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  

England’s grip on France is collapsing. After more than a century of brutal conflict, English forces across the Channel are exhausted, bankrupt, and beaten down.

In London, hopes rest on King Henry VI — now an adult and expected to rescue his father’s dying empire. But Henry is no warrior king, and the French are dismantling England’s hard‑won gains with shocking ease.

Then, a new force enters the fray: Margaret of Anjou. Young, formidable, and newly crowned Queen of England, she becomes a lightning rod for ambition, fear, and bitter factional rivalries. Some believe she can save England’s fortunes in France; others fear she is about to upend the entire balance of power at court.

As defeat looms and alliances fracture, this episode traces how Margaret of Anjou steps into a failing war — and begins reshaping the fate of the Hundred Years’ War, the English crown, and the violent political battles still to come.

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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

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