3. A Nativity to Die For — Gold, Frankincense... and Murder

3. A Nativity to Die For — Gold, Frankincense... and Murder

Author: Sony Music Entertainment December 23, 2025 Duration: 31:11
In the final episode of Dan’s three-part retelling of the Nativity we enter the gospel of Matthew, as we explore the story according to him. Matthew is all about Jesus’s royal line so expect kings, royalty and great gifts. Plus, the notorious King Herod beckons - one of the most formidable and dangerous tyrants in the whole region. Want to delve deeper? Become a This Is History Royal Favourite subscriber on Patreon. You get ad free listening, exclusive behind the scenes videos, and a weekly bonus episode. On this week’s bonus episode, Dan and resident Nativity expert Professor Helen Bond place Matthew’s Gospel under the microscope. Compared to Luke’s, Matthew wants all the royal pomp and ceremony given to the baby Jesus. Fewer mangers, more myrrh. Listen to that episode here: 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 Written and presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Simon Poole Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production coordinator: Eric Ryan Mixing - Amber Devereux Head of content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is History: A Dynasty to Die For picks up the story after the death of Henry V, leaving England with an infant king, Henry VI. Historian Dan Jones guides listeners through the tumultuous reign that follows, a period defined by fragile regencies and escalating noble rivalries. This podcast delves into the power vacuums and personal dramas that set the stage for decades of conflict. The narrative explores how scandal, accusations of witchcraft, and the looming specter of madness intertwined with the brutal political machinations of the era. As factions vie for control both domestically and in England's French territories, the series charts the descent into the dynastic carnage known as the Wars of the Roses. Each episode builds a vivid picture of a kingdom teetering on the brink, where the crown itself becomes a lethal prize. The storytelling in this podcast focuses on the human ambitions and failures behind the historical events, offering a detailed and compelling audio experience. Listeners will hear a deep analysis of the key figures and turning points that shaped this pivotal century, moving beyond simple dates and battles to understand the motivations and consequences that defined a nation's destiny.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

This is History: The Tudors
Podcast Episodes
S9 E10 | The Battle of St Albans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:02
Royal favourites, we want your voice notes in our new miniseries on historical failures. Look out for Producer Al’s callout post on patreon.com/thisishistory. It’s there where you can listen to this week’s bonus episode,…
S9 E9 | Madness Descends [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:15
Royal favourites, we want your voice notes in our new miniseries on historical failures. Look out for Producer Al’s callout post on patreon.com/thisishistory. It’s there where you can listen to this week’s bonus episode,…
S9 E8 | Royal Blood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:39
Royal favourites, we want your voice notes in our new miniseries on historical failures. Look out for Producer Al’s callout post on patreon.com/thisishistory. There you can also listen to this week’s bonus episode, where…
S9 E7 | Cade’s Rebellion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:18
Don’t forget! Dan’s gifted you his favourite bonus episode from this season. To listen for free, simply search for the last episode before this one. England is descending into mob rule. Henry VI has presided over a catas…
Was the Queen of England a French spy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:19
Hello! We’ve gifted one of Dan’s favourite bonus episodes from Season 9 just for you. To listen to all bonus episodes, ad-free, subscribe at patreon.com/thisishistory Dan and Producer Al explore the likelihood of Margare…
S9 E6 | The Ambush [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:12
Royal favourites, we want your voice notes in our new miniseries on historical failures. Look out for Producer Al’s callout post on patreon.com/thisishistory Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester — Henry V’s last surviving brothe…
S9 E5 | Enter the She Wolf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:54
Royal favourites, we want your voice notes in our new miniseries on historical failures. Look out for Producer Al’s callout post on patreon.com/thisishistory England’s grip on France is collapsing. After more than a cent…
S9 E4 | Tainted Love [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:47
Owen Tudor is running out of time. With Queen Mother Catherine de Valois dead, their once‑secret marriage — and the Tudor bloodline it produced — is suddenly exposed. The English court is alarmed, the line of royal succe…
S9 E3 | Hot Stuff [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:37
The royal court isn’t exactly celebrating after the death of Joan of Arc. A dangerous liaison erupts between the widowed Queen of England, Catherine de Valois, and a Welsh suitor called Owen Tudor. 1430s England is not a…
S9 E2 | Joan of Arc [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:10
You can now WATCH this episode over on YouTube at youtube.com/@thisishistorypod Henry VI now rules England… as a kid. As the adults take charge around him, the English war effort in France has been held together increasi…