An Evening with Dan Jones on War, Plague and Lion Hearts (Part Two)

Intelligence Squared

Arts, News, Society & Culture, News Commentary

4.2 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 19 October 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

‘Unforgettable characters, written with irrepressible verve and historical accuracy [...] thrums with swordswinging energy.’ ― Simon Sebag Montefiore The Hundred Years’ War was an age-defining conflict. The violent struggle between England and France spanned over a century and permanently transformed the art of European warfare itself. Rich with stories of iconic figures, from Joan of Arc to Henry V, the sheer scale of it continues to inspire fictional retellings today. In his Essex Dogs trilogy, bestselling historian and author Dan Jones retells the battles and bloodshed through the eyes of the Essex Dogs, a fictional platoon. Now, as the series reaches its climax, he joins us on stage for an exploration of war, plague, and the third and final instalment of the trilogy – Lion Hearts. Jones’ story resumes as the Black Death is tearing through Europe. The Essex Dogs have scattered: Romford thrives in the glittering court of King Edward III, Loveday struggles with loss and a reluctant return to violence, and Millstone and Thorp enlist themselves on a deadly mission to escort a princess to Castille. Yet an explosive turn of events is set to pull them back together. Jones returned to Intelligence Squared to explore the brutal realities of the Hundred Years' War, the profound impact of the bubonic plague, and the craft of weaving together fact and fiction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hello, I'm Fergus from the BBC Country Farm magazine podcast. We're sponsored by the Woodland Trust,
0:06.3	which protects woods and woodland wildlife, such as red squirrels and dormice, all across Britain.
0:11.9	Escaping into nature, especially walking among the trees, boosts your mental and physical well-being.
0:18.0	Plus, there's always a great chance for thrilling encounters with the birds and other
0:21.5	animals inhabiting these beautiful landscapes. And there's no better way to support the vital
0:26.4	conservation of our precious woods and trees than by becoming a Woodland Trust member from
0:31.3	just £4 a month. Visit woodlandtrust.org.uk forward slash join and get involved today.
0:39.8	300 sensors. Over a million data points per second.
0:45.3	How does F1 update their fans with every stat in real time?
0:49.4	AWS is how. From fastest laps to strategy calls,
0:54.0	AWS puts fans in the pit. is how. From fastest laps to strategy calls,
0:56.7	AWS puts fans in the pit.
0:59.3	It's not just racing,
1:03.2	it's data-driven innovation at 200 miles per hour.
1:07.6	AWS is how leading businesses power next-level innovation.
1:10.6	Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet.
1:12.9	I'm producer Mia Serrenti.
1:15.7	For this episode, we're rejoining for part two of our live event with Dan Jones and Alice
1:20.3	Lockstone on War, Plague and Lion Hearts.
1:23.9	In September, Dan and Alice joined us live on stage to discuss the Hundred Years' War,
1:29.6	plague, and the third and final installment of the Essex Docks trilogy, Lion Hearts.
1:35.3	If you haven't heard part one, we recommend jumping back an episode and getting up to speed.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Intelligence Squared, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Intelligence Squared and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.