This is History: A Dynasty to Die For
Sony Music Entertainment
England’s greatest warrior-king is ready for his close-up.In Season 8 of This Is History: A Dynasty to Die For, acclaimed historian Dan Jones charts the rise of Henry V—a monarch who didn’t just wear the crown, he redefined it.The 15th century opens with promise. Richard II is gone, and Henry Bolingbroke has seized the throne as Henry IV. But ruling proves harder than usurping. Rebellions erupt, the treasury dries up, and the king’s health crumbles under the weight of constant crisis.Waiting in the wings is Prince Henry of Monmouth—studious, strategic, and battle-scarred. After surviving an arrow to the face, he’s not wasting his second chance. When the crown passes to him, it’s all systems go.Henry V crushes dissent, storms France, and wins glory at Agincourt. His heir is set to become the first—and only—English monarch crowned King of France. But beneath the triumph lies a fatal flaw. One that will unravel everything Henry built, and echo through English history for centuries.That’s all for you to discover on season eight of This Is History — A Dynasty to Die For. Want to delve deeper? Become a This Is History Royal Favourite subscriber. You get ad free listening, bonus episodes, and access to our virtual royal court on Patreon. It’s your space to meet mediaeval history nerds, chat with Dan and the team, and get recommendations for the best books, podcasts, and documentaries that amplify the history behind each episode. Oh, and a very fun royal menagerie. We’d love to have you: patreon.com/thisishistoryA Sony Music Entertainment production.To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 22, 2025 • 2min
Introducing… The Glass King
It’s 1389, and young Charles VI of France is living the medieval dream. He’s married for love. The war-torn kingdom is finally healing. He’s handsome, adored, and destined for greatness.
But then — he snaps.
Charles descends into delusion, convinced his body is made of glass. He won’t let anyone touch him. He hides from the world. And as his mind fractures, so does France — a fragile kingdom now teetering on the brink of collapse.
This is a story of ambition without limits, power without control… and the terrifying question: who breaks first?
This Is History Presents: The Glass King — a haunting new series from historian Danièle Cybulskie — explores the tragic unraveling of a monarch and the chaos that follows.
To delve deeper into the history behind each episode, join This Is History’s royal favourites on Patreon. There, you can meet fellow mediaeval history buffs, chat with the team, and tell us what you want to hear more of.
We’d love to see you there: patreon.com/thisishistory
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A Sony Music Entertainment production.
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Written and presented by Danièle Cybulskie
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
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Jul 15, 2025 • 29min
Season 7 | 12. A man shall rule
The crown is slipping, and Richard II is running out of allies — even his loyal greyhound has had enough. As the kingdom turns against him, Richard scrambles to hold onto power. But his cousin, the formidable Henry Bolingbroke, is gaining ground fast. With betrayal in the air and a throne at stake, can Richard stop Henry’s return — or is the end already written? Listen to the season finale for a gripping tale of downfall, ambition, and the unraveling of a king.
If you can’t get enough of This Is History, we’d love to welcome you to the royal court over on our Patreon. There, you get bonus episodes, PLUS extra perks including dispatches from Dan and the team, the chance to vote on future subscriber episodes, and lively chat rooms with fellow history nerds.
We’d love to see you there: patreon.com/thisishistory
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 - Simon Poole
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator - Eric Ryan
Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux
Head of content - Chris Skinner
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 8, 2025 • 30min
Season 7 | 11. Who dares wins
The podcast delves into the dramatic death of John of Gaunt and the bizarre encounter with his nephew, Richard II. It explores Richard's tyrannical rule, his ruthless elimination of opposition, and his obsession with power. Tensions rise as Bolingbroke, living in exile, orchestrates a strategic return, setting the stage for a brewing conflict. The contrasting lives of Richard and Bolingbroke reveal the harsh realities of political ambition and the ever-shifting landscape of power in 14th-century England.
