Medieval Archives

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**Medieval Archives**

The Medieval Archives Podcast explores the history, people, stories, and mysteries of the Middle Ages.

Join historian and host Gary, the Archivist, as we dig into the real medieval world, from kings, knights, popes, battles, and political intrigue to ordinary life, strange beliefs, and forgotten stories.

Each episode takes a closer look at the people and events that shaped the medieval world, separating history from legend without taking all the fun out of it.

Whether you’re a longtime medieval history enthusiast or just curious about the Middle Ages, there’s always something waiting in the Archives.

Latest Episodes:

Medieval Mythbusting: Mud, Misery and Other Medieval Myths Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

Medieval Mythbusting: Mud, Misery and Other Medieval Myths

Executive Producers:

Michelle Oleander

Associate Executive Producers:

Mari Hopegood

Medieval Archives is listener-supported and ad-free.

Become a Producer and support the show at MedievalArchives.com/support.

If medieval movies are to be believed, everyone in the Middle Ages was covered in mud, five-foot-two, drunk, and dead by 30.

But was medieval life really one long, dirty, miserable Dark Age?

In this episode of the Medieval Archives Podcast, we’re doing a little mythbusting, medieval style.

Did medieval people believe the Earth was flat? Did the Church suppress science? Did everyone die at 30? Did medieval people avoid bathing, eat terrible food, and live powerless lives under the thumb of kings and lords?

Some of these myths are easy to bust. Others contain just enough truth to survive.

We’ll look at some of the most persistent myths about medieval life, then finish with a lightning round covering bad water, Viking helmets, witch burnings, and a few more.

It’s time to separate medieval reality from the Middle Ages Hollywood gave us.

Full show notes, sources, and bibliography: MedievalArchives.com/98

Listen to A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchmanwith a free Audible trial.

Mentioned in this episode:
Episode 12: Black Agnes

(00:00) - Welcome to Medieval Archives
(01:26) - Myth 1: Medieval Women Had No Rights
(07:19) - Myth 2: Medieval People Thought the Earth Was Flat
(10:38) - Myth 3: The Church Was Against Science
(14:38) - Myth 4: The Middle Ages Were a Dark Age
(20:13) - Myth 5: Everyone Died at 30
(26:20) - Myth 6: Medieval People Never Bathed
(30:17) - Myth 7: Medieval Food Was Terrible
(33:14) - Myth 8: Peasants Were Basically Slaves
(37:10) - Lightning Round: More Medieval Myths
(41:04) - Conclusions
(41:38) - Thank you for Listening!

Creators & Guests

Medieval Archives - Host

<----------->
Stay Connected

Have a question, comment, or idea for a future episode?

Email: podcast@medievalarchives.com

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Support Medieval Archives

Medieval Archives is independent, ad-free, and supported by listeners like you.

If you enjoy the podcast and want to help keep Medieval Archives going, consider becoming a Producer. Your support helps fund the podcast, website, research, and hosting so Medieval Archives can continue preserving and sharing medieval history.

Become a Producer: MedievalArchives.com/support

★ Support this podcast ★

Thanks for listening, subscribing, and supporting Medieval Archives.

Chronica pergunt.

The Archivist

MAP97: Hunger Games: The Great Famine of 1315 Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

🌾Hunger Games: The Great Famine of 1315🌾

Executive Producers wanted:
⭐YOUR NAME HERE; Thank you to all the listeners!

💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

The 14th century opened with a nightmare beginning a period called the Crisis of the Late Middle Ages, which lasted almost 200 years and was filled with famine, plague, religious schisms and wars, lots of wars. Sadly, it’s the beginning of the end for the medieval era.

After centuries of warmth, prosperity, and booming harvests, Europe plunged into a cold, wet catastrophe, the Great Famine of 1315. In this episode, you’ll learn about the end of the Medieval Warm Period and the disaster that began the Crisis of the Late Middle Ages.

The Great Famine of 1315–1317 was the beginning of the crisis and one of the most devastating in 14th century Medieval Europe, a harrowing event that killed millions and reshaped the fabric of society. From endless rain and rotting grain to livestock dying in the fields and desperate people turning to unthinkable acts, the famine reshaped Europe for generations.

We'll look at the medieval world before the famine, down the science, politics, and human stories behind one of medieval Europe's worst disasters. Learn how years of cold rain, crop failure, and desperation changed the course of European history.

You'll hear firsthand accounts from chroniclers, discover the volcanic eruptions that may have triggered the cooling and ushered in the "Little Ice Age." Learn how years of relentless cold rain led to crop failures, the collapse of livestock populations, and mass starvation that reshaped Europe forever.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🌾 How centuries of agricultural success led to a fragile, overpopulated Europe.
🌧️ How the endless rains of 1315 destroyed crops and livestock across the continent.
🧂 Why salt, vital for preserving meat, suddenly vanished, worsening starvation.
🕊️ How famine fueled crime, cannibalism, and the collapse of faith in the Church.
🌋 How volcanic eruptions from Indonesia to Iceland may have triggered the cooling.
🧙‍♂️ The real famine folklore behind the Brothers Grimm’s Hansel and Gretel.
💀 How the Great Famine killed over 25% of Europe’s population and set the stage for the Black Death.

The Great Famine of 1315–1317 marked the first great crisis of the Late Middle Ages. For three years, unrelenting rain, crop failure, disease, and starvation devastated Europe. It was the end of the Medieval Warm Period and the dawn of the Little Ice Age, a chilling prelude to the horrors of the Black Death three decades later.

“When God saw that the world was so over proud,
He sent a dearth on earth, and made it full hard...”
~ The Evil Times of Edward II

Get all the links and see the bibliography in the show notes on Medieval Archives!

Grab a free copy of A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman

Other episodes to explore:
Ep. 42 - Medieval Diseases and “Cures”
Ep. 75 - Natural Disasters: Earthquakes that rocked the Middle Ages

(00:17) - 14th Century or Bust!
(01:10) - Thanks to all the producers!
(01:54) - Life in the 13th century
(04:20) - Little Ice Age Begins
(05:38) - Rain, rain, go away
(06:57) - Crop failure, livestock death & price gouging
(12:21) - No relief, abandoned chldren and 'Hansel & Gretel
(13:16) - Cannibalism, Fact or Fiction?
(14:25) - Black Horseman of Famine and loss of faith
(16:41) - You are my sunshine
(18:28) - Poems, Folk Tales & Consequences
(21:07) - Volcanic activity led to the LIttle Ice Age
(26:58) - Volcanic Eruption & Bibliography
(27:05) - Get your free audio book!
(27:57) - Sharing is caring
(28:06) - Become an Executive Producer with a 1315 donation

Creators & Guests

Medieval Archives - Host

<----------->
Contact: podcast@medievalarchives.com
Call in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066

Follow Medieval Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

Medieval Archives is AD free and AI free because of our wonderful producers. Help keep Medieval History alive by becoming a producer today.

Love Medieval History? Help us spread the word and become a history-making legend!

Share the epic tales: Your friends will thank you for introducing them to the fascinating world of Medieval history.
Become a proud producer: Support the show that keeps medieval history alive! Visit https://MedievalArchives.com/support for details or donate now via PayPal, or use Venmo or donate with Stripe
Leave your mark on history: Get your name listed in the credits – a lasting legacy for your love of the Middle Ages!

★ Support this podcast ★

RSS Podcast Feed

Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Dragon Moon Media
All Rights Reserved. No Infringement is Intended.
Medieval Archives & Dragon Moon Media production.

BONUS: Trick or Terror: The Halloween Candy Scare of the 1980s Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

🎃Trick or Terror: The Halloween Candy Scare of the 1980s🍬

⭐This is a Bonus episode from Dragon Moon Media. We have launched another 'Archives' podcast, this one focusing on the late 20th century. If you have no interest in 20th century history you could skip this episode.

However, I say give it a chance. You never know what new knowledge you may gain from listening. After all we're talking about poison candy, apples with razor blades and canceling Halloween. I hope you listen and enjoy the episode. ⭐
------------
Halloween night, 1980s, the streets were full of ghosts, goblins, clowns and one unshakable fear: poisoned candy. If you were a kid in the '70s and ’80s you remember it, your parents inspecting every piece of candy bar and throwing out the homemade treats.

Did apples contain hidden razor blades? Was candy laced with poison? Was there really anything to fear? Discover how Ronald "The Candyman" O'Bryan and the Tylenol Murders turned a fun night of trick or treating into a nationwide fear of candy.

