Gone Medieval

<p>From Hugh Capet to Eleanor of Aquitaine, the Capetian dynasty considered itself divinely chosen to fulfil a great destiny. From an insecure foothold around Paris, the Capetians built a nation that stretched from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and from the Rhône to the Pyrenees, founding practices and institutions that endured until the French Revolution. </p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis explores the Capetians’ dramatic rule and legacy with Professor Justine Firnhaber-Baker, author of <em>House of Lilies</em>: <em>The Dynasty that Made Medieval France.</em></p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In a time of in-fighting and tribal warfare, what did it take to form the politically dominant, culturally rich and geographically vast kingdoms that led to the creation of England?</p><br><p>This month, over four episodes of <em>Gone Medieval,</em> we explore the rise and fall of the key kingdoms of the Heptarchy: Northumbria, Mercia, and Wessex, and the formation of an Anglo-Saxon government, the Witan.</p><br><p>This week Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by historian, archaeologist and author Max Adams to delve into the story of the kingdom of Northumbria.</p><br><p>This episode was edited and mixed by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In medieval times, Britain was criss-crossed by pilgrim routes, that took in such world-famous sites as Canterbury and Lindisfarne as well as out-of-the-way locations along paths not so widely travelled. But why did people undergo pilgrimage? What were its benefits? And why did some send people in their honour?</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, first released in September 2021, Matt Lewis is joined by architectural historian Dr. Emma Wells as they discuss the practice that some might consider the beginning of tourism.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Prostitutes were everywhere in the streets and neighbourhoods of medieval cities. In one and the same building, there might be a school upstairs, while downstairs prostitutes plied their nefarious trade. But how did such a situation come to pass? And how could such a world exist within the theoretical holy confines of medieval Christendom? </p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined Dr. Kate Lister, host of our sister podcast <em>Betwixt the Sheets</em>, to find out more about medieval sex work and the complex economic and social realities that existed alongside the best intentions of a religious society.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>**WARNING: This episode contains explicit language and sexual content**</strong></p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>One of the pivotal figures in Medieval history, King Henry II centralised royal power, instituted legal reforms and established common law. His marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine expanded his influence, as he became the ruler of a far-reaching European empire. But his demise was just as dramatic as his ascendancy.</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis tells the story of Henry’s rise to power and his fall brought about by his catastrophic relationship with Thomas Becket and his feud with his sons, including the future Richard the Lionheart and King John.</p><br><p>This episode was edited and mixed by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In the Middle Ages, how did art - particularly Christian icons - serve to connect humanity with heavenly realms?  How did such images spread from the Eastern Roman Empire to the rest of Europe?  What did they represent and how could they sometimes be misused to justify war and imperialism?</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega explores these questions with art historian and theologian Professor Matthew Milliner, author of <em>Mother of the Lamb: The Story of a Global Icon</em>.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>The Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 was a public rebellion that sent revolutionary ripples across the entire medieval world. In a new video series for History Hit, Matt Lewis has been looking beyond the ancient propaganda to reveal the previously unknown stories of the ordinary folk of the Peasants’ Revolt.</p><br><p>Matt has been working closely with investigative historians from the groundbreaking People of 1381 project. which has been uncovering the stories of individuals who were caught up in this revolt, either as rebels or as victims.</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt is joined by Professor Andrew Prescott, a key member of the project who made some incredible discoveries .</p><br><p>All three episodes of<em> The Peasants’ Revolt</em> are available now on History Hit.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here ></strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> ></p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>When we think about women in the Middle Ages, we know about Eleanor of Aquitaine or Hildegard of Bingen, but we are a lot less likely to think about the alewives plying their trade in cities, or the noble ladies quietly running their estates, or even the nuns falling in love with each other and praising God. </p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Jannega is joined by the best-selling novelist and historian Philippa Gregory, whose new book, <em>Normal Women: 900 Years of Making History</em>, sets the record straight.</p><br><p>This episode with edited by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>**WARNING: This episode contains some explicit sexual discussion</strong>**</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>For a thousand years, Italy’s cities have been magnets for everything that makes for great eating: ingredients, talent, money and power. Italian food is city food, and telling its story means telling the story of the Italians as a people of city dwellers.