The Canterbury Fails

An elegant and informed exposition of John the Baptist's birth paired with a cloudy red seafood drink. 

A pedantic grind about table manners with a syrupy cocktail for babies.

The hosts announce a live recording event in Kalamazoo, inviting participants and proposals for an interactive experience. They delve into intriguing micro-fails, including messy 10th-century marginalia from Boga in the Durham Gospels, sparking a debate on its purpose. The conversation shifts to Hoccleve’s Series, exploring themes of illness and exile, enriched by a fascinating link to Ovid's work. To wrap things up, they taste test a unique cider-beer hybrid, sharing their flavorful ratings.

A maligned Harley lyric about birds in a lady's underclothes paired with a whale-poop tinged concoction: a cetaeceous sazerac.

Dive into the world of Old English homilies, exploring their role in medieval liturgy. Discover how these sermons convey Biblical teachings and their comforting tone during Pentecost. Famous examples like the Blickling Homilies showcase a variety of formats, from formal to narrative. Amidst intriguing discussions on longing and the embodiment of Christ, the hosts whip up a delicious Old-Fashioned cocktail to celebrate the occasion. Sip along as they rate the homily while delivering laughs and insights into this overlooked gem.

Dive into a quirky 15th-century fishing handbook by a chill nun as the hosts unravel its intriguing history and questionable authorship. Discover the meditative art of fishing versus the thrill of hunting. The discussion spans ethics in fishing and the humorous nuances of live-bait tips. Sip on the Angler cocktail while exploring the moral dilemmas of pike versus the healing nature of tench. The text reveals a fascinating glimpse into gentlemanly pursuits, community knowledge, and the balance of recreation and stewardship.

Dive into quirky trivia as hosts explore the Old English prose Dialogue of Adrian and Ritheus. Taste a unique cocktail inspired by a perplexing question about Mary's right breast. They discuss the fascinating blend of biblical references and bizarre trivia within the text. The conversation touches on medieval traditions of knowledge, monastic curiosity, and creative prompts from the dialogue. Join them for a delightful mix of oddities and spirited reflections that challenge the norm!

Dive into wild prophetic dreams about Edward II and laugh along as the hosts mock the poem's awkward rhymes. Discover the peculiar connection between medieval political prophecy and modern conspiracy theories like QAnon. Enjoy the Poet's Dream cocktail and its refreshing citrus-herbal taste while unraveling the mysteries of historical texts. Join the debate on the poem's dating and context, and explore how it ties into 14th-century cult promotion, leading to some entertaining insights!

The hosts delve into Meter 30 of the Old English Boethius, highlighting its overlooked significance. They explore the fascinating blend of philosophy and poetry, touching on Boethius’ prison context and its medieval influence. A quirky cocktail inspired by Homer and Virgil adds a fun twist. The sun simile and its theological implications spark intriguing discussions about God as true light. Lastly, they connect the dots of literary lineage from Homer to Virgil to Old English, celebrating the richness of cultural transmission.

Join the hosts as they dive into a hilariously raunchy medieval poem mocking husbands' shortcomings, filled with endless penis jokes. They explore metaphors from ten wives that escalate in absurdity, revealing the poem's cheeky tone. The hosts analyze its manuscript context and how it mixes sacred with profane. They taste a themed cocktail, linking its disappointment to the poem's messages about pleasure and power dynamics. Finally, they ponder whether the laughter it evokes serves to subvert or reinforce misogyny.