Pop Medieval

Doc and Nina are getting ready to kick off season 4 of Pop Medieval! But first, a minisode! Pulled from an outtake from season 3, Nina attempts to recall the events of the "Lord of the Rings" as a non-LotR geek, from memory. Can she recall all the plot points? (She! Does not! Pass!)  Mild salty language warning. 

It's the season 3 finale! Time for your final exam! Have you been paying attention all year, or have you been idly listening on your morning commute? Featuring a Pop Medieval correction and retraction!  After your exam, be sure to check out Doc and Nina's summer reading program: "Icarus", "A Bitter Spring" by Nina MacNamara (https://ninamacnamara.com/) A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine (https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Called-Empire-Arkady-Martine-ebook/dp/B07C7BCB88) "Watch of Traxis" (https://books2read.com/watch-of-traxis), "From A to Zombie" (https://books2read.com/u/b5QrLl) by Professor Awesome "Alfgar's Stories from Beowulf" by Edward Risden (https://witanpublishing.com/2020/09/07/alfgars-stories-from-beowulf/) Wæs Þu hæl for the summer, everyone! But we'll be on Discord if you miss us. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

Doc and Nina try to record an episode without giggling, but the lord of the lash says, "nay, nay, nay!" They are back in Nerdhaven studios together and, propelled by the new Lord of the Rings series called "The Rings of Power," discuss some Tolkien adaptations. Stay for a serenade.  Topics discussed: Overpromising book deadlines, selective rotoscoping, a shocking dvd discovery, Rankin Bass's confusing start and bizarre flashbacks, Nina's need for a map, Frodo-mon, the fourth wall break, and justice for the felbeast.  Recommendations Dan Olsen's Exhaustive History of Ralph Bakshi's Lord of the Rings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr_rb_pitHk)  Old English and Samwise Gamgee by Dr. Richard Scott Nokes (https://books2read.com/u/3yPjRp) Listen to "Where There's a Whip There's a Way" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoAfb3f04mo)

We're going to the stars! In this episode, Doc tells Nina about the new astronomical discovery and what that has to do with Tolkien plus some other medieval astronomy instruments. Finally, Doc implies that Nina has the “ill-Inanna.”  Topics covered: sky protractors, using video game consoles to remember names, complicated steampunk sundials, Mayan city planning, American presidential rituals, and the longest star naming discussion ever. Show Notes https://www.space.com/hubble-most-distant-star-tolkien-name-earendil  thoughtco.com/the-astrolabe-using-the-stars-for-navigation-and-timekeeping-4126095 http://english.pmo.cas.cn/resources/facilities/201911/t20191123_226171.html https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/maya/mmc07eng.html Recommendations: The Expanse - All 6 Seasons on Amazon Prime https://www.amazon.com/The-Expanse-Season-1/dp/B08B49T8TZ  How to make an Astrolabe https://arxiv.org/pdf/1202.2005.pdf British Museum's “How to Use an Astrolabe” https://youtu.be/N8oWGwcdFmA See hwaet's Poppin' in the Pop Medieval Discord. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

Doc refocuses current events on himself and then introduces Nina to Saint Olga of Kyiv. Doc completely misses two jokes. Plus, Nina relives past trauma. Topics covered: The grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Golden Horde, who can lay claim to what, the greatness of Maggie Smith, #niceguys of the 8th century, the logistics of getting buried alive in a castle, extra steamy bath houses, St. Olga's non-traditional funeral practices and birding, and spiritual incest. Recommendations: Rejected Princesses: Tales of History's Boldest Heroines, Hellions, and Heretics by Jason Porath (https://www.rejectedprincesses.com/) The Primary Chronicle (https://www.mgh-bibliothek.de/dokumente/a/a011458.pdf) See hwaet's Poppin' in the Pop Medieval Discord. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

Spring Break, Pop Medievalists! While Doc and Nina work on their freckling, they left you with another Minisode. It's timely, too: Who hates Red Sparrow as much as Nina? Probably no one. Enjoy! (Some salty language. Listener discretion advised.)

Doc and Nina play the popular viking-themed video game, Valheim. They'll discuss the meaning of the game and get into the finer aspects of the world. Topics covered: being dead, naked and afraid; rewarding cooperative game play;Ms. Awesome's Viking Animal Crossing; where fantasy name generators fail; the evolution of tree punching; sea travel realism; unforgiving viking homelife; corvid mythos; the connection between Eikthyr and heavy metal music; troll clothing; and non-toxic norse communities. Recommendations Valhalla Rising (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0862467/) Old Norse for Modern Times (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54954746-old-norse-for-modern-times) See hwaet's Poppin' in the Pop Medieval Discord. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

In this very special episode of Pop Medieval, Nina rescues Doc from a bicycle repair man's refrigerator and interviews him about his latest book, "The Watch of Traxis." She asks the important questions like, is this book a horror novel? Topics covered: the genesis of the name Prof Awesome, tabletop roleplaying games, wristwatches ruining SEO, Doc's lazy writing style, and some Discord shoutouts! Buy "The Watch of Traxis" in print or ebook form today! (https://www.amazon.com/Watch-Traxis-Professor-Awesome-ebook/dp/B09LXHTPSJ/) See hwaet's Poppin' in the Pop Medieval Discord. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

Doc and Nina are back from their January break and have a new episode. In this Valentine's Day episode, they're gushing, cooing, and preening about Geoffrey Chaucer's "Parliament of Foules" -- birds, that is. Ca-CAAA! Topics covered: Valentine's Day as a romantic day,  low-brow ducks, dream visions, "The Dream of the Rood," dating reality shows, socially approved relationships, the dark history of the cuckoo bird,  and strange podcast metrics. Recommendations Romance of the Rose by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun (https://roseandchess.lib.uchicago.edu/rose.html) Peacemaker (https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GYb0FKQLsGIyPfQEAAAAM) See hwaet's Poppin' in the Pop Medieval Discord. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

Doc sends Nina to cooking school for Christmas (no, this episode is NOT late -- technically we're still within the Christmas season). She recounts her experiences with the hits and misses from her week of feasting. Topics covered: green beans vs broad beans, The Eggnog Riot at West Point, adding fried eggs to meals, Doc's ill-fated chicken dish, more bean discussion, the dangers of too much dairy, the sin of butter, meals for Lent Recommendations: Eat Medieval (https://eatmedieval.com/) Nina says -- Stay as authentic to the recipes as possible if you want to try cooking with the Black Friars. If you have dietary restrictions (like lactose intolerance) these will NOT be the recipes for you. You can, however, replace the meat with vegan options like Beyond Meat or Impossible meat. Eat Clean Bro (https://eatcleanbro.com/) Shieldmaiden in the Kitchen, by Terri Barnes, medieval historian –  (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm2Ae34xZXeRD2K2N3LoolQ) See hwaet's Poppin' in the PopMedieval Discord. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

*Note: This episode contains very frank discussion of rape and sexual assault due to the plot of the film, "The Last Duel." This also contains plot spoilers of a historical event.* Doc and Nina review their final Movember movie -- well into December -- "The Last Duel." It's intense, it's difficult, but it's absolutely brilliant. Nina shares her new taglines for each chapter of the movie and Doc gives his assessment of the movie's opinion of, um, "little deaths." Both Nina and Doc have their own separate rants in this one, so get comfortable. Topics covered: The Hundred Years' war, property ownership, de Carrouges' temper tantrums, le Gris' project management skills, the bit of movie pandering during Marguerite's title fade, Doc and Nina's love of this movie despite their complaints, the French inquisition, the outcome of the duel, who owns a piece of land anyway, the science of orgasm and pregnancy, and the marriage debt. Recommendations: Pop Medieval Ep 9: Hail to the King, Baby (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6U1eK1MmuJs1zhjGiAOnsu?si=8ghjxjSFSfmyY86RTeLIPg) Gladiator (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172495/) “Formal Combats in the Fourteenth Century” by Dr. Steven Muhlburger (https://books2read.com/u/mV75pM) "Combat of the Thirty" by Dr. Steven Muhlburger (https://www.amazon.com/Combat-Thirty-Deeds-Arms-Vol/dp/193743902X/)

Doc and Nina take on a beloved camp classic for Movember: Highlander. Guess what -- it's also from 1986! And Sean Connery is back, doing his Scottish non-Scot thing again. Topics covered: what exactly the Prize is, Christopher Lambert's myopic sword-fighting, the Quickening, Styrofoam pillars, Rachel's origin story, the best line in the film, medieval wrasslin', the Kurgan as our language ancestor, witans versus things, and Doc's experience impressing elementary school kids in "Camelot." Recommendations: World's Most Expensive Medieval Sword - 13th Century Kamakura Katana (https://luxatic.com/the-top-10-most-expensive-medieval-weapons-ever-sold/) Beowulf (1999) w/ Christopher Lambert (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120604/) *Note from staff: apparently, the Quickening went down while Nina was recording and it screwed up her audio. Apologies for that.*

Movember continues! Hoo boy, this is a doozy. Doc and Nina are back in the same room to watch "The Name of the Rose," a 1986 slog with Sean Connery and Christian Slater! Can they really stop laughing long enough to explain what's going on? (This is all Engineer Mike's fault.) Topics covered: who's actually IN this movie, Sherlock Holmes, the actual title of this film, Benedictine vs Franciscan orders, the lost book on Poetics, Frasier vs Tenet, the Cotton Library fire, the greasy sex scene, Doc's teenage dating life, Nina's very important question Recommendations FYI - this movie is almost impossible to find. We're linking to where you can buy the DVD (if you have to) The Name of the Rose (https://www.amazon.com/Name-Rose-Sean-Connery/dp/B019HR3E18/) The Mission (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091530/) Napoleon Dynamite (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374900/) Mythic Quest (https://tv.apple.com/us/show/mythic-quest/umc.cmc.1nfdfd5zlk05fo1bwwetzldy3)

Doc and Nina kick off Mov-ember with The Green Knight. Spoilers abound. Topics discussed: knighthood, Gawain's confusing heritage, the fox's identity, Gawain becoming unstuck in time, the Trojan War, the color green, who killed St. Winifred, singing naked giants, greatness versus goodness, the last ten minutes of the movie, and how to pronounce "lady" and "Gawain." Recommendations A24 Screening Room (available on the Apple Store and Roku) Lion (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3741834/) Sword of the Valiant (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084750/)

