The Last Kingdom is the first novel in The Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell. It tells the story of Uhtred of Bebbanburg, a Saxon noble who is captured by Danish Vikings at the age of nine and raised as one of their own. Uhtred's journey takes him through his formative years with the Danes, where he learns their culture, language, and warrior ways. However, after a series of events, he finds himself serving King Alfred of Wessex and participating in key battles against the Danish invaders. The novel explores themes of cultural identity, loyalty, and the struggle for unity in a divided England during the late 9th and early 10th centuries[2][3][5].
The Decameron is a collection of novellas written by Giovanni Boccaccio, composed between 1349 and 1353. The book is structured as a frame story where ten young people (seven women and three men) escape the Black Death in Florence by retreating to a villa in the countryside. Over ten days, each member of the group tells a story, resulting in a total of 100 tales. The stories cover a wide range of themes, including love, fortune, wit, and deception. Boccaccio's work is notable for its humanistic perspective, emphasizing intelligence and wit over dogma, and it provides a vivid portrayal of contemporary urban society during the time of the plague. The Decameron has had a profound influence on Renaissance literature and continues to be a significant work in Italian literature[1][3][4].
It’s Christmas. The holly and ivy are adorning the fireplace, hopefully the shopping is (mostly) done and the King of Misrule is on his way…Who are we to disobey him?
Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Janega have hung their medieval stockings and are having a blast discussing the best 'medieval' films delivered to our homes via the very modern magic of TV. They choose the most accurate, the most absurd and the most bell-ringingly fun depictions of the middle ages, including the gritty authenticity of 'The Last Kingdom', the hilarious 'Army of Darkness,' the problematic 'The Physician,' the martial spectacle of 'The Great Wall,' and the intriguing 'Outlander.' Plus a hefty dose of Robin Hood and his Merry Men in their many, many film adaptations. There will be tights...
Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega and Matt Lewis. Edited by Amy Haddow. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds and All3 Media Music.
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Gone Medieval 
