Podcast Title: This is History: A Dynasty to Die For
Episode: Season 6 | Episode 7: Apocalypse Now
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Host: Dan Jones
Production: Sony Music Entertainment

Introduction

In the gripping seventh episode of Season 6, titled "Apocalypse Now," historian Dan Jones delves deep into the tumultuous period of the Plantagenet dynasty, specifically focusing on King Edward III and the catastrophic impact of the Black Death. This episode masterfully intertwines personal narratives with broader historical events, painting a vivid picture of a kingdom on the brink of transformation.

Arrival in Bordeaux: A Foreboding Welcome [01:23 - 08:48]

Dan Jones sets the stage with the arrival of King Edward III's fleet in Bordeaux harbor. The scene is meticulously described:

"The ship's timbers creak as it floats slowly into Bordeaux's harbour... The crew has been at sea for nearly a week, since the fleet left the south coast of England. Now they're here, the capital of England's Duchy of Gascony... This should be a fun trip." [01:23]

The purpose of this expedition is to escort the King’s beloved daughter, Princess Joan, to marry Pedro of Castile, forging a strategic alliance against King Philip VI of France. Joan, merely fifteen, embodies innocence and royal favor, making her a prized asset for Edward III.

However, an unsettling silence engulfs Bordeaux. Despite expectations of a bustling port city, the harbor is eerily deserted:

"But there's no one here besides the lap of the water, the birds and the summer breeze blowing a creaky warehouse door on its hinges. It's silent." [03:30]

The attempted welcome by the locals, marked by residents wearing face coverings and hesitant gestures, hints at the underlying crisis—a plague terrorizing the city. The crew dismisses these warnings, believing it to be a common summer affliction, unaware of the impending doom.

The Black Death: Origins, Spread, and Misconceptions [10:51 - 20:18]

Jones transitions to a comprehensive exploration of the Black Death, contextualizing its devastation:

"Anyone who lived through the COVID-19 pandemic... even that was nothing compared to the horrors unleashed by the Black Death." [10:51]

Origins and Transmission: The plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, likely originated in the Tianshan Mountains between Western China and Central Asia. Marmots acted as primary reservoirs, with fleas transmitting the disease to humans. The Mongol Empire’s expansive trade routes facilitated the plague's swift movement westward.

Impact on Europe: Arriving in Europe around 1347, the plague swept across the continent with unprecedented speed and lethality. Jones emphasizes the grim statistics:

"40, 50, sometimes 70% of any population it infects will die." [11:30]

Symptoms and Public Perception: Describing the harrowing symptoms—fever, vomiting, and the infamous blackened swellings—Jones underscores the rapid mortality rate:

"When the bacteria gets into the lymph nodes, they swell up, turn black and occasionally burst." [12:15]

In the absence of medical knowledge, societies were plagued by fear and misinformation. The episode highlights various contemporary theories blaming natural phenomena, celestial events, or moral decay for the catastrophe. Jones teases exclusive content in the subscriber-only segment, promising an in-depth exploration of the absurd explanations people concocted during this dark period.

Impact of the Black Death on England [21:29 - 29:10]

The narrative returns to Bordeaux, where the English, oblivious to the plague, disembark and proceed with their mission. Jones poignantly captures King Edward III’s anguish as he writes to Pedro of Castile, informing him of Joan's untimely death due to the plague:

"...but see with what intense bitterness of heart we have to tell you this destructive death who seizes young and old alike..." [15:45]

Social and Economic Collapse: By autumn 1348, the Black Death had ravaged England, halving its population. Jones meticulously outlines the societal collapse:

• Labor Shortages: With a significant portion of the workforce deceased, agriculture and construction halted, leading to economic turmoil.

• Ordinance of Labourers: In response, Edward III enacted strict laws to control wages and labor conditions:

  "Under the Ordinance, it becomes illegal to take or pay more wages than were on offer before the pandemic... It becomes illegal for employers to overhire staff." [23:10]

These measures were heavily biased towards preserving the aristocracy's interests, ensuring that the elite maintained control amidst chaos.

Religious and Social Strife: The episode also touches upon the rise of flagellants—religious zealots who believed self-punishment could appease divine wrath. Jones narrates a chilling encounter in London:

"These strange folk... carry a whip with three tails, each tail tied in a knot with a nail sticking out of it... they're known as flagellants... They chant hymns and... lash the person walking in front of him." [22:45]

The widespread death toll led to desperate measures within the Church and societal structures, highlighting the fragility of medieval institutions when faced with unprecedented disasters.

Edward III’s Response and Policies [23:10 - 29:10]

Dan Jones delves into King Edward III’s strategic maneuvers in the face of the plague:

Ordinance of Labourers: To counteract the labor shortage and rising wages, Edward III instituted the Ordinance of Labourers. This heavy-handed legislation aimed to stabilize the economy by:

• Capping wages
• Mandating work for all able-bodied individuals under 60
• Prohibiting wage increases beyond pre-plague levels

Jones comments on the monarch's priorities:

"His whole royal project, Black Death or no Black Death, has been about looking after the interests of the aristocracy." [26:00]

Vision for a New Camelot: Despite these draconian measures, Edward III conceived a grand vision to transform his court into a new Camelot, inspired by King Arthur's legendary reign. This ambition sought to unify and inspire the nobility, ensuring loyalty and strength to bolster his claims and military endeavors against France.

"It's an idea that will appeal to the soul as well as the pocket of the greatest knights and nobles in England." [28:15]

Jones hints at the lasting legacy of Edward III's policies, suggesting that his responses to the Black Death laid foundational elements for the future British monarchy.

Conclusion and Tease for Next Episode

As the episode wraps up, Jones reflects on the profound and lasting impact of the Black Death on the Plantagenet dynasty and England:

"Edward III has smashed all comers in warfare. In Yersinia Pestis has he finally met his match." [20:18]

He promises listeners a deeper exploration of Edward III’s transformative strategies in future episodes, ensuring that the saga of the Plantagenets continues to captivate and inform.

Notable Quotes

• "Anyone who lived through the COVID-19 pandemic... even that was nothing compared to the horrors unleashed by the Black Death." — Dan Jones [10:51]

• "When the bacteria gets into the lymph nodes, they swell up, turn black and occasionally burst." — Dan Jones [12:15]

• "His whole royal project, Black Death or no Black Death, has been about looking after the interests of the aristocracy." — Dan Jones [26:00]

• "Edward III has smashed all comers in warfare. In Yersinia Pestis has he finally met his match." — Dan Jones [20:18]

Final Thoughts

"Apocalypse Now" serves as a compelling chapter in the Plantagenet narrative, expertly blending personal drama with the sweeping changes brought about by one of history’s most devastating pandemics. Dan Jones not only recounts events but also provides insightful analysis into the socio-political ramifications of the Black Death, offering listeners a profound understanding of how crises can reshape dynasties and nations.

For history enthusiasts and casual listeners alike, this episode is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Plantagenet dynasty and the indomitable spirit of England during its darkest hours.

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