Doc tells Nina the spooky tale of St Erkenwald, the 13th century bishop who found an incorruptible corpse of a 6th century pagan king, resurrected him, and sent him to heaven with his holy tears. Topics covered: sacraments, incorruptible corpses, Padre Pio, stigmata, Vladimir Lenin, HP Lovecraft, Doc's turn as a horror writer, Jeffrey Combs, BDSM, deadites, and boomsticks Recommendations Re-Animator (1985) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089885/) Army of Darkness (1992) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106308/) The Beast of Wolfe's Bay (http://www.wolfesbay.com/) Check out Doc's "horror" novel, From A to Zombie (https://books2read.com/u/b5QrLl)

Shall we play a (board) game? Doc shows Nina a board game featuring a raging Geat and Fairytale Femme Fatale. Topics of discussion: Beowulf, Little Red Riding Hood, asymmetrical games, board games, metaphors, fox and geese, Doc's hair, condescending comic book guys, Squid Game, and Mrs. Awesome's patience. Recommendations Pop Medieval Ep 16: A Beginner's Guide to the SCA (https://www.profawesome.com/podcast/pop-medieval-ep-16-a-beginners-guide-to-the-sca/) An Outsider's View of the SCA (https://unlocked-wordhoard.blogspot.com/2007/10/outsiders-view-of-sca.html) Root (https://ledergames.com/products/root-a-game-of-woodland-might-and-right) ed: Root is a 4-person game, not a 5-person game.

Doc and Nina discuss the Vinland Map and the Voynich Manuscript. Topics of discussion: the difference between fakes and forgeries, creepy medieval books, Yale, vikings, naked people in pea soup, doodling in homework, dinosaur bones. Recommendations Medievalists.net article about the Vinland Map: https://www.medievalists.net/2021/09/vinland-map-fake-forgery/ “On the Map: A Mind Expanding Exploration of the Way the World Looks” by Simon Garfield (https://www.amazon.com/Map-Mind-Expanding-Exploration-Notable-Adults/dp/1592407803/) Podcast Episode of the Medieval Podcast: “Forgeries in the Middle Ages” (https://www.medievalists.net/2021/02/forgeries-middle-ages-levi-roach/)

Welcome back to Pop Medieval! We're kicking off season 3 with a classic: the poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" in anticipation of the new film, "The Green Knight." Topics of discussion: Morality, games, irony, Gawain's shield, and how this poem leads to fist fights at medieval conferences. Recommendations: "Sir Gawain" translation by Tolkien: (https://www.amazon.com/Gawain-Green-Knight-Pearl-Orfeo/dp/0345277600) "Sir Gawain" translation by Simon Armitage: https://www.amazon.com/Gawain-Green-Knight-Verse-Translation/dp/0393334155 "Diamonds in the Rough Draft" podcast (Episode 9: Lots of Opportunities to Plug Yourself)

It’s the Pop Medieval second season finale! In the final episode before their summer break, Doc and Nina talk about the Cathars, a 14th century (heretical) off-shoot of the Catholic church, and the prophecy of the last Cathar Perfect. This year marks the predicted 700th year of the Perfect’s return, and Doc and Nina dissect that prediction. Skeptical, Nina runs through other predictions that did not come to fruition — whether the laurel turned green or not. Recommendations Doc’s Summer Reading: A Thousand and One Nights (https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Thousand-Nights-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140442898) Don Quixote (https://www.amazon.com/Quixote-Penguin-Classics-Cervantes-Saavedra/dp/0142437239) The Tale of Genji (https://www.amazon.com/Tale-Genji-Penguin-Classics-Deluxe/dp/014243714X) Check out Nina’s work: Nina’s website (http://ninamacnamara.com) Icarus (http://ninamacnamara.com/books/) A Bitter Spring (http://ninamacnamara.com/books/) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina and email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

We lost our minds earlier this month when Russia’s 5TV uploaded a two-part Soviet television adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. This performance, once believed lost to time by scholars who knew of its existence, comes from 1991, at the tail-end of the Soviet Union. Now, both parts are up on YouTube for the world to watch. It’s time to pack a thermos of borscht and set forth on an adventure toward Mount Doom on a mission of perestroika! Doc and Nina discuss the performance as both a scholar of Soviet/post-Soviet History and a defender of the performing arts (respectively). They’ll start off by giving the low production value a context, work their way through the mournful Russian folk music, puzzle about the frigid weather in the Shire, and, of course, discuss Tom Bombadil. Nina is on a quest for Soviet propaganda and Doc will also answer the question: is The Lord of the Rings an allegory for WWII? Warning: bad Russian accents and worse Soviet jokes lie within. Show notes: Part One of the performance: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vquKyNdgH3s) Part Two of the performance: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLevCLNnLmg) The Guardian article: (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/05/soviet-tv-version-lord-of-the-rings-rediscovered-after-30-years) Recommendations The Pyramid Collection (https://www.pyramidcollection.com/) Beowulf: Prince of the Geats (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455348/) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina and email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

SPRANG BREAK FOREVER (or at least for this week)! Fresh episodes are coming up in a couple of weeks, so we’ll leave you with a Minisode. Today, Nina talks about a dumb memory from her days as Doc’s Medieval office minion. Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina and email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Doc and Nina head to the continent of Africa in this episode to discus the Medieval Malian king, Mansa Musa, known as the richest man who ever existed! Mansa Musa (or Musa I), caused quite a stir during his hajj with his generosity. In his efforts to show off and show out, he wound up inflating the economy of Cairo on his way to Mecca. But don’t worry — all worked out in the end! Recommendations Coming to America (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094898/) Drunk History Episode on Mansa Musa (Season 5, Episode 11) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2712612/) Sid Meier’s Civilization VI (https://civilization.com/) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com! 

Doc and Nina discuss the musical genre known as bardcore – wherein popular songs undergo the “medieval” treatment. Doc will also explain the difference between bardcore and filking and what both have to do with geek culture. Then, they’ll discuss the importance of Hildegard von Bingen, one of the most important figures in the Roman Catholic church, and Sacred Monophony. Plus, Nina will give her unfiltered opinion on improv.  Recommendations Ordo Virtutum as performed by the Saint John’s Cathedral, LA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUMlhtoGTzY) Pop Medieval Ep 18: Abelard Cuts Ties with Heloise (https://www.profawesome.com/podcast/pop-medieval-ep-18-abelard-cuts-ties-with-heloise/) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com! 

Inspired by the new Netflix original, “The Dig,” Doc and Nina discuss the Sutton Hoo archeological dig, the largest medieval find in England and, arguably, the most important! Then, Doc will give a mini history lesson on the Tomb of Childric I and the case of the stolen bees. Show Notes Be sure to check out our episode on the Staffordshire Hoard (https://www.profawesome.com/podcast/pop-medieval-the-staffordshire-hoard/) National Trust Site: (https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sutton-hoo/features/a-brief-introduction-to-sutton-hoo-) British Museum: (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/galleries/sutton-hoo-and-europe) Take a virtual tour: (https://artsandculture.google.com/streetview/british-museum/AwEp68JO4NECkQ?sv_h=29.327916876487286&sv_p=0.501689350755754&sv_pid=8lnoW2svsyx7fttv0k6Vvg&sv_lid=3582009757710443819&sv_lng=-0.1261070443603955&sv_lat=51.51912226587073&sv_z=0.6911292499459274) Recommendations “A Very English Scandal” by John Preston (https://www.amazon.com/Very-English-Scandal-Murder-Establishment/dp/1590518144/) “Beowulf: A Verse Translation for Students” by Edward L. Risden (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B6ACM54) “The Sutton Hoo Story: Encounters with Early England” by Martin Carver (https://www.amazon.com/Sutton-Hoo-Story-Martin-Carver/dp/178327204X)

Doc and Nina answer some listener mail in this episode! Today, they are discussing William Shakespeare’s mad Danish Prince, Hamlet. In particular, they look at the repercussions of his hackneyed plot to avenge his father’s death on Ophelia, his betrothed. Doc reveals the 12th century source for Hamlet – Saxo Grammaticus’s “Gesta Danorum”(simply, “Deeds of the Danes”) in which Amleth tells his lady love his plot to avenge his father’s death without the need to gaslight her into insanity. Show Notes Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1587) Saxo Grammaticus’s Gesta Danorum (Deeds of the Danes) Recommendations Strange Brew (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086373/) Rejected Princesses by Jason Porath  Site (https://www.rejectedprincesses.com/) Book (https://www.amazon.com/Rejected-Princesses-Historys-Heroines-Hellions/dp/0062405373)

In an episode that surely not going to get them into trouble, Doc and Nina discuss the Netflix show “History of Swear Words” and what it missed. Doc talks taboos and euphemisms plus the pejoration and amelioration of words over the centuries. In between educational lessons, Nina will reveal her favorite swear word, school Doc on the Wu-Tang Clan, and drop some wise (but foul) parting knowledge on the audience. Warning: because it is impossible to talk about the subject matter without both saying the words and driving Engineer Mike crazy bleeping out the swears, Doc and Nina will be doing a LOT of cursing in this episode. Therefore, we will mark this episode as explicit. If very strong language offends you, Pop Medievalists, you should probably sit this one out! Show Notes: History of Swear Words on Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/title/81305757) The Knight Who Made C*nts and A**holes Speak — yes, it exists! — (https://www.oocities.org/Paris/5339/voices.html) Recommendations: Holy Sh*t: A Brief History of Swearing by Melissa Mohr (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16225525-holy-sh-t) Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language by Amanda Montell (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/41716694) Face/Off (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119094/) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina and email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

We’re bringing it back, folks! It’s time to play Seven Medieval Words and this time, it’s pandemic themed! That’s right, Doc has seven Old English words and Nina has to guess their modern English translation. Last time they played, her score was a humiliating 1/7. Think she can do better this time? As always, Pop Medievalists are invited to play along too! Can you can get the full seven? The words are: laecehus, adl, onflyge, grima, lacnung, angbreost, hraecca Recommendations Pandemic! the board game (https://www.amazon.com/Z-Man-Games-ZM7101-Pandemic/dp/B00A2HD40E/) Leechcraft: Early English Charms, Plantlore and Healing. Stephen Pollington (https://www.amazon.com/Leechcraft-English-Charms-Plant-Lore-Healing/dp/1898281238) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina and email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Doc and Nina are taking a holiday break! So for this Minisode, they’re releasing unheard content from episode 23 “Thar Be Dragons” about everyone’s favorite stuffy, ridiculous, and historically inaccurate bastion of knightly chivalry, Sir Orrin and his uncomfortable fascination with an underage Melisande. If you need some context, go back and listen to their episode on “The Flight of Dragons” https://www.profawesome.com/podcast/pop-medieval-ep-23-thar-be-dragons/ Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina and email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