</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis meets John Dickie, author of <em>Delizia! The Epic History of Italians and their Food</em>, in which he traces how the evolution of cities and trade in the Middle Ages, as well as taste and creativity, combined to make the world’s favourite cuisine.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here ></strong></a></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here ></a></p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>One of Medieval England’s most influential figures, Thurstan was the Archbishop of York from 1114 to 1140 who fought attempts by the Archbishop of Canterbury to assert his primacy over York. Eventually, Thurstan was consecrated by the Pope instead. Now English Heritage has discovered evidence in a 15th century manuscript that Thurstan was considered for centuries afterwards to be a Saint.</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega finds out more from Dr. Michael Carter, senior properties historian for English Heritage.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Court records of naked, murderous monks, tavern brawls, robberies gone wrong, tragic accidents and criminal gangs reveal how the English in medieval Ireland governed and politicised death. </p><br><p>In this episode of Gone Medieval, Matt Lewis meets Dr. Joanna MacGugan, whose research focuses on how the English legal system in Ireland relied on collective memory, customary law, oral histories, common fame and social networks to collectively decide what was the ‘truth’.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p><em>This episode contains strong language, graphic scenes of torture and sexual content</em></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The chances are, when we think of William Wallace, we think of Mel Gibson in <em>Braveheart</em>, charging down a hill in a kilt with his face painted blue. Maybe we're fascinated in Wallace’s trial and grisly death and its influence on our understanding of war crimes? </p><br><p>But in this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega sets out to find out about the real William Wallace and his private life. Eleanor has stopped by our sister podcast, <em>Betwixt the Sheets</em>, to chat with Dr. Kate Lister, about Wallace and what we can truly know about</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Preparing, serving and sharing food has always played a critical role in human history. But what did people in the Middle Ages like to eat and what did their food say about their social status? What was the haute cuisine of medieval Bagdad or Moorish Spain? Victoria Flexner and Jay Reifel have recreated classic dishes for their book, <em>A History of the World in 10 Dinners: 2,000 Years, 100 Recipes, </em>allowing modern-day cooks of all abilities to try out meals that were created and enjoyed hundreds of years ago. </p><br><p>So if you fancy blending spices from the Silk Road, juggling indigenous ingredients of the Americas, or sewing together a terrifying cockentrice - half pig, half chicken - then this episode, in which Matt Lewis finds out more from Victoria and Jay, will have you salivating and eager to try out the recipes for yourself.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Sweyn Forkbeard was the first Viking King of England, however you'd be forgiven for potentially forgetting who he was given he was only King for five short weeks, being declared King on Christmas Day 1013, and ruling till his death on 3rd February 1014.</p><br><p>Part of a distinguished line of Viking rulers, he was the son of Harald Bluetooth, King of Denmark, and the father to Cnut the Great, the last Viking King of England.</p><br><p>Today, Eleanor Janega is joined by Dr Caitlin Ellis, Associate Professor in Medieval Nordic History at the Univeristy of Oslo, to answer all the important questions: who was Sweyn Forkbeard? How did he become King of England? Was he a successful ruler? And did he really have a fork beard?</p><br><p>If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like our episodes on: <a href="https://shows.acast.com/gone-medieval/episodes/king-cnut" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cnut the Great</a>, <a href="https://play.acast.com/s/gone-medieval/haraldbluetooth-thedanishringforts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Harald Bluetooth</a>, and <a href="https://shows.acast.com/gone-medieval/episodes/harald-hardrada" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Harald Hardrada</a>.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Elena Guthrie and Joseph Knight. It was edited by Joseph Knight.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire was an institution of national significance from the late seventh century until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. It was home to eminent writers and had strong royal connections. It housed the tomb of Æthelstan, first king of all England, and Queen Matilda, wife of Henry I, took a close interest in its affairs. But it was also home to arguably the most immoral abbot of the Middle Ages, the mass-murdering monk John of Tintern. </p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis finds out more from Tony McAleavy, author of the first full-length study of the history of Malmesbury Abbey which brings to life its colourful cast of characters.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In the early 12th century, when England was suffering wave after wave of Viking invasions, many wondered how God could allow their kingdom to be ravaged by pagans? The Archbishop of York Wulfstan had an answer: the apocalypse was coming. What did that mean to people in the Middle Ages? </p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega talks to Professor Matthew Gabriele, about how medieval people understood the end of the world, where they got such concepts from, and whether such a belief could actually be a hopeful one? </p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>The Eastern Roman Emperor from 527 to 565, Justinian was a ruler who infused even the most mundane tasks with spiritual and religious significance. The challenges he faced - climate change, battles over culture and identity, the first recorded global pandemic - and many of the solutions he found to address them still resonate with us today. His legacy remains all around us, in his massive building programme, in our legal systems, and in his fundamental contribution to both the formation of Christendom and the emergence of Islam.</p><br><p>In this episode, Matt Lewis talks to Peter Sarris, author of <em>Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint</em>, about a man who, from the humblest beginnings, rose to become ruler of much of the known world achieving an almost god-like status.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>When it comes to Japan in the Middle Ages, we think mostly of stories of the Shogun, samurai and ninjas. But for a society dominated by the court and military elite, much was dependent on the labour of skilled people. </p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega talks to Dr. Paula Curtis, to find out more particularly about Japan’s metal casters who rose to technical and social preeminence, creating strategic ties and trade networks that would have an influence for centuries to come. </p><br><p>This episode was edited by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Geoffrey Chaucer is perhaps medieval England’s most famous writer and poet. Now a new exhibition at the Bodleian Library in Oxford is setting out to give him greater breadth and depth than just <em>The Canterbury Tales</em>. </p><br><p>To talk more about the ‘Father of English Literature’ with Matt Lewis is its curator Professor Marion Turner.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>By the time the Black Death subsided, between 75 and 200 million people in Afro-Eurasia were dead, entire towns and cities had collapsed, and the earth’s temperature cooled.</p><br><p>In today’s episode of Gone Medieval, guardDr Eleanor Janega speaks to Professor Philip Slavin who has used cutting-edge techniques to consider exactly where and how the worst pandemic the world has ever seen began, and what that reveals about the medieval world.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Over the previous three episodes in our special series, <em>Gone Medieval </em>has taken a close look at the three main contenders for the throne of England in 1066. From Harold Godwinson who sat on it, to Harold Hardrada who might have seemed the most likely to win it, and William the Conqueror, the hardened Duke of Normandy.</p><br><p>In this episode, Matt Lewis explores the final clash of that seismic year. Who would wear the crown of England by the end of 1066 was still an open question and there was only one place that question could be answered. This is the story of the Battle of Hastings.</p><br><p>This episode was mixed and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>When his cousin King Edward the Confessor died childless, Duke William of Normandy saw the throne of England as his birthright. But one man stood in his way, Harold Godwinson, whom Edward had named as king on his deathbed.</p><br><p>In the third episode of our special series examining the build-up to the Battle of Hastings, Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by Professor Judith A. Green to find out more about the man who would change the course of British and European history.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In the second of <em>Gone Medieval</em>’s series looking at the road to the Battle of Hastings, Matt Lewis focuses on another claimant to the English throne. Harald Hardrada was a legendary Viking warrior who sought to rebuild the North Sea Empire to which he believed himself heir. Harald invaded the north of England with 10,000 troops and 300 longships in September 1066. But the mission would not be plain sailing.</p><br><p>Matt finds out more about him from Dr Caitlin Ellis, from the University of Oslo.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>The stories of King Arthur are among the great legends of British history. But behind the romance, chivalry and sorcery of it all, there were some pretty sexy shenanigans going on, at least in the early to mid-Medieval versions of the legends. And the good, virtuous King Arthur wasn’t quite so innocent as we might have been led to believe from <em>The Sword in the Stone</em> and the poems of Tennyson.</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega pops across to our History Hit sister podcast <em>Betwixt the Sheets</em> to talk with Dr. Kate Lister and spill the beans on King Arthur.</p><br><p><strong>**Warning: This episode contains strong language and explicit content***</strong></p><br><p>This episode was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith and Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>How did medieval surgeons, doctors and monks understand the inner workings of the human body? Who performed the first scientific human dissections? How did artists depict human anatomy?</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis finds out more from Dr. Taylor McCall, author of <em>The Art of Anatomy in Medieval Europe, </em>which explores the deep connections between visual and medical culture during the European Middle Ages.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>All this month on <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega and Matt Lewis uncover the stories of the protagonists and events that led up to the Battle of Hastings. There’s Harold Godwinson, the Anglo Saxon Lord who became the king of a people only recently brought together; Harald Hardrada, a legendary Viking warrior seeking to rebuild the North Sea Empire to which he believes himself heir; and William the Conqueror, descended from pagan Vikings, now the Christian Duke of Normandy. The lives of millions of people for centuries to come will be inextricably linked to their actions in that fateful year of 1066.