Season 7 | 4. The Tyranny Begins

This is History: A Dynasty to Die For

Sony Music

Society & Culture, History

4.8 • 2.2K Ratings

🗓️ 20 May 2025

⏱️ 25 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

After surviving the Peasants’ Revolt, Richard II comes out on top. He has violently suppressed the rebels and married the well-credentialed Anne of Bohemia. But this Plantagenet has his eye on another playmate, the handsome Robert De Vere. Richard’s wandering eye could spell disaster for England’s fortunes. If you want to find out more about the last time a King had a handsome playmate, listen to This Is History’s second bonus episode from season five. You can also find out more about Anne of Bohemia and the regal reputation she carried in this week’s bonus episode. Head to our Patreon to vote on future episodes, join in on some spicy court gossip on This Is History chat rooms, and hear from Dan and the rest of the royal council. 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 [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Selina Ream Executive Producer - Louisa Field Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production coordinator - Eric Ryan Sound Design and 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	Hello listeners, Dan here, reminding you that This Is History is now on Patreon.
0:05.7	With our new This Is History Royal Favorite membership, you'll get ad-free listening, weekly
0:11.2	members-only episodes, early access to new releases, and loads of extra perks, including access
0:18.3	to our official chat room, where I and the team will be dropping in throughout
0:22.5	the season.
0:23.9	Head to patreon.com forward slash this is history to start your free trial and join us today.
0:30.7	That's patreon.com forward slash this is history.
0:35.0	Oh, and just a warning, this episode will contain actually quite a lot of descriptions of torture
0:40.3	and generally unsettling behaviour.
0:45.3	The executioner scrapes the wet stone along the blade of his axe and waits for the trial to come to an end.
0:53.3	He tests the blade with his thumb and winses as he
0:56.9	draws blood. That edge is definitely sharp enough to do the job. But by the time the day is done,
1:06.1	he reckons it may have dulled a bit. There are going to be a lot of victims to get through.
1:12.6	It's late summer 1381, and the Peasants' Revolt that gripped London a few weeks ago has
1:17.7	finally been suppressed.
1:20.0	Now the retribution has begun.
1:23.5	From the court come gasps, jeers and a few sobs. The prisoner on trial is called Jack Straw.
1:31.3	He led a band of rebels who marched on North London
1:34.3	and busted up a load of expensive property on their way.
1:38.3	Straw has been found guilty.
1:40.3	The sentence is death.
1:43.3	The prisoner is dragged forward to meet his fate.
	...

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