In their Christmas episode, Doc explains the bizarre Medieval history of the carol, “Good King Wenceslas,” beginning with the pronunciation (which Nina bungles several times during this episode). They’ll discuss the confusing difference between the two Wenceslases (Wenceslii?), the real-life martyrdom of the correct Wenceslas, some fratricide, and the legend of Blanik Mountain. Plus, Nina successfully makes a connection between King Wenceslas and “The Lord of the Rings.” You can hear the version of “Good King Wenceslas” in this episode here: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:U.S._Army_Band_-_Good_King_Wenceslaus.ogg) Recommendations: “The Hanukkah Anthology” by Philip Goodman (https://www.amazon.com/Hanukkah-Anthology-Philip-Goodman/dp/0827600801/)  “The Hogfather” a Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett (https://www.amazon.com/Hogfather-Novel-Discworld-Terry-Pratchett-ebook/dp/B000W5MIGC/) Horse Name Generator from Fantasy Name Generator (https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/horse_names.php) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Doc and Nina finish up Movember 2020 with a unicorn stinker: 1985’s “Legend” with Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, and Tim effing Curry! Sorry folks, they know you loved this as a kid, but this did NOT hold up!  They’ll talk about innocence and unicorns, the Biblical imagery and the Garden of Eden, Jack’s medieval armor, and more about the 1980’s Satanic Panic. For an added bonus, Doc and Nina will debate the existence of the Lord of Darkness’ father — was he God? Invisible? A chair?! Are they giving this too much thought??  Recommendations The Last Unicorn (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084237/) Midsummer Night’s Dream (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2242) Spenser’s Stories from the Faerie Queene (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/41350) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Mo-vember continues (but with some more family friendly counter-programing this time)! This episode, Doc and Nina offer up 1982’s “The Flight of Dragons,” a Rankin/Bass animated medieval-fantasy adventure and one of Nina’s childhood favorites. Dragons, magic, celebrity voice acting, and theological debates – this is some heavy stuff for a children’s movie, folks, but somehow it still works! Also in this episode, Doc and Nina discuss what dragons represent in medieval history; the movie’s recurring science versus religion themes, and the interesting choices of knighthood and chivalry. Plus, Doc does some karaoke! Recommendations Eye of the Beholder: The Art of Dungeons and Dragons (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8888186/) Dragonlance – the board game (https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/795/dragonlance) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Mo-vember is back! This year, we’re starting off with two Decameron-themed sex comedies. First, Doc and Nina discuss 2007’s Virgin Territory starring Hayden Christensen and Mischa Barton. They’ll go over this movie’s costume choices, the naked and horned-up nuns, and Tim Roth’s decision to play this movie as straight as possible. This one’s got Nina fired up and angry folks, so prepare for a rant! Then, they’ll finish up with a better movie, 2017’s The Little Hours. This movie, while also about randy nuns, uses a combination of anachronistic dialogue and some historical accuracy to tell a story. This one’s actually enjoyable! Warning: this episode contains a fair amount of humorous, though not descriptive, acknowledgement of sex. If that’s not your bag, you may want to sit this one out. Show Notes Virgin Territory (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437954/) The Little Hours (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5666304/)  The Decameron: Day 3, Story 1 on Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/23700/23700-h/23700-h.htm#THE_FIRST_STORY3) Recommendations Yes, God, Yes (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8949056/) The Decameron Project (https://www.patreon.com/m/4119564/posts ) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

It’s spooky season, folks! In this episode, Doc tells Nina about the medieval origins of werewolves! They’ll discuss some different types of werewolf myths, what werewolves represent in pop culture, and why vampires are favored over their hairier counterparts. Then, Nina recommends some movies with truly frightening werewolf transformation scenes.  Recommendations: An American Werewolf in London (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082010/) The Company of Wolves (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087075/) What We Do In the Shadows (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3416742/) “Bisclavret” by Marie de France (http://users.clas.ufl.edu/jshoaf/marie/bisclavret.pdf) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

In the mid-aughts, director Scott Wegener cast a black actor in the title role of his zero-budget movie, “Beowulf: Prince of the Geats.” That attracted the attention of some Unpleasant Sorts. After hearing about the controversy, Doc published a very academic article (he is, after all, an academic) in a very academic journal about the experience. That ALSO attracted the attention of the same Unpleasant Sorts. In fact, they started showing up to his talks… Don’t ever assume being Doc’s student is boring, folks. Sometimes its downright scary! Show Notes: Doc’s article, from the Old English Newsletter (http://www.oenewsletter.org/OEN/print.php/essays/nokes41_3/Array) Buy “Beowulf: Prince of the Geats” (https://www.noblemansquare.com/dvds-and-such?fbclid=IwAR3eSrmyHIGozS9kI-tgILmJU2wy1mrnA-vTdPpZOwWdcXgLE7coZWuGq1M) Proceeds for “Beowulf: Prince of the Geats” go to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/) Recommendations: Constantine (movie) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0360486/ Nina’s author site (ninamacnamara.com) Santiago Garcia and David Rubin’s Beowulf graphic novel (https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/18754825-beowulf) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Doc takes Nina back to the 1970’s with the DC comic book, Beowulf Dragon Slayer. It’s a limited series run about the titular Medieval hero who fights Grendel and his mother, but that’s where the similarities end. *Stefon voice*: It. Has. Everything! Greek mythology! Alien space craft! Dracula! Satan! All in six issues! This is a weird one, folks. But trust us — it’s interesting! A summary of the series is on Doc’s old blog, “Unlocked Wordhoard”: (https://unlocked-wordhoard.blogspot.com/2007/08/beowulf-dragon-slayer-no-6.html) Michael Ulsan’s IMDB page: (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0882388/) Recommendations DC’s Harley Quinn (https://www.dcuniverse.com/videos/harley-quinn/193/season-1) Edward Risden’s “Alfgar’s Stories from Beowulf” (https://books2read.com/risden-alfgar) Witan Publishing.com – updated site! (http://witanpublishing.com/) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

In this episode, Doc breaches a subject that is so uncomfortable, so provocative that it raises eyebrows and makes his students squirm every year in class: the relationship between philosopher/theologian Abelard and scholar/prioress Heloise. He’ll discuss Abelard’s life as a travelling, rabble-rousing scholar, his torrid affair and secret marriage to his student Heloise, and the, uh, painful aftermath of their union. Then, Nina asks about the problems of secret marriages, brings up criticism of Heloise’s place in history, and even slides in a crass joke or two. Recommendations: NY Times – “Heloise & Abelard: Love Hurts” (https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/13/books/review/heloise-abelard-love-hurts.html) “Eloisa to Abelard” by Alexander Pope, (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44892/eloisa-to-abelard) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338013/) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Welcome to season 2 of Pop Medieval! Doc and Nina return with a bevy of updates from their summer break. First, Nina stepped into the feudal Middle Eastern future with Frank Herbert’s “Dune” before settling down with Netflix’s “The Old Guard” and a few episodes of “The Witcher”. Then Doc tried to improve his understanding of medieval T’ang Dynasty poetry and resurrected an old favorite tabletop: Dungeons and Dragons! Recommendations TedEd – Why should you read “Dune” by Frank Herbert: (https://youtu.be/yhYU4ZbLmmk) The Students Guide to Digital Publishing, edited by Dr. Richard Scott Nokes (that’s Doc!) and written by his students at Troy University (https://books2read.com/students-guide-to-digital-publishing) Steven Muhlberger’s “Formal Combats in the Fourteenth Century” is now in print!! (https://books2read.com/students-guide-to-digital-publishing) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

In this episode, Doc introduces a skeptical but curious Nina to the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a non-profit organization devoted to the research, study, and re-creation of medieval and renaissance art, skills, combat, and culture. Doc discusses his history with the SCA and dispels a few misconceptions about the organization (namely, it’s not LARPing and the weapons are not Styrofoam). He talks about how members choose their personas, their crafts, and use the barter system to pay for goods and services. It’s incredibly nerdy, incredibly fun, and will turn the most dubious of skeptics (Nina) into excited neophytes! Show Notes Don’t take our word for it! Visit the SCA website and look up an event near you! (https://www.sca.org/) Nina’s Recommendations The Pyramid Collection (https://www.pyramidcollection.com/) Nova Roma (http://www.novaroma.org/nr/Main_Page) Doc’s Recommendations “Formal Combats in the Fourteenth Century” by Steve Muhlberger (https://www.books2read.com/u/mV75pM) Doc’s blog post “An Outsider’s View of the SCA” from 2007 on the Unlocked Wordhoard (http://unlocked-wordhoard.blogspot.com/2007/10/outsiders-view-of-sca.html) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Like the rest of America, Doc and Nina have been bitten by something big, striped, and caged. That’s right, in this episode, they’re discussing the Netflix sensation, Tiger King! But what does a docu-series about backyard zoo wars have to do with anything medieval? Doc will talk about menageries of Henry I, Charlemagne, and Frederick II and the everlasting allure and power of tigers. Plus, Nina will attempt to design a coat of arms for each tiger “kingdom.” Finally, they’ll play a quick game of “thrones” – which kingdom would you chose? Show Notes Still under lockdown and haven’t seen Tiger King yet? Watch it on Netflix! Tiger King (https://www.netflix.com/title/81115994) Nina’s Recommendations A beginners guide to heraldry (https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/easter/preparing-for-easter-adventure-quests/our-guide-to-heraldry/) Meet The Designer Cats with Wild Blood (https://youtu.be/QHscMam4W7s) Doc’s Recommendations The Medieval Bestiary website (http://bestiary.ca/index.html) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina an email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Hwaet and welcome to our first minisode! Nina is by herself this time and reading an excerpt from a book about two very star-crossed lovers. Yep, that’s “The Romance of Tristan & Iseult,” where a loyal knight falls in love with his king’s beautiful queen. Sound familiar at all? You can read along or by yourself later at the always accessible Project Gutenberg: The Romance of Tristan and Iseult by Joseph Bedier (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14244) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina and email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Doc and Nina are holed up in their own houses right now. And while COVID-19 has different effects on their productivity levels, both of them have found time to record an episode on The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. This is a series of 100 short stories told by ten young Florentines hiding out in a country house, hoping to escape the worst of the Black Plague. Nina and Doc will share their favorite stories from Day 2 of the book (the theme of “misadventures that end happily”). Doc and Nina also get into a discussion about why some of these stories are crueler than others. Show Notes: Nina’s Recommendations for “Sheltering in Place”: Stardew Valley (https://www.stardewvalley.net/) The Decameron – 3rd Day, Tenth Story Doc’s Recommendations for “Sheltering in Place”: Virgin Territory (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437954/) vs. The Little Hours (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5666304/) Icarus by Nina MacNamara -that’s Nina!- (https://books2read.com/Icarus-MacNamara) and From A to Zombie by Prof. Awesome -that’s Doc!- (https://books2read.com/From-A-to-Zombie)

March is here! For St. Patrick’s Day and Women’s History Month, Doc discusses the history of Medieval Brewing, which was dominated by women known as “alewives.” He’ll talk about St. Brigid of Ireland, Katharina von Bora, and Hildegard of Bingen and give a brief history of brewing. Plus, Nina tells Doc a surprising fact about herself that even he didn’t know. Show Notes: Our alewives in this episode are: St. Brigid of Ireland, Katharina von Bora, and Hildegard of Bingen Nina’s Recommendation: Zoo Atlanta’s Brew at the Zoo: May 23 (https://zooatlanta.org/event/brew-at-the-zoo/) Doc’s Recommendation: “Life in Medieval Europe: Fact and Fiction” (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43972589-life-in-medieval-europe) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina and email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Before you begin this episode, make a list of ten people closest to you. They can be family, friends, loved ones — anyone whose loss would impact you. Ok, ready? With all the spread and seriousness of the coronavirus — or COVID19 — this last month, Doc and Nina’s have another topical discussion. Responsible for wiping out 30% of medieval Europe, the Black Plague (better known as the Bubonic Plague) spread from China via the fleas of rats. To demonstrate the substance of this loss, Doc has Nina make her own list and pick three random loved ones from her life. The results are unnerving! After Doc has Nina kill off most of her support system, he then kills off the rumors about a certain nursery rhyme’s connections to the Black Plague. We promise this episode will make you laugh, everyone. Show Notes Make sure you read Giovanni Boccaccio’s The Decameron as we might be doing a follow up episode about it! ( https://www.amazon.com/Decameron-Penguin-Classics-Giovanni-Boccaccio/dp/0140449302/ ) Nina’s Recommendations Historyteacher’s Black Death (“Hollaback Girl”) (https://youtu.be/rZy6XilXDZQ) Crash Course’s World History 203: Disease! (https://youtu.be/1PLBmUVYYeg) Doc’s Recommendations Connie Willis The Doomsday Book. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24983.Doomsday_Book?from_search=true&qid=du14fOtzBB&rank=7) Have a recommendation for us? Send Doc and Nina and email at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Doc and Nina get serious for a moment to talk about the passing of Christopher Tolkien, the son and executor of J.R.R Tolkien, and his impact on the Tolkien estate and it’s mark on pop culture. They’ll also discuss the loss of Terry Jones, one of the founding members of the Monty Python troupe, and remind our listeners that his writing credits were far more than just comedic. Show Notes You can watch Doc’s video about Christopher Tolkien here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDej6XOWwtU Nina’s Recommendations Lindsay Ellis’ Hugo’s-nominated The Hobbit video essay series (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTRUQ-RKfUs) Terry Jones as Mr Creosote from The Meaning of Life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxRnenQYG7I) Graham Chapman’s Memorial from 1989 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm2XPkqENaw) Doc’s Recommendations “Chaucer’s Knight” by Terry Jones: (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/462621.Chaucer_s_Knight?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=MCIIkQxMVU&rank=1) Celebrating Christopher Tolkien’s Cartographic Legacy (https://www.tor.com/2020/01/22/celebrating-christopher-tolkiens-cartographic-legacy/) “Old English and Samwise Gamgee’s Genealogy: Eden and the Unfallen Hobbit” by Dr. Richard Scott Nokes – hey, that’s Doc! (https://www.amazon.com/Old-English-Samwise-Gamgees-Genealogy-ebook/dp/B004PYDFEA/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+unfallen+hobbit&qid=1579972426&sr=8-1) Have a recommendation for us? Email Doc and Nina at podcast at profawesome dot com!

