2000 medieval coins discovered in France
French archaeologists have identified more than 2,000 medieval coins from four different caches in the city of Guérande, about 330 miles southwest of Paris.
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.
Fiery Joanna and the Siege of Hennebont in 1342
“And now you shall hear of the boldest and most remarkable feat ever performed by a woman.”
The Wild Variety of Medieval Names: French Men in the Hundred Years’ War
Lots of people are interested in the medieval origins of personal names. But there are more riches in the world of names than many of us realize.
Charles the Wise may have killed himself trying to stop prophecy of his own death, study finds
Did Charles V, King of France (1364-80), die from an attempted poisoning, committed 23 years early? Or was his death caused by his own attempts to stop his physician’s warning? A new study weighs in on the case of the ‘weeping fistula’.
Bal des Ardents: When the King of France nearly burned to death
What was supposed to be a fun night celebrating a wedding ended with four French nobles dead, and the King of France coming close to burning to death.
When Hundreds of Arabs came to Medieval France
The story of Louis IX and the Christian converts he brought to his kingdom.
The Daily Life of a Medieval King
Have you wondered what a medieval king did on a typical day? Thanks to Christine de Pizan, we have an account of what daily life was like for King Charles V of France.
Hostility Against the Jews in Medieval France
In France, as in other European regions, the medieval era saw changing and contradictory attitudes towards the Jews, who were alternately tolerated and persecuted.
Two Houses, Two Kingdoms with Catherine Hanley
To see the tangled knots of medieval interpersonal and international relationships, we need look no further than two of the most powerful, long-lasting, and entwined dynasties of the Middle Ages. This week, Danièle speaks with Catherine Hanley about two hundred years of rule by the houses of Plantagenet and Capet.
The Fall of the Templars: How to destroy a military order
Why did the king of France think that he had the power to bring about the Templars’ downfall?
Low water levels along French river help to reveal medieval fishery
The harsh drought across Europe this summer has led to water levels dropping heavily in lakes and rivers. This has led to finds being made along these waterways, which now includes the remains of a 12th-century fishery in France.
The Deeds of Philip Augustus with Cecilia Gaposchkin and Sean Field
As a teenage king, a crusader, and a bigamist, Philip Augustus’ life story is filled with enough saintliness and scandal to satisfy the appetites of any medieval chronicler. This week, Danièle speaks with Cecilia Gaposchkin and Sean Field about the life of Philip II Augustus, as recorded by a contemporary monk.
(Bio)archaeological Approaches: Disease and Death in Early Medieval France
Reconstructing what happened, in France and across western Eurasia, during the first pandemic of bubonic plague in the Roman Empire and its neighbors from 541 to 750 AD.
The Most Common (and Uncommon!) Medieval Names in Southern France
Here are the top three names for medieval men and women in southern France, as well as some of the more uncommon names you could find in the region.
The Viking Sieges of Paris
Examining the two main Viking sieges of Paris, which took place in the years 845 and 885.
The Jacquerie Revolt with Justine Firnhaber-Baker
A decade after The Black Death, French peasants rose up suddenly against the nobility in an unprecedented and remarkably coordinated revolt. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Dr. Justine Firnhäber-Baker about the rebellion that shocked the elites of Europe: the Jacquerie.
Medieval Confraternities: Prayers, Feasts, and Fees
We can examine what were medieval confraternities by focusing on those the existed in the towns and cities of Southern France.
Matt, Ben and Myself: From History to Hollywood with The Last Duel
Eric Jager, author of The Last Duel, gives the inside story of how his book was turned into a major Hollywood movie.
The Last Duel with Eric Jager
Trial by combat has captured people’s imaginations for centuries, which is exactly why it’s the focus Hollywood’s latest medieval film: The Last Duel. This week, Danièle speaks with Eric Jager, author of the non-fiction book that inspired the film.
A Rotting Cat and a Damaged Penis
Do you know what is the best weapon to attack your drinking pal outside of a tavern? A rotting cat, of course! In today’s episode, Allison Bailey, a PhD candidate in history at the University of Toronto presents her research about the intersection of gender, violence and emotions in fourteenth- and fifteenth-century France.
‘The Worthiest Man’: The story of Count Philip I of Flanders
Philip I Count of Flanders was one of the most controversial nobles in twelfth-century France. His choleric temperament was equaled only by his reputation in many historical and literary works. Where he went, trouble and greatness followed.
Medieval Scottish Patronage in France with Bryony Coombs
Talking about medieval artwork that connects France to Scotland. The first part of a conversation with Bryony Coombs.
Gens experts & non suspects: Recipe Transmission in the World of Professional Parisian Cooks, Charcutiers, and Caterers, 1475-1599
This paper examines three shared perspectives that guildspersons of the Rôtisseurs,Charcutiers, and Cuisiniers of Paris took pains to teach to their apprentices.
Mass graves of soldiers from 1491 French siege discovered
In 1491, French forces laid siege to the city of Rennes. A team of researchers have now discovered two mass graves that contain the remains of over thirty soldiers who fought and died during the conflict.