</p><br><p>In this first episode, Eleanor finds out more about Harold Godwinson from Professor Levi Roach.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>From William Wallace and King Henry VI, to Anne Boleyn and Sir Walter Raleigh, London's iconic Tower of London has held some of history's most notorious figures over its 1000 year history. Host of Gone Medieval podcast Matt Lewis joins Dan to uncover the secrets embedded within the tower's formidable walls. They dive into the deep history of this mighty fortress built by William the Conqueror and tell the stories of the executions, the escapes and the animals that have called the tower home, including a 13th century polar bear who would swim and catch fish in the Thames.</p><br><p>You can find out more about the Tower of London and its notorious prisoners in the History Hit Miscellany book available in bookshops and online.</p><br><p>Produced by Mariana Des Forges, edited by Dougal Patmore and remixed by Joseph Knight</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>If your new year's resolutions include getting more exercise, drinking less, or eating well, you might be surprised to know that medieval people were every bit as interested as we are in becoming, being and staying healthy.</p><br><p>In this episode of Gone Medieval, Dr. Eleanor Janega talks to Professor Carol Rawcliffe about her fascinating research into health and fitness in the late medieval period and what people thought about staying fit and well.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Joan of Arc is a name that’s instantly recognisable to most people. A controversial figure in her own day, she has remained so ever since, often being adopted as a talisman of French nationalism. But how much do we really know—or understand—about the young woman who ignited France’s fightback against England during the Hundred Years’ War, but who paid the ultimate price at the age of just 19? </p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval,</em> first released in January 2022, Matt Lewis is joined by Dr Hannah Skoda, to get to the heart of the real ‘Maid of Orléans’.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In the fourth century AD, the Christian faith exploded out of Palestine, overwhelming the paganism of Rome, converting the Emperor Constantine in the process. Almost a thousand years later, all of Europe was controlled by Christian rulers, and the religion was deeply ingrained within culture and society. </p><br><p>In this edition of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis talks to Professor Peter Heather, author of <em>Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion</em>, about how Christianity rose to wield authority across nearly all of the disparate peoples of medieval Europe.</p><br><p>First published November 2022</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In times of plenty, we stuff ourselves. When the food runs out, we're basically stuffed. How did people in medieval Britain share the riches from our fields, dairies, kitchens and seas?</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis is joined by acclaimed food historian Pen Vogler, whose latest book <em>Stuffed: A History of Good Food in Hard Times in Britain</em>, places food at the centre of society, of upheavals and of the development of a nation. </p><br><p>This episode was edited by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Just like us, medieval people loved a bit of entertainment at Christmas. But what did they consider funny? How did humorous stories spread in a world where most people could neither read nor write?</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega finds out more from Kleio Pethainou, who specialises in medieval comedy and storytelling, and also offers an authentic and bizarre Christmas Day story from the middle ages.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p>For more about Kleio Pethainou, her podcast <em>The Court Jester </em>and books, visit: <a href="https://kleiopethainou.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://kleiopethainou.com/</a> </p><br><p>**WARNING: This episode contains examples of medieval humour that some may find challenging to modern-day sensibilities**</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Berengaria of Navarre is mainly remembered for just one thing: being a Queen of England who never set foot in England, at least not as Queen. But all that is about to change as Dr Gabrielle Storey's forthcoming biography of Berengaria is set to shed more light on this neglected, English Queen Consort. </p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis finds out more from Gabrielle about this fascinating woman.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Tean Stewart-Murray and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In this episode of Gone Medieval, our co-hosts Dr. Eleanor Janega and Matt Lewis get together to revive some of the Christmas traditions that were commonplace in the Middle Ages - from the literal origins of the Yule log to having a procession to celebrate finding a duck in a drain!