S10 E8 | No Mercy

S10 E8 | No Mercy

From THIS IS HISTORY — IN CONVERSATION by Sony Music Entertainment

July 14, 2026 · 33 min · Season 10 · Episode 8

About this episode

The episode explores the tragic events surrounding George Duke of Clarence's response to the death of his wife and child, leading to violent consequences.

A grieving George Duke of Clarence wants someone to blame for the tragic death of his wife and spare heir.  Isabel Neville, Duchess of Clarence, dies during childbirth in December 1476. Their infant son dies shortly afterward.  It’s a moment that would push anyone to the brink, but in George’s hands, it turns bloody. He sets his sights on two low-ranking staff members in the Clarence household, creates a kangaroo court, and sends them to the gallows.  This act of extrajudicial killing isn’t seen as a lapse from someone wracked with grief, but something entirely in keeping with what many see in George: someone who is greedy, volatile, and profoundly disloyal.  It’s these qualities that make King Edward IV realise England won’t be at peace with George alive. So naturally, he reaches for a supply of Portuguese wine to sort things out once and for all.  – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. It’s where you get your bonus episodes, and on this week’s episode Dan explains why the ‘rule of law’ could be made brittle for certain nobles under Edward IV’s reign. Plus, we hear about…

People in this episode

Host: Dan

Topics covered

  • grief
  • extrajudicial killing
  • medieval history
  • royalty
  • law
  • family tragedy

Keywords

  • George Duke of Clarence
  • Isabel Neville
  • King Edward IV
  • kangaroo court
  • medieval history
  • extrajudicial killing
  • Portuguese wine

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