Join us as we unwrap the truth behind the myths that terrified parents, filled headlines, and became one of America’s most enduring urban legends.

Read the 1970 New York Times article that started it all.

Get all the links and see all the Dear Abby and Ann Landers articles in the show notes on Gen X Archives!

Check out our partner site The Retro Network for more great retro content!

(00:06) - Welcome to the premiere episode!
(01:19) - Halloween PSA 1977
(01:51) - Trick or Treating in the 1970s & 80s
(04:50) - Humbug Billy and Aresnic poisoning
(05:44) - Dr. Shyne & Heart Shaped "Candy"
(06:25) - Helen Pfeil The Long Island Poisoner
(06:57) - NYT Paranoid Article
(08:01) - Detroit candy laced with heroin
(08:34) - "The Candyman"
(11:59) - 1982 News Break - Poisonous Candy
(12:32) - Chicago Tylenol Murders
(13:17) - Tylenol Murder fears
(14:59) - James Lewis Profile
(18:17) - Poison candy; Real or Urban Legend?
(19:23) - Halloween changed forever
(20:32) - Kids, don't eat the candy
(21:13) - Wrapping it up
(21:46) - Share with your friends, or Whatever!

Creators & Guests

Medieval Archives - Host
Gen X Archives - Host

<----------->
Contact: podcast@genxarchives.com
Call in to the Gen X Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066

Follow Gen X Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

Gen X Archives is independent and AD free because of our wonderful producers. Help keep Gen X History alive by becoming a producer today.

Keep Gen X History Alive!

Share the glory days: Introduce your friends to the music, movies, TV, and pop culture that defined our generation—they’ll thank you for the trip down memory lane.
Become a Latchkey Legend!: Help keep the Gen X stories alive! Visit GenXArchives.com/support to donate via PayPal, Venmo, or Stripe.
Immortalize your awesomeness: Get your name in the credits, a permanent shout-out for your love of all things Gen X.

Support the stories you grew up with. Make your mark today!

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Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Dragon Moon Media
All Rights Reserved. No Infringement is Intended.
Gen X Archives & Dragon Moon Media production.

★ Support this podcast ★

MAP96: Tales of Medieval Revenge by Edgar Allan Poe Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

🎃Tales of Medieval Revenge by Edgar Allan Poe🎃

Executive Producer:
⭐Lilac Square Antiques & Books

💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe

On this Medieval Archives Halloween Special we're listening to two tales of revenge by the the master of gothic horror, Edgar Allan Poe.

This isn't the first time Poe has made an appearance on Medieval Archive. I love Poe's work, one of my favorite stories is "The Tell-Tale Heart." It's not medieval but it is fantastic. On past Halloween episodes we featured The Masque of the Red Death and The Pit and the Pendulum.

The two stories on this episode are "Hop-Frog" and "The Cask of Amontillado." "Hop-Frog" focuses on Hop Frog, a court jester who is constantly humiliated by the king and his men. When the King demands Hop Frog create a unique custom for a masquerade ball Hop Frog devises a terrible plan for revenge.

The story takes inspiration from the Ball of the Burning Men in 14th century France during the reign of King Charles the Mad. If you listened to episode 31 of the podcast you might know where the story of Hop Frog is going. If not, you're in for a nice tale of revenge.

The Cask of Amontillado is another tale of revenge. While not specifically medieval it is close the the middle ages and the entire story takes place in creepy medieval catacombs under an Italian palazzo.

Montresor opens the story by stating he has suffered a "thousand injuries" and a final, unforgivable insult from his acquaintance, Fortunato. It leads to Montresor plotting his revenge to teach Fortunato a lesson.

Get all the links and see the bibliography in the show notes on Medieval Archives!

Grab a free copy of The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe

Other episodes mentioned:
Ep. 31 - Mad Monarchs of the Middle Ages
Ep. 77 - The Masque of the Red Death
Ep. 69 - The Pit and the Pendulum

Listen to all the Medieval Halloween Episodes!

(00:08) - Welcome to Medievel Archives 🎃Halloween Special
(00:54) - Thank you Producers!
(01:10) - Email your thoughts and comments
(01:32) - Edgar Allan Poe Introduction
(03:02) - Hop-Frog
(27:28) - The Cask of Amontillado
(42:46) - Get your free audio book
(43:06) - Give your friends a treat! 🍬
(43:18) - Become an Executive Producer!
(43:43) - Thank You for your Support!!

Creators & Guests

Medieval Archives - Host

<----------->
Contact: podcast@medievalarchives.com
Call in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066

Follow Medieval Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

Medieval Archives is AD free and AI free because of our wonderful producers. Help keep Medieval History alive by becoming a producer today.

Love Medieval History? Help us spread the word and become a history-making legend!

Share the epic tales: Your friends will thank you for introducing them to the fascinating world of Medieval history.
Become a proud producer: Support the show that keeps medieval history alive! Visit https://MedievalArchives.com/support for details or donate now via PayPal, or use Venmo or donate with Stripe
Leave your mark on history: Get your name listed in the credits – a lasting legacy for your love of the Middle Ages!

★ Support this podcast ★

RSS Podcast Feed

Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Dragon Moon Media
All Rights Reserved. No Infringement is Intended.
Medieval Archives & Dragon Moon Media production.

MAP95: John the Fearless and the Bloody Fight for France Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

🇫🇷 John the Fearless and the Bloody Fight for France 🇫🇷

Executive Producer:
⭐Two Anonymous Producers (Thank you! you know who you are)

💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe

John the Fearless (1371-1419)

14th century France was in utter turmoil, torn apart by an insane king, multiple assassinations, a failed Crusade, a brutal civil war, and a new, devastating phase of the Hundred Years' War. The country was on the brink of collapse.

At the center of it all stood one man: John the Fearless, a prince of the blood with a legitimate claim to the throne, a crusader who battled the Turks in the Balkans, and a powerful duke who shaped the destiny of an entire nation.

John earned his name 'the Fearless' at the Battle of Nicopolis fighting the Ottoman Turks. Sultan Bayezid I gave him the name after witnessing John's fierce nature in battle. John was captured at Nicopolis and remained a prisoner for two years.

After returning to France and becoming the Duke of Burgundy he looked to expand his power and influence, ultimately assassinating the Duke of Orleans leading to the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War.

John the Fearless' story is a wild tale of ambition, betrayal, and bloodshed. So, get ready to explore a pivotal chapter of French history.

Get all the links and see the bibliography in the show notes on Medieval Archives!

Grab a free copy of A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous Fourteenth Century by Barbara W. Tuchman

Other episodes mentioned:
Ep. 31 - Mad Monarchs of the Middle Ages
Ep. 44 - The Battle of Agincourt (1415)

(00:00) - Welcom to Medieval Archives
(00:23) - Heading to Medieval France
(00:57) - Thank you to all the producers!
(01:38) - Early life of John the Fearless
(03:22) - John on Crusade
(07:17) - Battle of Nocopolis 1396
(12:44) - John, Duke of Burgundy
(16:31) - Assassination of Louis of Orleans
(18:00) - Burgundian- Armagnac Civil War
(21:30) - Treaty of Pouilly-le-Fort with Dauphin Charles
(22:42) - Assassination of John the Fearless
(24:17) - Aftermath & The Treaty of Troyes
(26:51) - Catherine of Valois & the Tudor Dynasty
(27:08) - John the Fearless conlcusion
(28:27) - Shownotes & Bibliography
(28:39) - Send in comments or leave a voicemail
(28:49) - Share with your friends!
(28:56) - Become an Executive Producer!
(29:17) - We have a website!
(29:21) - THANK YOU for your support!

Creators & Guests

Medieval Archives - Host

<----------->
Contact: podcast@medievalarchives.com
Call in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066

Follow Medieval Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

Medieval Archives is AD free and AI free because of our wonderful producers. Help keep Medieval History alive by becoming a producer today.

Love Medieval History? Help us spread the word and become a history-making legend!

Share the epic tales: Your friends will thank you for introducing them to the fascinating world of Medieval history.
Become a proud producer: Support the show that keeps medieval history alive! Visit https://MedievalArchives.com/support for details or donate now via PayPal, or use Venmo or donate with Stripe
Leave your mark on history: Get your name listed in the credits – a lasting legacy for your love of the Middle Ages!

★ Support this podcast ★

RSS Podcast Feed

Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Dragon Moon Media
All Rights Reserved. No Infringement is Intended.
Medieval Archives & Dragon Moon Media production.

MAP94: Papal Conclave: Medieval Origins of the Modern Election Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

🇻🇦The Papal Conclave🇻🇦

💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe

Pope Francis died on 21 Apr 2025 starting a process established in the Middle Ages.

Learn all about the Medieval origins of the Papal Conclave and watch as it unfolds in modern Italy during the Papal Conclave of 2025.

Once a Pope dies the Vatican enters a period called Sede Vacante, (Vacant Seat). Then the process of the Papal Conclave is started. Pope Gregory X issued the Papal bull Ubi periculum maius intenditur (Where greater danger lies) in 1274 which established the Papal Conclave.

Popes after Gregory rescinded the papal conclave and elections took months and years to complete.

The last pope elected outside the Papal Conclave process was Pope Celestine V in 1294. Celestine reinstated Gregory's papal bull and the papal conclave. Celestine's successor, Boniface VIII was elected through the Papal Conclave process as has every Pope since.

There have been modifications over the centuries but the core process remains the same.

Listen in to learn the Medieval origins of the papal conclave, how the conclave and voting process works. Who takes the oath of secrecy, why a popes change their names and what does the smoke mean?

Get all the links and see all the pictures in the show notes on Medieval Archives!

Grab a free copy of Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich.

(00:00) - Bells Toll for Pope Francis
(00:27) - Welcome to the Medieval Archives
(02:02) - Pope Francis has Died
(02:59) - 1978 The Year of Three Popes
(05:00) - Papal Conclave Medieval Origins
(14:31) - How to Elect A Pope
(19:15) - The Conclave Begins
(31:20) - Conclave is Over Thanks to Medieval Popes
(31:41) - Who Will be the Next Pope?
(34:23) - Thanks for your support!!
(35:38) - Papal Anthem

Creators & Guests

Medieval Archives - Host

<----------->
Contact: podcast@medievalarchives.com
Call in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066

Follow Medieval Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

Medieval Archives is AD free and AI free because of our wonderful producers. Help keep Medieval History alive by becoming a producer today.

Love Medieval History? Help us spread the word and become a history-making legend!

Share the epic tales: Your friends will thank you for introducing them to the fascinating world of Medieval history.
Become a proud producer: Support the show that keeps medieval history alive! Visit https://MedievalArchives.com/support for details or donate now via PayPal, or use Venmo or donate with Stripe
Leave your mark on history: Get your name listed in the credits – a lasting legacy for your love of the Middle Ages!

★ Support this podcast ★

RSS Podcast Feed

Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Dragon Moon Media
All Rights Reserved. No Infringement is Intended.
Medieval Archives & Dragon Moon Media production.

MAP93: Robin Hood: Prince of Movies Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

Executive Producer:
⭐Helle Hagenau

🏹 Robin Hood 🏹 in the Movies

The story of Robin Hood is over 600 years old. An Outlaw from English folklore and a hero to the people, Robin Hood has inspired countless poems, books and movies.

Robin Hood first appeared in the poem Piers Plowman, written around 1377. His band of Merry Men, Will Scarlett, Little John and Much the Miller’s son, began to appear in the 15th century.

Friar Tuck first appeared in the 1450 story titled Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham. The 1475 tale Robin Hood and Guy of Gisbourne introduce Gisbourne as a friend of the Sheriff and one of Robin’s arch enemies. Maid Marian appeared in the tales by the 16th century.

The legend of Robin Hood as we know it today is credited to two men in the 19th century Sir Walter Scott and Howard Pyle.

It's unclear if Robin was and actual person but there are a couple of good candidates. A man called Roger Godberd and a man called Robin Hood of York.

Real or not, Robin Hood is a folk hero for the ages and Hollywood always loves a folk hero. We are going to look at the Top 10 Robin Hood movies to hit the silver screen. We won't be looking at made-for-TV movies, or TV series, only Robin Hood movies released in theaters.

Join along as we countdown the 10 best Robin hood movies of the last century. Then let me know if you agree or disagree with my list.

Is your Top 10 different than mine? Let me know your Top 10 list by sending an email to podcast@medievalarchives.com Or tell me your favorites by calling in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066

Get all the links and see all the pictures in the show notes on Medieval Archives!

🎞️Watch all the movie trailers🎞️

(00:00) - Robin Hood: Prince of Movies
(00:19) - Welcome Back
(01:09) - Robin Hood: The Legend
(04:08) - Was Robin Hood a real man?
(04:46) - Roger Godberd is Robin Hood?
(05:07) - Robert Hood of York
(05:33) - Was Robin Hood an alias?
(05:51) - Robin Hood in the movies
(07:04) - #10 - You call that a disguise?
(10:53) - #9 - Loyal men rally to our cause
(13:38) - #8 - This is not a game, Madam, I'm dealing with criminals!
(17:21) - #7 - I believe Sir Robert never loses
(23:28) - #6 - Let's face it. You've gotta be a man to wear tights!
(28:44) - #5 - I love you more than God
(36:09) - #4 - Until Lambs become Lions
(42:48) - #3 - Oo-De-Lally
(48:18) - #2 - I'll cut your heart out with a spoon!
(55:23) - #1 You Speak Treason
(01:03:39) - Robin Hood TV Series
(01:04:20) - Grab your FREE audiobook
(01:04:42) - What's your favorite Robin Hood movie?
(01:05:07) - Independent Podcast with no AI and no Ads!!
(01:05:25) - Support the show. Thank you!
(01:05:51) - Thank you for your support! Come back for the next episode

Creators & Guests

Medieval Archives - Host

<----------->
Contact: podcast@medievalarchives.com
Call in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066

Follow Medieval Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

Medieval Archives is AD free and AI free because of our wonderful producers. Help keep Medieval History alive by becoming a producer today.

💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe

★ Support this podcast ★

RSS Podcast Feed

Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

MAP92: Canterbury: A Modern Day Pilgrimage Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Executive Producer:
⭐Helle Hagenau

A day trip to Canterbury is a a popular choice for tourists visiting England and London and for good reason, it's a great city!

During our European vacation in the Summer of 2024 we had a free day and decided to take a modern day pilgrimage to Canterbury and Canterbury Cathedral. We decided not to walk the Pilgrim's Way though, instead traveling by train to Canterbury.

There were learning lessons for the kids (even on summer break), pubs for the adults and lots of medieval history!

It was a jammed packed day but we still found time to relax and take in all the sights and sounds.

We take a walk around Canterbury visiting the medieval sights and other sights. The entire family had a great time in Canterbury. It was one of the highlights of our trip.

From the medieval city walls and gatehouse, to Buttermarket Square and the glorious cathedral that draws thousands of visitors ever year, Canterbury is a great day trip and if you have more time you should plan to spend 2-3 days exploring the city.

Other Episodes mentioned:

Episode 80: John Hawkwood
Episode 73: The Miller's Tale
Episode 1: St. Thomas Becket

Grab your copy of The Canterbury Tales!

Get all the links and see all the pictures in the show notes on Medieval Archives!

(00:00) - Welcome to the Medieval Archives
(00:28) - Pilgramage to Canterbury
(01:18) - Next Stop Canterbury West
(01:40) - European Vacation
(03:10) - The Miller's Tale
(03:44) - Geoffrey Chaucer
(04:19) - Hawkwood and Medieval Mercenaries
(04:42) - The Canterbury Tales
(05:49) - Ellesmere Chaucer
(05:56) - Chaucer Statue
(07:07) - Westgate
(07:55) - Church of the Holy Cross
(08:29) - High Street
(08:39) - Old Weavers' House
(09:11) - Medieval Ducking Stool
(09:40) - Canterbury Pilgrim's Hospital of St. John
(10:55) - Buttermarket Square
(11:00) - Christchurch Gate
(12:00) - Canterbury War Memorial
(12:08) - Buttermarket Pub
(13:07) - Buttermarket Pub Canterbury Tales
(13:23) - River Stour and the Gardens
(14:25) - Medieval City Walls
(15:37) - Chaucer Hotel
(15:47) - St. Augustine's Abbey
(19:25) - St. Martin's Church
(20:16) - St. Martin's Cemetery
(20:50) - Christopher Marlow
(21:15) - The Crooked House is crooked!!
(22:01) - Canterbury Cathedral
(22:14) - Cathedral fouded in 597
(23:21) - Cathedral Initial Design
(24:11) - Fire in the Quire!
(24:25) - Trintiy Chapel built
(25:02) - St. Thomas Original Shrine
(25:33) - Statues
(25:54) - West Face
(26:39) - Cathedral Nave
(27:29) - Assassination of Thomas Becket
(28:08) - Shrine to Thomas Becket
(28:34) - Eye witness account of the murder
(30:55) - Becket Podcast
(31:02) - Becket's New Shrine
(32:14) - Becket Transept Sculpture
(33:04) - The Pilgrim's Tunnel
(33:13) - King Henry IV tomb
(33:35) - The Black Prince
(34:12) - Beckets Old Shrine
(34:43) - Archbishops Buried in the Cathedral
(35:41) - Thoughts on Canterbury
(36:41) - Have you been to Canterbury? Share your Stories
(37:12) - Get you FREE audiobook
(37:47) - Independant Podcast, No Ads and No AI!
(38:05) - Support the Show. Thank you!
(38:38) - Come back for the next episode

