This is History: History’s Greatest Fails
Sony Music Entertainment
History’s Greatest Fails is a miniseries from Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day that aims to answer the simple, but complex, question: Why do losers make history?
From Richard III, to Vincent Van Gough, to the purposefully forgotten female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, this series is going to help you better understand how the idea of failure changes over time, and what lessons failure has for all of us.
Dan and Elizabeth are old friends, fellow history graduates, and fellow authors and podcasters.
Dan Jones is host of This Is History — A Dynasty to Die For, a narrative podcast that charts the bloody and complex drama of England’s Plantagenet dynasty, now up to its 10th season.
Elizabeth is host of How To Fail, a podcast that has brought together hundreds of luminaries and thinkers including Kate Winslet, Yuval Noah Hariri, and Malala Yousafzai, to reflect on failure in the present.
Over six episodes, History’s Greatest Fails will dissect failure of all kinds, from troubled historical rulers, to the failures of remembrance, to the failures that have created the happy accidents that last for generations.
As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. And for the bonus episodes of this miniseries, Dan and Producer Al are hearing from the favourites directly via voice notes! Following along as they discuss the failures the royal favourites’ have deemed historic!
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
From Richard III, to Vincent Van Gough, to the purposefully forgotten female Pharaoh Hatshepsut, this series is going to help you better understand how the idea of failure changes over time, and what lessons failure has for all of us.
Dan and Elizabeth are old friends, fellow history graduates, and fellow authors and podcasters.
Dan Jones is host of This Is History — A Dynasty to Die For, a narrative podcast that charts the bloody and complex drama of England’s Plantagenet dynasty, now up to its 10th season.
Elizabeth is host of How To Fail, a podcast that has brought together hundreds of luminaries and thinkers including Kate Winslet, Yuval Noah Hariri, and Malala Yousafzai, to reflect on failure in the present.
Over six episodes, History’s Greatest Fails will dissect failure of all kinds, from troubled historical rulers, to the failures of remembrance, to the failures that have created the happy accidents that last for generations.
As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. And for the bonus episodes of this miniseries, Dan and Producer Al are hearing from the favourites directly via voice notes! Following along as they discuss the failures the royal favourites’ have deemed historic!
A Sony Music Entertainment production.
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 13, 2022 • 20min
Season 1 | 8. Murder
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 11, 2022 • 19min
Season 1 | 7. Succession
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 6, 2022 • 21min
Season 1 | 6. Meltdown
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
5 snips
Oct 4, 2022 • 17min
Season 1 | 5. The Ringmaster
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
6 snips
Sep 29, 2022 • 17min
Season 1 | 4. Fathers and Sons
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.
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’Shaugnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 27, 2022 • 1min
There’s More to the Story…Introducing: This is History PLUS
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 27, 2022 • 19min
Season 1 | 3. Rough Crossings
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
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’Shaugnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
16 snips
Sep 22, 2022 • 15min
Season 1 | 2. Power Couple
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.
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’Shaugnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
12 snips
Sep 20, 2022 • 19min
Season 1 | 1. Queen on The Run
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.
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’Shaugnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 24, 2022 • 59sec
Introducing...Season 1 of This is History: A Dynasty to Die For
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.
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
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Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
