Gone Medieval cover image

Gone Medieval

How to be a Medieval Teenager

Nov 29, 2024
Alice Loxton, author of "18: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives," joins to discuss the pivotal experiences of 18-year-olds throughout history. From Bede's survival during the plague to Empress Matilda's rise amid chaos, their journeys reveal the evolution of adolescence. Loxton highlights Geoffrey Chaucer's formative years during the Black Death and Mary Anning's groundbreaking achievements by age 18. The conversation draws parallels between historical challenges and modern youth, emphasizing resilience and the significance of character.
39:22

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Historically, turning 18 marked less of a distinct transition to adulthood, with young people often shouldering significant responsibilities much earlier.
  • The experiences of historical figures like Empress Matilda and Bede illustrate the remarkable achievements possible for youth despite their challenging circumstances.

Deep dives

The Significance of Turning 18

The age of 18 is often considered a pivotal moment in modern society, marking the transition to adulthood. However, historically, maturity and responsibility were often thrust upon individuals at much younger ages. In medieval times, for instance, young people could marry and take on significant responsibilities before reaching 18, while the societal acknowledgment of adulthood typically waited until the age of 21. This historical perspective highlights that the expectations and experiences of being 18 have evolved, yet the capacity for achievement at this age has consistently been significant throughout history.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode