When it comes to powerful and impressive dynasties of the Middle Ages, it’s hard to compete with China’s Ming Dynasty. And yet, a lot of us didn’t learn much about the Ming in school. If you’re looking to start your journey on all things Ming, this is the episode for you. This week, Danièle speaks with Craig Clunas about how the Ming Dynasty began, how it functioned, and how it lasted for centuries.<br /><br />This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast
Dr Harini Bhat is a clinical pharmacist and science storyteller obsessed with questions that don't have answers. Every week she unravels real events from history that still can't be fully explained. Mass hysterias. Medical oddities. Vanished civilisations. Strange signals. Unexplained phenomena that keep repeating, centuries apart, as if history is trying to tell you something. In this episode, uncover the chilling mystery of the Mary Celeste, the infamous ‘ghost ship’ found drifting in the Atlantic in 1872 with its entire crew vanished without a trace. From explosive alcohol fumes and navigation errors to sea monsters and conspiracy theories, this episode explores every possible explanation behind one of history’s most enduring maritime enigmas. Leaving you to decide whether it was a tragic mistake… or something sinister. Follow Hidden History with Dr Harini Bhat now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or watch on YouTube @hiddenhistorypod. Listen here: https://pod.link/1895066656 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s time for a Dan-off. To celebrate the return of This Is History: In Conversation, Dan Jones meets the other history podcaster called Dan. Dan Snow’s an award-winning historian, best-selling author, and host of Dan Snow’s History Hit. Together, the history Dans have racked up quite a lot of air miles, and in this special episode, they discuss their FAVOURITE destinations teeming with historical intrigue. From the water meadows that birthed the Magna Carta, to the mysteries of Easter Island, let our Dans take you away… – If you want MORE of our Dan-off, grab their accompanying bonus episode at patreon.com/thisishistory. There, the Dans field some of naval history’s thorniest questions from Dan Jones’s royal favourites (yes, including a deep cut about Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic ship, The Endurance). As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime with Dan and the rest of the royal court on Patreon, too. Become a royal favourite today: 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 podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices – Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Junior Producer - Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer - Louisa Field Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Motherhood is different for each person who experiences it, and yet one thing is for certain: everyone has an opinion about it. This week, Danièle speaks with Kirsty Bolton about the places mothers appeared in medieval romance, from birthing rooms to otherworldly forests, and what this can tell us about the lives of real medieval mothers.<br /><br />This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast
Richard III’s son and heir, Edward of Middleham, dies unexpectedly. Then tragedy strikes twice: his wife Queen Anne dies, too. Richard, who ruthlessly diverted the line of succession away from his nephews, now has to contend with a dynastic line reset to zero. His solution? Incest. His niece, Elizabeth of York — daughter of late King Edward IV — is being pitched as England’s new Queen. But thrusting incest onto an increasingly agitated kingdom isn’t exactly what the people want. It’s fertile ground for other nobles who have any claim to the throne, like Henry Tudor. And so, he — along with Richard’s ever-growing list of enemies — descend on England. – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. It’s where you get your bonus episodes, and on this week’s episode Dan and Al discuss whether Richard III had buyers’ remorse, Henry Tudor’s shadow court in France, and why France’s Charles VIII was interested in driving a wedge between England and Brittany. – 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 podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices –– Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Junior Producer - Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer - Louisa Field Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
There’s a beautiful country that every once in a while comes to the forefront of our collective consciousness to steal our hearts. But Scotland isn’t a country that just appears out of the mist from time-to-time. It’s always been an integral part of European politics, especially during the late Middle Ages. This week, Danièle speaks with Michael Brown about Scotland’s involvement in European politics, its long alliance with France, and its tumultuous relationship with England during the Wars of the Roses.<br /><br />This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast
*THIS IS HISTORY — A DYNASTY TO DIE FOR* *Season 10, Episode 11: Last Hope* It’s 1482. Margaret Beaufort and her husband, Thomas Stanley hold the most power in Northwest England…and they’re hungry for more. They’ve asked their pal, King Edward IV, to organise a royal pardon for their exiled son, Henry Tudor, who’s in Brittany. The aim? To marry Edward’s daughter, Elizabeth of York and claim the crown. But… there's a problem. Richard III has seized the throne, reversed Henry’s pardon and induced nationwide mayhem. Backed by Francis, Duke of Brittany, Henry incites a rebellion against Richard and aims to invade England by force. Will he succeed, or will the future of England remain in Richard III’s tyrannical hands? – 00:00 Margaret’s Pardon Plan 03:38 Edward Dies, Richard Takes Over 08:32 Henry’s Weak Claim 12:08 Buckingham Turns Conspirator 16:57 The Collapsed Rebellion 21:06 Henry’s Stormy Landing That Wasn’t 24:52 Richard Strikes Back in Parliament 26:28 Christmas Oath to Marry Elizabeth 27:39 Finale Tease and Endgame - As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. It’s where you get your bonus episodes, and on this week’s episode Dan and Al discuss the legitimacy of Henry Tudor’s claim to the throne, and whether Richard III, however brutish he is, may have had a point. 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 podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices –– Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Junior Producer - Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer - Louisa Field Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
<p>In this episode of the podcast, we speak to Tara Mulder about pregnancy and childbirth in ancient Rome, the role and reputation of midwives, and how male medical writers attempted to usurp their authority.</p>
The stage is set for an in-person showdown between Alexander and Persia's Great King. The resulting Battle of Issus, although often ignored by Hollywood, is one of the most important battles in all ancient history. It gets its due here.
Pretty much everyone has heard about Marco Polo and his thirteenth-century journey from Italy to China. But just as the Polos were making their way east, two other intrepid travellers were making the journey in reverse. This week, Danièle speaks with Thomas A. Carlson about two Eastern Christian monks who made their way from China all the way to Western Europe, and this unique account of what medieval Europe and its kings looked like from the outside.<br /><br />This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast
Richard Duke of Gloucester has the crown in his sights. But first, he needs to clear the room. Allies become enemies. Councillors are arrested. Lord Hastings is dead. And Edward IV’s heirs are locked in the Tower of London. Then Richard needs to sell himself. A preacher declares Edward IV’s children illegitimate while Richard positions himself as the antidote to his brother’s salacious decadence. Richard’s going to be England’s pious, orderly, righteous king. Or so he claims. The heirs locked in the tower slowly slip from public view — and history has never stopped asking about where they went. – As always, Dan’s royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. It’s where you get your bonus episodes, and on this week’s episode Dan tries to understand why Elizabeth Woodville handed her son over to Richard III from sanctuary at Westminster Abbey. Plus, learn more about how Richard tried to legitimate his claims to the throne by sullying his deceased brother’s reputation. – 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 podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices –– Presented by Dan Jones Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Junior Producer - Dulcie Whadcock Executive Producer - Louisa Field Executive Producer - Dan Jones Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production Coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of Content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Civil war in Egypt concludes after nearly a decade of strife, with Cleopatra II seeking support from the Seleucids before being reunited with her brother and daughter in 124. Ptolemy VIII's death in 116 puts to an end one of the most ruthless and cunning politicians of the Hellenistic period, and the poisonous effects of his fifty-year career sets the tone of the dynasty for the remainder of its history. Episode Notes: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/2026/07/23/124-ptolemaic-egypt-sound-and-fury/) Episode Transcript: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/124-ptolemaic-egypt-sound-and-fury-transcript.pdf) Family Tree - Reign of Ptolemy VIII: (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/reign-of-ptolemy-viii.pdf) Social Media: Twitter (https://twitter.com/HellenisticPod) Facebook (www.facebook.com/hellenisticagepodcast/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hellenistic_age_podcast/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/hellenisticpod.bsky.social) Show Merchandise: Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/HellenisticAgePod) ImperialWares (https://tinyurl.com/ybmpk7xd) Redbubble (https://www.redbubble.com/people/HellenisticPod/shop?asc=u) Donations: Patreon (https://patreon.com/TheHellenisticAgePodcast) Ko-Fi (https://ko-fi.com/hellenisticagepodcast) Amazon Book Wish List (https://tinyurl.com/vfw6ask)
