Chivalry Today Podcast

Whatever else you may say about our current state of affairs, this is undoubtedly the golden age of binge watching. And for those with any sort of interest in knights and armor and epic adventures, one of the binge-worthy series of choice is certainly Game of Thrones. Whether you’ve seen the series a dozen times […]

Hard to believe that it was just three months ago, in October of 2019, that the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art opened a truly remarkable exhibition called The Last Knight – the Art, Armor, and Ambition of Maximillian I. Hard to believe, because as we record this episode of our podcast, the exhibition is […]

It seems among the world of medieval history enthusiasts as well as serious students of the historical fighting arts, the New York Metropolitan Museum’s temporary exhibition The Last Knight: The Art, Armor, and Ambition of Maximillian I, has become something of a pilgrimage for the devout – at least to judge from the number of […]

On October 7 of 2019, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art opened an exhibition called The Last Knight: The Art, Armor, and Ambition of Maximillian I. This display is an ambitious undertaking, featuring more than 180 pieces from museums and collections throughout America, Europe and the Middle East. Maximillian’s passion for the trappings of […]

One of the challenges of studying history is to avoid looking into the past with a myopic view – to think that people of times past were somehow more simplistic, predictable, or uniform than we are today. When we study a historical period like the Middle Ages, we should strive to appreciate the depth and […]

Whatever your standard for virtuous behavior – the code of chivalry, the Ten Commandments, the practice of good sportsmanship, or the Golden Rule – that fact is that the vast majority of us don’t manage to put those principles into practice each and every day of our lives. By the same token, most of us […]

If you are one of the many medieval enthusiasts who enjoy this show, and who studies (or perhaps even re-creates) famous battles, dueling, jousting, hunting, knighthood, and the ideals and literature of chivalry, then I’ll bet you have a “bucket list” of arms and armor exhibitions that you have visited, or want to visit in […]

Serious scholars of history might once have scoffed at the notion of undertaking an arts and crafts project as a means of historical study. In recent years, however, dedicated efforts into living history and immersive historical experimentation have proved that bringing history to life can, in fact, achieve a different sort of understanding to research […]

MAKE A DONATION ONLINE to help pay for the production of this podcast. Anyone who has read Christian Cameron’s historical adventure novels, such as the William Gold series, knows that creating a detailed medieval setting is one of his fortés. He is an author quite skilled at describing battles, armor, and fighting tactics, and at […]

Martial arts practice today is a relatively commonplace affair. In dojos, gyms, and studios all over the country (in truth, all over the world) students practice judo, karate, fencing, kendo, escrima, wrestling and boxing as part of their everyday lives – lives that don’t involve duels, assassination attempts, or open warfare. Though these sports maybe confined […]

In the first part of my conversation with sword maker Peter Johnsson, we talked at length about the symbolism and cultural significance of the sword, and how it reflects both medieval and modern understandings of the ideals of chivalry. But after the show was over, we went on talking and we both realized that our […]

There is a special place in heroic lore for those who deal in the craft of weapons – specifically, for the smiths who make swords. Far from being just a “big ol’ knife,” the sword – in legends – becomes an extension of the personality of the hero (or the villain), and as such, the man […]

From the drama The Walking Dead to the peppy teen comedy iZombie to the literary parody Pride And Prejudice And Zombies, the zombie apocalypse concept has become such a popular trope in today’s world that it is spilling over into just about every genre of entertainment. This year you can bet there will plenty of […]

Historical sword-combat instructor Devon Boorman was asked to give an inspirational talk at a TED Conference. His presentation drew upon the historical values of confidence, prowess, and humility – ideals of the code of chivalry! In this conversation, he describes the process of bringing historical ideals of honor to the TED stage. TED Talks are […]

Here is a little detour from our usual podcast format: In this episode we had hoped to bring listeners an interview with author Ethan Hawke – the same Ethan Hawke you maybe familiar with from his work on screen in films like Gattica, Dead Poet’s Society, and even the title role of Hamlet, as well as […]

How do the efforts to revive a 500-year-old style of German sword combat help us understand the ideals of chivalry in medieval culture, and its place in the world today? Author and historical researcher Christian Tobler joins us to discuss that question. When Christian Tobler’s book “Fighting With The German Longsword” was published in 2004, it was […]

Prof. Curry joins Scott to talk about the medieval woman's perspective of honor, chivalry, and tragedy in wake of Agincourt.

