The Medieval Podcast

Who’s the fairest of them all? And, more importantly, how did they get that way? This week, a new biography of Marilyn Monroe sends Danièle down the rabbit hole of medieval beauty, how it was achieved, and how it’s still influencing beauty standards today.This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

If there’s one thing we can say about 2025 it’s that it was certainly full of surprises. From political bridge-burning to bridge-building, to the destruction and the restoration of priceless artifacts, there was never a dull moment this year. This week, in keeping with tradition, Danièle speaks with Peter Konieczny, editor of Medievalists.net, about the good, the bad, and the ugly of 2025.This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

He’s a hero. He’s an outlaw. And it turns out he’s also Christmastime favourite. Given his many incarnations, from a foxy cartoon heartthrob, to the gruff and grizzled Hugh Jackman that previewed this week, it’s hard not to fall in love with some version or other of Robin Hood. And as we’ll find out in this episode, even jolly old Saint Nick just happens to be a fan. This week, 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.Support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalistsThis podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

Love him or hate him, it’s hard to take one step into the medieval world without running into the larger-than-life figure of Richard the Lionheart. Rebel, crusader, prisoner, castle-builder Richard is one of the most colourful and quotable kings of the Middle Ages. This week, Danièle speaks with Heather Blurton about how Richard’s contemporaries saw him, the wild stories told about him in the later Middle Ages, and why we still just can’t get enough of this controversial king.You can support this podcast at https://www.patreon.com/medievalistsThis podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

In the last twenty years, the shadowy Assassins of the medieval Middle East have seen a serious resurgence in popularity. And yet, like so many medieval people and groups, it’s still hard to tell the legend from the reality - and that’s just the way the Assassins wanted it. This week, Danièle speaks with Steve Tibble about who the Assassins were, what tactics they used in the Middle Ages, and what this legendary order stood for.You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalistsThis podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

Peter Konieczny, editor of Medievalists.net, shares insights on the best medieval books of 2025. He delves into Faye Tibble's reinterpretation of the Crown of Thorns and its artistic significance. Discover how Robert A. Wood’s work on wills sheds light on medieval life, while Richard Cassidy’s guide to pipe rolls proves invaluable. Danièle discusses Caroline Dunn's research on the careers of ladies-in-waiting. The conversation also touches on a new translation of Gilles Le Bouvier’s observations and a fascinating study of Muslims in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem.

In this fascinating discussion, Ayoush Lazikani, a lecturer and author specializing in medieval contemplative texts, explores the moon's enchanting role across cultures in the Middle Ages. From celestial spheres to lunar deities, he delves into how the moon influenced everything from love poetry to medical beliefs. The conversation touches on the symbolic duality of the moon as both a companion and a site of solitude, along with its portrayal in stories of exile. Ayoush also highlights the practical uses of moon lore in daily life, emphasizing the diverse medieval perspectives on this celestial body.

With just one word, we can evoke a world of assumptions, stereotypes, and even accusations, clearly marking the difference between who’s in and who’s out. And when it comes to legal terminology, the stakes are even higher. This week, Danièle speaks with Erin Wagner about what late medieval people meant when they used the word heresy, how the usage evolved, and how medieval people applied ideas of heresy beyond the borders of Christianity.You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalistsThis podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

Isabel Moreira joins the discussion to reveal the remarkable life of Balthild of Francia, who rose from slave to queen and eventually became a saint. She highlights Balthild's background as a Saxon captive, her influential marriage to King Clovis II, and her dynamic regency. Moreira delves into Balthild's abolitionist efforts, her maternal role, and the political intrigues surrounding her reign. The conversation also touches on Balthild's eventual canonization, her legacy in 19th-century France, and why her story resonates in today's discussions on power and justice.

Join historian John Blair, Emeritus Fellow of Queen's College, Oxford and author of *Killing the Dead*, as he explores the chilling world of medieval revenants. Discover how these restless corpses differ from modern vampires and the societal fears that sparked their mythos. Blair discusses the rituals used to restrain the dead, the role of community in exhumations, and how disasters like plagues influenced corpse epidemics. You'll also learn why mummification prevents undead beliefs and how the cultural perceptions of revenants evolved over time.