The Medieval Podcast

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

In a time and place with a serious lack of pockets and built-in shelving, how and where did people carry and store their everyday stuff? This week, Danièle takes a look at carrying, packing, and moving in the Middle Ages.You can support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

She’s one of the most well-known figures in history: married to two kings, mother to three, and a powerful duchess in her own right. This week, Danièle speaks with Karen Sullivan about the legendary Eleanor of Aquitaine, her famous - and infamous - relationships, and what makes her such a fascinating subject for historians and fiction writers alike.Karen Sullivan's book, Eleanor of Aquitaine, as It Was Said: Truth and Tales about the Medieval Queen, is published by University of Chicago Press.You can support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/medievalists