The Medieval Podcast

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/medievalists

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.

Although a lot of medieval history is murky, the whys and wherefores – not to mention the timeline – of the Hundred Years’ War are firmly nailed down. Or are they? This week, Danièle speaks with Michael Livingston about why the Hundred Years’ War should actually be called the Two Hundred Years’ War, what actually touched off the conflict, and why we should question everything.You can support this podcast on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

Since time immemorial, we've given animals names, from the sublime to the utterly ridiculous. For everyone who’s looked at a puppy or a kitten and wondered what it should be called – and then called it an embarrassingly silly nickname anyway – this episode is for you. This week, Danièle speaks with Ben Parsons about what medieval people named their pets and working animals, how we know about them, and which animals are still called by their medieval nicknames.You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

Join independent scholar Elizabeth Marshall, an expert on wolves in medieval literature, as she delves into the fascinating role of these magnificent predators in English culture. Discover how medieval wolves were depicted in stories, language, and traditions. Elizabeth discusses everything from their habitats and stealthy predatory nature to their connections with battle and outlaw imagery. She also examines how wolves symbolize various themes, such as loyalty and ferocity, and their surprising presence in iconic texts like Beowulf.

The fourteenth-century is one of the most turbulent periods in European history. Famine, war, plague, royal depositions – you name it, this century’s got it. This week, Danièle speaks with Helen Carr about how England fared in these wild times, what her take is on some famous Plantagenets, and why we need to take a fresh look at this calamitous century.You can support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

One of the difficult truths of life in the Middle Ages is that death was never far away. While the vast majority of medieval people owned far fewer possessions than we do today, they were just as concerned with making sure everything was taken care of according to their wishes before they passed. This week, Danièle speaks with Robert A. Wood about medieval wills, funerals, and some memorable bequests.You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

Everyone loves a good medieval whodunit, but how did real people investigate homicides in the Middle Ages? What did they look for? And how did they decide if a person’s death was an unfortunate accident or foul play? This week, Danièle speaks with Sara Butler about forensic medicine, and how death investigation was conducted in medieval England.You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

Part of the reason a lot of people figure nothing much went on during the Middle Ages is because we’ve lost a whole lot of sources telling us what actually did happen. Through malice and misfortune, medieval manuscripts have been destroyed in their thousands. So, how do we know what may have gone up in smoke? And what can we do to keep our beloved manuscripts safe? This week, Danièle speaks with Robert Bartlett about the manuscripts we’ve lost by accident and by design, and how these precious documents are being preserved today.You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists