Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn are the Ross and Rachel of history

Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn are the Ross and Rachel of history

Author: Sony Music Entertainment April 14, 2026 Duration: 36:28
To love is to risk heartbreak. And while for some, breakups result in renewal, maybe some therapy (or a few months’ spent wallowing), for the historical figures of this episode… a relationship’s end has broken many more things than hearts. In this episode, Dan and Elizabeth discover the lessons of history’s epic failed romances through three world-changing unions: Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn; Mark Antony and Cleopatra; and Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. Each couple burned bright and fast, and with their downfall came the end to the worlds from which they came: Catholic England, the Roman Republic, and (in the case of Edward) a grand near-miss. So what can epic historical breakups teach us about our world today? And why are we compelled to come back to grand romantic epics? – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. And don’t forget to listen to this season’s accompanying bonus episodes for this miniseries, where Dan and Producer Al are dissecting the biggest historical failures as submitted by the royal favourites. In this episode, they discuss the failures of royals over various centuries to deliver the one thing they need - heirs. – 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 and Elizabeth Day Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Researcher - Phoebe Joyce Executive Producer - Simon Poole Executive Producer - Dan Jones Executive Producer for Daylight Productions - Elizabeth Day Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production coordinator - Eric Ryan 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
Who’s afraid of Henry Tudor? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:24
He’s the man who schemed, smashed and slashed his way to power. But as it turns out, winning a crown is far easier than keeping one. This Is History: The Tudors traces the unlikely rise of King Henry VII — the man respon…
Paul Greengrass: Turning Andrew Garfield Into a Medieval Rebel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:23
The story of disgruntled citizens feeling the need to rise up against a rigged system and distant elites is one that defines our moment. But we’re not unique in that feeling. Mistrust of the elite goes back a long way —…
What King Arthur Reveals About Ourselves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:12
Did King Arthur exist? Amy Jeffs isn't fussed. In this episode, the historian and artist behind Arthur: A New Life takes Dan Jones beyond Camelot and the search for a "real" Arthur, into a world of Welsh myth, Breton sto…
Did the Hundred Years war ever really end? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:02
Two men and two hundred years of history… On this week’s This Is History: In Conversation, Dan Jones meets Mike Livingston — award-winning historian and novelist from across the pond — to discuss the Hundred Years War. A…
Dan Snow is taking Dan Jones places [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:40
It’s time for a Dan-off. To celebrate the return of This Is History: In Conversation, Dan Jones meets the other history podcaster called Dan. Dan Snow’s an award-winning historian, best-selling author, and host of Dan Sn…
S10 E12 | To Bosworth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:56
Richard III’s son and heir, Edward of Middleham, dies unexpectedly. Then tragedy strikes twice: his wife Queen Anne dies, too. Richard, who ruthlessly diverted the line of succession away from his nephews, now has to con…
S10 E11 | Last Hope [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:33
*THIS IS HISTORY — A DYNASTY TO DIE FOR* *Season 10, Episode 11: Last Hope* It’s 1482. Margaret Beaufort and her husband, Thomas Stanley hold the most power in Northwest England…and they’re hungry for more. They’ve asked…
S10 E10 | The Princes In The Tower [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:02
Richard Duke of Gloucester has the crown in his sights. But first, he needs to clear the room. Allies become enemies. Councillors are arrested. Lord Hastings is dead. And Edward IV’s heirs are locked in the Tower of Lond…
S10 E9 | Kidnap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:23
Edward IV finally has it all. With his enemies vanquished, the Yorkist king can now focus on what really matters to him — pleasure. But, after one fateful fishing trip, he drops dead at 41. The kingdom is now left to his…