The Medieval Podcast

Medieval people spent a lot of time thinking about saints. But what they thought about saints wasn’t always what we might expect. Women saints with promiscuous backstories were fan favourites in the Middle Ages, and one of the most popular was St. Mary of Egypt. This week, Danièle speaks with Sonia Velázquez about St. Mary of Egypt, why she caught the medieval imagination, and how her beauty, age, and holiness spoke to generations of artists and the faithful.Consider supporting this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

We live in a world full of constant notifications, interruptions, and complications. If only we could get away from it all, the peace and quiet would allow us to concentrate. Or would it? This week, Danièle speaks with Jamie Kreiner about some new old strategies for concentration, courtesy of ancient and medieval monks.You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

It may be an ordinary body part, but medieval people definitely had strong opinions about hair and what it said about you. This week, Emanuele Lugli returns to talk about hair, how it was used as a form of control, how it spilled out onto artists’ canvasses, and what this all has to do with bodily excrement.You can support The Medieval Podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

Through grime, stains, and wax droplets, the filthiest, most well-loved manuscripts tell us the story of how medieval people used - and abused - their books. This week, Danièle speaks with Kate Rudy about what we can learn from the smudges the people of the Middle Ages left behind, how modern technology helps us figure it out, and why we should all appreciate a really dirty book.You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

Foxes were everywhere in the medieval world and the medieval imagination. But where do the ideas we have about foxes come from? This week, Danièle speaks with Paul Wackers about why foxes were loved and hated in the real world, in fables, and in the Christian imagination of the Middle Ages.You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

He’s one of the most powerful figures in all of Western history, with influence not only over life and death, but over the immortal souls of billions of people over thousands of years. This week, Danièle speaks with Jessica Wärnberg about the role of the pope, his influence on Rome, and what happens when the holiest of men isn’t quite so holy.You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

Katherine Storm Hindley, an expert on charms in the Middle Ages, discusses the use of charms, their practical applications, and the church's stance. They delve into the relationship between charms, magic, and religious practices in the Middle Ages, including the incorporation of Christian elements, evolution of language, and different perspectives of Protestantism and Catholicism. The conversation also explores the similarities between charms and relics, detailing how charms were used for protection and healing purposes. Additionally, various historical events related to medieval charms are discussed, such as a Viking ship burial in Norway and Mary Queen of Scots' coded letters.

Meredith Small discusses Fra Mauro's accurate map-making attempt with monks, showcasing medieval views of the world, economics, and myths. The podcast examines the significance of maps in human evolution, political influences on map-making, and the unique features of the medieval map Mundo.

Charity Urbanski discusses monsters in the Middle Ages, their portrayal in art and literature, the perception of monstrous races, and the depiction of noblewomen as monsters. The conversation also explores historical romance storytelling, social mobility in China and the US, and various medieval topics and events.

Some of the most important and influential figures of the Middle Ages were the big city bishops who ministered to rich and poor alike. But how did they tend to such a large and diverse flock? This week, Danièle speaks with Lesley Smith about William of Auvergne, the thirteenth-century upstart bishop of Paris who shaped a royal saint, changed the university forever, and gently guided the lives of ordinary Parisians with wit and compassion.You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists