Was Richard III a Failure?

Was Richard III a Failure?

Author: Sony Music Entertainment April 7, 2026 Duration: 33:58
He died at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. And we haven’t been able to stop talking about him since. Yes, it’s time to consider the story of England’s last Plantagenet king, Richard III — a centuries-old tangle involving alleged murder, Shakespeare, vanquish and one mighty rediscovery. In this debut episode of History’s Greatest Fails, Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day argue that the story of Richard’s rise and fall (and rise again) is much more modern that you’d first believe. Not least because of the reality-TV-style discovery of his remains under a Leicester council car park in 2022. In many ways, Richard’s alleged ‘failures’ — which include allegedly killing the Princes in the Tower and overseeing the demise of Plantagenet rule — overshadow Richard III as the reformer that also existed. He introduced trial by jury and translated many laws into English. But those facts are not often what’s associated with him. He’s more likely to be seen as the villainous caricature of Shakespeare’s Richard III. So in this episode, we’ll discover: What Richard's story tells us about failure in the present. How Tudor propaganda codified his ‘failure’, and how How those failures have been revised over over the centuries And the chain of events that propelled the search for his bones – 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. This episode, they discuss Wat Tyler’s failed Peasants Rebellion, Tulip Mania, and the South Sea Bubble of 1720. – 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 Special thanks to Alex Lawless, Hannah Talbot, and Selina Ream 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
S8 E2 | Whack a Mole [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:52
Henry IV is waking in the night screaming, convinced people are throwing fire at him. In truth, they’re throwing shade. Even the clergy are questioning his right to rule. And to silence the whispers, this pious king turn…
S8 E1 | A Hole in the Head [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:53
Turns out, wearing the crown is the easy part. Henry IV thought kingship would bring control—but the treasury’s running dry, rebellions are flaring, and his grip on power is slipping fast. Then his heir takes an arrow to…
Introducing… Season Eight of a Dynasty to Die For [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:24
When you survive an arrow shot to the face like Henry V did, you don’t waste your second chance. So when he’s finally crowned in 1413, it’s all systems go. He ruthlessly slaps down challenges to his rule, and launches a…
The Glass King | 6. A Jagged Peace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:15
France is slipping through her fingers. With the kingdom on the brink of collapse, Queen Isabeau of Bavaria makes a desperate move: she offers her daughter’s hand to England’s King Henry V. It’s a bold bid for peace—but…
The Glass King | 5. The Enemy of My Enemy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:52
France is in ruins. Normandy has fallen to the English, and the rest of the kingdom is being ripped apart by civil war between the Burgundians and Armagnacs. In the midst of this chaos, Queen Isabeau of Bavaria faces an…
The Glass King | 4. A New Hope [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:04
Henry V shatters the Dauphin Louis’s hubris. Despite their superior numbers, carnage awaits the French at a battle called Agincourt. But the bad luck doesn’t end there. Two Dauphins die suddenly in quick succession, cata…
The Glass King | 3. Agent of Chaos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:04
While King Charles VI is incapacitated, his brother Louis, and his queen, Isabeau, have been living large. The Duchy of Burgundy pays the price, drawing the ire of its powerful leader, John the Fearless. As England is dr…
The Glass King | 2. The Stranger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:53
A glittering Parisian ball, erupts in flames. King Charles VI barely escapes with his life. The culprit? His own brother, Louis — drunk, impulsive, and dangerously ambitious. But instead of punishment, Louis is rewarded…
The Glass King | 1. Fracture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:22
Charles VI has done everything right. His new queen charms the court. He’s taken power away from his regents. France is stable, for now. But one encounter in a forest — brief, almost incidental — changes everything. To d…
Introducing… The Glass King [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48
It’s 1389, and young Charles VI of France is living the medieval dream. He’s married for love. The war-torn kingdom is finally healing. He’s handsome, adored, and destined for greatness. But then — he snaps. Charles desc…