</p><br><p>So grab a festive drink and a mince pie because Matt and Eleanor are ready to get serious about the silly season. </p><br><p>This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In the ninth century, the Vikings earned a fearsome reputation by wreaking chaos on the coasts of western Europe. But what is perhaps less well known is that they also travelled eastwards. By sailing along the great rivers of north-eastern Europe, they reached Constantinople, the Caspian Sea and even Baghdad, the bustling heart of the mighty Islamic Abbasid Empire. </p><br><p>In this episode of Gone Medieval, Matt Lewis welcomes Dr. Cat Jarman back to the podcast to explore why Viking raiders traded the frozen hinterlands of Northern Europe for the heat and hubbub of the Near East. </p><br><p>Senior Producer: Elena Guthrie</p><p>Assistant Producer: Peta Stamper</p><p>Scriptwriter: Peta Stamper</p><p>Editor: Joseph Knight</p><br><p>This was a special collaboration between Ubisoft and History Hit. The content and story was inspired by Assassin's Creed Mirage. To learn more about 9th century Baghdad and the historical characters in the game, listen to Echoes of History <a href="https://lnk.to/echoesofhistory" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>In many parts of Europe, before Christmas comes, you have first to celebrate one of the medieval period's favourite saints - Saint Nicholas of Myra. It's his legend and celebration that eventually transformed into our own Santa Claus. St Nicolas’s commemoration was a great excuse for medieval people to let down their hair and celebrate while still in the much more sombre and reflective period of Advent.</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by experiential archaeologist Caroline Nickolay. They discuss how St. Nicholas’ life has been embellished and commemorated from the late antique period until today and how a relatively unremarkable bishop managed to give birth to the party event of the festive season.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>May 1453 saw Constantinople under siege - the culmination of an age long struggle between Christianity and Islam for control of the Eastern Mediterranean. The Ottoman leader Mehmed II had dreamed of possessing the city since he was a boy, and now the shining light of Christian civilization, that had lasted 1100 years, fell into the hands of Ottomans. </p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis is joined by Prof. Marc David Baer to delve into this epochal moment in medieval history.</p><br><p>This episode was edited and produced by Joseph Knight and Rob Weinberg. Senior Producer was Elena Guthrie</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>The city of Constantinople, founded by the Roman Emperor Constantine in 324 AD, was a glittering jewel in the eastern Mediterranean for more than a thousand years. Its dazzling cathedrals, ambitious emperors and mixing pot culture were the stuff of legend throughout Christendom. But how did it come to tower over medieval Europe as one of the continent’s foremost cities? And why did it earn such a lofty reputation? </p><br><p>In today’s episode of Gone Medieval, Dr Eleanor Janega is joined by Bettany Hughes, author of <em>Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities </em>to discover how Constantinople came to rise, came to rule and came to ruin. </p><br><p>This episode was produced and edited by Joseph Knight. Senior Producer was Elena Guthrie.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>The popular BBC television series <em>Villages by the Sea</em> explores coastal life through the centuries. Its presenter Ben Robinson is an archaeologist with the fantastic job of exploring lost villages and uncovering their secrets, including those that give an insight into medieval life on the coasts of Britain. </p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis is joined by Ben to talk about some of the series’ - and Britain’s - medieval highlights.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p><strong>Leprosy in the Middle Ages</strong></p><br><p>Medieval people were very concerned about how to deal with those in their midst who had leprosy, now called Hansen's disease. It's assumed today that sufferers were shunned from society, forced onto the margins, and generally hated.</p><br><p>But in this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega finds out from Professor Carole Rawcliffe about what was it really like to live with leprosy, both as a sufferer or as a member of the communities that needed to care for them.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>For more than 500 years, history has judged that the Princes in the Tower were murdered on the orders of their uncle Richard III. Until now there has been very little proof - it is quite simply history’s greatest cold case. But this episode of Gone Medieval reveals new and compelling evidence about what happened to King Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York in 1483.</p><br><p>Philippa Langley - best known for her role in finding and exhuming the remains of Richard III in 2012 - talks to <em>Gone Medieval</em>'s Matt Lewis about her painstaking investigative research and the astonishing new archival discoveries that may forever change what we know about the fate of the Princes in the Tower.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Burma – now Myanmar – was once a superpower playing a pivotal role at the crossroads of Asia. Located in one of the richest areas on the planet, it produced luxury goods, mediated trade and cultivated fantastic religious and urban landscapes, unlike anywhere else in the world.</p><br><p>In today’s episode, Dr. Eleanor Janega visits a new exhibition at the British Museum with curator Dr. Alexandra Green to explore how Burma in the Middle Ages became a fertile ground for diverse cultures to flourish.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>From the fields of Norfolk to the royal court - via city commerce, local government, liberal education and numerous wedding bells - the Boleyns were just one of many newly prosperous and ambitious families seeking to make the best of a world that was being changed through famine, plague, revolt and civil war – but also opportunity. But while the Boleyns’ new-found wealth delivered power and status, they still lived in a violent world and life could be precarious.</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis talks to Claire Martin, whose new book <em>Heirs of Ambition: The Making of the Boleyns </em>uncovers the story of the family behind England's most obsessed-over queen, Anne Boleyn.