Podcast

This is History: The Tudors

History, Society & Culture

Historian Dan Jones returns with This Is History: The Tudors. Season one gives you the extraordinary origin story of England’s most iconic royal family.

This is the ultimate story of kings and queens, seduction and spectacle, where power is seized in private chambers, performed in public and, too often, lost on an executioner’s block. In just over a century, the Tudors alter the fabric of the state and Church. Theirs is the era of the Reformation, of Shakespeare, and of voyages to the New World.

Their story starts on 22 August 1485. At the bloody Battle of Bosworth Field, Henry Tudor defeated King Richard III, ending more than three centuries of Plantagenet rule and claiming the English throne as Henry VII.

As the embers of the Wars of the Roses finally cool, Henry VII discovers that winning a crown is far easier than keeping one.

Too soon, die-hard Richardians team up with a vengeful English princess and plot to replace Henry with pretenders. One is a ten-year-old boy, another, a Flemish teenager who reinvents themselves as long-lost princes. England is once more plunged into chaos.

It's a far cry from the story Henry VII hoped to tell.

To dive deeper into Tudor lore, subscribe to bonus episodes on Apple podcasts or become a Royal Favourite in Dan’s royal court on patreon/thisishistory.

A Sony Music Entertainment production.

To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com

History chart
#51
Episodes
200
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
33 min
On air since
2022
Latest episode
22 hours ago

Episodes

200 episodes, from the first

  1. Introducing...Season 1 of This is History: A Dynasty to Die For Trailer

    Show notes

    Power, greed, religion and sex: historian Dan Jones brings the drama of medieval history alive through compelling stories, larger-than-life characters and vivid scenes.

    In the first season, get to know the most dysfunctional family of the Middle Ages – the Plantagenets – and find out how their scandalous betrayals and bloody politics shaped the world we live in today.

    A Somethin’ Else & Sony Music Entertainment production.

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    1 min

Season 1

  1. Season 1 | 1. Queen on The Run

    Episode 1

    Show notes

    This episode contains descriptions of violence or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners.

    Until yesterday, Eleanor of Aquitaine was the queen of France. Now, divorced and dethroned, she’s running for her life. Noblemen are lying in wait to capture her and lay claim to her lands. But, if she can escape them, and reach her destination in time, she’ll become more powerful than ever before. This is the beginning of the bloodiest dynasty in European history.

    This is History is a Somethin’ Else & Sony Music Entertainment production.

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    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O’Shaugnessy

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    19 min
  2. Season 1 | 2. Power Couple

    Episode 2

    Show notes

    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 marry. Their union is a savvy business deal that will change their lives, and the shape of Europe, forever.

    This is History is a Somethin’ Else & Sony Music Entertainment production.

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    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O’Shaugnessy

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    15 min
  1. There’s More to the Story…Introducing: This is History PLUS Trailer

    Show notes

    Subscribe to This is History PLUS to get episodes ad-free and unlock exclusive additional episodes every week.

    Visit This Is History on Apple Podcasts to start your free trial or visit thisishistorypod.com to get access wherever you get your podcasts.

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    1 min

Season 1

  1. Season 1 | 3. Rough Crossings

    Episode 3

    Show notes

    This episode contains descriptions of violence or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners.

    Braving dangerous winter storms, Henry Plantagenet crosses the English Channel. He’s come to settle a civil war, lay claim to his mother’s inheritance, and follow in the footsteps of William the Conqueror. In the way stands King Stephen and his barons. Who will win the throne, and how?

    This is History is a Somethin’ Else & 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 - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O’Shaugnessy

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    19 min
  2. Season 1 | 4. Fathers and Sons

    Episode 4

    Show notes

    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 shore up their position and look to God for a miracle.

    This is History is a Somethin’ Else & Sony Music Entertainment production.

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    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O’Shaugnessy

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    17 min
  3. Season 1 | 5. The Ringmaster

    Episode 5

    Show notes

    This episode contains descriptions of violence or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners.

    A new character enters the drama. Thomas Becket has come out of nowhere to become Henry’s powerful right-hand man. Now he’s entrusted with what seems to be an impossible mission: he must persuade a hostile King Louis VII of France – Eleanor’s bitter ex-husband – to accept a marriage alliance between his own daughter and a Plantagenet prince. It would take a political mastermind to pull this one off…

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    17 min
  4. Season 1 | 6. Meltdown

    Episode 6

    Show notes

    This episode contains descriptions of violence or sexual content that may not be suitable for all listeners.

