S9 E11 | The Pact

About this episode

The episode discusses the historical conflict involving Richard Neville and Queen Margaret of Anjou, leading to a succession crisis in England.

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. It’s there where you can listen to this week’s bonus episode, where Dan gives an explainer on Warwick's piracy, the value of Calais, and the risks of another royal usurpation. Plus, hear more about Dan’s meltdown over a parking ticket. All is not well in a simmering kingdom. Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick — a key ally of Richard Duke of York — is holding the last skerrick of English territory in France: Calais. He’s the top military boss over there, but in recent months he’s been behaving like a high‑born pirate king. Queen Margaret of Anjou decides enough is enough. She summons him back to England for a crackdown, but in the process, she sends Warwick, York — and his towering heir Edward, Earl of March — into open revolt. England erupts into a series of battles between Lancastrians and Yorkists at Blore Heath, Ludford Bridge, and Northampton. What emerges is a full blown succession crisis. – A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring…

People in this episode

Host: Dan Jones

Topics covered

• historical failures
• royal succession
• military conflict
• English history
• piracy
• political intrigue

Keywords

• historical failures
• Richard Neville
• Queen Margaret
• Calais
• Yorkists
• Lancastrians
• succession crisis
• piracy
• battles

Mentioned in this episode

Places: England, Calais

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