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
Season 7 | 12. A man shall rule [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:59
The crown is slipping, and Richard II is running out of allies — even his loyal greyhound has had enough. As the kingdom turns against him, Richard scrambles to hold onto power. But his cousin, the formidable Henry Bolin…
Season 7 | 11. Who dares wins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:24
The patriarch of the Lancastrian dynasty, John of Gaunt, is dead. His penultimate act was to show his nephew, Richard II, his rotting penis. While the king leaves gagging, this cunning Plantagenet also smells a jackpot.…
Season 7 | 10. Deathmatch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:14
After making some major strategic blunders, Thomas Mowbray and Henry Bolingbroke now find themselves fighting to the death. But as the crowds amass, Richard II throws them a last-minute curveball that keeps them in a sta…
Season 7 | 9. Richard’s revenge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:53
London’s finest are gathering for 1397’s party of the year, but this isn’t a time to be celebrating… unless you’re Richard II. The 30-year-old king is emboldened, stronger than ever, and hell bent on retaliation. This le…
Season 7 | 8. Four Funerals and A Wedding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:18
In 1392, nobody in the Plantagenet realm was expecting one of their own to be gored to death by a wild boar. The grim reaper’s busy. More shock deaths befall the Gaunt and Bolingbroke household, and Richard is made a wid…
Season 7 | 7. The Grand Tour [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:53
Henry Bolingbroke, exasperated at the parochial pettiness of Richard II’s court, decides it’s time to get out. After proving his mettle with the greatest warrior in the western world, he embarks on a whistle-stop tour of…
Season 7 | 6. The Traitors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:29
Richard sends his favourites scrambling. One tries to flee disguised as a chicken salesman, while another counts himself lucky for knowing how to swim. The Appellants want to depose Richard, but will they get their chanc…
Season 7 | 5. It’s a Wonderful Parliament [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:28
The French are preparing for an all mighty invasion. The king doesn’t really seem to care — until the nobles use the parliamentary equivalent of a royal kick up the backside. And, will the French army even get off their…
Season 7 | 4. The Tyranny Begins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:36
After surviving the Peasants’ Revolt, Richard II comes out on top. He has violently suppressed the rebels and married the well-credentialed Anne of Bohemia. But this Plantagenet has his eye on another playmate, the hands…
Season 7 | 3. Summer of Blood [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:53
Find out more about the Peasants’ Revolt in our bonus episode. And remember to visit patreon.com/thisishistory to become a Royal Favourite member. This is your ticket to the This Is History Royal court, where you can cha…