Podcasts about medieval

Is Saint-Étienne France's Most Underrated City? PLUS: Tips for Learning French! If you love discovering hidden gems in France, this episode is for you! Annie Sargent chats with Brooke Koss Cunningham, a French professor and passionate Francophile, about Saint-Étienne—a city most travelers overlook but absolutely shouldn't. Once known for its coal mines and heavy industry, Saint-Étienne has transformed into a vibrant hub of design, innovation, and affordability. Brooke shares why this working-class city, nestled between the Livradois-Forez and Parc du Pilat, is one of France's best-kept secrets. Listen to this episode ad-free Saint-Étienne is cheap to visit, easy to explore, and packed with surprises. Brooke takes us to the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, where you can see everything from historic bicycles to intricate ribbons—a hit with kids and adults alike. She raves about Weiss Chocolates, a local favorite where you can even take workshops, and the faisselle cheese, a fresh, creamy specialty you won't find outside of France. For outdoor lovers, the Gouffre d'Enfer offers thrilling zip-lining, while Saint-Victor-sur-Loire delivers stunning views of the Loire River without the tourist crowds. But Saint-Étienne isn't just about sights—it's about experiencing real French life. Brooke explains how the city's tram system makes getting around a breeze, and why its strong local accent and gaga patois add to its authentic charm. She also shares practical tips for learning French, from immersing yourself in conversations to using resources like Radio France and the Alliance Française's Culturethèque. Whether you're a solo traveler, a family, or someone dreaming of moving to France, this city offers a welcoming, unpretentious vibe that's hard to find in bigger tourist hotspots. After the chat, Annie dives into an exciting update: JR's 2026 art installation on Paris's Pont Neuf, turning the bridge into a 120-meter "cave" made of fabric. It's a must-see for anyone visiting Paris next summer! Subscribe to Join Us in France to get more off-the-beaten-path stories, cultural deep dives, and travel tips that make exploring France even more rewarding. Whether you're planning a trip or just love armchair travel, this episode will inspire you to see France differently. Listen now and start dreaming about your next adventure!

The boys drink and review Stocking Stuffer, a holiday cream ale from 1623, then ask whether psychiatry is helping or hurting. Although we've certainly come a long way from Medieval "remedies" like induced vomiting and bloodletting, the stats aren't so good on modern psychiatry. The consensus is that we're over-medicating people to benefit the pharmaceutical industry. There are certainly some cases where people need medication, but the profession has gone way too far in that direction. First, they've lied to us. The "chemical imbalance" story was complete hogwash. Second, they ignored obvious, simple, easy solutions like getting more exercise and better sleep, fixing your diet, going outside, spending time with friends, etc.

Come back with us to a Medieval leper colony.What was life really like for patients inside the gates? What did it mean when the 'leper bell' rang? And what happened at a 'living funeral'?Join Anthony and Maddy as they separate popular myth from fact, taking you through a typical day inside a leper colony in medieval Europe.This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Freddy Chick and researched by Phoebe Joyce.You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhitSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What was daily life in a medieval Irish castle really like? In this special episode recorded in Barryscourt Castle I explore the reality behind the myths. My guest Jamie O'Callaghan guides you through reconstructed rooms that reveal everything from deadly defenses to secret chambers to show how people lived and all too often died in a medieval castle. We also talk about food, entertainment and the often bizarre customs that shaped life in one of Ireland's most impressive castles in the late Middle Ages.There is a video to accompany this podcast at https://www.patreon.com/posts/148600059You can find out more about Barryscourt at heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/barryscourt-castleSound by Kate Dunlea. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the fun things about humans is our constant desire to engage with the supernatural, especially when it comes to getting a peek at the future. From reading bones, to tea leaves, flower petals, or online horoscopes, we can't help but look for a little bit of certainty in an uncertain world - and a little bit of magic. This week, Danièle speaks with Anne Lawrence-Mathers about medieval astrology, palm reading and the magic way to get a university education in just a fraction of the time.This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

Mark Norman is joined by broadcaster, author and medievalist Dr Eleanor Janega to look at the role of the ghost in the medieval period. What elements of the behaviour of the ghost might we still recognise today? What was the view and the role of the church when it came to ghosts? Did people use ghosts for entertainment as we do now?You can find out more about Eleanor, her broadcasting and her writing on her website at https://eleanorjanega.com/Support The Folklore Podcast on Patreon to get extra content at https://www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast - free and paid tiers available.

In this absolutely unglued episode, your favorite movie goblins spiral into a double feature of romantic body horror nightmares, breaking down Together, directed by Michael Shanks, and The Ugly Stepsister, directed by Emilie Blichfeldt — two films that boldly ask the question:“What if love… but also screaming?”First up, we tackle Together, where relationships, intimacy, and human bodies all politely agree to stop following the rules of God, science, and decency. We yell about uncomfortable closeness, emotional dependency taken to Cronenberg levels, and how this movie feels like couples therapy if your therapist was a cursed swamp witch. Every conversation somehow becomes:“Would you survive this situation?” (No)“Is this romantic or a biohazard?” (Yes)“Why is the human body like this?” (Rude of it, honestly)Shanks clearly woke up one day and said, “Let's emotionally terrorize everyone who's ever been in a relationship,” and we respect the commitment to violence.Then we skip gleefully into the bloody fairy tale hellscape of The Ugly Stepsister, directed by Emilie Blichfeldt, a gorgeous, grotesque body-horror remix of Cinderella that proves beauty standards have always been a full-contact sport. We lose our collective minds over:Medieval cosmetic surgery nightmaresVomit trauma (so much vomit trauma)Beauty rituals that feel like OSHA violationsThe sheer audacity of adding in THAT MANY you-know-whatWe praise Blichfeldt for crafting a film that feels like it crawled out of a cursed storybook soaked in blood, jealousy, and bad vibes.Somewhere along the way the episode derails into:Screaming about practical effects like proud raccoonsDebating which movie would emotionally destroy us fasterQuestioning every weight loss method ever Arguing whether fairy tales were always body horror and we were just naïve little foolsDeclaring that love is beautiful, disgusting, and possibly hauntedThis episode is basically three horror nerds laughing hysterically while being spiritually attacked by intimate trauma cinema and cursed fairytale energy.CREEP-O-RAMA is: Store: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CREEP-O-RAMA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@creep-o-rama⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@joshblevesque⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Artwork: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bargainbinblasphemy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Theme: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@imfigure⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Audio: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@stranjlove

Fantastic and informative talk with Sara Petrosillo of the University of Evansville about her new book, Hawking Women: Falconry, Gender, and Control in Medieval Literary Culture (Ohio State University Press, 2023). Listen all the way to the end for a great description of the process of hunting with birds! While critical discourse about falconry metaphors in premodern literature is dominated by depictions of women as unruly birds in need of taming, women in the Middle Ages claimed the symbol of a hawking woman on their personal seals, trained and flew hawks, and wrote and read poetic texts featuring female falconers.  Sara Petrosillo's Hawking Women demonstrates how cultural literacy in the art of falconry mapped, for medieval readers, onto poetry and challenged patriarchal control. Examining texts written by, for, or about women, Hawking Women uncovers literary forms that arise from representations of avian and female bodies. Readings from Sir Orfeo, Chrétien de Troyes, Guillaume de Machaut, Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, and hawking manuals, among others, show how female characters are paired with their hawks not to assert dominance over the animal but instead to recraft the stand-in of falcon for woman as falcon with woman. In the avian hierarchy female hawks have always been the default, the dominant, and thus these medieval interspecies models contain lessons about how women resisted a culture of training and control through a feminist poetics of the falconry practice. Jana Byars is the Academic Director of Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

News items read by Laura Kennedy include: Artifacts from Phrygian tomb suggest possible link to King Midas (details) Medieval Anglo-Saxon cemetery discovered in Suffolk, England (details) Medieval burials at Menga dolmen suggest symbolic significance of monument over 1000 years after construction (details)(details) New underwater remains add to record of El Huarco Archaeological Complex (details)

