S8 E1 | A Hole in the Head

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 the face. This is the story of a king learning the hard way that ruling is a whole different game—and the consequences are about to get bloody. To delve deeper into the history behind each episode, become a This Is History Royal Favourite subscriber. You get ad free listening, bonus episodes, and access to our royal court on Patreon. There, you can meet fellow mediaeval history buffs, chat with the team, and tell us what you want to hear more of. Think of this as your virtual clubhouse. We’d love to see you there: patreon.com/thisishistory  – 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 [email protected]  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

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 lightning military campaign that puts England back in the big leagues. English rule is restored in France for the first time in generations. His heir will be the first and only English monarch to be crowned King of France.  This is the story of a monarch who became a legend in his own lifetime, and whose mythology still continues to press upon our present… But little did Henry know there’s an original sin at the heart of his reign that’s going to ricochet across England for centuries.  To delve deeper into the history behind each episode, become a This Is History Royal Favourite subscriber. You get ad free listening, bonus episodes, and access to our royal court on Patreon. There, you can meet fellow mediaeval history buffs, chat with the team, and tell us what you want to hear more of. Think of this as your virtual clubhouse. We’d love to see you there: patreon.com/thisishistory  – 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 [email protected]  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

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 peace comes at a price. As the English celebrate their triumph, they soon discover that ruling a broken kingdom is far more costly than conquering it. This is a tale of uneasy alliances, royal ambition, and the brutal cost of diplomacy. Listen back to season six, episode twelve for the last time France was under English control.  Find all of that and more on our Patreon, where you can also vote on future episodes, share some spicy court gossip with fellow subscribers, and hear from Danièle and the rest of the royal council.  Become one of our royal favourites: patreon.com/thisishistory  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 [email protected]  Learn more about your ad choices.  Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices  Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon  Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Simon Poole Production Manager - Jen Mistri  Production coordinator - Eric Ryan  Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux Head of content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 impossible choice. With the crown crumbling and enemies on every side, she makes a decision so shocking, it could change the fate of France forever. This is the story of a queen who dared to gamble everything—power, loyalty, and legacy—for survival. If you want to find out more about the last English invasion of France, listen back to Edward III’s Calais campaign in season six, episode six. Plus in this week’s bonus episode, Danièle explains to Dan why Isabeau gets a bad wrap, right when she’s given the power to save the kingdom.  Find all of that and more on our Patreon, where you can also vote on future episodes, share some spicy court gossip with fellow subscribers, and hear from Danièle and the rest of the royal council.  Become one of our royal favourites: patreon.com/thisishistory  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 [email protected]  Learn more about your ad choices.  Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices  Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon  Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Simon Poole Production Manager - Jen Mistri  Production coordinator - Eric Ryan  Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux Head of content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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, catapulting an unknown prince — and the kingdom — into the unknown.  If you want to learn about the last English invasion of France, listen back to season six, episode five, where Edward III wins the Battle of Crécy.  Plus, in this week’s bonus episode, Dan and Danièle dive into France’s litany of failures at Agincourt, and hear Dan’s excellent impression of Robert Pattinson in The King.  You can get all of that and more on our Patreon. In addition to ad-free listening and bonus episodes, you get to chat with mediaeval buffs from around the world, shape the direction of the show, and watch exclusive behind the scenes videos from the team.  Become one of our royal favourites at patreon.com/thisishistory  – 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 [email protected]  Written and presented by Danièle Cybulskie  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 megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 drawn in, this decadent duo find out the true cost of pursuing pleasure. To delve deeper into the history behind each episode, become a This Is History Royal Favourite on Patreon. In addition to ad-free listening and bonus episodes, you get to chat with mediaeval buffs from around the world, shape the direction of the show, and watch exclusive behind the scenes videos from the team.  Sign up at patreon.com/thisishistory  – 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 [email protected]  Learn more about your ad choices.  Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices  Written and presented by Danièle Cybulskie  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

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 with power… just as France teeters on the edge of collapse. To delve deeper into the history behind each episode, become a This Is History Royal Favourite on Patreon. In addition to ad-free listening and bonus episodes, you get to chat with medievalists from around the world, shape the direction of the show, and watch exclusive behind the scenes videos from the team.  Sign up at patreon.com/thisishistory  – 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 [email protected]  Learn more about your ad choices.  Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices  Written and presented by Danièle Cybulskie  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

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 delve deeper into the history behind each episode, become a This Is History Royal Favourite on Patreon. In addition to ad-free listening and bonus episodes, you get to chat with medievalists from around the world, shape the direction of the show, and watch exclusive behind the scenes videos from the team.  Sign up at patreon.com/thisishistory  – 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 [email protected]  Learn more about your ad choices.  Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices  Written and presented by Danièle Cybulskie  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

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 descends into delusion, convinced his body is made of glass. He won’t let anyone touch him. He hides from the world. And as his mind fractures, so does France — a fragile kingdom now teetering on the brink of collapse. This is a story of ambition without limits, power without control… and the terrifying question: who breaks first? This Is History Presents: The Glass King — a haunting new series from historian Danièle Cybulskie — explores the tragic unraveling of a monarch and the chaos that follows. To delve deeper into the history behind each episode, join This Is History’s royal favourites on Patreon. There, you can meet fellow mediaeval history buffs, chat with the team, and tell us what you want to hear more of.  We’d love to see you there: patreon.com/thisishistory  – 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 [email protected]  Learn more about your ad choices.  Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Written and presented by Danièle Cybulskie  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

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 Bolingbroke, is gaining ground fast. With betrayal in the air and a throne at stake, can Richard stop Henry’s return — or is the end already written? Listen to the season finale for a gripping tale of downfall, ambition, and the unraveling of a king. If you can’t get enough of This Is History, we’d love to welcome you to the royal court over on our Patreon. There, you get bonus episodes, PLUS extra perks including dispatches from Dan and the team, the chance to vote on future subscriber episodes, and lively chat rooms with fellow history nerds.  We’d love to see you there: patreon.com/thisishistory  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 [email protected]  Learn more about your ad choices.  Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices  Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon  Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Simon Poole  Production Manager - Jen Mistri  Production coordinator - Eric Ryan  Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux Head of content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices