S9 E11 | The Pact

Royal favourites, we want your voice notes in our new miniseries on historical failures. Look out for Producer Al’s callout post on patreon.com/thisishistory.  It’s there where you can listen to this week’s bonus episode, where Dan gives an explainer on Warwick's piracy, the value of Calais, and the risks of another royal usurpation. Plus, hear more about Dan’s meltdown over a parking ticket.  All is not well in a simmering kingdom.  Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick — a key ally of Richard Duke of York — is holding the last skerrick of English territory in France: Calais. He’s the top military boss over there, but in recent months he’s been behaving like a high‑born pirate king.  Queen Margaret of Anjou decides enough is enough. She summons him back to England for a crackdown, but in the process, she sends Warwick, York — and his towering heir Edward, Earl of March — into open revolt. England erupts into a series of battles between Lancastrians and Yorkists at Blore Heath, Ludford Bridge, and Northampton.  What emerges is a full blown succession crisis.  – 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  – Written and presented by Dan Jones 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