Media-eval: A Medieval Pop Culture Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Name of the Rose (2019) Jan 26, 2020

Show notes

Looks like Media-eval accidentally ended up with the world's worst monthly theme: it's Inquisition January, I guess? Join Sarah and fellow medievalist Kevin Lord as we delve into heresy, medieval debates about poverty, whether Christ laughed, and how The Name of the Rose (2019) managed to make eight hours of television and still (spoiler alert) not have a single surviving named female character. CW for rape (again...), torture, and negative portrayal of a disabled character.

Berserk (2016) Jan 11, 2020

Show notes

Sarah and guest Elaine Pauls had a LOT to say about Berserk! Join us as we get into portrayals of medieval violence and narratives of progress, taking religion seriously, and the history of the Inquisition in Media-eval's first non-Western depiction of a medieval European-inspired universe. CW: this anime series includes a LOT of graphic violence, torture, and sexual assault; we address this in detail during the episode.

The Knight Before Christmas Dec 28, 2019

Show notes

Happy Holidays from Media-eval! Sarah and guest Meghan Griffin watched Netflix Christmas offering The Knight Before Christmas and ... well, we have thoughts. Join us as we discuss the least religious knight in medieval Europe; the history of Christmas traditions; and the weird idealization of both 21st-century American cops & 14th-century knights.

Elizabeth Dec 14, 2019

Show notes

Sarah and guest Shannon Campe (Little Women: A Modern Audio Drama) tackle Elizabeth, in which 20+ years become 2 and loyal adherents inexplicably become traitors! In an unsurprising turn of events, Baby Theon Greyjoy betrays his family; in a more surprising turn of events, James Bond crosses himself a lot.

El Cid Nov 30, 2019

Show notes

Ever wanted to hear two scholars of medieval Iberia get very, very annoyed? Then this is the episode for you! Sarah and guest Kyle Lincoln get into the politicization of medieval "Spanish" history under the Franco regime - and wonder why the 1961 El Cid movie cut out most of the Cantar de Mio Cid.

Vikings (Season 1) Nov 16, 2019

Show notes

Sarah and guest Ally Pitts (Russophiles Unite! Movie Podcast) discuss medieval gender roles, raiding and trading, and the mystery of how all those snakes made it to England in the TV show Vikings (Season 1). CW for rape/sexual assault, as well as for regular uncritical use of the term Anglo-Saxon - as a Mediterraneanist, I was not aware of the debates surrounding this term until after having recorded this episode. As listeners may guess, this episode was actually recorded before the 13th Warrior episode - hence my not knowing who Vladimir Kulich is, and my characterization of this as the first appropriate use of a Viking funeral.

The 13th Warrior Nov 02, 2019

Show notes

As the Oracle hath foretold, on this day, the host shall become the guest ... that's right! It's Media-eval's first podcast-iversary and original co-host Ollie is back to talk with Sarah about his favorite movie, The 13th Warrior!

The Lion In Winter Oct 19, 2019

Show notes

This is a long one because Sarah and guest Morgan Morales couldn't stop gushing about both Eleanor of Aquitaine and Katherine Hepburn. Join us as we discuss the soap opera that is the Plantagenet royals of England, medieval use of classical references, and how Henry II was not, in fact, a decade older than the Pope.

Becket Oct 05, 2019

Show notes

Sarah and guest Ben Paul watch classic 1964 film Becket - one of the first medieval movies Sarah ever saw, and one of the many movies for which Peter O'Toole was robbed of an Oscar. Join us for a discussion of piercing blue eyes, what happened to Becket's tomb, and whether Thomas Becket is really the worst Englishman in history. Also, get ready for next week - this episode will be followed by its unofficial sequel Lion in Winter, in which Peter O' Toole reprises his role as Henry II! CW: Sexual assault; suicide Recommended book: Hawkwood (https://www.amazon.com/Hawkwood-Diabolical-Englishman-Stonor-Saunders/dp/0571219098)

Maid Marian and Her Merry Men Sep 21, 2019

Show notes

Medievalist and stand-up comedian Mabel Slattery introduces Sarah to Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, a British children's show that makes Marian the real hero - and Robin Hood a very unimpressive figure. Join us as we discuss the origins of the Robin Hood legend and the challenges of robbery in a cash-poor society, while Mabel gives Sarah (who had never heard the word "snooker" before) a crash course in British culture.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Media-eval: A Medieval Pop Culture Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected