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This is History: The Tudors

Sony Music Entertainment

199 episodes · in order · Explicit

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.

More about the show

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.

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Episodes page 1 of 4

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

    · 0:59 · Trailer · Explicit

    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…

  2. Season 1 | 1. Queen on The Run

    · 19 min · S1 E1 · Explicit

    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…

  3. Season 1 | 2. Power Couple

    · 15 min · S1 E2 · Explicit

    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,…

  4. Season 1 | 3. Rough Crossings

    · 19 min · S1 E3 · Explicit

    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…

  5. There’s More to the Story…Introducing: This is History PLUS

    · 1:26 · Trailer

    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…

  6. Season 1 | 4. Fathers and Sons

    · 17 min · S1 E4 · Explicit

    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…

  7. Season 1 | 5. The Ringmaster

    · 17 min · S1 E5 · Explicit

    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…

  8. Season 1 | 6. Meltdown

    · 21 min · S1 E6 · Explicit

    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…

  9. Season 1 | 7. Succession

    · 19 min · S1 E7

    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…

  10. Season 1 | 8. Murder

    · 20 min · S1 E8

    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…

  11. Season 1 | 9. Conquest

    · 18 min · S1 E9 · Explicit

    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…

  12. Season 1 | 10. Collision Course

    · 22 min · S1 E10

    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…

  13. Season 1 | 11. Queen’s Gambit

    · 18 min · S1 E11

    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…

  14. Season 1 | 12. The War Without Love

    · 23 min · S1 E12

    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…

  15. Season 1 | 13. Revenge

    · 20 min · S1 E13

    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…

  16. Season 1 | 14. Melee

    · 23 min · S1 E14

    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…

  17. Season 1 | 15. The Lionheart

    · 21 min · S1 E15

    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…

  18. Season 1 | 16. Brothers at War

    · 23 min · S1 E16

    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…

  19. Season 1 | 17. The Knight’s Tale

    · 25 min · S1 E17

    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…

  20. Season 1 | 18. The Reunion

    · 22 min · S1 E18

    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…

  21. Season 1 | 19. Lackland

    · 19 min · S1 E19

    Henry is still determined to give his youngest son, John, some land of his own to rule and Ireland seems the obvious choice. So John is sent over there with a huge warchest and a clear mission: assert Plantagenet…

  22. Season 1 | 20. A New Nemesis

    · 24 min · S1 E20

    Henry is blindsided by a new threat from France, as King Philip Augustus decides it’s time to strike at the Plantagenets. Henry is still a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, but Philip thinks he’s found a…

  23. Season 1 | 21. Crisis in the East

    · 22 min · S1 E21

    High on the plains above Galilee, a crusader army is surrounded as they set up camp for the night. The next day, they will face muslim forces commanded by the formidable general known as Saladin. The outcome of this…

  24. Season 1 | 22. Crusade Fever

    · 22 min · S1 E22

    Religious fervour sweeps over the Plantagenet realms, as the Pope demands that all good Christians go to war and reclaim the Holy Land. Richard the Lionheart signs up and “takes the cross” immediately. This leaves…

  25. Season 1 | 23. Face-Off

    · 22 min · S1 E23

    Crusader armies are setting sail to fight Saladin, but the most powerful rulers in Europe are nowhere to be seen. Richard is still desperate to test his mettle in the East, but his father is dragging his feet, anxious…

  26. Season 1 | 24. Endgame

    · 25 min · S1 E24

    Henry’s grip on power has never been more fragile. His son, Richard, has teamed up with King Philip to attack his lands and lay siege to his beloved hometown. There’s a dramatic showdown between Richard and the great…

  27. Season 1 | Bonus: How to be a Knight - with Tobias Capwell

    · 16 min · S1 E25 · Bonus

    In the wait for season two, This is History Plus will be releasing interviews with some of Dan’s favourite historians, talking all things Plantagenet. In this episode, Dan is joined by Tobias Capwell to talk about…

  28. Introducing...Season 2 of This is History: A Dynasty to Die For

    · 2:18 · Trailer

    Power, greed, religion and sex: historian Dan Jones brings the drama of mediaeval history alive through compelling stories, larger-than-life characters and vivid scenes. The saga of history’s most dysfunctional…

  29. Season 2 | 1. Winds of Change

    · 33 min · S2 E1

    The new Plantagenet king, Richard the Lionheart, begins his reign with one thing on his mind: war. He plans to leave his empire undefended, venturing east to wreak vengeance and bloodshed on his enemies in the Holy…

  30. Season 2 | 2. Blood and Gold

    · 26 min · S2 E2

    This episode contains disturbing themes and may not be suitable for all listeners Richard the Lionheart sets off with his massive crusading force for the long journey east. But soon he gets some news which sends him…

  31. Season 2 | 3. Here Comes the Bride

    · 24 min · S2 E3

    Richard the Lionheart continues to terrorise the islands of the Mediterranean, falling out with some very important people as he goes. Meanwhile his mother, Eleanore of Aquitaine, is desperately trying to catch up to…