Q&A with Aran and OliviaJoin the official WMG Discord server!! https://discord.gg/6GzvXdWX23

Fantastic and informative talk with Sara Petrosillo of the University of Evansville about her new book, Hawking Women: Falconry, Gender, and Control in Medieval Literary Culture (Ohio State University Press, 2023). Listen all the way to the end for a great description of the process of hunting with birds! While critical discourse about falconry metaphors in premodern literature is dominated by depictions of women as unruly birds in need of taming, women in the Middle Ages claimed the symbol of a hawking woman on their personal seals, trained and flew hawks, and wrote and read poetic texts featuring female falconers.  Sara Petrosillo's Hawking Women demonstrates how cultural literacy in the art of falconry mapped, for medieval readers, onto poetry and challenged patriarchal control. Examining texts written by, for, or about women, Hawking Women uncovers literary forms that arise from representations of avian and female bodies. Readings from Sir Orfeo, Chrétien de Troyes, Guillaume de Machaut, Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, and hawking manuals, among others, show how female characters are paired with their hawks not to assert dominance over the animal but instead to recraft the stand-in of falcon for woman as falcon with woman. In the avian hierarchy female hawks have always been the default, the dominant, and thus these medieval interspecies models contain lessons about how women resisted a culture of training and control through a feminist poetics of the falconry practice. Jana Byars is the Academic Director of Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius was one of the medieval world's most popular and widely translated texts. Composed in Syriac in Mesopotamia in the seventh century, this supposed revelation presented a new, salvific role for the Roman Empire, whose last emperor, it prophesied, would help bring about the end of the ages. In this first book-length study of Pseudo-Methodius, Christopher J. Bonura uncovers the under-appreciated Syriac origins of this apocalyptic tract, revealing it as a remarkable response to political realities faced by Christians living under a new Islamic regime. Tracing the spread of Pseudo-Methodius from the early medieval Mediterranean to its dissemination via the printing presses of early modern Europe, Bonura then demonstrates how different cultures used this new vision of empire's role in the end times to reconfigure their own realities. The book also features a new, complete, and annotated English translation of the Syriac text of Pseudo-Methodius. New books in Late Antiquity is Presented by Ancient Jew Review. Christopher J. Bonura is Assistant Professor of History at Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland, and Visiting Assistant Professor Costigan Distinguished Lecturer at the University of Washington. Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at UMass Boston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

If I asked the question “Does literature matter?”, I suspect most people would quickly answer “Yes.” But if I asked “Why does literature matter?”, I think most of us would stutter in response. We probably don't know how to give an account of the importance of literature, even if we have a sense that it certainly does matter. Jason Baxter helps us respond to that second, harder question. His book, Why Literature Still Matters is both accessible and profound. In the span of some 80 pages, he gives us ways to not just think and speak about the importance of literature, but also to feel and remember why literature matters.For some additional conversations with Jason on our show, please see the show notes for links to an episode about Dante, and a second to an episode about C. S. Lewis in relation to Dante and other Medieval thinkers.Follow-up Resources:Why Literature Still Matters by Jason Baxter“The Heartbeat of Dante's Comedy, with Jason Baxter,” podcast episode via Church Life Today“C.S. Lewis from Dante and the Medieval World, with Jason Baxter,” podcast episode via Church Life TodayChurch Life Today is a partnership between the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame and OSV Podcasts from Our Sunday Visitor. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: A Herbal Quest: Courage Beyond the Medieval Market Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-01-19-08-38-20-nl Story Transcript:Nl: De zon gleed traag over de horizon en bedekte Brugge met een gouden gloed.En: The sun slowly glided over the horizon, casting a golden glow over Brugge.Nl: De Middeleeuwse kermis in het hart van het dorp was druk en levendig.En: The medieval fair in the heart of the village was busy and lively.Nl: De houten kraampjes stonden in rijen langs de keienstraten.En: Wooden stalls lined the cobblestone streets.Nl: Lantaarns goot een warme gloed over de gezichten van de mensen die wol gedrapeerd om hun schouders droegen tegen de winterkou.En: Lanterns cast a warm glow over the faces of people who wore wool draped over their shoulders against the winter cold.Nl: De geur van versgebakken brood en geroosterde kastanjes vulde de lucht.En: The smell of freshly baked bread and roasted chestnuts filled the air.Nl: Maar achter het feestelijke rumoer lag een donkere schaduw.En: Yet behind the festive bustle lay a dark shadow.Nl: Een mysterieuze ziekte verspreidde zich, en angst kon ontspruiten als onkruid tussen de kraampjes.En: A mysterious disease was spreading, and fear could spring up like weeds between the stalls.Nl: Mensen fluisterden, onzichtbare duizendpoten racend langs de muren van geruchten en vermoedens.En: People whispered, invisible centipedes racing along the walls of rumors and suspicions.Nl: In een hoek van de markt stond Maarten, een ervaren herbalist.En: In a corner of the market stood Maarten, an experienced herbalist.Nl: Hij keek naar de mensen, en gewaar was hun angsten.En: He watched the people, and was aware of their fears.Nl: Zijn geschoolde handen roerden langzaam in een ketel vol dampende kruiden.En: His skilled hands slowly stirred a cauldron full of steaming herbs.Nl: Hij dacht aan zijn schuldgevoel - de keer dat hij een geliefde had verloren omdat zijn kennis niet toereikend was.En: He thought of his guilt—the time he lost a loved one because his knowledge had been insufficient.Nl: Ditmaal zou hij niet falen.En: This time he would not fail.Nl: Naast hem stond Fenna.En: Beside him stood Fenna.Nl: Jong, met fonkelende ogen en vastberadenheid die straalde in haar houding.En: Young, with sparkling eyes and determination radiating in her posture.Nl: Ze was vastbesloten te bewijzen dat ze meer kon dan alleen een leerling zijn.En: She was determined to prove that she could be more than just an apprentice.Nl: Ze zou Maarten helpen en het dorp redden.En: She would help Maarten and save the village.Nl: De ziekte verspreidde zich snel.En: The disease spread quickly.Nl: Mensen werden onrustig en druk uitgeoefend op Maarten om een oplossing te vinden.En: People grew restless, pressuring Maarten to find a solution.Nl: Hij aarzelde, gevangen in zijn onzekerheden.En: He hesitated, trapped in his uncertainties.Nl: Maar Fenna was niet van plan te wachten.En: But Fenna was not planning to wait.Nl: Ze stelde voor dat ze samen verder de natuur in zouden trekken om een zeldzaam kruid te zoeken, verborgen in de wouden aan de rand van het dorp.En: She suggested they venture further into nature together to seek out a rare herb, hidden in the woods on the edge of the village.Nl: Maarten twijfelde, maar het vurige doorzettingsvermogen van Fenna overtuigde hem.En: Maarten doubted, but Fenna's fiery perseverance convinced him.Nl: Ze vertrokken in de vroege ochtend, de kou snijdend door hun mantels terwijl ze de bossen introkken.En: They set off in the early morning, the cold cutting through their cloaks as they entered the forests.Nl: De bomen stonden als oude wachtposten, hun takken zwaar met rijp.En: The trees stood like ancient sentinels, their branches heavy with frost.Nl: Diep in het woud, vonden ze de plant die ze zochten.En: Deep in the woods, they found the plant they were looking for.Nl: Maar ze waren niet alleen.En: But they were not alone.Nl: De geesten van het bos, zeiden de legenden, beschermden het gebied.En: The legends said the spirits of the forest protected the area.Nl: Hun woede was voelbaar in de ijskoude wind die plotseling opstak.En: Their anger was palpable in the icy wind that suddenly rose.Nl: Maarten voelde zijn hart versnelden, het verleden in zijn geest als een spook.En: Maarten felt his heart quicken, the past in his mind like a specter.Nl: Maar Fenna was alert.En: But Fenna was alert.Nl: Toen een krachtige rukwind hun kant opkwam, bedacht ze snel een list.En: When a powerful gust of wind blew toward them, she quickly devised a trick.Nl: Ze gooide een handvol kruiden in de lucht, die oplichtten in de zon en verwarring zaaiden onder de geesten.En: She threw a handful of herbs into the air, which lit up in the sun and sowed confusion among the spirits.Nl: Met een laatste adem haalden ze de plant en haastten ze zich terug naar het dorp.En: With a final breath, they grabbed the plant and hurried back to the village.Nl: Er was geen tijd te verliezen.En: There was no time to lose.Nl: Het was hun laatste hoop.En: It was their last hope.Nl: Terug in het dorp brouwden ze samen het medicijn.En: Back in the village, they brewed the medicine together.Nl: Het werkte; de mensen voelden langzaam hun kracht terugkomen.En: It worked; people felt their strength slowly returning.Nl: Een dankbare stilte viel over het plein toen de schaduw wegtrok als de wolken na een storm.En: A thankful silence fell over the square as the shadow withdrew like clouds after a storm.Nl: Maarten keek naar Fenna, zijn dankbaarheid diep voelend.En: Maarten looked at Fenna, deeply feeling his gratitude.Nl: Hij had geleerd zijn fouten te accepteren en vertrouwen te hervinden.En: He had learned to accept his mistakes and regain trust.Nl: Fenna had bewezen dat ze meer was dan een leerling, en het dorp zou haar vanaf nu als volwaardige genezer zien.En: Fenna had proven she was more than an apprentice, and the village would see her as a full-fledged healer from now on.Nl: De winter bleef streng, maar de harten van de dorpelingen warmden zich aan de hernieuwde hoop.En: The winter remained harsh, but the hearts of the villagers warmed with renewed hope.Nl: De kermis ging verder, maar nu klonken de lachen en gesprekken als een verklaring van overwinning over de ziekte.En: The fair continued, but now the laughter and conversations sounded like a declaration of victory over the sickness.Nl: Maarten en Fenna konden met een gerust gemoed naar de flikkerende lichten kijken, wetende dat ze samen iets goeds hadden bereikt.En: Maarten and Fenna could look at the flickering lights with peace of mind, knowing they had achieved something good together. Vocabulary Words:glided: gleedhorizon: horizonmedieval: Middeleeuwselively: levendigcobblestone: keienstratenlanterns: lantaarnsdraped: gedrapeerdroasted: geroosterdechestnuts: kastanjesfestive: feestelijkebustle: rumoermysterious: mysterieuzedisease: ziekteweeds: onkruidherbalist: herbalistcauldron: ketelsteaming: dampendeapprentice: leerlinghesitated: aarzeldeperseverance: doorzettingsvermogenancient: oudesentinels: wachtpostenspecter: spookgust: rukwinddevised: bedachtsowed: zaaidenconfusion: verwarringgratitude: dankbaarheidfull-fledged: volwaardigerenewed: hernieuwde

