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 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…