  32. Season 2 | 4. The Battle for Acre

    · 25 min · S2 E4

    The Mediterranean port city of Acre is under siege by the crusaders, who have been trying to breach its walls for two long years. Conquering Acre is essential if they are to reclaim the Holy Land, but the city is…

  33. Season 2 | 5. Jerusalem

    · 29 min · S2 E5

    Riding high after successfully laying siege to Acre, Richard marches his crusading armies towards the strategically vital city of Jaffa. But things take a turn for the worse, as his troops are facing hunger, exhaustion…

  34. Season 2 | 6. Brothers Behaving Badly

    · 23 min · S2 E6

    While Richard is away crusading, back home his brother John and half-brother Geoffrey are up to no good. After being banned from England, John returns to badmouth Richard’s regime and set himself up as a…

  35. Season 2 | 7. Lockdown

    · 20 min · S2 E7

    In a hurry to return to England and rescue his kingdom from the clutches of his younger brother, Richard makes the rash decision to sail across the Adriatic in winter. He finds himself shipwrecked off the Italian…

  36. Season 2 | 8. A King’s Ransom

    · 24 min · S2 E8

    Richard is stuck in prison, and the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VI, is demanding an eye-watering ransom before he has any hope of release. While Richard’s allies set about raising the funds, his brother John and French…

  37. Season 2 | 9. The Devil is Loose

    · 24 min · S2 E9

    Richard comes roaring back onto the scene, having finally won his freedom. Now, he’s got his work cut out, reclaiming the lands his brother gave away or lost to the French King. But also, there’s the small matter of…

  38. Season 2 | 10. Payback

    · 24 min · S2 E10

    Richard kicks his plan for vengeance into gear. The first step is to flush out his devious brother John, who’s hiding in Normandy. Once John is in his clutches, Richard has the perfect punishment in store: one that’s…

  39. Season 2 | 11. Rain of Terror

    · 25 min · S2 E11

    Richard’s war to reconquer his empire is in full swing. With John back under his thumb and Philip squarely in his sights, he’s now building a huge castle to act as a forward base against the french king. But as Richard…

  40. Season 2 | 12. Richard Interrupted

    · 28 min · S2 E12

    Richard has worn down French King Philip into agreeing a truce, but still has plenty of enemies to take care of. He heads to a castle in Aquitaine to teach the rebellious lord there a lesson. The Lionheart has won…

  41. Unearthing Untold Narratives: Draptomaniax Explores Hidden Pages of History

    · 2:45 · Trailer · Explicit

    From Dean of Black Twitter, Michael Harriot comes a Black history podcast like you've never heard before. Using a recipe that includes detailed research, barbershop humor and a little seasoned salt, a parade of…

  42. The Hunt is On & Britain's Most Infamous King Takes the Throne... Season 3 of This is History: A Dynasty to Die For

    · 2:29 · Trailer

    Power, greed, religion and sex: historian Dan Jones brings the drama of mediaeval history alivethrough compelling stories, larger-than-life characters and vivid scenes. The third season tells the incredible story of…

  43. Season 3 | 1. Softsword

    · 26 min · S3 E1

    King John’s first real test of leadership arrives, in the form of a treaty with Philip Augustus, the wily King of France. Will John spot the French King’s trap, or blunder straight into it? Meanwhile, a grim discovery…

  44. Season 3 | 2. Save the Queen

    · 27 min · S3 E2

    John decides to get married, but his controversial choice of bride causes his French lands to erupt in rebellion. John’s enemies ride for the castle of Mirebeau, where they aim to capture the ultimate prize: the King’s…

  45. Season 3 | 3. Lost Cause

    · 25 min · S3 E3

    The finest castle in the Plantagenet Empire, Château Gaillard, is under siege. French King Philip Augustus has it surrounded, and is willing to play dirty, literally, to claim it. If John doesn’t act fast, he could…

  46. Season 3 | 4. Return of the King

    · 29 min · S3 E4

    John has been chased from his lands in Normandy, and is forced into permanent residence in England. The problem is, the people of England have got quite used to absentee kings, and aren’t taking too kindly to John’s…

  47. Season 3 | 5. The Road to Hell

    · 25 min · S3 E5

    King John makes a brand new enemy: Pope Innocent III, after they fall out over an archbishop. The Pope takes extreme measures and puts England under an interdict. This means the church is closed for business to…

  48. Season 3 | 6. The Vendetta

    · 25 min · S3 E6

    This episode contains scenes that some listeners may find upsetting. One of King John’s closest allies, William de Briouze, knows exactly who murdered Arthur of Brittany. When his wife, Matilda, makes a public…

  49. Season 3. | 7. The Switch

    · 24 min · S3 E7

    King John puts his grand plans of reclaiming his French lands on hold, so that he can spend some time fighting his neighbours in Wales. He is close to finally conquering the country once and for all, when he hears a…

  50. Season 3 | 8. The Battle of Bouvines

    · 26 min · S3 E8

    John assembles a mighty Plantagenet alliance to return to France and reclaim what Philip Augustus stole from him. After a decade of preparations, the fate of his dynasty rests on the outcome of one bloody battle. This…

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