Weird Medieval Guys

In this special Halloween episode of the Weird Medieval Guys podcast, Olivia and Aran take a look at the confluence of fact, fable and fear that created the medieval vampire myth. We then explore how that myth developed into the modern image of vampires that most people think of today, most notably how the titular character of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula came to be. Also discussed are why Dracula is better in the original Spanish, Aran's suspicious new roommate from Transylvania, and recipes for Blood.For more on some of what we discuss, check out:Circumcising Draculawww.jstor.org/stable/43308497William of Newburgh's ghost stories as urban legendswww.jstor.org/stable/48577687Modern legend and rumour theorywww.jstor.org/stable/3814160Medieval conceptions of bloodwww.jstor.org/stable/42001729

Jesters. They're just funny little guys with bells who hang around their medieval king and make wisecracks, right? As it turns out, there's actually a bit more to it. Olivia and Aran trace the origins and development of jesters, minstrels, fools, and other entertainers in the wider context of humour in the Middle Ages. Along the way, we meet some of medieval europe's weirdest guys and crack plenty of authentically medieval jokes! Also discussed are Critical Clown Studies, historical oppression of drummers, and the most single Welshman ever.For more information about some of what we discuss, check out:E.K. Chambers' The Mediaeval Stage (1903), in particular chapter 3: "The Minstrel Life"https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.215896/page/n93/mode/2upFooling Around the World: The History of the Jesterhttps://press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/640914.htmlMore about Stanczyk the jester and Jan Matejko's famous painting of himhttps://www.rhiannonpiper.com/blog/behind-the-painting-unveiling-the-layers-of-meaning-in-staczyk

In the medieval world, divorce was illegal and marriage was forever. In most cases, at least. Olivia and Aran take on. the most pressing question of all, then: how can you leave your wife anyways? Starting in 8th century Wales and ending with post-medieval large boy Henry VIII, this is a casual jaunt through marital love and hatred in the Middle Ages. Also discussed are the goose in the room, the heat-resistant properties inherent to men, and the legislative virtues of theatre kids. For more information about some of what we discuss, check out:Age at first marriage in 13th-15th century Lincolnshirehttps://www.jstor.org/stable/2174029Women and the law in early Irelandhttps://celt.ucc.ie/women_law.htmlDivorce, Medieval Welsh Stylehttps://www.jstor.org/stable/3301214`Runaway Wives: Husband Desertion in Medieval Englandhttps://www.jstor.org/stable/4491898And pre-order my BOOK!! Out November 2, 2023 linktr.ee/weirdmedievalguys

Olivia and Aran tackle the much-maligned subject of medieval historical artwork, seeking to understand and explain why medieval artists depicted historical figures such as Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great as looking very......medieval. Also discussed are Sharknado, Sharknado 2: The Second One, and subsequent installations in the Sharknado franchise.

Olivia and Aran take on their greatest challenge to date: two bags of doritos. We attempt to answer with as much rigour as possible the question of whether a medieval peasant would be knocked dead by a taste of the delightful snack. Then, we explore why medieval people loved spices so much that they took over half the world looking for them. Also discussed are the secrets to good soup, the ports and gals of Portugal, and where Italians go when they die. For more information about what we cover, check out:Boccacio's Decameron translated into modern English (see "THE THIRD STORY" for a description of parmesan cheese mountain, or just Ctrl-F for "parmesan")https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23700/23700-h/23700-h.htmA fun list of prices of various goods in medieval Europe, including several spices, compiled by Berkeley professor Kenneth Hodgeshttp://medieval.ucdavis.edu/120D/Money.htmlA quick look at salt in the Middle Ages on medievalists.nethttps://www.medievalists.net/2016/01/using-salt-in-the-middle-ages/A more detailed look at the social role of spices in the Middle Ages by Stefan Halikowski Smithhttps://www.jstor.org/stable/40110784An English Translation of Le Viandier de Taillevent, one of the most significant medieval cookbooks, featuring recipes such as "bright green soup" and "red deer testicle"https://jpnet.ca/data/viandier/viandier1.html Follow us on Twitter!Weird Medieval Guys @WeirdMedievalOlivia @olivia__msAran @aranptappers

