Episode 225
Medieval Comedy: Minstrels
Every historian dreams of hitting gold in the archives. Matt Lewis’s guest Dr. James Wade of Girton College, Cambridge has done just that.
Gone Medieval · History Hit
June 30, 202326m 15s
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Show Notes
<p>Every historian dreams of hitting gold in the archives. Matt Lewis’s guest Dr. James Wade of Girton College, Cambridge has done just that.</p><br><p>James has uncovered a manuscript by cleric and tutor Richard Heege, which reports the routines of a medieval minstrel. It reads like a mixture of stand-up script and satirical panel show. The text mocks kings, priests and peasants, encourages audiences to get drunk and shocks them with slapstick as well as a killer rabbit worthy of Monty Python. It all sheds new light on the English sense of humour, and the role played by minstrels in medieval society.</p><br><p>This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.</p><br><p><strong>Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians including Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code </strong><a href="http://access.historyhit.com/checkout?code=medieval&plan=monthly" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>MEDIEVAL</strong></a><strong>. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up </strong><a href="http://access.historyhit.com/checkout?code=medieval&plan=monthly" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>here ></strong></a></p><p> </p><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><p> </p><p>If you’re enjoying this podcast and are looking for more fascinating Medieval content then subscribe to our Medieval Monday newsletter here: <a href="https://insights.historyhit.com/signup-form" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://insights.historyhit.com/signup-form</a></p>
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