This is History: A Dynasty to Die For

Stephen Fry, the acclaimed British actor and author of several books on Greek mythology, joins Dan to discuss his latest work, Odyssey. They explore the timeless allure of Greek myths and their influence from ancient times through the Middle Ages to modern culture. Fry delves into Britain’s intriguing parallels with Troy and how legends like Odysseus shaped narratives during medieval times. The conversation also touches on the revival of these myths in literature, showcasing their lasting impact on storytelling and identity.

Join Dan Jones as he chats with Diarmaid MacCulloch, a professor from Oxford and author of Lower than the Angels. They dive into the church's surprising history with sexuality, exploring Pope Gregory VII's efforts to curb clergy misconduct. Discover how views on same-sex love have evolved and why bishops were linked to London's early brothels. MacCulloch sheds light on the tension between doctrine and societal norms, revealing the complex relationship between faith and desire in the Middle Ages.

Dan is joined by his friend and mentor, the renowned historian and author of The Eagle and The Hart, Dr Helen Castor, for a rundown of the wildest rivalry in Plantagenet history. Richard is a king, with the ego to match, but none of the political or interpersonal skills that would help in the role. Henry, however, has all the qualities you’d want in a monarch, except the right to rule, and soon they face off in an epic clash. 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 Hosted by Dan Jones and Helen Castor Producer - Georgia Mills Executive Producer - Louisa Field Production Manager - Eric Ryan and Jen Mistri Marketing - Kieran Lancini Mixing - Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell and Mattias Torres Sole Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For This is History’s first ever live show, Dan is joined at the London Podcast Festival by author Alice Loxton. Alice’s most recent book, Eighteen, examines the teenage years of some of history’s biggest legends, including Goeffrey Chaucer. But what did it mean to be young in the Middle Ages, when was the worst time to be a teenager and did a sexy outfit cause the black 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 Hosted by Dan Jones and Alice Loxton Producer - Louisa Field and Georgia Mills Executive Producer - Louisa Field Production Manager - Eric Ryan and Jen Mistri Marketing - Kieran Lancini Sound Design and Mixing - Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell and Mattias Torres Sole Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For a special run of episodes, Dan Jones is joined by world-class historians and authors. Find out about the sordid history of the Catholic Church, and the erotic musings of mystics with Diarmaid MacCulloch. Hear about the bloody Plantagenet rivalry to end all others with Dan’s old University supervisor, Helen Castor. Plus, in our first ever live show: what kind of man was Goeffrey Chaucer, and what on earth is he wearing? 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 hosted by Dan Jones Producer - Georgia Mills Executive Producer - Louisa Field Production Manager - Eric Ryan Marketing - Kieran Lancini Sound Design and Mixing - Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode contains extreme violence.Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimor are victorious. They have usurped the old tyrant king, Edward II, and are in control of the heir to the throne, his son. But all is not well with this new regime. Roger makes a fateful decision that shakes the nation to its core: regicide.A Sony Music Entertainment production.Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcastsTo bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.comLearn more about your ad choices.Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesWritten and hosted by Dan JonesProducer - Georgia MillsAssistant producer: Harry GordonExecutive Producer - Louisa FieldProduction Manager - Jen MistriMarketing - Kieran LanciniAudio production and mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode contains descriptions of violence. Edward has lost control of the country as violent riots run amok.  Soon, he and the Despensers are on the run. Isabella returns in the middle of the chaos and sees her chance to finally take her revenge. She assembles allies and makes her deadly move. 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 hosted by Dan Jones Producer - Georgia Mills Assistant producer: Harry Gordon Executive Producer - Louisa Field Production Manager - Jen Mistri Marketing - Kieran Lancini Audio production and mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A daring escape from the Tower of London sends an unlikely ally into Queen Isabella’s hands. Edward and Despenser are totally out of control, but fortunately for Isabella, they’re about to deliver her the one thing she needs to make her move. 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 hosted by Dan Jones Producer - Georgia Mills Assistant producer: Harry Gordon Executive Producer - Louisa Field Production Manager - Jen Mistri Marketing - Kieran Lancini Audio production and mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Revenge has not satisfied Edward II, and he and the Despensers begin a reign of terror across England, executing former friends and plundering the nation’s resources. There’s only one person left who might be able to stop Edward before he brings his entire dynasty to ruin: Queen Isabella. 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 hosted by Dan Jones Producer - Georgia Mills  Assistant producer: Harry Gordon Executive Producer - Louisa Field Production Manager - Jen Mistri  Marketing - Kieran Lancini Audio production and mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Isabella finds herself the target of an assassination attempt as the secret rumblings of discontent suddenly explode into full-blown rebellion. King Edward sees his chance for personal revenge and amasses his troops to hunt for his hated cousin,   the most powerful rebel of all, Thomas of Lancaster. 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 hosted by Dan Jones Producer - Georgia Mills  Assistant producer: Harry Gordon Executive Producer - Louisa Field Production Manager - Jen Mistri  Marketing - Kieran Lancini Sound Design - Chris O'Shaughnessy  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices