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: 100

This is History: History’s Greatest Fails
Podcast Episodes
Season 5 | 3. Revenge of the Black Dog [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:20
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 i…
Season 5 | 2. Bros with Benefits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:10
King Edward physically attacks his son, the heir to the throne, in a shocking display of violence. The reason for this outburst? The young prince’s relationship with his favourite knight, Piers Gaveston. The way Edward s…
Season 5 | Bonus: Beasts at feasts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:06
To mark the launch of season 5, we are dishing out a free sample of This is History Plus. Each week Dan and producer Georgia explore strange tangents and delicious Medieval gossip. This episode serves up some of the most…
Season 5 | 1. Generation Kill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:49
Edward I is getting too old to fight his enormous list of enemies, and so begins handing over the reins of war to his son and a brand new generation of knights. But the old king has a gnawing feeling he can’t shake – doe…
Introducing… Season 5 of a Dynasty to Die for [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06
The Plantagenets are back! This season we meet Edward II, a king who is head over heels with his favourite knight, Piers Gaveston. Their relationship sparks off a mighty conflict in court, pitching Edward against his cou…
The Iron King | 6. The Curse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:56
Philip the Fair’s beloved daughter Isabella comes to his rooms in the dead of night with scandalous news: his son’s wives are having affairs. Philip reacts to this revelation with an explosion of paranoia, violence and c…
The Iron King | 5. The Last Templar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:07
Philip the Fair turns his owl-like gaze onto the mighty order of the Knights Templar. They have amassed a huge amount of wealth: wealth Philip wants. He and his lawyer concoct a plan to take on one of the most famous hol…
The Iron King | 4. The Battle of the Golden Spurs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:30
Philip the Fair is determined to take control of the kingdom of Flanders, in his dream of a united France. But when he attacks, the people of Flanders throw up an astonishing resistance, defeating the French army and sla…
The Iron King | 3. The Pope Slap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:38
Philip the Fair’s vindictive nature ignites when a drunken bishop mouths off about him, calling him “a useless owl”. Possibly not the most devastating burn, but Philip isn’t one to suffer insults, however slight. This se…

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