Carrying and Moving in the Middle Ages
In a time and place with a serious lack of pockets and built-in shelving, how and where did people carry and store their everyday stuff? This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle takes a look at carrying, packing, and moving in the Middle Ages.
Who is ‘Islamic History’ about?, with Christian Sahner
A conversation with Christian Sahner about the notion of Islamic history as a field of study. What does it prioritize, who does it tend to see most, and what about everyone else? No field-name is perfect; they all have advantages and disadvantages, and we need to be clear-eyed about them.
Eleanor of Aquitaine with Karen Sullivan
She’s one of the most well-known figures in history: married to two kings, mother to three, and a powerful duchess in her own right. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Karen Sullivan about the legendary Eleanor of Aquitaine, her famous – and infamous – relationships, and what makes her such a fascinating subject for historians and fiction writers alike.
The Battle of Nisa (1062)
It is a clash between Viking kings, as Harald Hardrada of Norway faces off against Sweyn II of Denmark. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss this naval battle and how it was told by the Icelandic writer Snorri Sturluson.
Justice, Politics, and Death in Medieval Ireland with Joanna MacGugan
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Joanna MacGugan about how the justice system worked in Ireland under medieval English rule, how communities shaped justice, and what this meant when a person was faced with capital punishment.
Shifty Greeks, Arrogant Latins: Polemical authors and the schism of the Churches, with Alessandra Bucossi
A conversation with Alessandra Bucossi about the text “Against the Greeks” and “Against the Latins” that were produced by writers taking sides in the Schism of the Churches (Rome and Constantinople, of Greek and Latin, or Catholic and Orthodox, as we would call them today). There are many of these texts and they contain fascinating material, but have yet to receive the attention they deserve. Alessandra is our guide through the jungle.
2023: The Year in Review for Medievalists
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle explores the big medieval news stories of 2023 in conversation with Peter Koniezcny, editor of Medievalists.net.
The Battle of Bannockburn (1314)
The most famous battle in Scottish history took place at Bannockburn in 1314. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries examine how Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, was able to defeat the English led by King Edward II.
Medieval Europe without a “core”, with Christian Raffensperger
A conversation with Christian Raffensperger — one hundred episodes after our previous one! — on medieval European rulership from Iberia and Scandinavia to Rus’ and Constantinople. We talk about succession and co-rulership and titles in ways that don’t prioritize the British, French, and German models.
Saints and Feasts of the Holiday Season
In the Middle Ages, December meant a celebration of jolly old St. Nicholas along with a host of other sainted figures and important moments in the Christian story. This week, Danièle presents a quick guide to medieval holiday saints and feasts.
Gender, Transgender and the Middle Ages with Alicia Spencer-Hall and Blake Gutt
In the past few years, trans and genderqueer issues have come to the forefront both in society and in the way scholars are approaching medieval studies. But what do these terms mean? And how do we apply them responsibly to the past? This week, Danièle speaks with Alicia Spencer-Hall and Blake Gutt about trans and genderqueer scholarship in medieval studies.
Who were the Unsung and Oversung Heroes of the Middle Ages?
In their eighth Q&A, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer your questions, including who were the almost famous leaders of the Middle Ages, the importance of languages for medievalists, and their favourite battle sites.
So you’re the Roman emperor… now what?, with Olivier Hekster
A conversation with Olivier Hekster about the position of Roman emperor, from the beginning to the sixth century. We talk a little bit about titles and mostly about the expectations that subjects had of their emperors and how the latter navigated these demands and tried, or failed, to play their roles properly.
The Best Medieval Books of 2023
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle continues the annual tradition of sharing some of her favourite books of the year, along with the top picks of Peter Konieczny, editor and co-founder of Medievalists.net.
English Royal Mysteries
In honour of the new discoveries around the princes in the tower, Danièle delves into some other mysterious deaths and disappearances in English royal history.
The Battle of Bouvines (1214)
Philip Augustus, King of France, faced off against an alliance that included the Holy Roman Emperor, the King of England, and the leading nobles of the Low Countries. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss this important battle and how it changes Western Europe.
Byzantine law, its experts, and its languages, with Daphne Penna
A conversation with Daphne Penna about Byzantine law, or (what it really was) the Greek-language phase of Roman law. We talk about the study of east Roman law, its experts (both then and now), and the interaction of Greek and Latin in legal texts. What did the law do and what do we learn from studying it?
The Deorhord with Hana Videen
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Hana Videen about her contribution to the field: a brand new Old English bestiary.
The Well-Laden Ship: Medieval Proverbs
This week, Danièle and Peter Konieczny share profound – and profoundly odd – medieval proverbs from one of their favourite books of the Middle Ages: The Well-Laden Ship.
The Battle of Agincourt (1415)
One of the epic clashes between England and France during the Hundred Years’ War, Michael and Kelly discuss the Battle of Agincourt.
About time, with Jesse Torgerson
Jesse Torgerson and I take a stab at understanding time, as it was measured, structured, and experienced in so many overlapping ways by Christian east Romans. Their days, months, and years were defined by the state tax cycle, the Church festival cycle, and nature itself, to name the most important temporal grids.
American Vikings with Martyn Whittock
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Martyn Whittock about Vikings and their influence on American culture.
The Battle of Adrianople (378)
In what could be considered the first battle of the Middle Ages, the Roman Emperor Valens goes to war against the Goths in southeastern Europe. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss about the battle and why the Romans suffered such a massive defeat.
Byzantium and Balkan national identities, with Diana Mishkova
A conversation with Diana Mishkova about how the national historiographies of Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania cope with Byzantium — how they try to appropriate, incorporate, circumvent, or abjure it, and so always reinvent it in the process.