Among the events of conflict and military activity in the age of chivalry, the battle of Agincourt stands head-and-shoulders above just about anything else. Fought on October 25, 1415, Agincourt is the place where an outnumbered army of Englishmen, a “band of brothers” composed primarily of archers and led by King Henry V, defeated a […]

Guy Windsor joins host Scott Farrell for a conversation about the art of Fiore’s longsword and the martial virtues of knighthood and swordsmanship in the 14th century.

Jessica Finley joins host Scott Farrell to talk about the knightly practice of passages of arms in the Middle Ages, and why she (and her fellow combatants) find importance in reviving this chivalric custom in the 21st century.

Dr. Tobias Capwell, sometimes known as the "curator in armor," joins the podcast for a conversation about English fashion and armor, the life and death of Richard III, and chivalry in medieval English culture.

Medieval illustrations show the ideals of chivalry playing out in real life on the pages of manuals of hunting etiquette, rolls of legal and financial disputes, and strategy guides for popular games like chess.

Heather Dale taking things up a notch. Earlier this year, Heather announced a new project called Celtic Avalon - a full-scale traveling stage show about the legends of Camelot.

In his newest novel, "The Ill Made Knight," author Christian Cameron gives readers a complex, nuanced, and extremely realistic view of both the profession, and the chivalric philosophy of a young knight of the 14th century.

In a world marked by ferocious politics, economic change, warfare and violence, social upheaval, and religious schism, how, exactly did chivalrous knights and their sword fighting games and jousting activities fit into the scheme of everyday life?

Folksinger Heather Dale joins Scott to talk about chivalry in her Arthurian-themed music, and working by the business model of Camelot.

Gemini Asonte, head of the Knight's Quest Academy, joins Scott Farrell for a conversation about his style of medieval combat, and how he teaches his students to be safe, train hard, and be knightly.

Matt Hiltman, professional jouster and student of philosophy, joins host Scott Farrell for a hard-hitting conversation about Full Metal Jousting and Chivalry Today.

In the podcast's final episode, Prof. Paul Sturtevant, founder of the Society for the Public Perception of the Middle Ages, joins Scott to talk about the organization and how modern understanding of chivalry is built

Prof. Ken Mondschein joins Scott Farrell to talk about his new book “The Knightly Art Of Battle,” which explores both the military skills, and the detailed artwork found in the late medieval fighting manuscript Flos Duellatorum.

The organizers of the 2012 Lysts On The Lake, Steve Hemphill and Scott Wilson, discuss this upcoming event that combines the sport of competitive jousting with the burgeoning interest in the field of Western martial arts and historical sword combat

Recently there’s been a shift – away from the dramatized depiction of the joust as a set piece of conflict and hero’s journey, and more towards restoring the jousting match as an honest, unscripted athletic competition.

To learn about medieval armor, there’s nothing quite like holding a piece of it in your hands – although the Royal Armouries' recent collaborative project is just about as close as your going to get.

In this episode: Scott is joined by Prof. Richard Kaeuper, author of Holy Warriors: The Religious Ideology of Chivalry for a conversation about the sometimes tenuous relationship between knights and the church throughout the Middle Ages, and how the teachings of Christianity affected the ideals of chivalry. Also: An interview with Sarah Wendell, co-author of Beyond Heaving Bosoms, about “romance novel chivalry”; and we want you to take our listener challenge!

Scott speaks with Prof. P.M. Forni, founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project and author of the book Choosing Civility, who discusses the history of “civil” behavior and chivalry

Scott speaks with Brett McKay, founder of the Art Of Manliness and co-author of Manvotionals: Timeless Wisdom And Advice On Living The 7 Manly Virtues, about the gentlemanly arts and the place of the code of chivalry within the framework of manly philosophy

Scott explores the dark streets of one of the most overlooked genres of chivalric literature - the private eye story - with author and publisher Charles Ardai.