Aran and Olivia cover one of the most iconic parts of medieval warfare: the siege. Learn more about the wacky weapons and machines that were used in medieval sieges plus the even wackier people who invented them. Also discussed are giant eggs, wizards, and unbeatable strategies for rock paper scissors. For more information about some of what we cover, check out:Orban and his giant cannon, Basilichttps://www.camrea.org/2017/09/11/orban-the-man-who-brought-down-the-walls-of-constantinople-part-i/A digitised 15th century illustrated manuscript of Bellifortishttps://www.loc.gov/item/2021668178/The social and historical background and impact of Bellifortishttps://www.jstor.org/stable/48578613Everyday Magic in the Middle Ages on medievalists.nethttps://www.medievalists.net/2021/09/everyday-magic-middle-ages/

Olivia and Aran explore three guys from the Middle Ages who gained fame, power and notoriety through their wives. At a time when husbands were expected to exercise complete control over their spouses, these men's stories are inextricably linked with their affection and respect for their wives. Also discussed are the true nature of Parisians, how Grimace came to be, and historical parallels with the Joker and Harley Quinn.For more information about some of what we cover, check out:A rundown of the "wife guy" phenomenonhttps://knowyourmeme.com/memes/wife-guysAn English translation of the full text of Procopius' Secret History, especially Chapter IX onwards for more about Theodora and her relationship with Justinianhttps://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12916/pg12916.htmlA detailed discussion of the mosaics of Justinian and Theodora in Ravennahttps://brewminate.com/byzantine-art-as-propaganda-justinian-and-theodora-at-ravenna/The letters of Héloïse and Abelardhttps://www.gutenberg.org/files/35977/35977-h/35977-h.htmA discussion of Héloïse's influence on Abelard's philosophyhttps://www.jstor.org/stable/41963758The Wife of Bath's Tale translated into modern Englishhttps://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/English/CanterburyTalesVI.phpA couple articles on gendered power dynamics in The Wife of Bath's Talehttps://www.jstor.org/stable/41925333https://www.jstor.org/stable/25093919Remember, you can read 100 JSTOR articles for free each month if you sign up for an account! (no payment needed!)Follow us on Twitter!Weird Medieval Guys @WeirdMedievalOlivia @olivia__msAran @aranptappers

Olivia and Aran take on five common modern-day misconceptions about the Middle Ages and dig into what makes them so prevalent. These myths are, in order:The medieval world wasn't colourful (0:45)Most people in the Middle Ages were illiterateMedieval knights followed a strict chivalric codeMedieval communities were largely homogeneousMedieval peasants worked less than modern peopleAlso discussed are appropriate names for baby boys, the Breaking Bad "Mexico" filter, and the beneficial relationship between good eyesight and firearm ownership.For more information about some of what we cover:A medieval castle restored to its original pink colour https://roaringwaterjournal.com/tag/lime-render-on-medieval-castles/The Medievalists.net podcast on literacy and education https://www.medievalists.net/2019/09/education-in-the-middle-ages/French Chivalry by Sidney Painter https://muse.jhu.edu/book/72155Graves in medieval London https://www.medievalists.net/2019/09/black-death-burials-reveal-the-diversity-of-londons-medieval-population/Richard Clark on medieval labour https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ehr.12528Nora Kenyon on medieval labour https://www.jstor.org/stable/2589850Follow us on Twitter!Weird Medieval Guys @WeirdMedievalOlivia @olivia__msAran @aranptappers

In this inaugural episode of the Weird Medieval Guys podcast, Olivia and Aran discuss why medieval art is so intriguing to modern viewers and what makes so much of it so weird. Also discussed are Galaxy Quest, Mel Gibson's crimes against the Middle Ages, and the future historic legacy of explicit images of Garfield the cat.For more information about some of what we cover:Listen to Ira Glass and Michael Camille at Medieval TimesAmusing Ourselves to Death by Neil PostmanRead more about visual puns in the 13th century Rutland PsalterRead "The Wonders of the East" online to learn about giant ants, pepper-loving snakes, and moreFollow us on Twitter!Weird Medieval Guys @WeirdMedievalOlivia @olivia__msAran @aranptappers