S10 E2 | Rise of the Woodvilles

S10 E7 | The Tribute Act

Jul 7, 202633 minSummary

In this episode of This is History, host Dan Jones explores the tactical and performative nature of power in 1475. The episode centers on King Edward IV’s decision to launch a massive military campaign against France, which Jones characterizes as a Henry V tribute act. While Edward assembles a formidable army and heavy artillery, his true intentions lean toward diplomacy over warfare. Recognizing that the English king lacks the appetite for another grueling hundred-year struggle, King Louis XI of France cleverly bribes Edward with gold and a pension in exchange for peace, effectively ending the invasion before any significant combat occurs. The narrative also follows the precarious situation of Margaret Beaufort and her exiled son, Henry Tudor. While Edward’s treaty with France removes some external threats, it leaves the Tudors vulnerable to extradition. Jones highlights the diplomatic brinkmanship in Brittany, where young Henry narrowly avoids being sent back to England, thanks to the intervention of the Duke of Brittany. Ultimately, Margaret adopts a pragmatic survival strategy, embedding herself within the Yorkist court to protect her family’s interests and maneuvering to secure her son’s future inheritance.

S10 E6 | The Prophecy

Jun 30, 202631 minSummary

In this episode of This is History, host Dan Jones explores a pivotal moment in the Wars of the Roses during the autumn of 1470 and the spring of 1471. The narrative begins with Margaret Beaufort bringing her thirteen-year-old son, Henry Tudor, to meet the restored Lancastrian King, Henry VI. During this encounter, the frail king makes a cryptic prophecy, suggesting that young Henry is destined for future greatness. The episode tracks the dramatic turnaround of the Yorkist King, Edward IV, who, after being exiled and humiliated by the Kingmaker Warwick, returns to England with a vengeance. Jones details the decisive military clashes at Barnet and Tewkesbury, which effectively dismantle the Lancastrian resistance and secure Edward IV’s position on the throne. These battles lead to the deaths of key figures like Warwick and the young Prince Edward of Westminster. The episode concludes with the suspicious death of the imprisoned Henry VI and the daring escape of Henry Tudor to the continent, setting the stage for future conflict and leaving listeners to consider the mystery behind the downfall of the Lancastrian line.

S10 E5 | King Henry’s Second Coming

Jun 23, 202631 minSummary

In this episode of This is History, host Dan Jones explores the chaotic political landscape of 1470, a pivotal moment in the Wars of the Roses. The narrative centers on the astonishing coup led by the Earl of Warwick, who orchestrates the return of the deposed Henry VI to the English throne. Describing Henry as a mere puppet, Jones highlights the absurdity of attempting to restore a leader whose previous reign was marked by instability and ruin. As the Yorkist King Edward IV finds his authority crumbling, he is forced to flee to the Netherlands, leaving his pregnant wife, Elizabeth Woodville, to seek refuge in the sanctuary of Westminster Abbey. The episode details the precarious nature of Warwick’s new regime, which is complicated by shifting alliances, the lingering threat of Margaret of Anjou, and the uneasy role of George, Duke of Clarence. The installment concludes with Edward IV securing military support and returning to England, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation. Through vivid storytelling, the episode underscores the dangers of looking backward to solve modern crises and the volatile nature of medieval power.

S10 E4 | The Kingmaker Strikes Back

Jun 16, 202630 minSummary

In this episode of This is History, host Dan Jones explores the volatile political landscape of 1469 as the Earl of Warwick, famously known as the Kingmaker, turns against King Edward IV. The narrative centers on Warwick’s ambitious attempt to seize power by orchestrating a coup, which includes marrying his daughter, Isabelle, to Edward’s brother, George, Duke of Clarence. By spreading rumors regarding the King’s legitimacy and inciting northern rebellions, Warwick manages to take the King captive and execute several of his key allies. However, the episode highlights the profound instability that follows when a monarch is usurped, as the lack of a functioning king leads to widespread chaos and feuding across the realm. Faced with the inability to govern effectively, Warwick is forced to release Edward, leading to a precarious, short-lived peace. Despite being pardoned, Warwick’s relentless scheming eventually pushes the King too far. Following a failed uprising, Warwick is forced to flee England. In a desperate bid for survival, he forms an unexpected alliance with the exiled Lancastrian Queen, Margaret of Anjou, setting the stage for a dramatic return to reclaim the throne.

