S10 E2 | Rise of the Woodvilles

THIS IS HISTORY — A DYNASTY TO DIE FOR

Sony Music

History, Society & Culture

4.8 • 2.5K Ratings

🗓️ 2 June 2026

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Edward IV marries in secret, then springs the news like a trap. England’s new Queen, Elizabeth Woodville, arrives with two sons, a Lancastrian past, and a family ready to take their chance. When the newly-married couple introduces themselves at Reading Abbey, nobles gape. But Elizabeth takes her newfound royal status with aplomb. She stages a dazzling churching, forcing courtiers to kneel for hours. Elsewhere, England’s pitiable former king Henry VI is found wandering and locked quietly in the Tower. Elizabeth’s siblings are married into great royal houses at speed, tightening their grip, much to the dismay of England’s noble class. In London, her brother Anthony fights the Grand Bastard of Burgundy before a roaring crowd. All the while, a wounded Earl of Warwick watches on. The kingmaker’s been left humiliated and restless by this union, and the balance of power in between Warwick and Edward won’t stay cordial for long. – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. And don’t forget to listen to this season’s accompanying bonus episodes for this miniseries, where Dan and Producer Al discuss the basics of marriage in the medieval world… and how they bend and warp when the groom is a king. Plus, get the inside scoop on 1464’s HOTTEST scandal: Edward IV’s secret wedding to Elizabeth Woodville — the low-born widow who nobody saw being England’s next Queen. – 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 –– Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Executive Producer - Louisa Field Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello, friends. Now, before I hand you over to the marriage of the century, I'd like to remind you that you can join in all the fun my royal favourites are having over on Patreon.
0:13.1	That's where you can get all bonus episodes at free, and in this week's episode, producer Al and I are going to be delving into a rather complex royal family tree, that of the Woodville's.
0:28.3	And I've assigned the favourites the job of finding me pop stars who have paid tribute to the Middle Ages.
0:36.3	Hit patreon.com forward slash this is history to make your submission.
0:41.7	Want to know why?
0:43.4	Well, it's all in this episode.
0:46.9	Hello, I'm Dan Jones, a medievalist, and I'm thankful I'm not actually in the Middle Ages.
0:53.1	Why? Because a restless boss didn't bode well for employees.
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1:47.5	You may not know that aside from having the most iconic fleet in ocean travel,
1:52.0	Cunard's Four Queens also host a remarkable cast of extraordinary people. So after a morning
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2:05.6	Then, when evening falls, feel the ship come alive as stages are set for glittering gala
2:11.6	and the most prestigious performances at sea.
	...

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