

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

Mar 19, 2024 • 29min
Season 4 | 5. The Magnificent Seven
Crusading fever is in the air again, and Henry III decides it’s his turn to give it a try. This is only the beginning of a series of calamitous royal decisions, including a hair-brained scheme to conquer Sicily. Soon, his barons, led by Simon de Montfort, have had enough. They decide to take matters into their own hands and march on Westminster.
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
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Written and presented by Dan Jones
Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Composer - Matt Acheson
Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 12, 2024 • 26min
Season 4 | 4. Simon Says
Henry III decides to reclaim the lost Plantagenet lands in France. He, his brother Richard and Simon de Montfort head out on an ill-fated campaign against the powerful French King, Louis IX. What goes down between Simon and Henry in France will set them, and all of England, hurtling towards war, death and destruction.
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts
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Written and presented by Dan Jones
Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Composer - Matt Acheson
Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 5, 2024 • 28min
Season 4 | 3. The In-Laws
Henry III’s mild and agreeable nature attracts all sorts of ambitious hangers-on and manipulators into the royal court. The most dangerous of these is a pious nobleman called Simon de Montfort. Simon easily charms the King, worming his way right into both Henry’s inner-circle and even his family.
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 and Story Editor - Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Composer - Matt Acheson
Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 27, 2024 • 32min
Season 4 | 2. Brothers in Arms
Henry III’s younger brother Richard returns from victory abroad and is rewarded with a wealthy area of English land. There’s just one problem: Henry has already granted key pieces of that land to someone else. This insult sends a furious Richard down the well-trodden path to family rebellion and civil war, while Henry desperately tries to stop things from spiralling out of control.
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 and Story Editor - Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Composer - Matt Acheson
Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 20, 2024 • 30min
Season 4 | 1. A Simple Man
What happens when you make a nine-year-old boy king of England? It turns out, it’s a recipe for unscrupulous advisers and a king unlike any the nation has ever known.
Henry III is the opposite of his cruel father: he is compassionate and pious, but he’s also indecisive and easily manipulated. When trouble brews in Plantagenet lands in France, Henry’s brother, the wily and calculating Richard, is sent to assert the Plantagenet authority. It’s a decision that Henry and his advisors will come to sorely regret. .
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 and Story Editor - Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Composer - Matt Acheson
Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 13, 2024 • 2min
Introducing… Season 4 of a Dynasty to Die For
Power, greed, religion and sex: historian Dan Jones brings the drama of mediaeval history alive through compelling stories, larger-than-life characters and vivid scenes.
Season 4 tells the story of two kings, Henry and Edward, who are desperately trying to save their dynasty. Their conflicting personalities will be put to the ultimate test as an old friend, Simon de Montfort, and his growing powerbase threaten to destroy the Plantagenets for good.
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
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 16, 2024 • 25min
Season 3 | Bonus: How to live like a monk - with Danièle Cybulskie
The new season of This is History will be landing on your feeds on February 20th. In the meantime, you can listen to hours of bonus content over on This is History Plus, where Dan has been interviewing the great and good of history about all things Plantagenet. In this free taster episode, Dan has a conversation with Mediaevalist Danièle Cybulskie about personal lessons we can take from the monks of the Middle Ages.
To get access to part two, and much more, go to Apple Podcasts and click ‘try free’, or visit thisishistorypod.com.
This is History is 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
Written and presented by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Engineer - Matias Torres Sole
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 21, 2023 • 28min
Season 3 | 12. Salvation
John desperately clings on to power while Louis the Lion declares himself king in London. Meanwhile, the rebels close in. This could be the end for John, and the House of Plantagenet. But standing in the way of ruin, there’s still one loyal knight left who’s ready to ride into battle and defend the dynasty one final time.
This is History is 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
Written and presented by Dan Jones
Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy
Production Manager - Poppy Thompson
Composer - Matt Acheson
Engineer - Matias Torres Sole
Marketing Manager - Emily Webb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 14, 2023 • 20min
Season 3 | 11. Into the Fire
Magna Carta has failed and the country is plunged into war. John devises a cruel plan that involves taunting his starving enemies with the delicious smell of bacon. Meanwhile, Louis the Lion, the son of the French King, prepares to invade England, while the Pope’s representative race to beat him there. John is running out of time, but he’s not going down without a fight.
This is History is 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
Written and presented by Dan Jones
Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy
Production Manager - Poppy Thompson
Composer - Matt Acheson
Engineer - Matias Torres Sole
Marketing Manager - Emily Webb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 7, 2023 • 30min
Season 3 | 10. Magna Carta
The rebel barons seize control of London without bloodshed. The origins and misconceptions surrounding Magna Carta are explored. The negotiations at Runny Mead discuss political issues. King Philip Augustus of France invades England, potentially changing the monarchy.