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33 min
Season 10, Episode 1

S10 E1 | A New Hope

A 13-year-old girl labours in a sealed chamber at Pembroke Castle as the plague circles them. Miraculously, Margaret Beaufort survives. Her son does, too. His name is Henry Tudor. This birth doesn’t register in the minds of many nobles, as they’re focused on England’s first Yorkist King, Edward IV. After his decisive victory at the Battle of Towton, his mission as king is to do what Henry VI couldn’t: rebuild a broken kingdom. He solidifies power in concert with his ally, the Earl of Warwick, who fancies himself as a kingmaker. Warwick grows rich on titles, ports, and power, until some say he rules as much as the king. They stamp out a few threats to Edward’s rule, but ultimately their mission is to stamp order over the kingdom. The best way to do that is to find England a new Queen. – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. And don’t forget to listen to this season’s accompanying bonus episodes for this miniseries, where Dan and Producer Al discuss the Earl of Warwick’s lust for power, and why the role of matchmaker has been thrust upon him. Plus, Dan gives you a close insight into the social discord of England early on in Edward IV’s reign thanks to the Paston Letters — the largest surviving collection of 15th-century private correspondence, written in English between 1422 and 1509. – A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices –– Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Louisa Field Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S10, E1

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36 min
Season 10, Episode 5 Bonus • Subscriber Early Access

Is Warwick making this up as he goes along?

Dan and Producer Al unpack the latest batch of royal chaos. Was it a mistake to replace Henry VI? Were things better in the old days? And, as Elizabeth Woodville is abandoned by her husband the king and forced to seek sanctuary at Westminster, Al wonders how sanctuary worked in practice. Plus, what on earth is “readeption”? – A Sony Music Entertainment production. Want to delve deeper? Become a This Is History Royal Favourite subscriber on Patreon. You get ad free listening, exclusive behind the scenes videos, and a weekly bonus episode. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Presented by Dan Jones and Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Louisa Field Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner

Season 10, Episode 5 Bonus

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31 min
Season 10, Episode 5 • Subscriber Early Access

S10 E5 | King Henry’s Second Coming

It’s time for a restoration, or rather, re-adeption. In 1470, Warwick the Kingmaker seizes his moment and slings Henry VI back onto the English throne. It’s fair to say the Lancastrian king doesn’t quite get the significance of this moment. He’s described by one chronicler as being nothing more than ‘a stuffed wool sack lifted by its ears’. But Henry makes one pliable puppet for Warwick, who makes himself the king’s lieutenant — basically England’s decision maker in chief. Lining up behind Warwick are a cast of characters who are more than happy to see England wobble, not least the French King Louis XI. But beneath Henry VI’s return is a tremor that won’t settle. There’s an ex-king on the loose, and Edward IV is going to do everything he can to avenge his usurpation. – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. And don’t forget to listen to this season’s accompanying bonus episodes for this miniseries, where Dan and Producer Al discuss the weaknesses of Edward IV’s early rule, what Henry VI’s ‘re-adeption’ actually meant, and why Warwick was able to cobble together a coalition that toppled the newly-minted royal House of York. – A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices –– Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Louisa Field Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner

S10, E5

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29 min
Season 1, Episode 1

Season 1 | 1. Queen on The Run

This episode contains descriptions of violence or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners. Until yesterday, Eleanor of Aquitaine was the queen of France. Now, divorced and dethroned, she’s running for her life. Noblemen are lying in wait to capture her and lay claim to her lands. But, if she can escape them, and reach her destination in time, she’ll become more powerful than ever before. This is the beginning of the bloodiest dynasty in European history. This is History is a Somethin’ Else & Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Written and presented by Dan Jones Producer - Rosie Merotra Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills Executive Producer - Dave Anderson Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton Production Manager - Jen Mistri Composer - Matt Acheson Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O’Shaugnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S1, E1

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19 min
Season 10, Episode 4 Bonus • Subscribers Only

Was Edward IV illegitimate?

Dan and Al examine the strength of Edward IV’s claim to the throne amid increasing pressure on his rule. Why does the Duke of Clarence do the dirty on his brother Edward? How effective was the Robin of Redesdale rebellion and who was behind it? Plus, Dan uncovers what Edward IV, Jessica Alba, Penelope Cruz, and Saddam Hussein have in common… – A Sony Music Entertainment production. Want to delve deeper? Become a This Is History Royal Favourite subscriber on Patreon. You get ad free listening, exclusive behind the scenes videos, and a weekly bonus episode. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Presented by Dan Jones and Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Louisa Field Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner

Season 10, Episode 4 Bonus

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26 min
Season 9, Episode 12

S9 E12 | Rise of the Yorks

To learn more about the last time an English king was usurped, listen to Season 7, Bonus Episode 12, where Dan tells the story of Henry VI’s grandfather, Henry Bolingbroke. In 1399, he toppled Richard II to become King Henry IV. By 1460, England has emerged into a polycrisis. King Henry VI has been relegated to a pawn. His son and wife have been disinherited, with Richard, Duke of York, now heir presumptive. Violence pulses through the countryside. In this pivotal chapter of the Wars of the Roses, it appears that Yorkist forces have finally overwhelmed the Lancastrians in the battle for the crown. But then, Richard, Duke of York is killed in an ambush. It throws everything into disarray, and Queen Margaret of Anjou makes one last attempt at violent restoration. It appears the clock has run out for the Yorkists. That is, until the eleventh hour, when Richard's son, Edward Earl of March, is propelled into the decisive moment. – A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices – Written and presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Simon Poole Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production coordinator - Eric Ryan Mixing - Amber Devereux Head of content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S9, E12

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36 min
Season 1, Episode 3

Season 1 | 3. Rough Crossings

This episode contains descriptions of violence or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners. Braving dangerous winter storms, Henry Plantagenet crosses the English Channel. He’s come to settle a civil war, lay claim to his mother’s inheritance, and follow in the footsteps of William the Conqueror. In the way stands King Stephen and his barons. Who will win the throne, and how? This is History is a Somethin’ Else & Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Written and presented by Dan Jones Producer - Rosie Merotra Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills Executive Producer - Dave Anderson Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton Production Manager - Jen Mistri Composer - Matt Acheson Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O’Shaugnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

S1, E3

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19 min

This is a story of three brothers, one crown, and not an ounce of loyalty between them. It’s the beginning of the end for England's most storied royal dynasty, the Plantagenets. Dan Jones brings you the story of the Yorkist King, Edward IV – tall, golden, ferocious – a young king who wins his throne on the battlefield and then destabilises it in the bedroom. His secret marriage to Elizabeth Woodville, a Lancastrian widow of minor nobility, detonates the political order. The old guard revolts. The Earl of Warwick aka the Kingmaker, emerges as a lethal enemy. What follows is a sequence of betrayals so baroque they border on the operatic. Alliances invert overnight as Warwick makes daring political moves. Kings drown in malmsey wine, princes mysteriously disappear from Towers and Richard III, becomes England’s last ever Plantagenet king. Through this carnage emerges a family that will define English history: The Tudors. In a freezing Welsh castle, a thirteen-year-old Margaret Beaufort delivers a son she will spend decades manoeuvring towards the throne. Henry Tudor's claim is thin. His exile is long. His invasion, when it finally comes, is a bet against every reasonable odds. A Sony Music Entertainment production. To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com

4.8 (1745)

History
We’re often taught that history’s written by the winners. But we’d like to argue that, in fact, it’s the losers who end up making history. In this brand new series from Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day, History’s Greatest Fails aims to answer the simple, but complex, question: Why do losers make history? From Richard III, to Vincent Van Gough, to the purposefully forgotten female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, this series is going to help you better understand how the idea of failure changes over time, and what lessons failure has for all of us. Dan and Elizabeth are old friends, fellow history graduates, and fellow authors and podcasters. Dan Jones is host of ⁠This Is History — A Dynasty to Die For⁠, a narrative podcast that charts the bloody and complex drama of England’s Plantagenet dynasty, now up to its 10th season. Elizabeth is host of ⁠How To Fail⁠, a podcast that has brought together hundreds of luminaries and thinkers including Kate Winslet, Yuval Noah Hariri, and Malala Yousafzai, to reflect on failure in the present. Over six episodes, History’s Greatest Fails will dissect failure of all kinds, from troubled historical rulers, to the failures of remembrance, to the failures that have created the happy accidents that last for generations. As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at ⁠patreon.com/thisishistory⁠. And for the bonus episodes of this series, Dan and Producer Al are hearing from the favourites directly — join us as they discuss the royal favourites’ special fail mentions. So, join us for the debut episode of History’s Greatest Fails. –– A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices – Presented by Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Simon Poole Executive Producer - Dan Jones Executive Producer for Daylight Productions - Elizabeth Day Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner

0.0 (0)

History

Power, greed, religion and sex: historian Dan Jones brings the drama of medieval history alive through compelling stories, larger-than-life characters and vivid scenes. In the first season, get to know the most dysfunctional family of the Middle Ages – the Plantagenets – and find out how their scandalous betrayals and bloody politics shaped the world we live in today. A Somethin’ Else & Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is History

Weekly Bonus Episodes & Ad-Free Listening

Top Shows

S10 E4 | The Kingmaker Strikes Back

S10 E3 | LOVEBOMBING

S10 E2 | Rise of the Woodvilles

S10 E1 | A New Hope

Is Warwick making this up as he goes along?

S10 E5 | King Henry’s Second Coming

Season 1 | 1. Queen on The Run

Was Edward IV illegitimate?

S9 E12 | Rise of the Yorks

Season 1 | 3. Rough Crossings

Weekly Bonus Episodes & Ad-Free Listening

Is Warwick making this up as he goes along?

S10 E5 | King Henry’s Second Coming

Was Edward IV illegitimate?

Unpicking the Kingmaker

Medieval quickies: How easy was getting married by accident in the Middle Ages?

What does the new normal look like?

Failed rebellion and tulip mania

Season 9 Q&A

Has the Earl of Warwick gone berserk?

Oh, the grand old Duke of York

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