You may also like: Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

Jun 11, 202644 minSummary

In this episode of This Is History, the narrative turns toward the life of William McGonagall, a 19th-century weaver widely considered the worst poet in history. Often remembered for his excruciatingly bad poem about the Tay Bridge disaster, McGonagall’s career was marked by amateurish meter, clichéd rhymes, and a persistent refusal to acknowledge his own incompetence. The discussion explores whether McGonagall was truly a talentless fool or perhaps a brilliant, misunderstood performer. By examining his early attempts at Shakespearean acting—where he famously refused to die during a performance of Macbeth—and his bizarre, fraudulent correspondence with figures like Queen Victoria and the King of Burma, the episode asks whether his entire persona was a calculated, long-form act of mischief. Ultimately, the episode serves as a meditation on human creativity. It challenges the listener to reconsider the value of artistic endeavor in an age of technological perfection, suggesting that the drive to create is inherently worthwhile, regardless of the quality of the output. McGonagall, in all his stubborn absurdity, stands as an unlikely symbol of resilience in the face of ridicule.

S10 E3 | LOVEBOMBING

Jun 9, 202629 minSummary

In this episode of This is History, host Dan Jones explores the escalating political instability of late 15th-century England during the reign of Edward IV. The narrative centers on the increasingly strained relationship between King Edward and his most powerful subject, Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. While Edward attempts to consolidate power and secure his dynasty through strategic marriages and alliances, he remains oblivious to the growing resentment brewing within his inner circle. Jones details how Warwick, feeling sidelined by the influence of the Queen’s family, the Woodvilles, begins to nurse a deep grievance against the King. Despite Edward’s repeated attempts at "love bombing"—lavishing Warwick with titles, land, and political favors to keep him compliant—the Earl continues to engage in dangerous maneuvers, including the silent orchestration of rebellions and secret alliances. The episode highlights the irony of Edward’s complacency as he fails to recognize the "elephant in the room," ultimately setting the stage for a dramatic shift in loyalties that threatens to plunge England back into the chaos of civil war as the Yorkist dynasty begins to fracture from within.

S10 E1 | A New Hope

May 26, 202636 minSummary

The tenth season of This is History begins with a vivid look at the precarious arrival of Henry Tudor in 1457. Born to the thirteen-year-old Margaret Beaufort in the remote, storm-lashed Pembroke Castle, the child is thrust into a world where his Lancastrian lineage marks him for a potential future of immense consequence. Host Dan Jones sets the stage for the final chapter of the Plantagenet saga, signaling the transition from the crumbling reign of Henry VI to the rise of the House of York. The episode tracks the early years of Edward IV, who, following his decisive victory at the Battle of Towton, finds himself the new King of England. Supported by his formidable and vastly wealthy ally, the Earl of Warwick, Edward attempts to stabilize his rule by crushing lingering Lancastrian rebellions. As the Yorkist regime seeks legitimacy, the pressure shifts to securing the succession. While Warwick orchestrates complex diplomatic marriage negotiations to align England with continental powers, a growing, mysterious rift emerges between the king and his powerful advisor, hinting at a secret decision by Edward that threatens to upend the political landscape.

You may also like: Hidden History with Dr Harini Bhat

May 21, 20268 minSummary

This episode serves as a captivating preview of the series Hidden History, hosted by Dr. Harini Bhat. The program explores historical events that remain shrouded in mystery, bridging the gap between historical context, scientific analysis, and the supernatural. In this installment, Dr. Bhat examines the bizarre and tragic phenomenon known as the dancing plague of 1518 in Strasbourg. The narrative centers on Frau Troffea, a woman who began dancing uncontrollably on a summer day, eventually drawing in dozens of other citizens who succumbed to the same frantic, involuntary motion. The episode details how the people of the era grappled with the crisis, oscillating between religious explanations—such as possession or a curse from Saint Vitus—and the medical theories of the time, which were heavily influenced by the ancient Greek concept of the four humors. Dr. Bhat provides fascinating insights into why city officials ultimately encouraged the afflicted to keep dancing in hopes that the sickness would burn itself out. By contrasting 16th-century perspectives with modern understanding, the episode invites listeners to consider the complexities of historical mass hysteria.

Introducing… Season Ten of a Dynasty to Die For

May 19, 20262 minSummary

In this season ten premiere of This is History: History’s Greatest Fails, historian Dan Jones launches the final chapter of the epic Plantagenet saga. The episode sets the stage for the dramatic conclusion of a dynasty defined by centuries of betrayal, warfare, and ambition. Listeners are introduced to the rise of Edward IV, a charismatic but ruthless warrior who believes his hold on the throne is absolute after imprisoning his predecessor, Henry VI. However, Edward’s decision to marry the commoner Elizabeth Woodville creates volatile political friction, emboldening ambitious nobles like the powerful Kingmaker, Warwick. As internal divisions tear the House of York apart, the narrative follows the maneuvering of key figures, including the Duke of Clarence and the steadfast Richard III. The episode masterfully builds tension toward the inevitable clash at Bosworth Field in 1485, where the legacy of the Plantagenets collapses. Amidst this bloody power vacuum, the exiled Henry Tudor prepares his claim to the throne. This season promises an explosive examination of how a medieval dynasty disintegrated, paving the way for the rise of the Tudor era.