Jul 1, 2025 • 26min
Season 7 | 10. Deathmatch
Thomas Mowbray and Henry Bolingbroke find themselves in a deadly duel under the watchful eye of King Richard II, whose last-minute interference adds to the drama. Their once-strong alliance has fractured, leading to intense rivalry and the stakes of honor. As the crowd eagerly anticipates the combat, political intrigue brews within the royal court. Richard's tyrannical moves to exile both men without a duel reflect his unchecked power and foreshadow chaotic consequences. This thrilling narrative dives deep into historical tensions, betrayal, and the complexities of legacy.
Jun 24, 2025 • 26min
Season 7 | 9. Richard’s revenge
London’s finest are gathering for 1397’s party of the year, but this isn’t a time to be celebrating… unless you’re Richard II. The 30-year-old king is emboldened, stronger than ever, and hell bent on retaliation. This leaves Henry Bolingbroke with a stark choice.
If you can’t get enough of This Is History, we’d love to welcome you to the royal court over on our Patreon. There, you get bonus episodes, PLUS extra perks including dispatches from Dan and the team, the chance to vote on future subscriber episodes, and lively chat rooms with fellow history nerds.
We’d love to see you there: patreon.com/thisishistory
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 - Simon Poole
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator - Eric Ryan
Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux
Head of content - Chris Skinner
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 17, 2025 • 28min
Season 7 | 8. Four Funerals and A Wedding
In 1392, nobody in the Plantagenet realm was expecting one of their own to be gored to death by a wild boar. The grim reaper’s busy. More shock deaths befall the Gaunt and Bolingbroke household, and Richard is made a widow. While the king puts on the waterworks, Richard turns grief into opportunity.
Remember, you can always keep the discussion as a royal favourite subscriber on our Patreon. Following this episode, we want to talk about other novel ways to die. Choose your untimely demise at: patreon.com/thisishistory
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 - Simon Poole
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator - Eric Ryan
Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux
Head of content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
9 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 28min
Season 7 | 7. The Grand Tour
Henry Bolingbroke, exasperated at the parochial pettiness of Richard II’s court, decides it’s time to get out. After proving his mettle with the greatest warrior in the western world, he embarks on a whistle-stop tour of the known world to smash pagans and shop for exotic animals. He comes back to England on a high and sees the fruits of his growing family — one that already overshadows Richard II’s.
Learn more about Plantagenet-style tournaments way back in season one, under the reign of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. You can find that and more on our Patreon, where you can joust with fellow royal favourites in our chatrooms, and shape future episodes.
Choose your destiny at: patreon.com/thisishistory
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 - Simon Poole
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator - Eric Ryan
Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux
Head of content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 3, 2025 • 30min
Season 7 | 6. The Traitors
Dive into a whirlwind of political intrigue as King Richard II faces off against Henry Bolingbroke. Witness the dramatic escape attempts of nobles, including one disguised as a chicken salesman. Explore the chaos of royal succession and the power struggles that follow Bolingbroke's rise. Experience the harsh realities of betrayal and loyalty within the court as the Merciless Parliament deals out punishing sentences. Tension simmering, secrets unravel, and a kingdom hangs in the balance!
May 27, 2025 • 30min
Season 7 | 5. It’s a Wonderful Parliament
Tensions rise as England braces for a potential French invasion, with a self-absorbed King Richard II facing mounting pressure from Parliament. Explore the fierce political dynamics that pivot on the king's indecisiveness, and discover how weather whims hinder military plans. The dialogue delves into the urgent cries for reform amid fiscal disputes, prompting reflections on past crises and modern governance. Join the engaging conversation as listeners ponder which historical monarch they would impeach, blending intrigue with community interaction.
May 20, 2025 • 26min
Season 7 | 4. The Tyranny Begins
Richard II struggles with the fallout of the Peasants' Revolt, exerting violent control over the kingdom. His marriage to Anne of Bohemia complicates court politics, while his infatuation with Robert De Vere stirs tensions. The complexities of their bond echo historical friendships, threatening the established order. Torture and betrayal unfold in the Bishop's Palace as accusations fly, all amidst power struggles and political intrigue involving his uncle, Gaunt, and ambitious claims for the crown of Castile. Intrigue and danger loom over this turbulent period.