The last time Doc and Nina played a game, it ended in Doc’s humiliating loss! Now, he’s out for blood with a game of “Seven Medieval Words (We Should Bring Back Today).” He’ll give Nina seven Old English words and let her guess the definitions. Can Nina get four out of seven correct, or will Doc get his revenge? Plus, Nina schools Doc on the deeply upsetting modern English translation of a modern German word. Show Notes Doc’s Recommendations “Drout’s Quick and Easy Old English” by Michael C. Drout ( https://books2read.com/Drout-Old-English) Stephen Pollington’s “Wordcraft” (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/453647.Wordcraft?from_search=true&qid=akcHzavs4K&rank=4) Nina’s Recommendations 20 Awesome Medieval Words We Should Bring Back by History Hustle ( https://historyhustle.com/20-awesome-historical-words-we-need-to-bring-back/) Have a recommendation for us? Email Doc and Nina at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Mov-ember (finally!) concludes on a high note! Doc and Nina discuss the 2019 Netflix original, The King, starring Timothee Chalamet. This is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry V,” so brush up on your Henriad before listening! Doc and Nina will discuss the historical context of Henry V (or Hal, as he’s called in the film), his shaky Salic claim to both the English and French thrones, war (what IS it good for anyway?), and the movie’s decision to leave out the St. Crispian’s Day speech. Doc will also talk about the gross reason why Henry V is always painted in profile and Nina admires Fallstaff’s dancing dad bod. Show Notes You can watch The King on Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/title/80182016) Nina’s Recommendations This Day is Called the Feast of St. Crispian – Kyle Kallgran of Brows Held High (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76_Q9ruJfrE) The Real Story Behind Timothee Chalamet’s Henry V – Netflix crash course in history (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9hFxE2GlmU) The Crown Season 3 – Netflix (https://www.netflix.com/title/80025678) Doc’s Recommendations Good Tickle Brain’s Stick-figure Shakespeare at Goodticklebrain.com ( https://goodticklebrain.com/shakespeare-index#/henry-v-old/ )Steven Muhlberger’s “Formal Combats in the Fourteenth Century” ( https://books2read.com/u/mV75pM) Doc’s appearance on The Bean Pot Podcast ( http://podcast.adamdrinkwater.com/737459/2220371-dr-richard-nokes-professor-awesome-and-zombies)

Blīþe Gēol! In this very special episode of Pop Medieval, Doc tells Nina about two legends of Saint Nicholas. The first is the legend of St. Nicholas of Myra, who allegedly attended the Council of Nicaea and punched a heretic in the face. The second is the story of St. Nicholas resurrecting two butchered and pickled children from a vat. Finally, we hear Doc do a dramatic reading of Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer translated from modern English into Old English and back into modern English. Also, Nina reveals her plans to return to a “traditional” Christmas. Show Notes Did St Nicholas of Myra / Santa Claus punch Arius at the Council of Nicaea? (Roger Pearce) St Nicholas and the story of the three schoolboys murdered by an inn-keeper and stashed in a pickling cask (Roger Pearce) Hrodulf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Old English to Modern English, by Philip Craig Chapman-Bell (Bakersfield College) Nina’s Recommendations Chaucer’s Mead for All Seasons (chaucerswine.com) [h/t – Eric from the Wine Dads podcast] Doc’s Recommendations Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, or Sword of the Valiant (IMDB)

Mov-ember continues! This time, Doc and Nina look at the Robin Hood 2018 adaptation, starring Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx and feature a butt-load of strange arrow physics and a cart-chase scene. We have to specify this since, apparently, there were two Robin Hood movies released in 2018. Who knew? Doc and Nina discuss why this mess of a film is actually a modern adaptation of ye olde Robin Hood myth despite the medieval trappings. Nina reveals her lifelong crush on Paul Rudd while running through a list of modern medieval adaptation examples and Doc surprises Nina with an unlikely Robin Hood adaptation. They then settle on what makes an adaptation good and why this one just didn’t work. Show Notes Since there was some initial confusion, this movie is indeed Robin Hood ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4532826/) Nina’s Recommendation: Robin Hood: Men in Tights (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107977/) Mel Brooks, The Producers and the Ethics of Satire by Lindsay Ellis (https://youtu.be/62cPPSyoQkE) Doc’s Recommendation: Disney’s Robin Hood ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070608/ ) Any recommendations? Send them to us at podcast at profawesome dot com!

Mov-ember has been temporarily pre-empted due to the Thanksgiving holiday so Doc and Nina can bring you this very special food-themed episode of Pop Medieval. This one’s all about a certain fast-food restaurant and their foray into a table-top role-playing game called Feast of Legends. Doc tells Nina all about his experiencing playing the game that, yes, incorporates food off the menu. They also talk about medieval eating practices, the origin of the word “morsel,” and settle the debate once and for all: is a hot dog a sandwich? Show Notes Feast of Legends (https://www.feastoflegends.com/) Rendering of Doc’s character: (https://i0.wp.com/www.profawesome.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/NokesFeastAvatar-scaled.jpg) Doc’s Recommendations Insular Art Forms: Their Essence and Construction by the late Dr. Robert Stevick ( https://books2read.com/u/m0zPP7) Stevick’s Companion Figures Page ( https://www.witanpublishing.com/insular-art-forms-their-essence-and-construction/ ) King Arthur Pendragon RPG ( https://www.chaosium.com/pendragon/ ) Nina’s Recommendation The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King ( https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Tower-8-Book-Boxed-Set/dp/1501163566/)

Welcome to Mov-ember! The next three episodes will be dedicated to Medieval-themed movies, so get ready to have some fun watching a movie then listening to two dorks talk about it afterward (because THAT’S never been done before, right?) In this episode, Doc and Nina look at Hellboy 2019 (the one NOT directed by Guillermo del Toro) because – surprise! – it’s a King Arthur story. They talk about why Arthur is a boring subject to make into a film, discuss the choice to replace Morgan Le Fay with Nimue, and finally settle the argument of who makes the best Hellboy. Doc’s Recommendations Doc’s Recommendations: T.H. White’s The Once and Future King ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AEDDSQG/) Disney’s The Sword in the Stone (1963) ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057546/ ) Nina’s Recommendations Willow (1988) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096446/)

Doc and Nina continue their discussion about Kingdom. Spoiler warning – this episode discusses the ending of the series, so if you haven’t seen the show, you may want to skip this episode!