Preventing the Misuse of the Medieval Past with Amy Kaufman and Paul Sturtevant
There are those who abuse the medieval past in order to promote ideas of racism, white supremacism, and other toxic ideologies. To counter these views, Amy S. Kaufman and Paul B. Sturtevant have written The Devil’s Historians: How Modern Extremists Abuse the Medieval Past. They join Danièle on The Medieval Podcast to talk about their work and how the Middle Ages was more diverse, compelling, and complex than is often portrayed in mass media.
The Monks of Bury St Edmunds
What was life really like within a medieval monastery? This week on The Medieval Podcast Danièle is joined by Peter Konieczny to take a look at the Chronicle of the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds. Written by Jocelin of Brakelond at the turn of the thirteenth century, it’s a surprising story of money, power and gossip within the abbey.
Medieval Rabbit Farming
How rabbit farming was a lucrative business in the Middle Ages.
Books about the Middle Ages – Favourite Series
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle recommends her favourite series of primary sources for those people who want to read the voices of the Middle Ages in friendly editions. From Latin sources, to Middle English, to modern English translations, these recommended series bring medieval writers to modern readers.
Medieval Inventions
Many people seem to have the misguided idea that the medieval era was a time in which science and technology were all but forgotten. For the 75th episode of the podcast, Danièle talks with Peter Konieczny about ten medieval inventions that changed the world.
Gilote and Johane: Promiscuous Preachers
In a lighthearted poem called Gilote and Johane, two women argue both for and against virginity.
Margery Kempe
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle explores the life of Margery Kempe: a 15th-century mystic said to be the first female autobiographer in English, and one of medieval Europe’s most colourful – and memorable – figures.
How to Make a King Fall in Love
Remember that it’s treason to mess with a king’s head or heart, so read on at your own risk.
Medieval Monks: A Beginner’s Guide
Can you tell your Benedictines from your Franciscans and Dominicans? This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle gives a brief overview of the the backstory of some of the major monastic traditions, and how you can tell them apart.
The Five Senses of Sin
Have you seen anything that enticed you into sinning?
The Murder of Charles the Good
Looking for a medieval chronicle that is a page-turning read? The 12th century account known as The Murder of Charles the Good is an action-packed tale of assassination, revenge and war. In this episode of The Medieval Podcast, Danièle is joined by Peter Konieczny to talk about this riveting text.
Rose versus Violet
What’s better – a Rose or a Violet? That is the question written about by Jean Froissart in the 14th century. This debate between plants – each with their own lawyer – tells us a lot about medieval culture and how writers from this period created allegorical poems. And it’s the topic of this week’s edition of The Medieval Podcast.
The Ghost Knight
This week on The Medieval Podcast, it’s story time, with a tale that crosses over between fabliau and courtly love: The Ghost Knight. Danièle shares the story of how a knight manages to win his lady with a little supernatural sleight-of-hand.
The Story of The Buddha, as told in Medieval Europe
A curious case of a medieval story which crosses religious boundaries is the life of Josaphat, a Christian saint whose origins appear to be not Christian at all. His life story is the life story of the Buddha.
Travel Expenses in the Middle Ages
Travelling for business, then as now, meant keeping careful track of your expenses, from what you ate, to who you schmoozed (and how), to what you did when your transportation broke down.
King Henry VI with Lauren Johnson
Although people love to read and learn about The Wars of the Roses, there’s one historical figure who is rarely found in the limelight: Henry VI. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Lauren Johnson about the somewhat forgotten “shadow king” Henry, his life, his illness, and his quiet but important legacy.
Courage Under Fire: Richard II and the Peasants’ Revolt
The Peasants’ Revolt tested the mettle of teenaged king Richard II in unimaginable ways.
Byzantium with Anthony Kaldellis
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with the host of the Byzantium and Friends podcast, Dr. Anthony Kaldellis, about Byzantium, its place in history and in academic departments, and why it’s an area of study that is definitely worth our time.
The Demon’s Knight and the Unforgiving Bishop
The 12th-century writer Walter Map pushes the limits of this struggle between justice and forgiveness in the story of a knight who pledges himself to a demon, and the bishop who couldn’t forgive.
Medieval Wisdom for 2020
After a hardship, exhausted people often find good fortune overflowing. Hope in unfavourable situations is the most important road to recovery.
The Year 1000 with Valerie Hansen
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Dr. Valerie Hansen to get a global perspective on the Middle Ages at the turn of the millennium, including how cultures were connecting in the year 1000, what goods people were trading, and just how far the trade routes went.
Medieval Graffiti with Matthew Champion
This week’s episode of The Medieval Podcast is about one of the places where art and memory, serious messages and playful doodles intersect: graffiti.
A Medieval Story of Redemption
From nun to noble to prostitute to beggar – the story of Beatrice.
Reflections on Racism in Medieval Studies
This week on The Medieval Podcast – We know for a fact that the medieval world was diverse, we know for a fact that civilizations outside of the major European nations were interesting, but at the moment, Medieval Studies is still a very white field. So why does this matter, especially in the current moment? Because black history matters. Black scholarship matters. And black lives matter.
What to get for a medieval baby shower
As any parent who’s ever tried to travel with a baby will know, babies require a fair bit of stuff to keep them safe, happy, and comfortable.