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
Jul 8, 2025 • 30min
Season 7 | 11. Who dares wins
The podcast delves into the dramatic death of John of Gaunt and the bizarre encounter with his nephew, Richard II. It explores Richard's tyrannical rule, his ruthless elimination of opposition, and his obsession with power. Tensions rise as Bolingbroke, living in exile, orchestrates a strategic return, setting the stage for a brewing conflict. The contrasting lives of Richard and Bolingbroke reveal the harsh realities of political ambition and the ever-shifting landscape of power in 14th-century England.
Jul 1, 2025 • 26min
Season 7 | 10. Deathmatch
Thomas Mowbray and Henry Bolingbroke find themselves in a deadly duel under the watchful eye of King Richard II, whose last-minute interference adds to the drama. Their once-strong alliance has fractured, leading to intense rivalry and the stakes of honor. As the crowd eagerly anticipates the combat, political intrigue brews within the royal court. Richard's tyrannical moves to exile both men without a duel reflect his unchecked power and foreshadow chaotic consequences. This thrilling narrative dives deep into historical tensions, betrayal, and the complexities of legacy.
Jun 24, 2025 • 26min
Season 7 | 9. Richard’s revenge
London’s finest are gathering for 1397’s party of the year, but this isn’t a time to be celebrating… unless you’re Richard II. The 30-year-old king is emboldened, stronger than ever, and hell bent on retaliation. This leaves Henry Bolingbroke with a stark choice.
If you can’t get enough of This Is History, we’d love to welcome you to the royal court over on our Patreon. There, you get bonus episodes, PLUS extra perks including dispatches from Dan and the team, the chance to vote on future subscriber episodes, and lively chat rooms with fellow history nerds.
We’d love to see you there: patreon.com/thisishistory
A 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
Presented by Dan Jones
Producer - Alan Weedon
Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman
Executive Producer - Simon Poole
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator - Eric Ryan
Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux
Head of content - Chris Skinner
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 17, 2025 • 28min
Season 7 | 8. Four Funerals and A Wedding
In 1392, nobody in the Plantagenet realm was expecting one of their own to be gored to death by a wild boar. The grim reaper’s busy. More shock deaths befall the Gaunt and Bolingbroke household, and Richard is made a widow. While the king puts on the waterworks, Richard turns grief into opportunity.
Remember, you can always keep the discussion as a royal favourite subscriber on our Patreon. Following this episode, we want to talk about other novel ways to die. Choose your untimely demise at: patreon.com/thisishistory
A 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
Learn more about your ad choices.
Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Presented by Dan Jones
Producer - Alan Weedon
Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman
Executive Producer - Simon Poole
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator - Eric Ryan
Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux
Head of content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
9 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 28min
Season 7 | 7. The Grand Tour
Henry Bolingbroke, exasperated at the parochial pettiness of Richard II’s court, decides it’s time to get out. After proving his mettle with the greatest warrior in the western world, he embarks on a whistle-stop tour of the known world to smash pagans and shop for exotic animals. He comes back to England on a high and sees the fruits of his growing family — one that already overshadows Richard II’s.
Learn more about Plantagenet-style tournaments way back in season one, under the reign of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. You can find that and more on our Patreon, where you can joust with fellow royal favourites in our chatrooms, and shape future episodes.
Choose your destiny at: patreon.com/thisishistory
A 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
Learn more about your ad choices.
Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Presented by Dan Jones
Producer - Alan Weedon
Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman
Executive Producer - Simon Poole
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Production coordinator - Eric Ryan
Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux
Head of content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jun 3, 2025 • 30min
Season 7 | 6. The Traitors
Dive into a whirlwind of political intrigue as King Richard II faces off against Henry Bolingbroke. Witness the dramatic escape attempts of nobles, including one disguised as a chicken salesman. Explore the chaos of royal succession and the power struggles that follow Bolingbroke's rise. Experience the harsh realities of betrayal and loyalty within the court as the Merciless Parliament deals out punishing sentences. Tension simmering, secrets unravel, and a kingdom hangs in the balance!
May 27, 2025 • 30min
Season 7 | 5. It’s a Wonderful Parliament
Tensions rise as England braces for a potential French invasion, with a self-absorbed King Richard II facing mounting pressure from Parliament. Explore the fierce political dynamics that pivot on the king's indecisiveness, and discover how weather whims hinder military plans. The dialogue delves into the urgent cries for reform amid fiscal disputes, prompting reflections on past crises and modern governance. Join the engaging conversation as listeners ponder which historical monarch they would impeach, blending intrigue with community interaction.
May 20, 2025 • 26min
Season 7 | 4. The Tyranny Begins
Richard II struggles with the fallout of the Peasants' Revolt, exerting violent control over the kingdom. His marriage to Anne of Bohemia complicates court politics, while his infatuation with Robert De Vere stirs tensions. The complexities of their bond echo historical friendships, threatening the established order. Torture and betrayal unfold in the Bishop's Palace as accusations fly, all amidst power struggles and political intrigue involving his uncle, Gaunt, and ambitious claims for the crown of Castile. Intrigue and danger loom over this turbulent period.
May 13, 2025 • 30min
Season 7 | 3. Summer of Blood
Dive into the tumultuous summer of 1381 as thousands march on London, armed with a 'kill list' targeting corrupt officials. Young King Richard II faces a crisis, and despite his advisors' panic, he bravely engages with the rebels. Tension builds during a crucial confrontation at Blackheath, complicating his path forward. As chaos erupts in London, the rebellion's fury leads to destruction, capturing the intense struggle between authority and the people's demand for justice. Experience the lives transformed by this riveting uprising!
May 6, 2025 • 27min
Season 7 | 2. Death and Taxes
Richard II’s young reign is a spectacle filled with lavish celebrations and hidden tensions. The podcast dives into the psychological burdens faced by a ten-year-old king, struggling with divine expectations and earthly responsibilities. As unrest grows, financial chaos leads to widespread discontent among the Commons. The episode sets the stage for a monumental uprising, sparked by unpopular taxation, highlighting the precarious balance of power and rebellion. Tensions with the French and Scots further complicate the King's rule, culminating in a bloody conflict.
