This is History: A Dynasty to Die For
Episodes
Season 4 | 10. Dead Queens
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Margaret of Norway is a six-year-old child who has just found out she’s the only surviving heir to the throne of Scotland. She’s summoned to make ...
Season 4 | 9. Blood Money
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Edward I puts his plan of a united Britain into motion, building some of the most magnificent castles the world had ever seen. These castles could sec...
Season 4 | 8. A New Arthur
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Edward I is the new king of England, but he has ambitions far beyond that. He wants to be like his idol, the legendary King Arthur, and that means uni...
Season 4 | 7. Edward Strikes Back
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Prince Edward has escaped the clutches of Simon de Montfort, and is determined to wreak revenge on him for humiliating his family. The two sides reass...
Season 4 | 6. The Battle of Lewes
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Queen Eleanor makes a move to restore Plantagenet power, the barons launch into all out war. Simon de Montfort assembles a small but powerful arm...
Season 4 | 5. The Magnificent Seven
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 roya...
Season 4 | 4. Simon Says
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 aga...
Season 4 | 3. The In-Laws
05 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Season 4 | 2. Brothers in Arms
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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: Hen...
Season 4 | 1. A Simple Man
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 nati...
Introducing… Season 4 of a Dynasty to Die For
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Power, greed, religion and sex: historian Dan Jones brings the drama of mediaeval history alive through compelling stories, larger-than-life character...
Season 3 | Bonus: How to live like a monk - with Danièle Cybulskie
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Th...
Season 3 | 12. Salvation
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 Jo...
Season 3 | 11. Into the Fire
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 s...
Season 3 | 10. Magna Carta
07 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Army of God secures a shocking victory in London. King John is totally blindsided and forced to negotiate. At Runnymede, in 1215, he gathers his b...
Season 3 | 9. The Army of God
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
John returns from his humiliating defeat at Bouvines to an unhappy kingdom. His barons have finally reached their limit, sick of John’s extortionate...
Season 3 | 8. The Battle of Bouvines
24 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
John assembles a mighty Plantagenet alliance to return to France and reclaim what Philip Augustus stole from him. After a decade of preparations, the ...
Season 3. | 7. The Switch
17 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
King John puts his grand plans of reclaiming his French lands on hold, so that he can spend some time fighting his neighbours in Wales. He is close to...
Season 3 | 6. The Vendetta
10 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains scenes that some listeners may find upsetting. One of King John’s closest allies, William de Briouze, knows exactly who mur...
Season 3 | 5. The Road to Hell
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
King John makes a brand new enemy: Pope Innocent III, after they fall out over an archbishop. The Pope takes extreme measures and puts England under a...
Season 3 | 4. Return of the King
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
John has been chased from his lands in Normandy, and is forced into permanent residence in England. The problem is, the people of England have got qui...
Season 3 | 3. Lost Cause
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The finest castle in the Plantagenet Empire, Château Gaillard, is under siege. French King Philip Augustus has it surrounded, and is willing to play ...
Season 3 | 2. Save the Queen
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
John decides to get married, but his controversial choice of bride causes his French lands to erupt in rebellion. John’s enemies ride for the castle...
Season 3 | 1. Softsword
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
King John’s first real test of leadership arrives, in the form of a treaty with Philip Augustus, the wily King of France. Will John spot the French ...
The Hunt is On & Britain's Most Infamous King Takes the Throne... Season 3 of This is History: A Dynasty to Die For
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Power, greed, religion and sex: historian Dan Jones brings the drama of mediaeval history alivethrough compelling stories, larger-than-life characters...
Unearthing Untold Narratives: Draptomaniax Explores Hidden Pages of History
11 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From Dean of Black Twitter, Michael Harriot comes a Black history podcast like you've never heard before. Using a recipe that includes detailed resear...
Season 2 | 12. Richard Interrupted
13 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Richard has worn down French King Philip into agreeing a truce, but still has plenty of enemies to take care of. He heads to a castle in Aquitaine to ...
Season 2 | 11. Rain of Terror
06 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Richard’s war to reconquer his empire is in full swing. With John back under his thumb and Philip squarely in his sights, he’s now building a huge...
Season 2 | 10. Payback
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Richard kicks his plan for vengeance into gear. The first step is to flush out his devious brother John, who’s hiding in Normandy. Once John is in h...
Season 2 | 9. The Devil is Loose
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Richard comes roaring back onto the scene, having finally won his freedom. Now, he’s got his work cut out, reclaiming the lands his brother gave awa...
Season 2 | 8. A King’s Ransom
16 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Richard is stuck in prison, and the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VI, is demanding an eye-watering ransom before he has any hope of release. While Richard...
Season 2 | 7. Lockdown
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In a hurry to return to England and rescue his kingdom from the clutches of his younger brother, Richard makes the rash decision to sail across the Ad...
Season 2 | 6. Brothers Behaving Badly
02 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While Richard is away crusading, back home his brother John and half-brother Geoffrey are up to no good. After being banned from England, John returns...
Season 2 | 5. Jerusalem
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Riding high after successfully laying siege to Acre, Richard marches his crusading armies towards the strategically vital city of Jaffa. But things ta...
Season 2 | 4. The Battle for Acre
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Mediterranean port city of Acre is under siege by the crusaders, who have been trying to breach its walls for two long years. Conquering Acre is e...
