Episode Overview

Podcast: This Is History: A Dynasty to Die For
Episode: S9 E12 | Rise of the Yorks
Host: Dan Jones (Sony Music Entertainment)
Release Date: March 24, 2026

The finale of Season 9 plunges listeners into the pivotal events of 1460-1461, as England descends deeper into the Wars of the Roses. Dan Jones vividly narrates the violent collapse of Henry VI's regime, the spectacular rise—and fall—of Richard, Duke of York, and the dramatic ascension of a teenage king: Edward IV. This episode is marked by betrayals, battles, executions, and royal propaganda in a kingdom torn by dynastic wrath.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Margaret of Anjou’s Defiance and Strategy (05:15–09:18)

• Backdrop: With Henry VI incapacitated and disempowered by Yorkists, Margaret retreats to Wales, then flees to Scotland with her son, Prince Edward, refusing to heed her husband’s (suspiciously unconvincing) appeals to regroup in London.

• Memorable Moment: Margaret outwits Henry’s code—a missing secret word—before burning his letter.
  Quote:

  “You have to get up earlier in the morning than that to fool this queen.”
  —Dan Jones (08:26)

• Open Letter from Exile: In Scotland, Margaret pens a fiery public missive, railing against Richard, Duke of York, and rallying her supporters.
  Quote:

  “[York is a] horrible and false forsworn traitor, a mortal enemy to my lord, to my lady and to us.”
  —Margaret’s open letter (09:46)

• Insulting York: Dan jokes:

  “She finishes it by adding that York’s mama is so ugly that when they laid her on the plague cart, the rats ran away screaming. Well, maybe not that last bit.”
  —Dan Jones (09:58)

England Descends into Chaos: Noble Feuds and Open War (10:12–12:47)

• The Queen’s Call to Arms: Margaret rouses old allies (the Percies, Beauforts, Jasper Tudor) for a renewed assault on Yorkist power.
• York’s Military Calculations: York races north to Sandal Castle, but lacks reinforcements and supplies; waits anxiously for the Neville family to arrive.

The Battle of Wakefield: Fall of Richard, Duke of York (13:20–15:45)

• Ambush and Disaster: York rides out for supplies but is ambushed by Somerset and Percy’s men near Wakefield.
  Quote:

  “[York is] environed on every side like a fish in a net.”
  —Contemporary chronicler (14:28)

• Edmund, Earl of Rutland’s Demise:

  “On the bridge, young Edmund is cut off by Lord Clifford [...] steps forward and stabs the lad through the heart.”
  —Dan Jones (15:08)

• Executions and Display: York, Salisbury, Thomas Neville, and Edmund are beheaded; their heads displayed above York city’s gate.

• Margaret’s Revenge:

  “Her arch enemy is dead. But Margaret isn't stupid. She will know as well as anyone that the war isn't over yet. In fact, it's barely even begun.”
  —Dan Jones (15:41)

Edward, Earl of March: Rise Through Bloodshed (16:17–20:48)

• Edward’s Omen: On the eve of battle, Edward and his men witness a parhelion ("three suns in splendor"), seen as divine favor before Mortimer’s Cross. Quote:

  “They agree that this is almost certainly a divine symbol. The sun is, as they would put it, in splendor.”
  —Dan Jones (18:20)

• Battle of Mortimer’s Cross (Feb 3, 1461): Edward routs Jasper and Owen Tudor. Owen is executed; his memorable last words:
  Quote:

  “That head shall lie on the stock that was wont to lie on Queen Catherine’s lap.”
  —Attributed to Owen Tudor (20:10)

St Albans Redux: The Queen’s Temporary Comeback (20:48–24:50)

• Second Battle of St Albans (Feb 17, 1461): Margaret’s Lancastrians, unhindered by the presence of Henry VI, defeat Warwick decisively.