The Apocalypse of Pseudo-Methodius was one of the medieval world's most popular and widely translated texts. Composed in Syriac in Mesopotamia in the seventh century, this supposed revelation presented a new, salvific role for the Roman Empire, whose last emperor, it prophesied, would help bring about the end of the ages. In this first book-length study of Pseudo-Methodius, Christopher J. Bonura uncovers the under-appreciated Syriac origins of this apocalyptic tract, revealing it as a remarkable response to political realities faced by Christians living under a new Islamic regime. Tracing the spread of Pseudo-Methodius from the early medieval Mediterranean to its dissemination via the printing presses of early modern Europe, Bonura then demonstrates how different cultures used this new vision of empire's role in the end times to reconfigure their own realities. The book also features a new, complete, and annotated English translation of the Syriac text of Pseudo-Methodius. New books in Late Antiquity is Presented by Ancient Jew Review. Christopher J. Bonura is Assistant Professor of History at Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland, and Visiting Assistant Professor Costigan Distinguished Lecturer at the University of Washington. Michael Motia teaches in Classics and Religious Studies at UMass Boston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/islamic-studies

Fantastic and informative talk with Sara Petrosillo of the University of Evansville about her new book, Hawking Women: Falconry, Gender, and Control in Medieval Literary Culture (Ohio State University Press, 2023). Listen all the way to the end for a great description of the process of hunting with birds! While critical discourse about falconry metaphors in premodern literature is dominated by depictions of women as unruly birds in need of taming, women in the Middle Ages claimed the symbol of a hawking woman on their personal seals, trained and flew hawks, and wrote and read poetic texts featuring female falconers.  Sara Petrosillo's Hawking Women demonstrates how cultural literacy in the art of falconry mapped, for medieval readers, onto poetry and challenged patriarchal control. Examining texts written by, for, or about women, Hawking Women uncovers literary forms that arise from representations of avian and female bodies. Readings from Sir Orfeo, Chrétien de Troyes, Guillaume de Machaut, Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, and hawking manuals, among others, show how female characters are paired with their hawks not to assert dominance over the animal but instead to recraft the stand-in of falcon for woman as falcon with woman. In the avian hierarchy female hawks have always been the default, the dominant, and thus these medieval interspecies models contain lessons about how women resisted a culture of training and control through a feminist poetics of the falconry practice. Jana Byars is the Academic Director of Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

Fantastic and informative talk with Sara Petrosillo of the University of Evansville about her new book, Hawking Women: Falconry, Gender, and Control in Medieval Literary Culture (Ohio State University Press, 2023). Listen all the way to the end for a great description of the process of hunting with birds! While critical discourse about falconry metaphors in premodern literature is dominated by depictions of women as unruly birds in need of taming, women in the Middle Ages claimed the symbol of a hawking woman on their personal seals, trained and flew hawks, and wrote and read poetic texts featuring female falconers.  Sara Petrosillo's Hawking Women demonstrates how cultural literacy in the art of falconry mapped, for medieval readers, onto poetry and challenged patriarchal control. Examining texts written by, for, or about women, Hawking Women uncovers literary forms that arise from representations of avian and female bodies. Readings from Sir Orfeo, Chrétien de Troyes, Guillaume de Machaut, Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde, and hawking manuals, among others, show how female characters are paired with their hawks not to assert dominance over the animal but instead to recraft the stand-in of falcon for woman as falcon with woman. In the avian hierarchy female hawks have always been the default, the dominant, and thus these medieval interspecies models contain lessons about how women resisted a culture of training and control through a feminist poetics of the falconry practice. Jana Byars is the Academic Director of Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sports

Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Triumph at the Market: A Medieval Culinary Quest Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-01-19-23-34-02-he Story Transcript:He: נעם היה נחוש ליצור ארוחה בלתי נשכחת לכבוד ט"ו בשבט.En: @Noam was determined to create an unforgettable meal in honor of Tu BiShvat.He: במהלך החורף הקר בכפר ימי הביניים, הוא ידע שעליו לבקר בשוק הצבעוני והומה בני אדם.En: During the cold winter in the medieval village, he knew he needed to visit the colorful and bustling market.He: השוק היה מלא ברוכלים וקהילה שחיפשו את המצרכים הטובים ביותר לקראת החגיגה.En: The market was full of vendors and a community seeking the best ingredients for the celebration.He: ליאורה הייתה שם כדי לעזור לנעם.En: Liora was there to help @Noam.He: היא הכירה את כל העשבים והתבלינים הכי טובים.En: She knew all the best herbs and spices.He: "נעם," היא קראה בצלילות, "אל תדאג, נצליח למצוא כל מה שצריך.En: "@Noam," she called out clearly, "don't worry, we'll manage to find everything we need."He: "עם שק מלא בפרות ולחמים, ש"י הצטרף אליהם.En: With a bag full of fruits and breads, Shay joined them.He: הוא נהנה, אך נוטה להסתבך.En: He enjoyed it but tended to get into trouble.He: כאשר עבר רגעי לחץ, גערה ליאורה בו, "ש"י, הזהר לא להפיל דבר!En: During moments of pressure, Liora scolded him, "Shay, be careful not to drop anything!"He: "השוק היה מלא באנשים, והמחירים היו גבוהים.En: The market was crowded, and prices were high.He: יש דיבורים בשוק שאולי נגמר המרכיב הנדיר ביותר לארוחה.En: There was talk that perhaps the rarest ingredient for the meal had run out.He: הצורך למצוא את המרכיב הזה היה נורא חשוב, ונעם התקשה להחליט האם לקנות אותו או לפנות לרעיונות של ליאורה.En: The need to find this ingredient was extremely important, and @Noam struggled to decide whether to buy it or turn to Liora's ideas.He: כאשר שוק התקרב לסיום, פתאום נעם ראה דוכן ובו המוכר האחרון שמכר את המרכיב הנדיר.En: As the market neared its end, suddenly @Noam saw a stall with the last vendor selling the rare ingredient.He: הוא התכונן למשא ומתן.En: He prepared for negotiation.He: המוכר היה סוחר קשה אבל נעם נשאר רגוע ובטוח לעצמו.En: The vendor was a tough bargainer, but @Noam remained calm and confident.He: "אני שמח שאתה כאן," אמר נעם לסוחר.En: "I'm glad you're here," @Noam said to the vendor.He: "עם קצת עזרה מיועצים טובים כאן, אני אשמח לרכוש את המצרך הזה.En: "With a little help from good advisors here, I'd be happy to purchase this ingredient."He: " לבסוף הסכים הסוחר לתת לו מחיר הוגן.En: Finally, the vendor agreed to give him a fair price.He: בניצחון, עם החברים לצד, הם חזרו לכפר, מוכנים להכין את הארוחה.En: In triumph, with friends by his side, they returned to the village, ready to prepare the meal.He: נעם הבין כמה חשובה העזרה מהחברים ועד כמה שליטה ושיתוף פעולה יכולים להוביל להצלחה.En: @Noam realized the importance of friends' help and how control and cooperation can lead to success.He: בסוף, הארוחה הייתה נהדרת.En: In the end, the meal was wonderful.He: נעם הכיר שיש לו ההזדמנות ללמוד ולצמוח עם תמיכה מהאחרים, וזה הביא לו כבוד וביטחון עצמי מול זקני הכפר והקהילה כולה.En: @Noam recognized he had the opportunity to learn and grow with the support of others, which brought him respect and self-confidence in front of the village elders and the entire community. Vocabulary Words:determined: נחושunforgettable: בלתי נשכחתmedieval: ימי הבינייםbustling: הומהvendors: רוכליםcommunity: קהילהingredients: מצרכיםherbs: עשביםspices: תבליניםpressure: רגעי לחץscolded: גערהcrowded: מלא באנשיםrarest: הנדיר ביותרextremely: נוראstruggled: התקשהnegotiation: משא ומתןbargainer: סוחרconfident: בטוח לעצמוtriumph: בניצחוןopportunity: הזדמנותgrow: לצמוחsupport: תמיכהrespect: כבודself-confidence: ביטחון עצמיelders: זקניcelebration: חגיגהmanage: נצליחdrop: להפילcomplained: קראתfair: הוגןBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.

Fluent Fiction - Hungarian: Medieval Merriment: A Knight's Tale at Dinner Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hu/episode/2026-01-19-08-38-20-hu Story Transcript:Hu: A vasárnap estéje hideg volt, a decemberi hó még az utcákon pihent, ahogyan László és Katalin beléptek a középkori témájú étterembe.En: The Sunday evening was cold, and the December snow still rested on the streets as László and Katalin entered the medieval-themed restaurant.Hu: A levegő tele volt sült húsok illatával és a tűz pattogásával, ami barátságosan köszöntötte az érkezőket.En: The air was filled with the scent of roasted meats and the crackling of a fire, warmly welcoming the newcomers.Hu: A terem egy nagy középkori csarnok benyomását keltette: hosszú faasztalok, gyertyák és fáklyák fénye, valamint színes falikárpitok díszítették a falakat.En: The room gave the impression of a large medieval hall: long wooden tables, the light of candles and torches, and colorful wall tapestries decorated the walls.Hu: László csillogó szemmel nézett körül.En: László looked around with sparkling eyes.Hu: Mindig is szerette a történelmet, és most végre átélhette az egyik kedvenc korszakát.En: He had always loved history, and now he could finally experience one of his favorite eras.Hu: Katalin, aki inkább gyakorlatias volt, mosolyogva figyelte László izgatottságát.En: Katalin, who was more practical, watched László's excitement with a smile.Hu: Tudta, hogy ez az este tele lesz nevetéssel.En: She knew that this evening would be filled with laughter.Hu: A vacsora kezdetével a középkori előadás is megkezdődött.En: As dinner began, the medieval performance also commenced.Hu: Lászlót lenyűgözték a ruhák, a kardok fémcsillogása és a hangos nevetés, ami a teremben visszhangzott.En: László was captivated by the costumes, the gleam of the swords, and the loud laughter that echoed in the room.Hu: Egy ponton meglátott egy díszes lovagi sisakot, amit az egyik sarokba tettek ki.En: At one point, he spotted a decorative knight's helmet displayed in a corner.Hu: Nem bírta ki, hogy ne vegye fel.En: He couldn't resist putting it on.Hu: "Vigyázz, Laci, ne csinálj hülyeséget" – figyelmeztette Katalin játékosan.En: "Be careful, Laci, don't do anything silly," Katalin warned playfully.Hu: De László már a fejére húzta a sisakot.En: But László had already pulled the helmet onto his head.Hu: Az viszont valahogy megakadt.En: However, it somehow got stuck.Hu: Próbálta lehúzni, de nem sikerült.En: He tried to pull it off, but it didn't come off.Hu: „Ó, nem” - motyogta.En: "Oh, no," he mumbled.Hu: Ebben a pillanatban megjelent egy szervező, aki Lászlót összekeverte a fellépőkkel.En: At that moment, an organizer appeared, mistaking László for one of the performers.Hu: „Te jössz, vitéz!En: "You're up, knight!"Hu: ” – kiáltotta és a színpad felé terelte.En: he shouted and ushered him towards the stage.Hu: László nem mert szólni, elindult hátra, míg Katalin az asztal mögött maradt.En: László didn't dare to speak up and headed to the back, while Katalin stayed behind at the table.Hu: Alig bírta visszafojtani a nevetését, de tudta, segítenie kell.En: She could hardly contain her laughter, but she knew she had to help.Hu: Apró mozdulatokkal irányította Lászlót, mit tegyen.En: With small gestures, she directed László on what to do.Hu: Amikor eljött a sor a kardpárbajra, Katalin egy gyors tervet eszelt ki.En: When it was time for the sword duel, Katalin quickly devised a plan.Hu: Elterelte a közönség figyelmét egy nevetséges idézettel a pesti bálról, amit valódi középkori dialektusban mondott.En: She diverted the audience's attention with a ridiculous quote about a Pesti ball, recited in authentic medieval dialect.Hu: Ez elég időt adott Lászlónak, hogy felvegye a megfelelő pózt, és elkerüljön egy kétbalkezes pillanatot.En: This gave László enough time to assume the proper stance and avoid an awkward moment.Hu: A közönség tapsolt, tapsvihart zúdítva Lászlóra, aki végül sikeresen lecsúsztatta a sisakot.En: The audience applauded, showering László with applause, who finally managed to slide off the helmet successfully.Hu: Az étterem személyzete gyorsan a segítségére sietett, és a végén minden visszatért a rendes kerékvágásba.En: The restaurant staff quickly rushed to his aid, and in the end, everything returned to normal.Hu: László és Katalin mindketten nevetve ültek vissza az asztalukhoz, ahol a szereplők tapssal köszöntötték őket és ingyen desszertet kaptak jutalmul.En: László and Katalin both sat back at their table, laughing, where the performers greeted them with applause and gave them a free dessert as a reward.Hu: Ahogy ott ültek a fáklyafényben, László arra gondolt, mennyi érdekes helyzetbe kerülhet az ember, ha nem veszi magát túl komolyan.En: As they sat there in the torchlight, László thought about how many interesting situations one can find themselves in by not taking themselves too seriously.Hu: Katalin pedig ráébredt, hogy időnként, ha elengedjük a kontrollt, csodás élményeket élhetünk át.En: Katalin realized that sometimes, if we let go of control, we can experience wonderful things.Hu: Az este nevetéssel és boldogan zárult, és mindketten boldogan tértek haza az élményekkel teli kalandjukról.En: The evening ended with laughter and joy, and both happily returned home from their adventure filled with experiences. Vocabulary Words:crackling: pattogástapestries: falikárpitoksparkling: csillogóera: korszakpractical: gyakorlatiasperformance: előadáscommenced: megkezdődöttcaptivated: lenyűgözöttgleam: fémcsillogásechoed: visszhangzottdecorative: díszeshelmet: sisakplayfully: játékosanmumbled: motyogtaorganizer: szervezőushered: tereltegestures: mozdulatokdevised: eszelt kiauthentic: valódistance: pózawkward: kétbalkezesapplauded: tapsolttorchlight: fáklyafénystruck: megakadtorganizer: szervezőmistaking: összekevertediverted: elterelteridiculous: nevetségesquote: idézettelapplause: tapsvihart