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MAP91: Codex Gigas: The Devil's Bible Oct 28, 2024

Show notes

It's time for our 🎃Halloween🎃 episode! This year we are looking at...

The Devil's Bible

Codex Gigas "Giant book" lives up to it’s name measuring over 3 feet long, 2 feet wide, 9 inches thick, over 300 fully illuminated pages and weighing in at 170 pounds!

Legend has it the book was written in one night, by a single monk condemned to death, who sold his soul to the Devil to complete the work. As a gift to the devil the monk put a two foot illustration of the devil in the book.

The unknown origins and the picture of the devil give the book its more common name, The Devil’s Bible.

Did the devil have a hand in it? Did the monk really sell his soul? And why was the monk condemned to death?

Learn about Jan Hus and the Hussite Wars on episode 56

See the Devil's Bible at the National Library of Sweden 🇸🇪 website: https://www.kb.se/in-english/the-codex-gigas.html

Get all the links and see all the pictures in the show notes on Medieval Archives!

(00:00) - Welcome to the Medieval Archives Podcast
(00:16) - Codex Gigas
(01:20) - Send me your questions or comments
(01:39) - Executive Producers
(01:56) - Let's look at the Devil's Bible
(02:12) - Codex Gigas introduction
(02:45) - Vellum
(03:25) - Codex Gigas Illuminations
(03:39) - Kingdom of Heaven
(03:49) - The Devil
(04:10) - The Devil's Bible contents
(04:12) - Hebrew alphabet & Vulgate Bible
(04:22) - Josephus Flavius: History of the Jews
(04:31) - Isidore of Seville's Etymologiae
(04:38) - Medical Texts
(04:51) - Cosmas of Prague's Chronica Boemorum
(05:03) - Minor Sections
(05:09) - Sinful Confessions
(05:17) - Prayers
(05:19) - Image of Heaven and the Devil
(05:29) - Spells, Magic and Exorcism
(05:45) - Translated Spell
(05:58) - Dark Arts?
(06:02) - One Picture gives it the name
(06:18) - Who wrote the book?
(06:22) - Broken Vows
(06:27) - Rules of St. Benedict
(06:42) - Immurement
(07:01) - Roman Immurment
(07:11) - Vestal Virgin Immurement
(08:07) - Duke Otto III
(08:24) - Kuressaare Castle Immurment
(08:40) - The Blood Countess
(09:20) - Thornton Abbey
(09:44) - Herman the Recluse
(10:41) - Summon the Devil
(11:02) - Deal with the Devil
(12:09) - Handwriting Analysis
(12:17) - It would take 30 years to complete
(12:38) - Completed by one person
(12:53) - Completed in a short time period
(13:22) - Who could it be?
(13:27) - No writing fatigue or errors
(14:07) - Why honor the Devil?
(14:28) - The Devil's image
(15:19) - Sedlec Monastary
(15:52) - Hussite Wars
(16:04) - Kutna Hora (Sedlec) Silver Mine
(16:23) - Sedlec 2018
(16:35) - Sedlec Entrance
(16:49) - Bone Chandelier
(17:01) - Sedlec Bone Mounds
(17:04) - Bone Coat of Arms
(17:15) - Podcasting 2,0 apps
(17:28) - Sedlec burial site
(17:42) - Mysterious Blind Monk
(17:56) - Visit Sedlec if you can
(18:05) - Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II
(18:32) - Thirty Years War
(19:00) - LIbrary Fire and Book of Death
(19:41) - Flying books and insane librarian
(20:04) - Voices from the Devil's Bible
(20:18) - Missing Pages
(21:15) - End Times
(21:24) - Satan's Prayer
(21:30) - Did the Benedictines remove the pages
(21:51) - Rudolf II and the Occult
(22:04) - The Mystery remains
(22:24) - Hermann Inclusus
(22:54) - Look for yourself
(23:23) - Share your thoughts on the Devil's Bible
(23:36) - Send me your comments
(23:57) - Independent Owned and Operated
(24:10) - Support the show for FREE!
(24:19) - Executive Producers Wanted!
(24:38) - THANK YOU for your support!

