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
Sep 24, 2024 • 30min
Season 5 | 12. To Kill a King
This episode contains extreme violence.Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimor are victorious. They have usurped the old tyrant king, Edward II, and are in control of the heir to the throne, his son. But all is not well with this new regime. Roger makes a fateful decision that shakes the nation to its core: regicide.A Sony Music Entertainment production.Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcastsTo bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.comLearn more about your ad choices.Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesWritten and hosted by Dan JonesProducer - Georgia MillsAssistant producer: Harry GordonExecutive Producer - Louisa FieldProduction Manager - Jen MistriMarketing - Kieran LanciniAudio production and mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 17, 2024 • 24min
Season 5 | 11. Return of the She-Wolf
This episode contains descriptions of violence.
Edward has lost control of the country as violent riots run amok. Soon, he and the Despensers are on the run. Isabella returns in the middle of the chaos and sees her chance to finally take her revenge. She assembles allies and makes her deadly move.
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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Written and hosted by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Assistant producer: Harry Gordon
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Audio production and mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 10, 2024 • 30min
Season 5 | 10. Ghosted
A daring escape from the Tower of London sends an unlikely ally into Queen Isabella’s hands. Edward and Despenser are totally out of control, but fortunately for Isabella, they’re about to deliver her the one thing she needs to make her move.
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
Written and hosted by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Assistant producer: Harry Gordon
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Audio production and mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 3, 2024 • 26min
Season 5 | 9. The Dictators
Revenge has not satisfied Edward II, and he and the Despensers begin a reign of terror across England, executing former friends and plundering the nation’s resources. There’s only one person left who might be able to stop Edward before he brings his entire dynasty to ruin: Queen Isabella.
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
Written and hosted by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Assistant producer: Harry Gordon
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Audio production and mixing - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 27, 2024 • 30min
Season 5 | 8. Eye for an Eye
Isabella finds herself the target of an assassination attempt as the secret rumblings of discontent suddenly explode into full-blown rebellion. King Edward sees his chance for personal revenge and amasses his troops to hunt for his hated cousin,
the most powerful rebel of all, Thomas of Lancaster.
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
Written and hosted by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Assistant producer: Harry Gordon
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Sound Design - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 20, 2024 • 29min
Season 5 | 7. The Queen’s Wrath
A strange man arrives in Edward II’s court with an outrageous claim: could the King of England be a fake? While Edward finds this all very funny, Queen Isabella is not amused. She decides it's time to take matters into her own hands, but it may already be too late.
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
Written and hosted by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Assistant producer: Harry Gordon
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Sound Design - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 13, 2024 • 32min
Season 5 | 6. The Jinx
Reeling from his failure in Scotland, Edward II needs to up his game, unite his kingdom and keep the peace with Thomas Earl of Lancaster. But before he can get started, Edward and his people are flung into one of the worst environmental disasters ever seen. This would test the resilience of any monarch: does Edward have what it takes to survive?
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
Written and hosted by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Assistant producer: Harry Gordon
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Sound Design - Chris O'Shaughnessy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 6, 2024 • 29min
Season 5 | 5. The Battle of Bannockburn
*Attention UK listeners*
Come and meet Dan in person at The London Podcast Festival. This is History is having its first ever live show on the 6th September. Get your tickets and reserve your spot for an evening of historical intrigue with a special guest. https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/this-is-history-live/
—--
Edward II sends urgent word to the East, to plead for the release of one of the greatest knights in the world. He’s raising an enormous force to take on the Scots, and finally subject them to his rule. But Robert the Bruce is also one of the world’s greatest knights, and the stage is set for one of the most legendary moments in Scottish history.
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
Written and hosted by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Assistant producer: Harry Gordon
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Sound Design - Chris O'Shaughnessy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 30, 2024 • 28min
Season 5 | 4. Long Live the Queen
While Edward II mourns, his young Queen Isabella steps into the spotlight. She provides her husband with both an heir and the holiday of a lifetime, as they go to visit her father in France. While Edward finally starts to show some talent for ruling, Isabella’s actions in France shape the future of the dynasties on both sides of the channel.
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
Written and hosted by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Assistant producer: Harry Gordon
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Sound Design - Chris O'Shaughnessy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 23, 2024 • 34min
Season 5 | 3. Revenge of the Black Dog
Edward II is king, and he makes it clear to his people that nothing is more important to him than his best knight, Piers Gaveston. His focus on Gaveston causes major political upsets, including insulting his barons and ignoring his new wife. Soon, the barons decide to take matters into their own hands.
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
Written and hosted by Dan Jones
Producer - Georgia Mills
Assistant producer: Harry Gordon
Executive Producer - Louisa Field
Production Manager - Jen Mistri
Marketing - Kieran Lancini
Sound Design - Chris O'Shaughnessy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