Season 2 | 3. Here Comes the Bride
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Richard the Lionheart continues to terrorise the islands of the Mediterranean, falling out with some very important people as he goes. Meanwhile his m...
Season 2 | 2. Blood and Gold
04 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains disturbing themes and may not be suitable for all listeners Richard the Lionheart sets off with his massive crusading force f...
Season 2 | 1. Winds of Change
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The new Plantagenet king, Richard the Lionheart, begins his reign with one thing on his mind: war. He plans to leave his empire undefended, venturing ...
Introducing...Season 2 of This is History: A Dynasty to Die For
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Power, greed, religion and sex: historian Dan Jones brings the drama of mediaeval history alive through compelling stories, larger-than-life character...
Season 1 | Bonus: How to be a Knight - with Tobias Capwell
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the wait for season two, This is History Plus will be releasing interviews with some of Dan’s favourite historians, talking all things Plantagene...
Season 1 | 24. Endgame
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Henry’s grip on power has never been more fragile. His son, Richard, has teamed up with King Philip to attack his lands and lay siege to his beloved...
Season 1 | 23. Face-Off
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Crusader armies are setting sail to fight Saladin, but the most powerful rulers in Europe are nowhere to be seen. Richard is still desperate to test h...
Season 1 | 22. Crusade Fever
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Religious fervour sweeps over the Plantagenet realms, as the Pope demands that all good Christians go to war and reclaim the Holy Land. Richard the Li...
Season 1 | 21. Crisis in the East
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
High on the plains above Galilee, a crusader army is surrounded as they set up camp for the night. The next day, they will face muslim forces commande...
Season 1 | 20. A New Nemesis
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Henry is blindsided by a new threat from France, as King Philip Augustus decides it’s time to strike at the Plantagenets. Henry is still a force to ...
Season 1 | 19. Lackland
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Henry is still determined to give his youngest son, John, some land of his own to rule and Ireland seems the obvious choice. So John is sent over ther...
Season 1 | 18. The Reunion
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Plantagenet infighting is once again threatening to boil over into war. Henry II wants to give Aquitane to his youngest son, John, but Richard the Lio...
Season 1 | 17. The Knight’s Tale
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Legendary knight William Marshal sets off on a dangerous pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He’s determined to follow through on his vows to the dying Young K...
Season 1 | 16. Brothers at War
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Aquitaine is on fire. Young Henry and Geoffrey are openly backing rebels and stirring up conflict in an effort to bring their brother Richard down. Ri...
Season 1 | 15. The Lionheart
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
While Henry the Young King lives the glamorous tournament lifestyle, his brother Richard is proving himself on real battlefields. The most formidable ...
Season 1 | 14. Melee
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As the Plantagenet princes hit early adulthood, their home life remains… unusual. Mum is still imprisoned by Dad. Dad is still refusing to hand over...
Season 1 | 13. Revenge
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The War Without Love is decisively won. This leaves Henry II with some tricky decisions to make about how to punish the rebels, including his own fami...
Season 1 | 12. The War Without Love
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The three eldest Plantagenet princes are fed up with their domineering dad. They may only be teenagers, but they want more power now and the king won’...
Season 1 | 11. Queen’s Gambit
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Plantagenets are now at war. Henry II is facing an existential threat from the king of France, three of his own sons and even his wife: Eleanor of...
Season 1 | 10. Collision Course
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Henry’s eldest son (helpfully also called Henry) is now 16 years old. Young Henry is a skilled fighter who’s itching for the chance to prove himse...
Season 1 | 9. Conquest
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the aftermath of Thomas Becket’s murder, Henry II is in big trouble with the pope. His grip on power, and his immortal soul, hang in the balance....
Season 1 | 8. Murder
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Thomas Becket returns to make Henry’s life miserable once again. The two men, once close friends, are now bitter enemies. But when Becket delivers a...
Season 1 | 7. Succession
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Henry is rocked by the death of his mother and mentor, the Empress Matilda. The grief-stricken king is left to solve the problems of succession alone....
Season 1 | 6. Meltdown
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains descriptions of violence or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners. Thomas Becket is on trial, facing a ...
Season 1 | 5. The Ringmaster
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains descriptions of violence or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners. A new character enters the drama. Th...
Season 1 | 4. Fathers and Sons
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Henry has shattered the delicate balance of power in England and King Stephen’s son, Eustace, is on the warpath. The Plantagenets are desperate to s...
Season 1 | 3. Rough Crossings
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains descriptions of violence or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners. Braving dangerous winter storms, Henry...
There’s More to the Story…Introducing: This is History PLUS
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Subscribe to This is History PLUS to get episodes ad-free and unlock exclusive additional episodes every week. Visit This Is History on Apple Podca...
Season 1 | 2. Power Couple
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Henry Plantagenet is a rowdy teenager full of nervous energy and big plans to invade England. He’s also the man Eleanor of Aquitaine chooses to marr...
Season 1 | 1. Queen on The Run
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains descriptions of violence or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners. Until yesterday, Eleanor of Aquitain...
Introducing...Season 1 of This is History: A Dynasty to Die For
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Power, greed, religion and sex: historian Dan Jones brings the drama of medieval history alive through compelling stories, larger-than-life characters...