• Henry VI Captured (Again):

  “When the Queen’s men find him, Henry is sitting under a tree, laughing and singing to himself as the northern warriors his wife and her allies have raised ransack the town, desecrate the abbey and rob anything they can lay their hands on.”
  —Dan Jones (24:08)

• Moral Reflection:

  “Every battle produces a winner, but at the same time, things get worse for everyone. Whoever conquers the crown of England loses, which is a very great pity.”
  —Contemporary chronicler, quoted by Dan Jones (24:39)

The Road to Towton: Edward Claims the Crown (26:14–31:52)

• Propaganda War in London: Even with Margaret in charge, Yorkist posters proclaim Edward, now Duke of York, as the rightful king.

• Margaret’s Position Weakens: The brutal behavior of her northern army makes Londoners refuse her entry, forcing her and Lancastrian leaders to stay in the north.

• Edward’s Proclamation:

  “From this point, there’s no going back. He’s going to become King or die trying.”
  —Dan Jones (28:38)

Battle of Towton: Bloodiest Day in English Soil (31:52–34:48)

• Scene Setting: Palm Sunday, March 29, 1461, North Yorkshire; snowstorm offers Yorkists tactical advantage with longbows.

• Butchery and Victory:

  “There are as many as 30,000 men in the field of Towton. It’s by far the biggest battle that’s been fought on English soil in living memory, perhaps ever… so many die as they try to get away that the beck is dammed up with corpses and people are scrambling away over what they call the Bridge of Bodies.”
  —Dan Jones (32:33–33:52)

• Outcome: 18,000 die; Lancastrians flee to Scotland. Edward now rules a ruined kingdom. Quote:

  “Alas, we are a race deserving of pity even from the French.”
  —Contemporary churchman, after Towton (34:30)

The Yorkist Regime Begins (34:48–36:04)

• Coronation: Edward IV is crowned on June 26, 1461. But both Margaret and Henry VI survive and plot revenge.
• Warwick the Kingmaker: A new power takes shape—partnership/balance with Edward IV.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Medieval Flame Wars:

  “I think it’s worth remembering that flame wars were just as, well, flaming back in the Middle Ages, maybe even more so.”
  —Dan Jones (09:18)

• On Edward’s Motivation Before Battle:

  “It’s Edward’s job to stop them, and it’s fair to say that he is highly motivated to do it. The trouble is, motivation isn’t everything in war. Everyone knows that when there’s a battle coming, you also need the secret source known as God’s approval.”
  —Dan Jones (17:12)

• On the Cost of Civil War:

  “Whoever conquers the crown of England loses, which is a very great pity. They say the one thing England is crying out for is a real functioning king who can get a grip on the chaos. But it’s really not clear where one of those is going to come from.”
  —Dan Jones, quoting contemporary (24:39)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–05:15 | Introduction, season reflection | | 05:15–09:18 | Margaret of Anjou’s letter, exile and defiance | | 09:18–12:47 | Nobles’ feuds, England erupts in violence | | 13:20–15:45 | Battle of Wakefield, deaths of York & Rutland | | 16:17–20:48 | Edward at Mortimer’s Cross, Tudor execution | | 20:48–24:50 | 2nd Battle of St Albans, Henry VI lost/found | | 26:14–28:38 | Yorkist propaganda, Edward claims crown | | 28:38–31:52 | Build-up to Towton, combatants mobilize | | 31:52–34:48 | Battle of Towton, Yorkist victory/aftermath | | 34:48–36:04 | Edward crowned; England in ruins; season wrap-up |

Additional Notes & Tone

• Dan Jones’ Style: Wry, engaging, modern analogies (“flame wars,” “Indeed-sponsored jobs,” “more fertilizer-grade horseshit”), and vivid storytelling.
• Emphasis on Violence and Irony: Deep pathos for the people of England; gallows humor about the period’s endless violence.
• Closing Tease: The struggle continues; Margaret and Henry VI are not finished yet, and next season will take us to the dramatic climax of the Plantagenet saga.

This episode offers a gripping, blood-soaked account of how dynastic ambition, misfortune, and vengeance consumed an entire kingdom, setting the stage for even greater upheavals in the final Plantagenet chapters.