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
Dec 17, 2024 • 30min
Season 6 | 4. First Blood
Tension brews in Southampton as townspeople panic over rumors of a French invasion. The bold leadership of Edward III shines through as he devises a daring plan to counter French threats. Key moments unfold as Philipp VI's missteps spark English naval raids, turning the tide of conflict. Strategy discussions lead to an unexpected victory for England against a larger fleet. As naval power rises, the stage is set for political intrigue and the emergence of the legendary Black Prince.
Dec 10, 2024 • 27min
Season 6 | 3. The Hundred Years’ War
Uncover the grim tale of Jeanne de Devion, executed for her crimes, which reveals the harsh realities of medieval justice. Dive into a chilling narrative of poison and forgery that shaped England's monarchy during the Hundred Years' War. Explore the political intrigue surrounding Robert of Artois's daring escape, and learn how it influenced relations between England and France. The simmering tensions escalate as Edward III stakes his claim to the French throne, igniting a conflict that would change Western Europe forever.
Dec 3, 2024 • 25min
Season 6 | 2. The Flying Scotsman
In a heart-pounding scene, a rider narrowly escapes pursuers in freezing Scotland. Edward Balliol, desperate for his throne, seeks help from King Edward III amidst chaos. The episode explores Edward III's clever political maneuvers and ambitious alliances shaped by marriage and opulence. Royal splendor showcases the lengths leaders will go to secure power, while tactical military strategies unfold in the brutal conflict of Halladon Hill. The stage is set for a protracted war that will echo through history.
Nov 26, 2024 • 30min
Season 6 | 1. The Raid
A young king finds himself locked out of power by his mother and her tyrannical lover. Time is running out, so he decides to take a huge risk and try to take back his country.
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Written and hosted by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Assistant producer: Harry Gordon
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Sound Design - Chris o'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 19, 2024 • 2min
Introducing… Season Six of a Dynasty to Die for
The times they are a changin’ in the Middle Ages, as we step into the tumultuous reign of Edward III. This Plantagenet is a warrior, tactician, and party prince through-and-through, but with a dangerously ambitious streak that will lead him, and his country, into a war that will last over a hundred years.
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A Sony Music Entertainment production.
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Written and hosted by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri and Eric Ryan
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Mixing - Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 12, 2024 • 39min
In Conversation | Mediaeval Feasts and Foraging - with Annie Gray
Dan is joined by food historian Annie Gray, to take a culinary voyage back in time to the feasts of the Plantagenet courts, and for a peek inside a peasant’s pantry. Along the way, Annie busts plenty of Mediaeval food myths and introduces Dan to the strange delights of the ’open arse fruit’.
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
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Hosted by Dan Jones and Annie Gray
Producer - Dominic Tyerman
Assistant Producer - Suhaar Ali
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Eric Ryan and Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Mixing - Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 5, 2024 • 36min
In Conversation | Flying dreams and X-rated rhymes - with Glaire Anderson
Long before Leonardo Da Vinci was born, there was a genius poet and astronomer who dreamed of human flight. Dan is joined by the University of Edinburgh’s Glaire Anderson, historical advisor to the latest Assassin’s Creed game, to talk about the strange experiments and obscene poetry of Abbas Ibn Firnas.
This episode contains sexual content and may not be suitable for children.
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
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Hosted by Dan Jones and Glaire Anderson
Producer - Georgia Mills
Assistant Producers - Suhaar Ali and Lucia Farina
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Eric Ryan and Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Mixing - Gulliver Lawrence-Tickell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 29, 2024 • 36min
In Conversation | Greek myths in the Middle Ages- with Stephen Fry
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.
Oct 22, 2024 • 28min
In Conversation | Mediaeval sex and bishop brothels - with Diarmaid MacCulloch
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.
Oct 15, 2024 • 38min
In Conversation | The tyrant and the usurper - with Helen Castor
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
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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
