Cursed blades and dark swords in myth and fantasy
Dark and cursed blades are found throughout popular culture and fantasy; join Dr Lillian Cespedes to explore their roots in history, mythology and why they have become so popular.
The Women in Medieval Armored Combat
A new documentary follows the lives of women who fight in an extreme and full-contact sport, Medieval Armored Combat. This week, Danièle talks with filmmaker Adrian Cicerone about Steel Song.
How you can create medieval memes with this tool from the Dutch national library
A new tool to create memes using medieval images, has been developed by KB, the national library of the Netherlands.
The Knights Templar and Historical Revisionism in the Modern Era
As early as the nineteenth century, many political extremists have modelled themselves upon the Templars. Today, both the US and UK are home to groups that imitate these medieval knights, pledging to fight a ‘new crusade’ against multiculturalism, ‘cultural Marxism’, or a ‘New World Order’.
Joan of Arc: The Feminine and the Masculine
From heretic to miracle, from warrior to saint: A look at how Joan of Arc has been depicted, from the 15th century to the 20th century.
Medieval Beer with Noëlle Phillips
Beer: it’s delicious, it’s nutritious, and it’s inseparable from ideas of the Middle Ages. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Dr. Noëlle Phillips about medieval beer: who was making it, who was drinking it, and how the brewing industry leans on the medieval world for its marketing today.
In Search of the Once and Future King: A Stranger In A Strange Land
The Arthurian Legend comes to America with Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.
In Search of the Once and Future King: King of the Who?
The story of King Arthur moves into the Victorian Age, where it is revitalized by Walter Scott and Alfred Tennyson.
Game of Thrones and Medieval Studies – Ten Years On
Many medievalists leapt at the chances that Game of Thrones offered to open up medieval studies to people who had never given it much thought before. But the show also brought into the open some key debates within the medieval field.
Byzantium in video games, with Troy Goodfellow
A conversation with Troy Goodfellow on how Byzantium and other premodern civilizations are represented in video games, and how the mechanics of the games structure those representations, player’s goals, and the dynamics of historical change.
An antidote to toxic medievalism, with Amy Kaufman and Paul Sturtevant
A conversation with Amy Kaufman and Paul Sturtevant about their book The Devil’s Historians: How Modern Extremists Abuse the Medieval Past.
Western Fantasies about Byzantium, with Elena Boeck
A conversation about western fantasies, orientalism, and the making of Byzantium, with Elena Boeck
Seeing and Hearing the ‘Scourge of God’: Attila the Hun in film, music and opera
Attila is a figure who has been treated in all manner of different ways, positive and negative in various art forms – from classical to contemporary music, sculpture, painting, opera, fiction, and film.
Medieval Video Games with Alicia McKenzie
This week on The Medieval Podcast, it’s game on with Alicia McKenzie. Danièle and Alicia talk about the world’s love affair with medieval-themed video games, what some of the ups and downs are, and which games Alicia recommends for medieval fans staying at home.
Roots, Replica, Replay: European Medievalisms after 1945
Since the end of the 18th century, the Middle Ages were, in the learned culture of European elites, much more than simply a historical period.
Vikings Versus Neo-Nazis: Documentary on confronting racism and misappropriation of history
Medievalists have become increasingly concerned in recent years about the misappropriation of medieval history by Neo-Nazis and far-right groups. A documentary has just been released that shows how medieval-history lovers are confronting these groups, taking place in Sweden.
I sing of the Maiden: Joan of Arc in Musicals and Opera
Many medieval figures and periods are treated in musical and opera and these works offer various insights into the approaches, reputation and reception of medieval history – today, we’re going to look at Joan of Arc.
The Witcher: Magic, Monsters and Medievalism
The Witcher is the latest breakthrough series on Netflix. Should you watch it and what is its connection to the Middle Ages and medievalism?
Five Japanese Anime series inspired by Medieval Europe
In the realm of Japanese animation, medievalism also blossoms and flourishes. Here are five animation series that are inspired by Medieval Europe and, out of its myth, legend, and literature, have created something new.
The medieval world of Star Wars
Star Wars world has several connections to some very medieval ideas: (Jedi) knights and their swords, their code of conduct, Arthurian myth with the special boy who is unaware of his ancestry…
Getting medieval on your mail
The US Postal Service has designed a series of stamps which hearken back to medieval legend in the form of dragons.
Playing Merlin: Authorship from Geoffrey of Monmouth to Neomedievalisms
Interestingly, the writers of each new version of the Arthurian legend have chosen Merlin as their avatar: he functions in each text as historian, author, and prophet.
Heavy Metal Meets Byzantium! Contact Between Scandinavia and Byzantium in the Albums ‘The Varangian Way’ (2007) and ‘Stand Up and Fight’ (2011) by the Finnish Band Turisas
The Finnish Heavy Metal band Turisas has focused on the subject of Byzantium and its relations with Scandinavia.
Pennsic, Or What I Did on My Summer Vacation
For the past 48 years, around 10,000 people have been gathering every summer for a festival that’s been described as ‘medieval Burning Man.’
Thoroughly Modern Valkyries: The Shift to Girl Power
From Wagner to the Marvel Cinematic Universe – the modern portrayal of Valkyries.