Western Civ

Three quick announcements: A new website coming! New (Totally Free) Book Available  Call for Educational Experiences Related to the Hundred Years War

In this episode, I provide a complete recap of the Black Plague story arc from beginning to end in a highly condensed format. This episode covers the scientific nature of Yersinia Pestis, the spread of the Black Death through Europe in the mid Fourteenth Century, and the consequences of the plague, both long and short term.

In this episode we examine in more detail the short and long-term consequences of the plague. The Black Death has been credited with bringing about the end of the Middle Ages, which, as we will see, is both true and false.  Here are the links to my books available for purchase on Amazon: The Agency: Crisis at Kadesh The Agency: A Whole New Kind of Marathon If It Were Done: A Shakespeare Mystery Series Novel As always, I appreciate the support.

In this bonus episode we look at games, sports and tournaments in the Middle Ages.  Check my newest historical fiction novel on Alexander the Great: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087PJ5S9N

In this episode we finish our historical story arc for the Black Death. Last time, we watched as the first cycle of plague died out on the Russian Steppe. But, this time we cover the Flagellants - one of the most memorable groups to come out of the plague. For all their hilarity though, the Flagellants remain an example of militant anti-semitism and apoplectic overreaction that we would do well to remember today.  If you have not, please check out my historical fiction novel: The Agency: Crisis at Kadesh here https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0859LCJ4M

Today we take a look at food, cooking, and baking in the Middle Ages. We are going to focus on England and France because the types of food available would have varied so much by region that it would be impossible to give an effective overview if we did all of Europe. We will cover Medieval foods commonly eaten, the banquet, cooking techniques, and I even try my hand at a few Medieval European recipes.

In this episode, we continue to follow the Black Death as it ravages medieval Europe. In 1348 the Black Plague hits London and devastates its population.  From their the plague moves to Scotland and Ireland, Scandinavia, and Central Europe, before dying out somewhere in the wilds of the Russian steppe.  If you have not, don't forget to check out, The Agency: Crisis at Kadesh, a young adult historical fiction novel about Ancient Egypt. Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0859LCJ4M

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While we all shelter in place, I thought I would put out a few fun supplemental episodes on cultural topics that I have not been able to fit into the narrative. This first episode in the series looks at the mechanics of cathedral building: finances, plans, workers, and the basic structure.  If there are other cultural topics you want immediate episodes on, email me at westerncivpodcast@gmail.com.

We return to the plague narrative proper in this episode. Edward III sits victorious upon the medieval English throne fresh from victories in France. However, the Black Death cares not for kings or victories and marches towards England in the summer in 1348. In England, we get some of our best statistics for the plague due to the English tendency towards record-keeping.  If you are interested in another free ebook, check out the second installment of The Agency here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085NDFT49