← THIS IS HISTORY — A DYNASTY TO DIE FOR
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- [00:00]
Dan Jones
Hello, it's Dan here. Now, before we head to 1397's party of the year, I want to remind you of another party you can join right now over on our Patreon. There you can schmooze with fellow history nerds, otherwise known as my Royal favourites. Listen to bonus episodes and tell me what you'd like to hear more of. I'm loving what my favourites have posted on our court gossip thread so far. Thanks to you, Felice, for starting that one. Now, on with the episode. The guests are gathering for a fine party in one of London's fanciest houses on the evening of the 16th of September, 1397. It's a glittering social whirl. This mansion on Fleet street belongs to a wealthy London merchant called John Roat. But it's been rented for the occasion by Henry Bolingbroke, son of the mightiest noble in Plantagenet, England. The invitees have been arriving from all over the capital, some pulling up in carriages at the roadside entrance, others being rowed to the little pier at the end of the garden. When they arrive, they see the house is stunningly decorated. Artists have been hired to paint a display of exotic birds. Drinks are flowing and musicians are playing an elegant tune. Yet for all that, the mood at the party is strained. Bolingbroke has brought his two eldest sons along, 11 year old Henry and 9 year old Thomas. And as they stand stiffly in their new clothes, they must realize the adults around them are on edge. Everyone knows why. Tomorrow at Westminster, a parliament will get underway. The rumours are that some serious business is going to go down. That business is being brought by the man who's guest of honor at tonight's party, King Richard II. It's coming up for 10 years since Richard was humiliated at the merciless Parliament, where nobles including Henry Bolingbroke, purged the Royal court and executed or exiled Richard's closest allies. For 10 long years, Richard has been nursing a grudge, waiting for the right moment to strike and strike hard. Three of the lords who spearheaded the merciless Parliament all those years ago have been arrested and are in prison awaiting trial for treason. And for more than a week, London has been filling up with troops. They have thick Cheshire accents and they wear the King's personal badge, a white heart. That's a term for a deer with a gold crown around its neck. This is Richard's private army, his militia. They're in town with one job intimidation. As Bolingbroke's party whirls and Richard turns up to inspect the display of exotic birds. Everyone is feeling very antsy. The King has a few nasty surprises in store. Not everyone at this party can be certain of making it through the next 24 hours alive. I'm Dan Jones and from Sony Music Entertainment. This is history Season 7 of A Dynasty to Die For Episode 9 Richard's Revenge Ray Ban Meta glasses are powered by meta AI so you can get real time answers. Hey Meta, how bougie is Jade Garden? It's a trendy spot. What's a color that pairs with this top? Consider dark, earthy colors, charcoal or black. What are some good first date topics? Consider discussing favorite travel destinations or your favorite books. Get suggestions, inspiration and answers from your glasses. Ray Ban Meta Glasses Iconic style meets meta AI in 1397, Richard turns 30 years old. The way medieval people think about age. This is really the last milestone passed on the progress from youth to to young manhood to full adulthood. Once you're 30, you're a certified grown up and no one has any business telling you what to do. It could be that passing that landmark gets into Richard's head in 1397 and starts him thinking about finally running his realm the way he wants to. Which means getting his own back on everyone he thinks has stitched him up over the years. Or maybe it's just practical. As we heard last time, in 1396, Richard scored a major triumph in his marriage alliance with France. He got a child bride who came with a juicy dowry and the promise of peace for a generation. The way he sees things, he's finally free. No more worrying about what his poxy nobles think of him. The tables are well and truly turned either way. In 1397, with his bank balance healthy and the 30th birthday cards on his mantelpiece, Richard decides that now is the time to strike against the people who he blames for hurting his friends and his royal feelings back in the 80s. Three people are at the top of his most wanted list. They are his uncle, Thomas of Woodstock, along with Woodstock's pals, the Earls of Arundel and Warwick. They were the ringleaders of the opposition 10 years ago. So in July 1397, all three of them have been arrested. Warwick was invited to a dinner with the King and and detained as soon as he showed up. Arendelle was then persuaded to give himself up rather than have Richard come after him. Those two have been banged up in the Tower of London. Thomas of Woodstock was arrested at his house in Kent and shipped off to the English military garrison at Calais. It's a Supermax detention for him. When everyone pitches up to Parliament to decide what's going to happen to these three, it's obvious that all the deciding is going to be done by Richard. The Parliament is held in a big marquee in the grounds of Westminster palace because there are major renovation works going on in Westminster hall. And I'll be telling our royal favourites all about those on this week's subscriber episode, which you can access right now via our Patreon. Surrounding this giant tent are Richard's private militia of Cheshire archers, thousands of them, all with their longbows in their hands. The messaging isn't exactly subtle. Shut up and do exactly what the King wants. When the King's Chancellor gets up to give the speech formally opening the Parliament, what the King wants is. Is made abundantly clear. The theme of the guy's harangue is taken from the Old Testament, the Book of Ezekiel, to be precise. And the Chancellor does a passable impression of Samuel L Jackson in pulp Fiction. There shall be one king to rule over them all. He quotes. Those who know that passage well are aware that this is some pretty dark stuff. Ezekiel is ordered by God to go to the desert and preach to the dry bones of dead men. As he does, the skeletons come back to life with flesh and sinews miraculously reappearing. Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, says Ezekiel. So this is what's on Richard's mind. Robert de Vere, the hanging judge. Crazilian Sir Simon Burley, all Richard's friends who died thanks to the appellants. He's going to have revenge in their names. And so begins what can only be described as a kangaroo court. Back in July, Richard announced that treason was the charge against the three lords who've been arrested. But the details have have been left vague until now. The Earl of Arundel is first to be brought out to face charges. He comes dressed for martyrdom with a red hood on his cloak. There's never been any warm feeling between Richard and Arundel. Remember, this is the Lord Richard, battered around the head with a stick for turning up late to Queen Anne's funeral. Now Richard has the last laugh. Arundel's supposed crimes are rehearsed to him. He's accused of usurping royal authority, raising rebellion against the King and putting to death the King's friends without good cause. He claims that, in fact, as part of the settlement from the merciless Parliament, he has a royal pardon which protects him. A sort of get out of jail free in case King Nutso goes all King Nutso and tries to do exactly this sort of thing card but his escape King Nutso card is ripped up in front of his face. The Steward of England, who's formally presiding over this show trial, confirms that Arundel has no such claim because his crimes are too terrible to be forgiven. The Steward then calls on a witness who was around at the time. This guy testifies that Arundel was the ringleader of the appellants and the architect of all Richard's misery. At this, Arundel goes ballistic. He screams, you lie in your teeth. And starts insulting both the Steward and the witness. But it's no good. He's sentenced to death for treason and marched out of the marquee to be escorted to Tower Hill for an unceremonious beheading. Shock ripples through Parliament because who are the Steward and Witness who've just helped the King destroy his nemesis? The Steward is John of Gaunt. The witness is Henry Bolingbroke.
- [11:31]
Unknown
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- [12:33]
Dan Jones
Land a Viking longship on island shores, scramble over the dunes of ancient EGYP and avoid the Poisoner's cup in Renaissance Florence. Each week on Echoes of History, we uncover the epic stories that inspire Assassin's Creed. Listen to Echoes of History, a Ubisoft podcast brought to you by History Hits. There are new episodes every week. Two young boys stand outside John Rotts mansion on Fleet street and watch the solemn parade approach. Horsemen ride out first, snarling as they clear the streets of Gorpers. Then, walking slowly, comes the death procession. There are a few jeers from the crowd, but only the bravest dare to provoke King Richard's Cheshire archers. When the Earl of Arundel walks by. The two boys see that he's walking calmly, as easily as if he were going to visit a friend for lunch. Arundel got all his shouting out of his system in the Parliament where he was condemned. Now he's going to the chopping block with dignity. Arundel arrives on the scaffold, calm and collected. He asks the executioner to let him test the axe blade with his thumb. Once he approves it, he kneels down and presents his neck. The executioner swings the axe and the job is done. But then, to gasps of shock from the crowd, Arendor's headless body gets to its feet, stands upright for as long as it takes to say the Lord's pride, and finally tumbles over. It's a grisly, gory scene. And for the two boys, Henry and Thomas, it's a confusing day. Their dad and granddad, Bolingbroke and Gaunt, are deeply mixed up in this butchery. And for Bolingbroke, this is very murky business indeed. In the 1380s, he was one of the five Lords appellant. He was an ally of Arundel, the guy who's now headless on Tower Hill. But he switched up on him. How could he do a thing like that? The truth, when it comes down to it, is that Bolingbroke switched up for one very good reason to protect his kids. Henry, Thomas and their four siblings are the heirs to the Lancastrian dynasty. The way things are right now, you're either with the King or against him. Bolingbroke is an honourable guy, but he's chosen his family over his erstwhile allies. The boys only lost their mother a few years ago. They won't have much chance in life if they lose their dad and granddad too. Back in Parliament, meanwhile, the King's revenge is still going. On. With Arundel taken off to die, Richard's attention now turns to his uncle, Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester. When Woodstock was arrested, he was shipped off to Calais, the sort of English Alcatraz, which feels a bit strange. It's not like he's some sort of superman. In fact, like all the senior appellants, he's getting on a bit. What's with Calais rather than the Tower of London? That's revealed when his trial begins. When the cry goes up to bring out the accused, Woodstock is nowhere to be seen. Instead, another lord rises to his feet. It's Thomas Mowbray, who was the fifth of the appellants in the 1380s. Like Bolingbroke, he was a junior member of the Gang of Five. And like Bolingbroke, he's chosen to flip to the King's side. But Mowbray has gone way further than Bolingbroke. He reports to the Parliament that, unfortunately, Woodstock won't be able to appear before them today, or indeed any other day. He's dead. Why he's dead isn't made exactly plain. But the truth, which comes out later, is that Mowbray, acting on Richard's orders, had Woodstock murdered. He was strangled or suffocated in the back room of a Calais pub called the Prince's Inn. There's no justice, no trial, no final words on the scaffold. The youngest son of Edward III has been done in mobster style in a backstreet boozer. Shit just got incredibly real with this news. Barely settled in comes the Earl of Warwick, the last of the appellants. He's dragged into the Parliamentary marquee, sniveling and wailing and begging for Richard's mercy. He says he wishes he'd never got himself mixed up in the bad business back in the 80s and that he's sorry he ever met the other two guys. This dismal display saves Warwick's life, but he probably wishes he hadn't bothered. He's stripped of all his lands and titles and sent off to life in exile on the Isle of Man. With that, the King's revenge is complete. Less than a fortnight after the revenge, Parliament opens. Richard declares it suspended. He rewards those who helped him smash the appellants with a bonanza of title giving. Mowbray is made Duke of Norfolk, Bolingbroke becomes the Duke of Hereford. It's all rather grubby. People sneer at the new dukes and their petty titles earned by ratting out their former mates. But you can't sneer too much. With Richard and his private army now on the warpath, the Parliament is ordered to reconvene in Shrewsbury in January 1398. What will happen when they get there is anyone's guess. Hello, everyone. We're Jamie and Sophie. You may remember us from Nearly Weds and then Newlyweds. But now, guys, okay, Things are about to get even wilder as we take on our biggest adventure yet. Becoming parents. Yeah, that's right. Newlyweds is now Nearly parents. And we're bringing you the same honest, heartwarming takes on our journey to parenthood. I guess. Join us as we find out what it really means to become a family while trying not to kill each other. Get ready for Nearly Parents Your favorite new podcast. It's just before Christmas in 1397, and Henry Bolingbroke is riding along the road to London. He has plenty on his mind. Since September, when Richard went schizo, things have been pretty hectic. The King has started dragging anyone involved in the events of the 1380s before the royal Council and making them pay whacking great fines for a pardon everywhere he travels. His private bodyguard of Cheshire archers terrorize the ordinary people. They rape and kill with impunity, and you can't get to see Richard unless they let you. They have a constant guard on his bedroom and they call him by the pet name Dickon. In court, Richard insists on being addressed by the new term, you, Majesty, and he's developed some unnerving new habits. After dinner, he likes to sit in his chamber with attendants and lords gathered and glare around the room in silence. If he casts his gaze on you, you have to throw yourself to your knees and grovel. At the same time, Richard has his officials working on a new project. They're going to send out blank bits of parchment known as charters, demanding that lords fix their personal seals to them and send them back. Richard's going to hold on to these, and if he decides that he's fed up with the lord in question, he can just write a confession on the charter or turn it into a promise to hand over lands and money. Bolingbroke helped make this possible, but he's also still highly vulnerable. The King could turn on him at any moment. As Bolingbroke rides, he bumps into another lord. It's none other than Thomas Mowbray, newly minted Duke of Norfolk, the fifth man in the appellant gang and the one responsible for murdering the King's uncle, Thomas of Woodstock. Mowbray wears a glum expression. Bolingbroke asks him what's up, and Mowbray lets him have it. The king, he says, is working on the next phase of his diabolical revenge plot. And says, mowbray, we are both about to be undone. He says Richard is planning to have Bolingbroke and John of Gaunt murdered, to seize their lands and remove them from the royal succession. He Mowbray will be next on the list. It's a bombshell, and Bolingbroke has to think very quickly how to react. This is plainly just the sort of thing Richard might do. But what's Mowbray doing snitching the plot to him? Is this a case of honor among thieves? Or is Mowbray Setting him up to give the King an excuse to move against him. In the Orwellian nightmare of Dickon Land, anything is possible in the heat of the moment. Bolingbroke plays it cool. God forbid, he says, and tells Mowbray that the King has sworn to be a good lord to him. If he double crossed them, then surely no one would ever trust Richard again. Mowbray continues to look mean, miserable. That's just it, he says. No one can trust Richard. And even if the King doesn't get to them this time, he could come back in five years, 10 years time. They're basically never going to be safe. With that Happy Christmas message, Mowbray leaves Bolingbroke and rides off. Bolingbroke's head is buzzing. What does he do with this information? Does he trust Mowbray? Not really. But could Mowbray still be telling the truth? Absolutely. If he is, what does that mean? Should Bolingbroke start preparing himself to be garrotted in a pub? Should he raise an army of his own to face off against the Cheshire Archers? Or is there some other option? It's a terrible conundrum for Bolingbroke and he doesn't have much time to think it through. But he has to do something. The mood his cousin Richard is in, which seems to be a permanent state these days, means that any day could be Bolingbroke's last. His whole family is in jeopardy and his next actions will decide their fate. As he trots his horse down the road towards London, Bolingbroke has the biggest decision of his life to make. Find out what he chooses. Next time on this Is History. Now, folks, there's one last thing from me. If you're one of my royal favourites, I'd love you to help me answer this question. I want to know, if you could throw medieval London's hottest party, what would it look like? Am I seeing a hog on the dining table? And who's performing? And please do remember to add me to the guest list. Join the discussion on Patreon. That's patreon.com thisishistory.