    Thomas Becket is on trial, facing a string of serious charges and in danger of losing his freedom. Once he was Henry Plantagenet’s right hand man, but now he’s become his greatest enemy. Dan puts Becket on the psychiatrist's couch to work out how he got himself into this mess. And, more importantly, can he get himself out of it?

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    21 min
  5. Season 1 | 7. Succession

    Episode 7

    Show notes

    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. Meanwhile Henry’s marriage to Eleanor is falling apart. Will she look past his rampant infidelity in order to secure greater power for herself?

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    19 min
  6. Season 1 | 8. Murder

    Episode 8

    Show notes

    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 fiery sermon attacking Henry’s rule, even he fears he might have pushed the king too far…

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    20 min
  7. Season 1 | 9. Conquest

    Episode 9

    Show notes

    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. In desperate need of a distraction, the king turns his gaze west, to a country that has so far escaped Plantagenet aggression: Ireland.

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    18 min
  8. Season 1 | 10. Collision Course

    Episode 10

    Show notes

    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 himself. But although his dad has spoiled him rotten with all sorts of titles, he has no real power yet. Young Henry’s teenage angst is building and it’s about to explode… spectacularly.

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    22 min
  9. Season 1 | 11. Queen’s Gambit

    Episode 11

    Show notes

    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 Aquitane. But Eleanor doesn’t have an easy road ahead to escape her husband’s kingdom and join the rebels. Dan tries to piece together the patchy record of her daring escape.

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    18 min
  10. Season 1 | 12. The War Without Love

    Episode 12

    Show notes

    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’t give it to them. That’s how they end up in the court of Henry’s greatest rival, the French king Louis VII, plotting to bring down their own father. But has this strange new alliance got what it takes to bring down the formidable Henry?

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    23 min
  11. Season 1 | 13. Revenge

    Episode 13

    Show notes

    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 family. If he’s too lenient, people will think he’s weak. If he’s too harsh, they might rebel again. In the end, there’s just one person who ends up bearing the full brunt of Henry’s wrath: his wife.

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    20 min
  12. Season 1 | 14. Melee

    Episode 14

    Show notes

    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 the reins of power to his ambitious and warlike sons. So they find another way to prove themselves on the big stage: fighting in knightly tournaments. We join Henry the Young King at one of the grandest tournaments of the age, determined to show the world what a real warrior looks like. But his opponents have other ideas…

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    23 min
  13. Season 1 | 15. The Lionheart

    Episode 15

    Show notes

    While Henry the Young King lives the glamorous tournament lifestyle, his brother Richard is proving himself on real battlefields. The most formidable general of all the Plantagenet princes, he rules Aquitaine with an iron fist, crushing rebellions, smashing castles, and generally making a name for himself as someone you really don’t want to cross. But as another wave of unrest sweeps through the province, things are about to get painfully personal for Richard.

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    21 min
  14. Season 1 | 16. Brothers at War

    Episode 16

    Show notes

    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. Richard responds with his usual brutality and the situation spins way out of control. Their father, Old Henry, wades in to support Richard and now the family is embroiled in a full-blown war over the future of the empire.

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    23 min
  15. Season 1 | 17. The Knight’s Tale

    Episode 17

    Show notes

    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 King and take his friend’s crusader cloak to Christ’s tomb. The journey east is perilous enough, but when he arrives in Jerusalem, Marshal finds a city teetering on the edge of disaster.

    This is History is 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

    Written and presented by Dan Jones

    Producer - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

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    25 min
  16. Season 1 | 18. The Reunion

    Episode 18

    Show notes

    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 Lionheart won’t have it. It seems like a stalemate, until Henry reveals his surprise trump card: a family member that Richard just can’t refuse. Meanwhile, Henry gets the offer of a lifetime from the East.

    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 - Rosie Merotra

    Series Producer and Story Editor - Georgia Mills

    Executive Producer - Dave Anderson

    Executive Producer - Peggy Sutton

    Production Manager - Jen Mistri

    Composer - Matt Acheson

    Sound Design and Mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    22 min

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