How To Fail With Elizabeth Day Elizabeth's New Show: History’s Greatest Fails
Apr 7, 2026
A lively dive into Richard III’s tangled legacy, from alleged murders and Tudor propaganda to surprising legal reforms. They trace the real-life drama of Bosworth, the sensational discovery of his remains under a Leicester car park, and why cultural storytelling keeps reshaping his reputation. Short takes on mystery, revival, and how history turns failure into fascination.
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How Richard's 1483 Choices Began A Downward Spiral
- Richard III rose as a highly competent political operator who managed the north and served Edward IV effectively.
- Dan Jones argues his 1483 choices about Edward V and the Woodvilles started a chain of ruthless, zero-sum decisions that made his downfall more likely.
The Princes In The Tower Remains An Unsolvable True Crime
- The princes in the Tower case remains unprovable and creates space for perennial debate and identity-driven interpretations.
- Dan Jones and Elizabeth both note missing bodies, contested evidence, and how people fit facts to preferred conclusions.
Legal Reforms Often Overlooked In Richard's Legacy
- Richard enacted lasting legal reforms like introducing trial by jury and translating laws into English during his short reign.
- Elizabeth Day argues these progressive acts are often overshadowed by scandal and the Shakespearean villain image.