S9 E6 | The Ambush

S9 E6 | The Ambush

Author: Sony Music Entertainment February 10, 2026 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 brother — is lost in delusion. He still believes England can somehow hold its possessions in France, even as its soldiers are exhausted, its treasury is drained, and its enemies grow stronger by the day. Across the Channel, King Charles VII of France hardly needs to fight; he simply needs to wait for England to collapse under the weight of its own war. But in Westminster, reality is catching up. William de la Pole, Henry VI’s most trusted advisor, summons a special parliament to confront the crisis head‑on — a moment designed to force the kingdom, and Humphrey himself, to face the truth. What happens next delivers the biggest shock of Humphrey’s political life, sending ripples through the court and reshaping England’s future. In this episode of This Is History: A Dynasty to Die For, historian Dan Jones unpacks a turning point where denial meets destiny — and a proud duke discovers the cost of refusing to see the world as it is. – And don’t forget, you can now WATCH every This Is History episode on YouTube. Subscribe at youtube.com/@thisishistorypod  – 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: 100

This is History: History’s Greatest Fails
Podcast Episodes
Season 6 | 12. The Eagle has Landed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:33
A chilling sound echoes through the halls of Westminster Palace. It heralds a bold new age as Edward sets out his ultimate end game. A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Enterta…
Season 6 | 11. Eat the Rich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:34
This episode contains graphic content. The streets of London are rammed with revellers after Edward III's biggest coup in the war yet. Meanwhile, in France a bloody revolution has seized the country. Could this be the pe…
Season 6 | 10. The Black Prince [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:56
Edward III’s son and heir, the Black Prince, rides through France in a reign of terror and destruction. He aims to goad the King of France into a fully fledged battle. When the French King finally reveals his hand, that…
Season 6 | 9. The Drunken Sailor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:33
Edward III takes his forces to sea, aiming to ambush an enemy fleet. There’s just one problem: the sun is shining and the wine is flowing. It isn’t long before the entire English army is completely drunk. A Sony Music En…
Season 6 | 8. The Order of the Garter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:45
While Edward III is in Medieval lockdown, sheltering from the Black Death, he has a brainwave: a strange idea for an exclusive royal club that still exists in England today. A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find mo…
Season 6 | 7. Apocalypse Now [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:40
Edward III’s mighty war is stopped in its tracks by a new, cataclysmic threat. It’s the deadliest plague in all of human history: the black death. A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony…
Season 6 | 6. The Siege of Calais [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:25
Edward III sets his sights on conquering the mighty port town of Calais. But Calais is very well defended, can Edward think of a plan before his entire campaign falls to pieces? A Sony Music Entertainment production. Fin…
Season 6 | BONUS: How did they know the time in the Middle Ages? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:18
Dan answers some of the questions from the This Is History mailbox. How did mediaeval people know what day it was? What were the rules on naming a king? Plus, what are the best Plantagenet sights to see today? A Sony Mus…
Season 6 | 5. The Battle of Crecy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:32
Thousands of English ships advance towards the beaches of Normandy. Edward III’s bloody and brutal invasion of France has begun. A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainme…
Season 6 | 4. First Blood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:59
Edward’s decision to go to war with France starts to look like a Very Bad Idea, as French pirates begin a reign of terror on the south coast of England. The king comes up with a daring, all-or-nothing plan to even the od…