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Denmark's King Harald Bluetooth was among the first Scandinavian rulers to officially embrace Christianity in the early 10th century. Norway followed later that century while Sweden's conversion occurred gradually in the following century. </p><br><p>But contrary to the common narrative of Europe's military and religious conquest and colonisation of the region, what if rather than acting as passive recipients, Scandinavians converted to Christianity because it was in individual chieftains' political, economic, and cultural interests to do so?</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega finds out more from Dr. Anders Winroth, author of <em>The Conversion of Scandinavia: Vikings, Merchants and Missionaries in the Remaking of Northern Europe.</em></p><br><p>This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Olivia Swarthout prowls the web for little-seen snippets of medieval art and life, sharing it via the Weird Medieval Guys Twitter and instagram accounts, and podcast.</p><br><p>Her new book, <em>Weird Medieval Guys: How to Live, Laugh, Love (and Die) in Dark Times </em>is a handy guide offering time-tested solutions for all of life's biggest problems, from becoming an irresistible suitor even though you can't joust to surviving encounters with rabbits and dragons</p><p> </p><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis meets Olivia on how she brings people today closer to the distant past.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p><p> </p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Wales has a wealth of ghost stories, including fantastical animals, flickering death omens and unseen things that go bump in the night. Whether these tales are based on true events, or are the creations of active imaginations, is known only to those who have experienced them – but what is certain is that their power to delight and scare us remains undimmed. </p><br><p>In this episode of Gone Medieval, Dr. Eleanor Janega meets renowned folklorists Delyth Badder and Mark Norman - host of the Folklore Podcast - to talk about their book <em>The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts</em>, which presents a wide panorama of stories and first-hand accounts that shine a spotlight on the unique qualities of folkloric ghost beliefs in Wales.</p><br><p>Ghost story told by Janine Cooper-Marshall.</p><br><p>This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p>Hear more from Mark Norman on the <a href="http://www.thefolklorepodcast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Folklore Podcast</a> ></p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>The Knights Templar have an enduring reputation―but not one they would recognise. Originally established in the twelfth century to protect pilgrims, the Order is remembered today for heresy, fanaticism, and even satanism. But the Templars were in fact dedicated peace-mongers at home, influencing royal strategy and policy, creating financial structures, and brokering international peace treaties.</p><p> </p><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis talks to Dr. Steve Tibble, author of <em>Templars: The Knights Who Made Britain</em> to redress the balance about this fascinating and vital part of their story.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>Overseeing a rich and diverse kingdom, Ethiopia’s medieval monarchs consolidated their power by claiming descent from the Biblical King Solomon. But why did they pursue long-distance diplomatic contacts with Latin Europe? </p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega meets award-winning historian Dr. Verena Krebs<em>, </em>who challenges the conventional narratives of African-European relations, arguing that African exploration of Europe was driven by aesthetic curiosity rather than military ventures.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>For the last several decades, Jonathan, Lord Sumption - former senior judge and medieval historian - has been crafting a monumental, five-volume history of the Hundred Years War, widely considered to be the definitive account of the conflict.</p><br><p>The final volume, titled <em>Triumph and Illusion, </em>has recently been published. It tells the story of the collapse of the English dream of conquest and features such protagonists as Henry VI, Charles VII of France and the extraordinary Joan of Arc.</p><br><p>In this episode of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Matt Lewis talks to Jonathan Sumption about the events that led to the end of four centuries of the English dynasty's presence in France.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<p>On this special edition of <em>Gone Medieval</em>, Dr. Eleanor Janega pays a visit to our sister podcast <em>Betwixt the Sheets</em> to be the guest of its presenter Dr. Kate Lister.</p><br><p>Eleanor of Aquitaine - probably the most powerful and wealthy woman in medieval Europe - needs little introduction to <em>Gone Medieval </em>listeners. But how true is what we know about her? Rumours abounded in her own time, and to this day, about Eleanor’s private life. Did she really have a love affair with her own uncle? What was her relationship with her cousin? And how did medieval society take to such a powerful and influential woman?</p><br><p>***WARNING: This podcast contains strong language and graphic descriptions.***</p><br><p>The original episode of <em>Betwixt the Sheets </em>was edited by Siobhan Dale and produced by Charlotte Long.</p><br><p><strong>Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code MEDIEVAL - sign up </strong><a href="https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><br><p><strong>You can take part in our listener survey </strong><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>here</u></a>.</p> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>