Introducing… The Glass King

THIS IS HISTORY — A DYNASTY TO DIE FOR

Sony Music

History, Society & Culture

4.8 • 2.5K Ratings

🗓️ 22 July 2025

⏱️ 2 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

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 podcastadsales@sonymusic.com 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

Transcript

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0:00.0	He was a young dashing king, married to a beautiful queen and adored by the people.
0:07.0	Together they ruled a kingdom that had finally won its territories back from its ancient arch rival.
0:14.0	It's late 14th century France, in the court of Charles VI, a king who will come into his own as Charles the beloved.
0:23.6	But the fairy tale can't last.
0:27.6	Soon, Charles becomes someone who is feared and then pitied.
0:32.6	In a forest near Le Mans, the beloved king snaps, attacking his brother and killing five of his own men.
0:43.3	In time, even the slightest touch gives the king chills.
0:48.3	Charles believes his body is made of glass, ready to splinter at any moment.
0:56.0	As the king's mind falls to pieces, the princes of France fight for dominance and slowly tear Charles' kingdom apart.
1:06.0	I'm Danielle Sibolsky, a historian and author, and over six gripping episodes, we'll step inside the kingdom that's moments away from shattering.
1:14.6	There'll be feuding families, decadent parties, powerful queens, rebellions aplenty, and ambushes that would make the mafia blush.
1:25.6	This is a story of power, greed, and brazen ambition.
1:30.3	But the question is, who's breaking first?
1:37.3	Listen to This Is History Presents, the Glass King,
1:41.7	wherever you get your podcasts.
1:43.9	From Tuesday, July 29th.

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