Creators & Guests

Medieval Archives - Host

<----------->
Follow Medieval Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter
💰Become a Producer; DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe

★ Support this podcast ★

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Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

MAP90: The Black Hour: Solar Eclipse and the Medieval Mind Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever seen an eclipse? I’ve seen numerous lunar eclipses and I’ve seen a few partial solar eclipse, but never a total solar eclipse. On 08 April 2024, Mexico, the United States and Canada will experience a total solar eclipse. It’s the first one in 7 years and the last one for 20 years. The next total solar eclipse in North America will be in 2044.

Europe won’t be in the path of the 2024 eclipse but, if you live in Europe you won’t have to wait long for a total eclipse. There’s one on the way soon.

In modern times we know what is happening. How did medieval people feel about an eclipse. Was it seen as a bad omen or a curse? Or did they understand the science behind it?

In this episode we'll look at the myths, omens and science of eclipses and the medieval era .

(00:00) - Medieval Archives 90
(00:12) - Welcome Back
(00:20) - Medieval Solar Eclipses
(01:14) - Questions, Comments or Topic Ideas?
(01:27) - Get a new Podcast App! https://podcasting2.org/
(02:26) - 2024 Eclipse
(03:15) - 2026 Eclipse
(03:34) - 2027 Eclipse
(05:05) - Medieval Myths and Solar Eclipses
(05:16) - Giant Frog eating the sun
(05:20) - Rahu the Demon
(05:40) - Chinese Myths
(05:56) - Norse Myth
(06:19) - Omens & Death
(06:20) - Mohammad’s Eclipse 632
(06:38) - Louis of Bavaria 840
(07:12) - Reconquista 939
(07:52) - Dub, King of the Scots and Two Eclipses
(08:48) - King Henry’s eclipse 1133
(10:16) - Medieval Earthquakes https://medievalarchives.com/75
(11:38) - The Anarchy https://medievalarchives.com/4
(11:46) - Eclipse of 1185 and Prince Igor
(12:15) - The Black Hour 1433
(12:47) - Astronomy and the Medieval Mind
(13:07) - Can Stonehenge predict eclipses?
(13:20) - Stonehenge Eclipse 1999
(13:29) - Stonehenge Eclipse 2090
(13:35) - Medieval Chroniclers record eclipses
(13:46) - 733 Eclipse and the Venerable Bede
(14:00) - Leo the Deacon discovers the solar corona
(15:11) - Geoffrey Malaterra, Sicily 1084
(15:36) - Saladin, Syria 1176
(15:49) - Eclipse 1185 and a new discovery
(16:10) - Laurentian Codex and the Solar Prominences
(17:22) - Roger of Wendover & Solar Eclipse 1230
(17:55) - Regiomontanus & the Alfonsine tables
(18:27) - Medieval thought vs 2024 thought
(19:26) - Go outside and see the eclipse!
(19:42) - Share your photos; tag Medieval Archives on social media
(19:54) - independently owned and operated
(20:05) - Keep history alive! Support the show.
(20:37) - Share the show with your friends
(20:46) - Thanks for continued support

Creators & Guests

Medieval Archives - Host

<----------->
Follow Medieval Archives on Twitter/X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter
💰Become a Producer; DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe

★ Support this podcast ★

RSS Podcast Feed

Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

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