Scott is joined by Gwen Nowrick and Jeffrey Hedgecock, founders of Historic Enterprises and organizers of the World Joust Tournament of the Phoenix competitive jousting event, to discuss medieval horsemanship and its relationship to the ideals of chivalry.

Host Scott Farrell speaks with Prof. Jennifer G. Wollock who explains how medieval literary ideals have had a profound impact on modern society, from military doctrines and ethics, to romantic stories of forbidden love and star-crossed passion.

Host Scott Farrell speaks with the author of Deeds Of Arms about a historical battle known as the Combat Of The Thirty Against Thirty , and a re-enactment of that event that happening at the SCA’s Pennsic War. Plus: An interview with Dr. Elizabeth Morrison about the exhibition Fashion In The Middle Ages.

Scott speaks with Jared Kirby, president and organizer of the First Annual CombatCon - a gathering of Medieval and Renaissance martial arts enthusiasts which kicks off a variety of great summertime events.

Host Scott Farrell examines chivalry's place in the world of medieval fighting manuals and poleaxe dueling with Christian Henry Tobler, European martial arts interpreter. Plus: Scott speaks with the author of the book Manning Up: How The Rise of Women Has Turned Men Into Boys.

Host Scott Farrell explores “princess culture” with the author of Cinderella Ate My Daughter as they discuss the icon of the princess in today's media - and consider how this emerging hyper-feminine image reflects (and distorts) the place of chivalry in today’s world. Plus: A gathering of medieval sword-fighting enthusiasts in Dallas, Texas studies the combative side of medieval chivalry and the art of defense.

Scott is joined by author Mike Loades to talk about the design and function of medieval swords, and its symbolism and meaning among the ideals of chivalry.

Host Scott Farrell considers the language of chivalry and King Arthur as he is joined by Dorsey Armstrong, editor/translator of the book Sir Thomas Malory's Morte Darthur. Plus: A discussion of the code of a different kind of knight as we consider The Jedi Path with author Daniel Wallace.

Host Scott Farrell speaks with Prof. Damon Young, philosopher and senior editor of the book Martial Arts And Philosophy (which includes a chapter written by Scott). Plus: A conversation with author, performer and human-rights activist Helie Lee about her six-month experiment living as a man.

Host Scott Farrell visit the Ozark Medieval Fortress, an authentic replica of a 13th century French castle, with volunteer coordinator Bryan Douglas to see how this 20-year project is keeping the ideals of chivalry alive. Plus: An interview with Kyle Van Dolah, who served as the Lady Of Honor (the ultimate judge of chivalry) at the 2010 Tournament Of The Phoenix.

Host Scott Farrell is joined by actor Steven Walters, who plays the part of Prince Hal in a production of Shakespeare's Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 at the Dallas Theater Center, to talk about the performance, its three "knightly" characters and what we can learn about modern chivalry from Shakespeare. Plus: Christopher Burns gives chivalry a workout in his Fight Like A Knight exercise program.

Host Scott Farrell's guest is Prof. Amy Sturgis, editor of the new illustrated edition of The Magic Ring, a classic 19th century novel of chivalry and adventure that redefined our image of knighthood and the code of chivalry, and helped establish the literary genre of "high fantasy." Plus: An exploration of dignity, nobility and sports mascots

Host Scott Farrell speaks with Prof. Phillip Adamo, director of the Medieval Minnesota summer camp about discoveries in chivalry and medieval history. Plus: William Gurstelle, author of The Art of the Catapult and Absinthe & Flamethrowers, talks about trebuchets, chivalry and the art of living dangerously.

Host Scott Farrell' guest, Prof. Stephen Knight, author of Robin Hood: A Mythic Biography, discusses the medieval roots of the legends of the "noble outlaw of Sherwood," and explains how this infamous yeoman became an icon of chivalry, liberty and justice. Plus: A visit with Dr. Bohdi Sanders, martial arts instructor and author of the Warrior Wisdom series.