Robin Hood and the Christmastime Tradition with Alex Kaufman
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Alexander L. Kaufman about how Robin Hood’s legend evolved over time, his transformation into a pantomime favourite, and that time Robin robbed Santa Claus himself.
New Medieval Books: Medievalism in Russian and Ukrainian Political Discourses
Medieval history has been invoked in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This book brings together five essays examining how the medieval past has been used, interpreted, and contested in this modern conflict. It offers a valuable contribution to the study of medievalism and the politics of historical memory.
When French TV Poached Robin Hood
A 1960s French TV hit, Thierry la Fronde, reimagined Robin Hood during the Hundred Years’ War—turning an English outlaw tale into a story of French resistance, national pride, and political subtext.
“One Shall Stand, One Shall Fall”: Arthurian Legend Meets Transformers: The Movie
Does Transformers: The Movie offer something for medievalists? A new study reveals how the 1986 film echoes Arthurian legend—from Optimus Prime’s chivalric death to Hot Rod’s rise as a young Arthur figure and the Matrix of Leadership as a Grail-like relic.
The Medievalist Who Taught Us How to Spot a Fascist
Discover how medievalist Umberto Eco used his fiction, scholarship, and political insight to expose the signs of modern fascism—and why his warnings remain urgent today.
Demonic Seduction: A Dark Medievalism
Explore how medieval beliefs about demons, witchcraft, and sex shaped centuries of theology, persecution, and fantasy—revealing the dark origins of one of history’s most persistent tropes.
Fencing with Exclusion: How Medievalists Are Defending Trans Inclusion in Sword Sports
After a fencing controversy sparked an American debate over transgender participation, medievalist communities like HEMA and the SCA are standing firm in support of inclusion and trans rights in sword sports.
El Cid with Nora Berend
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Nora Berend about the real Rodrigo Díaz, the astonishing way his legend grew and changed over time, and how El Cid is still being used as a political tool in the modern world.
New Medieval Books: Cinema Medievalia
This collection of twenty essays examine how the Middle Ages is portrayed in movies. From The Seventh Seal to the The Last Duel, these films reveal much about how today’s society tries to reimagine the medieval past.
New Medieval Books: Authentically Medieval
A collection of ten essays that examines how the Middle Ages is portrayed in novels and modern literature. It aims to answer the question how to bring a true-to-life medieval world in fiction.
New Medieval Books: The Middle Ages In Computer Games
Many people first encounter the Middle Ages through video games. This book examines how these games incorporate familiar medieval tropes while simultaneously shaping new perceptions of the past.
New Documentary ‘Knight Life’ Explores the World of Full-Contact Jousting
Vision Films has released Knight Life, a new documentary that delves into the high-impact world of professional jousting. Directed by Matt Poitras, the film follows David W. Schade, a 25-year veteran of the sport, as he navigates the twilight years of his career.
New Medieval Books: El Cid
The original Rodrigo Diaz was a mercenary who fought for Christian and Muslim rulers, and for himself. This book tracks how, over the centuries, this figure becomes El Cid, the Christian and Spanish hero.
Reclaiming Medievalism: Washington Cathedral’s Break with Confederate Memory
Uncover the story of Washington Cathedral’s transformation, as it sheds Confederate symbols and reclaims medievalism to reflect a modern vision of justice and unity.
Medieval Justice in the Modern Day: The ‘Social Bandit’
Two high-profile US criminal cases have some surprising similarities to medieval ideas of justice.
New Medieval Books: The Crusades and the Far-Right in the Twenty-First Century
The five essays in this collection explore how the Crusades continue to serve as a powerful historical symbol within Far-Right extremism. This influence is evident in acts of terrorism, political movements like Brexit, and even in cultural phenomena such as the Assassin’s Creed video games.
Visualizing Camelot: How King Arthur Captured Popular Culture
The recent exhibit Visualizing Camelot examined the enduring influence of King Arthur and his legendary court. What lessons does it offer about how medieval legends continue to shape art, culture, and imagination today?
New Medieval Books: What is Medieval?
What is Medieval?: Decoding Approaches to the Medieval and Medievalism in the 21st Century Edited by Claire Kennan & Emma J. Wells Brepols…
A Renaissance Fencing Master on the Tyson-Paul Fight
Can age and experience triumph over youth and raw strength in combat sports? Drawing on wisdom from Renaissance fencing masters and modern martial arts, this article explores how the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight mirrors centuries-old debates on the limits of athleticism and honour.
The Challenges and Pitfalls of an ‘Authentic’ Medieval Wargame
The medieval period is a perennial favourite amongst the tabletop wargamer. Figure ranges in all scales, from the ubiquitous 28mm down to 6mm, are extensive, and new rulesets come out on a regular basis.
The Medieval Roots of Warhammer 40,000’s Endless Crusade
This paper will examine the historical roots of Warhammer 40,000’s Endless Crusades, how they reflect the Pluralist School of crusade historiography’s expansive definition of crusading, and how the paranoia and fervour shaping these fictional wars is not so different from that of the real-world crusade movement.
Laughing Kamala: A Medievalist’s Perspective
Kamala Harris’ laughter has stirred criticism that taps into centuries-old misogyny. This article links her detractors to medieval fears of humor’s power to challenge authority.
Feminist Medievalisms with Usha Vishnuvajjala – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 255
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Usha Vishnuvajjala about some of the surprising places the medieval world pops up in the modern world, and how it’s perfectly okay to love medieval fiction.
Byzantium in science fiction, fantasy, and horror, with Przemysław Marciniak
A conversation with Przemysław Marciniak about books of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and alternative history that are either set in Byzantium or have a Byzantine ambiance. We talk about the features that signal a Byzantine setting and what the latter is good. Basically, we chat about books that we liked (or did not like).
