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
May 13, 2025 • 30min
Season 7 | 3. Summer of Blood
Dive into the tumultuous summer of 1381 as thousands march on London, armed with a 'kill list' targeting corrupt officials. Young King Richard II faces a crisis, and despite his advisors' panic, he bravely engages with the rebels. Tension builds during a crucial confrontation at Blackheath, complicating his path forward. As chaos erupts in London, the rebellion's fury leads to destruction, capturing the intense struggle between authority and the people's demand for justice. Experience the lives transformed by this riveting uprising!
May 6, 2025 • 27min
Season 7 | 2. Death and Taxes
Richard II’s young reign is a spectacle filled with lavish celebrations and hidden tensions. The podcast dives into the psychological burdens faced by a ten-year-old king, struggling with divine expectations and earthly responsibilities. As unrest grows, financial chaos leads to widespread discontent among the Commons. The episode sets the stage for a monumental uprising, sparked by unpopular taxation, highlighting the precarious balance of power and rebellion. Tensions with the French and Scots further complicate the King's rule, culminating in a bloody conflict.
Apr 29, 2025 • 30min
Season 7 | 1. God Save The Kid
The frail but formidable King Edward III's reign comes to a dramatic close as his 10-year-old grandson, Richard, is thrust into the spotlight. Tensions rise within a divided kingdom grappling with impending war and financial crises. Amidst the chaos, young Richard emerges, embodying a glimmer of hope for renewal. However, his childhood rivalry with cousin Henry Bolingbroke sets the stage for intense power struggles ahead. Delve into the intrigues and complexities of child kingship in a politically fragmented England.
Apr 22, 2025 • 1min
Introducing… Season Seven of a Dynasty to Die for
This is the story of the ultimate frenemies that will see a cataclysmic shift in power away from the Plantagenets. The warrior king Edward III is dying and disaster looms when his grandson, the child king Richard II, is crowned. It’s not long before he clashes with his cousin, Henry, in a classic tragedy of boyhood companions turned deadly rivals.
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
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Presented by Dan Jones
Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator: Eric Ryan
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Mixing - Gulliver Lawrence Tickell
Head of content – Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 8, 2025 • 21min
Empire of Gold | 6. An Emperor’s Legacy
Find out more about Musa’s incredible legacy in our bonus episode. Subscribe for weekly episodes and ad-free listening.
Musa looks to cement his legacy in West Africa with a spectacular project in Timbuktu but first must repay an important debt as the merchants in Cairo grow anxious.
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
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Written and presented by Luke Pepera
Producer - Dominic Tyerman
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator: Eric Ryan
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux
Head of Content – Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 1, 2025 • 21min
Empire of Gold | 5. Journey’s End
Dive into the epic battles of medieval Mali as the Mali army commander faces the fierce Tuareg warriors to capture Timbuktu. Experience the emotional journey of Musa in Cairo, reflecting on his trials and the bonds built with his entourage. Uncover the intricacies of the pilgrimage's finale, where Musa navigates diplomatic ties with the Mamluk Sultan while confronting personal demons and aspirations for Mali's future. This historical saga blends conflict, camaraderie, and the quest for cultural advancement.
Mar 25, 2025 • 19min
Empire of Gold | 4. Gold Rush
Discover the chaos in Cairo as Mansa Musa’s extravagant generosity sparks riots among local merchants. Witness how his lavish gifts captivate the Mamluks, but also trigger economic turmoil and inflation in the markets. Tensions escalate leading to clever alliances formed through opulence. The story unravels the perils of excess and explores the challenges faced amidst the glitz, hinting at Musa's plans to borrow back his gold. It's a captivating blend of wealth, culture, and economic upheaval!
Mar 18, 2025 • 23min
Empire of Gold | 3. Trouble in Cairo
Find out more about the legendary Mamluks in our bonus episode. Subscribe for weekly episodes and ad-free listening.
Musa clashes with the fearsome Mamluks as he enters Cairo and must find a way to placate the sultan of Egypt, Al-Nasir Muhammad, one of the toughest rulers in history, or face certain death.
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 Luke Pepera
Producer - Dominic Tyerman
Story editing – Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator: Eric Ryan
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux
Head of content – Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 11, 2025 • 21min
Empire of Gold | 2. Shifting Sands
Subscribe for exclusive bonus episodes every week and ad-free listening to all episodes.
With a murder in the desert praying on his mind, Musa and his Mali pilgrims find themselves in peril in the middle of the unforgiving Sahara from an unlikely source.
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 Luke Pepera
Producer - Dominic Tyerman
Story editing – Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator: Eric Ryan
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux
Head of content – Chris Skinner
Subscribe for exclusive bonus episodes every week and ad-free listening to all episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 4, 2025 • 19min
Empire of Gold | 1. Matricide
Mansa Musa sets out on a dangerous pilgrimage across the Sahara desert to absolve himself of a terrible crime. Facing treacherous conditions and deadly threats, he ventures where few would dare. Will he survive the perilous pilgrimage, or will the desert claim him?
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 Luke Pepera
Producer - Dominic Tyerman
Story editing – Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator: Eric Ryan
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux
Head of content – Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