The new unlimited Catholic audiobook app and key takeaways from Bobby Angel, Fr. Boniface Hicks, Fr. Timothy Gallagher, and more.In this episode, Florencia Moynihan sits down with Charlie McKinney (President of Sophia Institute Press) for a powerful year-end recap of the biggest 2025 takeaways—and a practical game plan to grow in 2026. If you've been telling yourself you're “too busy to read,” this conversation gives you a fresh strategy to make spiritual reading non-negotiable, using the new Saintify app from Sophia Press to help you listen more, learn more, and actually follow through.In this episode:Bobby Angel on postmodernism — why Medieval philosophers had an "enchanted" view of life that we've lostFr. Boniface Hicks on Marian consecration — the hidden fear behind “I'm not worthy,” and how to stop letting shame block you from giving yourself fully to Mary.Fr. Wayne Sattler with the reminder you might need most — God isn't mad at you, and living like He is can quietly sabotage your spiritual life.Emily Stimson Chapman on hosting — why hospitality doesn't require perfection, and how “messy-but-present” can be a real path to joy and freedom.Fr. Timothy Gallagher on the real obstacle to God — it's not sin the way you think… it's discouragement, and how it slowly makes you quit.Dr. Ray Guarendi on boundaries — the hard truth about expectations and healthy relationships.Saintifi on AppleSaintifi on GoogleThe Saintifi app aims to make Catholic content more accessible and affordable. The app offers a wide range of audiobooks and eBooks for a flat monthly fee, emphasizing the importance of spiritual reading in personal growth and faith formation. EPISODES MENTIONED:Father Boniface HicksDr. Ray GuarendiFr. Wayne SattlerEmily Stimpson ChapmanFr. Timothy GallagherCONNECT WITH FLORENCIA:Ready to Go All-In On Your Glow Up? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apply to The Made Good Method and Work With Our Team⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠

The Wandering Mind: What Medieval Monks Tell Us About Distraction (Liveright, 2023) by Dr. Jamie Kreiner presents a revelatory account of how Christian monks identified distraction as a fundamental challenge—and how their efforts to defeat it can inform ours, more than a millennium later. Although we think of early monks as master concentrators, a life of mindfulness did not, in fact, come to them easily. Delving into the experiences of early Christian monks living in the Middle East, around the Mediterranean, and throughout Europe from 300 to 900 CE, Dr. Kreiner shows that these men and women were obsessed with distraction in ways that seem remarkably modern. At the same time, she suggests that our own obsession is remarkably medieval. Ancient Greek and Roman intellectuals had sometimes complained about distraction, but it was early Christian monks who waged an all-out war against it. The stakes could not have been higher: they saw distraction as a matter of life and death. Drawing on a trove of sources that the monks left behind, Dr. Kreiner reconstructs the techniques they devised in their lifelong quest to master their minds—from regimented work schedules and elaborative metacognitive exercises to physical regimens for hygiene, sleep, sex, and diet. Blending history and psychology, The Wandering Mind is a witty, illuminating account of human fallibility and ingenuity that bridges a distant era and our own. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

If there's one sure way to irritate an historian of the Medieval period, it's to ask why the people of the Middle Ages didn't wash.In this episode, we did just that with Dr Eleanor Janega. Kate and Eleanor get into whether there really was poo everywhere, how the Victorians ruined the Medieval reputation, and what they were actually up to at the public baths.Eleanor co-hosts our sister podcast Gone Medieval and is the author of 'The Once And Future Sex'.This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. The producer was Sophie Gee. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  All music from Epidemic Sounds.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're going to be a writer, it's best to find yourself in a place where there's plenty to write about, and fifteenth-century Italy was definitely one of those places. For a young member of the powerful Alberti family, it was the perfect place to study everything from law, to theology, to architecture, and to write it all down to educate - and to entertain. This week, Danièle speaks with David Marsh about Leon Battista Alberti's life and writing, in and around the great figures of fifteenth-century Italy.This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

If you've ever wondered how myths were made, especially during the Medieval period, we've got you covered! We're joined by Professor Matthew Gabriele, host of American Medieval, to talk about Medieval mythmaking, Castlecore vs Crusadecore, and Romantasy as a way of reflecting on the Medieval period! Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of fascism, white supremacy, islamaphobia, misogyny, death, sex, and genitals. GuestMatthew Gabriele is a professor of medieval studies at Virginia Tech. The co-author of "The Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe" and "Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers that Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe," he'll talk your ear off about the Middle Ages. This is why he started the Multitude podcast, "American Medieval." See more at profgabriele.com and americanmedieval.comHousekeeping- Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests' books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Send in those urban legend emails as you head home for the holidays!- Submit Your Urban Legends Audio: Call us! 617-420-2344Sponsors- Bookshop.org, where you can now use the code we shared in the midroll to get 10% off your purchase!Find Us Online- Website & Transcripts: spiritspodcast.com- Patreon: patreon.com/spiritspodcast- Merch: spiritspodcast.com/merch- Instagram: instagram.com/spiritspodcast- Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/spiritspodcast.com- Twitter: twitter.com/spiritspodcast- Tumblr: spiritspodcast.tumblr.comCast & Crew- Co-Hosts: Julia Schifini and Amanda McLoughlin- Editor: Bren Frederick- Music: Brandon Grugle, based on "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: multitude.productionsAbout UsSpirits is a boozy podcast about mythology, legends, and folklore. Every episode, co-hosts Julia and Amanda mix a drink and discuss a new story or character from a wide range of places, eras, and cultures. Learn brand-new stories and enjoy retellings of your favorite myths, served over ice every week, on Spirits.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Marina examines some medieval torture devices including the Pear of Anguish, the Rack, the Iron Maiden, the Catherine Wheel, and the Judas Cradle. These instruments were used across Europe for interrogation, punishment, and execution, designed to inflict severe pain and maintain social control through fear.

1-13-26 Tonight we're talking with Ryan Carlson. Ryan is a Colorado mead maker who has been making mead for quite a while. Those of you who have listened to the early GML episodes may remember him. He has been quiet publicly  for a few years, dealing with personal things, but during that quiet time, he's also been doing a lot of learning and experimentation to deepen his mead making expertise. I'll just let Ryan tell you himself: Hi, my name is Ryan. Some of you will know me from the mead world going back a long way. Some of you won't know me at all — and that's just fine. I was very active in mead for many years, right up until around 2020. Then life hit hard. Multiple things at once. Survival mode. For about five years I was mostly just circling the drain and trying to stay upright. Things are finally closer to normal now, and I guess you could say I'm back in the saddle. I've been a successful meadmaker for a long time. I'm a certified judge. I've taught hundreds of people — maybe more — how to make good mead. I love teaching, but I'm picky about it. I only teach what I've lived. I only teach what I can prove. If someone wants receipts, I can bury Mount Rushmore with them. I also teach mead in a way most people have never experienced. From here forward, I'll be approaching things a little differently. We're going to “get small.” We're going to pretend we're a single-celled yeast and jump down inside Mead City. We'll look at fermentation from the inside of the vessel outward and change our perspective completely. Mead is going to do what mead does. Yeast is going to do what yeast does. When we actually understand the science and biology, our job isn't control — it's assistance. We learn when the window opens, and when it does, we can hand the yeast exactly what they need so they can do the job they were already built to do. Most of the time, when people don't understand what's happening, they get in the way. They step on the yeast without realizing it. They try to force outcomes that biology simply doesn't allow, and they miss the chance to co-create. My goal is to help raise everyone's bar by changing perspective first, then layering in real science and real biology — not folklore, not wives' tales, and not parroted bad science. If you want to understand mead well enough that you don't have to beg for recipes anymore — recipes that often produce mediocre results at best — then this is a good place to sit down with us and learn the craft the way it's actually lived. OPEN-TOP FERMENTATION — HISTORICAL RECEIPTS & DEEP DIVES JIAHU — Neolithic China (~7000 BCE) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/ancient-chinese-used-fermented-beverages-180964191/ https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0407921102 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiahu GODIN TEPE — Ancient Near East (~3500–3000 BCE) https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0507742102 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godin_Tepe ROMAN FERMENTATION — POMPEII & DOLIA https://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/wine/winemaking.html https://www.britannica.com/topic/dolium https://www.pompeii-sites.org/en/ MEDIEVAL & MONASTIC FERMENTATION https://www.medievalists.net/2014/10/medieval-brewing-ale/ https://www.britannica.com/topic/monasticism/Brewing-and-winemaking GENERAL FERMENTATION ARCHAEOLOGY https://www.penn.museum/sites/biomoleculararchaeology/ https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/ancient-alcohol-drinking-history To listen live, you can find us on Youtube, Twitch, X (Twitter), and Facebook on the Gotmead Page. On our new platform, chat is part of the podcast! Just comment from wherever you are watching, and we'll see it!! If you'd like to call in, we can get you a link to come on! Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/meadwench YouTube: YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/@Gotmead X(Twitter): https://x.com/RealGotMead Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GotMead Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/GotMead JOIN CHAT ON DISCORD: https://discord.gg/zEKNujQTtM Listen in! This player will show the latest episode: Sponsor: Look no further than Honnibrook Craft Meadery in Castle Rock, Colorado, for your go-to destination for wonderful, light, and refreshing mead! We have 20 meads on tap and four seasonal mead slushees.  Go to honnibrook.com for review our tap list, upcoming events and to order online! If you want to ask your mead making questions, you can send us a question via email, join to ask a question on the show, or via X @realGotMead and we'll tackle it online! The show runs from 9PM EDT/6PM PDT (United States) for about 2 hours every other Tuesday starting Jan 13, 2026. To join live, you can use this link, and here are instructions on how to join in. Once you enter the waiting room, we get a notification and will bring you in! Upcoming Shows Feb 10 - Roger Wanner - W A Meadwerks - New York Show links and notes Let There Be Melomels by Rob Ratliff The Big Book of Mead Recipes by Rob Ratliff Let There Be Session Meads by Rob Ratliff Upcoming Events Jan 15 - Pinesmoke Bee Company, Eustis, FL - Monthly Mead Up - gathering for home mead makers Jan 17 - Slash-O-Meadery, Nacodoches, TX - Bonfire and Mead Jan 18 - Michigan Mead Coalition at Cadillac Straits Brewing Company, Madison Heights, MI - Beginning Mead Making Class Jan 22- Nucleus Mead, Linesville, PA - Mead and Read Jan 23 - MeadKrieger Meadery, Loveland, CO - 3 Year Anniversary Party Jan 24 - Four Brothers Mead, Festus, MO - Zoe Vox live music Jan 24 - Hive Five Meadery, Kingman, AZ - Music and Mead with The Park Rangers Jan 26 - Batch Mead, Temecula, CA - Yoga, Mead and Pancakes Jan 31 - St. Ambrose Meadery, Beulah, MI - Barefoot Music party Feb 6 - Red's on 7th, Delavan, WI - Meads and Masterpiece - mead tasting and wine glass painting Feb 13 - Starrlight Meadery at the Honeysuckle Tea House, Chapel Hill, NC - Valentines Mead Tasting Feb 14 - Bee Immortal Mead, Round Rock, TX - Valentines Mead Workshop Feb 18 - Lancashire Mead Company at the Jorvik Viking Centre, York, UK - Mead Tasting event Feb 28 - Grimsby Hollow Meadery, Middleville, MI - Drink Mead, Learn Things: Anatomy of a Killer: When Doctors Become Predators Mar 20-21 Valkyrie's Horn Mead Competition, Minneapolis, MN - entries open! 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The tools in a spy's arsenal are more varied than you might think. But they all come under one name: Tradecraft. In our eleventh round of insights from the world of espionage, Rhiannon Neads looks back on Medieval spymasters, high-octane extractions, and the undercover heroes of WW2. From SPYSCAPE, the HQ of secrets. A Cup And Nuzzle production. Series producer: Joe Foley. Produced by Alex Burnard. Music by Nick Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Locked in the Tower of London after hours, Matt Lewis searches for his vanished co‑host Dr. Eleanor Janega. They swap wild escape stories of Ranulf Flambard and Roger Mortimer, and shiver inside the Bloody Tower discussing legendary prisoners including Princes in the Tower, Henry VI and William Wallace. Along the way, they meet a former Tower resident with a ghost in his bedroom, an unused toilet for Hitler, and a menagerie of spectral bears, barrels and bile.MOREThe Princes In The TowerListen on AppleListen on SpotifyRoger Mortimer: The UsurperListen on AppleListen on SpotifyRecorded at the Tower of London with thanks to Historic Royal Palaces.Gone Medieval is presented by Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Janega. Audio editor is Amy Haddow, the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ron and John conclude Season 6 of Orthodocs.faith with one of the most dramatic missionary stories of the early Middle Ages. They follow Boniface in northern Europe to the Oak of Thor—his axe raised, a crowd watching, and a test of the gods brewing. Was it courageous proclamation to cut down the sacred oak—or cultural vandalism? Join in as they ask what faithful witness looks like when the gospel confronts rival worship head-on. The post Missionary Work, Medieval Style: Part 3 appeared first on Orthodocs.faith.

Songs have a way of making us see and feel things unlike other forms of writing, which is why so many of us treasure the words of lyricists. And when it comes to early Christianity, no songs were more treasured and influential than those of Romanos. This week, Danièle speaks with Thomas Arentzen about the life and works of Romanos the Melodist, why his work is so important to the history of Christianity, and how this legendary lyricist wrote about women.This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

Les Enluminures podcasts transform the past into the present with untold stories, research, science, and histories of Medieval and Renaissance artworks through illuminating lectures, gallery talks, in-house research, and interviews with collectors and scholars. For our series Book of Hours Reimagined, Dr. Sandra Hindman welcomes Evelien Hauwaerts for a very special podcast episode. Together, they explore the exquisite and inspiring work Books of Hours, Books of Hope, delving into its artistry, historical significance, and the ways in which it reimagines the traditional devotional manuscript for a contemporary audience. Join us for an illuminating conversation that bridges past and present, offering fresh perspectives on this timeless treasure.   Cover image: © 2025 Hannibal Books / Simon & Schuster. Used for review/commentary.

In the first of two special episodes from the iconic Tower of London, Dr. Eleanor Janega charts the transformation of the William the Conqueror's Norman fortress by Henry II and Edward I into an opulent royal palace. Now imaginatively recreated, the palace is brought to life with furniture, tapestries, original artefacts, and vivid illustrations. Eleanor is guided by curator Dr. Charles Farris who tells the stories of ambition, intrigue and the royal court within the Tower's grand medieval rooms.MORECastles, Kings and Courtly LifeListen on AppleListen on SpotifyNorwich CastleListen on AppleListen on SpotifyRecorded at the Tower of London with thanks to Historic Royal Palaces.Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. Audio editor is Amy Haddow, the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being single in 2025 is a major disadvantage, so what was it like as a single woman in the Medieval period?!Joining Kate today is the always-fantastic Eleanor Janega, author and co-host of our sister podcast, Gone Medieval.How common was it to be single in this period? What kind of life could you hope to have? And why would both Kate and Eleanor have been looked at suspiciously in the medieval period?This podcast was edited by Nick Thomson and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Classical Mind, hosts Father Wesley Walker and Dr. Junius Johnson dive deep into the fascinating, complex topic of Medieval Exegesis—”specifically how the medievals read the scriptures.”Moving beyond single book analysis, this discussion traces the history of Christian exegesis from the Patristic era (Paul, Origen) to the evolution of the foundational Four Senses of Scripture (literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical).Discover the critical, often-misunderstood meaning of the Literal Sense and learn how this ancient, nuanced method of biblical interpretation offers powerful intellectual tools for solving modern-day false dichotomies.Endnotes* Junius: The Mystical Ark by Richard of Saint Victor* Wesley: The Selected Spiritual Writings of Hugh of Saint Victor Get full access to The Classical Mind at www.theclassicalmind.com/subscribe

The Medieval period is sometimes described as the ‘Age of Faith.' This was a world in which the church dominated every area of life and it was almost impossible to think outside of Christianity.It was succeeded, of course, by the ‘Age of Reason', a period in which Enlightenment thinkers placed an extremely high premium on rational inquiry.Which era are we living in now? Robert P. George suggests that we have entered an ‘Age of Feelings', in which people derive their beliefs from emotion, which is now understood as the central source of truth.He makes this case in his new book, ‘Seeking Truth and Speaking Truth: Law and Morality in Our Cultural Moment.' Robert P. George is a highly esteemed legal scholar and political philosopher, once described in The New York Times as America's “most influential conservative Christian thinker.” Today we discuss faith, reason, abortion, same sex marriage, repaganisation, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Natalie Grueninger speaks with Dr Michelle Seah about the economic lives of medieval and late 15th-century English queens, focusing on Margaret of Anjou, Elizabeth Woodville, and Elizabeth of York. They explore how queens raised and managed income—through lands, cash allowances, port customs and the tradition of “queen's gold”—how their households were organised, and how financial resources shaped their public role, patronage and power. Learn more about Dr Seah https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/michele-seah Find out more about your host at  https://www.nataliegrueninger.com Support Talking Tudors on Patreon!

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Oh the perils of being a Medieval, tassel loving peasant in the 21st century! In this episode from 2023, we meet Tyler Gunther, the peasant behind Greedy Peasant, the queer, Medieval-era fashion influencer, pageant planner, and unlikely social media star who has taken the world by storm.  Want more Dressed: The History of Fashion?  Our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠classes⁠⁠⁠ Our ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Our ⁠⁠⁠bookshelf⁠⁠⁠ with over 150 of our favorite fashion history titles Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Archaeology can offer us new discoveries into the Tower of London's medieval past, as well as insights into the lives of the community that lived and worked there. In 2019, and in the summer of 2025, we undertook one of the most important excavations at the Tower for a generation, just outside the Chapel of St Peter Ad Vincula.   Now for the first time ever, we have detailed information about the ordinary people who lived, worshipped, and died at the Tower, but what more can we learn from these excavations? To find out more, we join Alfred Hawkins, Curator of Historic Buildings.  Read about the recent archaeological digs at the Tower of London in our blog posts:     Life, death and worship in the Tower of London, Part I | Historic Royal Palaces  Life, death and worship in the Tower of London, Part II | Historic Royal Palaces 

Who's the fairest of them all? And, more importantly, how did they get that way? This week, a new biography of Marilyn Monroe sends Danièle down the rabbit hole of medieval beauty, how it was achieved, and how it's still influencing beauty standards today.This podcast is made possible by the generous support of listeners like you! To find out how to help spread the joy of medieval history, please visit patreon.com/themedievalpodcast

It's the end of the year, so let's make some resolutions - to turn the world upside down! So we're taking inspiration from the Medieval festival known as the Feast of Fools. We talk about its origins, how it was celebrated, and why we should absolutely bring it back. Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about or mentions of enslavement, sexuality, queerphobia, religious persecution, and racism.Housekeeping- Books: Check out our previous book recommendations, guests' books, and more at spiritspodcast.com/books- Call to Action: Send in those urban legend emails as you head home for the holidays!- Submit Your Urban Legends Audio: Call us! 617-420-2344Sponsors- Find Us Online- Website & Transcripts: spiritspodcast.com- Patreon: patreon.com/spiritspodcast- Merch: spiritspodcast.com/merch- Instagram: instagram.com/spiritspodcast- Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/spiritspodcast.com- Twitter: twitter.com/spiritspodcast- Tumblr: spiritspodcast.tumblr.comCast & Crew- Co-Hosts: Julia Schifini and Amanda McLoughlin- Editor: Bren Frederick- Music: Brandon Grugle, based on "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod- Artwork: Allyson Wakeman- Multitude: multitude.productionsAbout UsSpirits is a boozy podcast about mythology, legends, and folklore. Every episode, co-hosts Julia and Amanda mix a drink and discuss a new story or character from a wide range of places, eras, and cultures. Learn brand-new stories and enjoy retellings of your favorite myths, served over ice every week, on Spirits.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Who was the worst Medieval monarch?Dr. Eleanor Janega teams up with the hosts of our sister podcast After Dark to delve into the lives of some of Europe's most notorious medieval monarchs..and rank them! From Pedro the Cruel of Portugal to Richard the Lionheart, and from Isabella the She Wolf of France to Vlad the Impaler, the team unravel their nefarious deeds and personal vendettas to decide who can be crowned as the worst monarch.MORERichard the LionheartListen on AppleListen on SpotifyQueen Isabella: She-Wolf of FranceListen on AppleListen on SpotifyThis episode was edited by Tim Artsall and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick.Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. Audio editor is Amy Haddow, the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alle Thyng Hath Tyme: Time and Medieval Life (Reaktion, 2023) recreates medieval people's experience of time: as continuous and discontinuous, linear and cyclical, embracing Creation and Judgement, shrinking to ‘atoms' or ‘droplets' and extending to the silent spaces of eternity. They might measure time by natural phenomena such as sunrise and sunset, the motion of the stars or the progress of the seasons, even as the late medieval invention of the mechanical clock was making time-reckoning more precise. Negotiating these mixed and competing systems, medieval people gained a nuanced and expansive sense of time that rewards attention today. Gillian Adler is Associate Professor of Literature and Esther Raushenbush Chair in Humanities at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. She is the author of Chaucer and the Ethics of Time (2022) Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Christmas doesn't end on December 25—so why do we treat it like it does?For centuries, Christmas was a forty-day season, stretching from the Nativity all the way to Candlemas on February 2. In this episode, we explore the entire forgotten half of Christmas: the feast days, folk traditions, saints, celebrations, and moments of sanctioned chaos that once filled the darkest weeks of winter.From Boxing Day and St. Stephen's Day to Wren Day in Ireland, from the Boy Bishop and the Lord of Misrule to Twelfth Night, Epiphany, Three Kings Day, La Befana, Orthodox Theophany, Plough Monday, Old Christmas, and finally Candlemas, this episode uncovers how Christmas slowly unfolded—rather than abruptly ending.We trace how:Medieval society embraced misrule, role reversal, and communal feastingGift-giving traditions moved from Christmas Day to EpiphanyCalendar changes created “Old Christmas”Industrialization and reform compressed Christmas into a single dayCandlemas weather lore gave rise to Groundhog DayThis is a global journey through liturgy, folklore, agrarian life, and cultural memory, revealing how Christmas once lingered—burning slowly like a candle against the long winter night.If you've ever felt like Christmas ends too quickly...this episode explains why it didn't used to.Contact:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Special thanks to:The Christmas Song/Heaven/Slow 3/4 Song by Peter Evans, Tom Blancarte, and Brandon Seabrook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CC by 3.0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Santa Claws is Coming by Ergo Phizmiz - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CC by 3.0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠holiday by Dee Yan-Key - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CC by 3.0⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This month, we're tracing the origins of medieval torture, separating myth from documented history, and examining how Vlad the Impaler earned his infamous reputation... one sharpened stake at a time.We're stepping back into a world where power was enforced through fear, justice was measured in pain, and punishment was designed not just to kill, but to be remembered. Medieval Europe was an age of castles and crusades, faith and fealty… and some of the most brutal torture tactics ever devised by human hands.From iron devices meant to terrify as much as they destroyed, to methods engineered for slow, public suffering, torture was both a tool of control and a warning to anyone who dared to disobey. And no figure embodies that legacy more than Vlad III of Wallachia, known to history as Vlad the Impaler.Want to hear other Patreon-exclusive episodes? Join us on Patreon!Be sure to subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and leave a review, or email us at unitedstatesofmurder@gmail.comFollow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠

To celebrate Melvyn Bragg's 27 years presenting In Our Time, five well-known fans of the programme have chosen their favourite episodes. Author and columnist Caitlin Moran has picked the episode on the English medieval mystic Margery Kempe and recorded an introduction to it. Margery Kempe (1373-1438) produced an account of her extraordinary life in a book she dictated, "The Book of Margery Kempe." She went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, to Rome and Santiago de Compostela, purchasing indulgences on her way, met with the anchoress Julian of Norwich and is honoured by the Church of England each 9th November. She sometimes doubted the authenticity of her mystical conversations with God, as did the authorities who saw her devotional sobbing, wailing and convulsions as a sign of insanity and dissoluteness. Her Book was lost for centuries, before emerging in a private library in 1934.This In Our Time episode was first broadcast in June 2016. The image (above), of an unknown woman, comes from a pew at Margery Kempe's parish church, St Margaret's, Kings Lynn and dates from c1375.WithMiri Rubin Professor of Medieval and Early Modern History at Queen Mary, University of LondonKatherine Lewis Senior Lecturer in History at the University of HuddersfieldAndAnthony Bale Professor of Medieval Studies at Birkbeck University of LondonProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:John H. Arnold and Katherine J. Lewis (eds.), A Companion to the Book of Margery Kempe, (D. S. Brewer, 2010)Anthony Bale (trans.), The Book of Margery Kempe (Oxford University Press, 2015)Santha Bhattacharji, God is an Earthquake: The Spirituality of Margery Kempe (Darton, Longman and Todd, 1997)Anthony Goodman, Margery Kempe and her World (Longman, 2002)Karma Lochrie, Margery Kempe and the Translations of the Flesh (University of Pennsylvania Press, 1991)Gail McMurray Gibson, The Theater of Devotion: East Anglian Drama and Society in the Late Middle Ages (University of Chicago Press, 1989)Lynn Staley, Margery Kempe's Dissenting Fictions (Pennsylvania State University Press, 1994)Jonathan Sumption, Pilgrimage: An Image of Mediaeval Religion (Faber & Faber, 2002)Brett Whalen, Pilgrimage in the Middle Ages: A Reader (University of Toronto Press, 2011)Barry Windeatt (ed.), The Book of Margery Kempe: Annotated Edition (D. S. Brewer, 2006)Barry Windeatt (ed.), The Book of Margery Kempe (Penguin Classics, 2000)Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the people, ideas, events and discoveries that have shaped our worldIn Our Time is a BBC Studios production

Who were the Italian sailors who stole the bones of St Nicolas from his church in Turkey in 1087? How was the mythology of St Nicolas combined with Germanic pagan stories of Odin riding a white horse accompanied by ravens? How did polar-mania and Coca Cola advertising transform Dutch traditions around St Nicolas into the Santa Claus we know today? William and Anita are joined once again by Sam Dalrymple to discuss his original research on the epic Heist of St Nicolas… Join the Empire Club: Unlock the full Empire experience – with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to miniseries and live show tickets, exclusive book discounts, a members-only newsletter, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at empirepoduk.com  For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EVEN MORE about this episode!Step into the magic of Christmas with psychic and medical intuitive Julie Ryan and renowned historian Dr. Gerry Bowler as they uncover the hidden spiritual origins and captivating history behind the world's most beloved holiday. From ancient winter rituals and medieval nativity traditions to the evolution of Santa Claus himself, this episode reveals the powerful symbols—angels, light, miracles, and more—that have shaped Christmas across centuries. If you've ever wondered why we celebrate the way we do—or simply want to feel the wonder of the season on a deeper level—this enchanting Christmas special is the perfect holiday treat. Guest Biography:Dr. Gerry Bowler, a historian from Saskatoon with degrees from the University of Saskatchewan and a Ph.D. from King's College London, has spent his career exploring the intersection of religion and popular culture after beginning as a scholar of Medieval and Early-Modern Europe. His wide-ranging work spans studies on The Simpsons, Aristotle and professional wrestling, Wayne Gretzky, and Bloody Mary, though he is best known for his extensive research on the history of Christmas. The author of numerous books—including The World Encyclopedia of Christmas, Santa Claus: A Biography, God and The Simpsons, and Christmas in the Crosshairs—Gerry has also contributed countless articles, encyclopedia entries, op-eds, and edited volumes, with his works translated into multiple languages worldwide. When not writing or teaching, he serves as a Senior Fellow at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, where he humorously “shakes a fist at modern society and tells it to get off his lawn.”Episode Chapters:01:04 Exploring Christmas Traditions with Dr. Gerry Bowler02:13 Medieval Beliefs and Christmas04:25 The Emotional Impact of Christmas08:36 The Evolution of Christmas Traditions11:00 The Role of St. Nicholas and the Reformation14:03 The Reinvention of Christmas in the 19th Century19:09 Personal Reflections on Christmas21:41 Blending Winter Rituals with Christian Traditions24:39 The Star of Bethlehem and the Wise Men29:05 Christmas Markets and Modern Celebrations30:39 Canadian Christmas Inventions32:49 The Evolution of Santa Claus35:48 Rudolph and Commercialism37:26 Nativity Scenes and Their History41:11 Angels in Christmas Lore43:49 Symbolism of Light in Christmas48:11 Midnight Mass and Traditions49:55 Magical Christmas Superstitions51:40 Personal Reflections on Christmas➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Español YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Português YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Deutsch YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Français YouTube✏️Ask Julie a Question!

Come closer, warm yourself by the fire, and don't look too closely at the shadows playing at the edges of the room. Dr. Eleanor Janega explores eerie medieval ghost tales with Dr. Michael Carter, of knights with blood-stained souls and transforming ravens, fleeing monks and night walkers.Together they explore how winter hauntings reflected beliefs about ghosts, purgatory, and prayers for the dead, and why such stories, later revived by M.R. James, still captivate us today.MOREThe Haunting Medieval World of M.R.JamesListen on AppleListen on SpotifySupernatural Medieval IrelandListen on AppleListen on SpotifyGone Medieval is presented by Dr Eleanor Janega. Audio editor is Max Carrey, the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit to watch Eleanor's new documentary on Medieval Midwinter Ghosts, plus hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Porpoises, beaver tails, boar's head and puffins are just some of the exquisite dishes on medieval tables during the festive season. In this episode, food historian Annie Gray joins Dan in his kitchen to cook up some delicious Christmas fare from ages past. They make wassail - an ancient alcoholic punch - and mince meat pies as they talk about the Pagan rituals, Medieval feasts and Victorian traditions that dictate what we put on our Christmas dinner tables.You can make these festive delicacies at home as you listen! Find the easy-to-follow traditional recipes Dan and Annie used here: Annie's book is called 'At Christmas We Feast'Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Dougal PatmoreDid you know you can watch this episode on YouTube? Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/@DSHHPodcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.We'd love to hear your feedback - you can take part in our podcast survey here: https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on.You can also email the podcast directly at ds.hh@historyhit.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.