From long-lost Viking ships to kings buried in unexpected places; from murders and power politics, to myths, religion, the lives of ordinary people: Gone Medieval is History Hit’s podcast dedicated to the middle ages, in Europe and far beyond.
New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
A podcast by History Hit, the world's best history channel and creators of award-winning podcasts Dan Snow's History Hit, The Ancients, and Betwixt the Sheets.
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This episode delves into the deep medieval history of Ludlow, a strategic town on the Welsh borders, with resident archaeologist Leon Bracelin. Discover how archaeological finds, from pottery to witch marks, illuminate daily life, trade, and social structures within the castle and town. Leon also shares details of his current projects, including fascinating subterranean surveys and his dream excavation site.
This episode features Dr. Judith Jesch, a specialist in runology, who uncovers the fascinating history of runes from their second-century origins to their eventual decline. The discussion moves beyond their common association with Vikings, highlighting their use for diverse purposes like memorials, personal messages on wood, and even graffiti, offering intimate glimpses into medieval lives. It also addresses the misconception of runes as purely magical, detailing their role in reflecting religious beliefs and social structures, including the surprising prominence of women in runic inscriptions.
This episode delves into the distinct discipline of battlefield archaeology with specialist Sam Wilson, explaining how it differs from traditional archaeology by focusing on unstratified artifact scatters. Wilson reveals the complexities of locating battle sites using historical accounts and landscape reconstruction, the insights gained from human remains, and the challenges posed by agricultural practices and modern development. He also shares details from the Bosworth and Barnet projects, highlighting the ongoing effort to precisely map historical conflicts and correct traditional understandings.
New research on medieval cemeteries in Cambridge uncovers that the popularity of pointy-toed "poulaine" shoes from the 14th century dramatically increased the incidence of bunions and fall-related fractures. The study also explores broader skeletal trauma, social distinctions in health, and the unexpected lack of weapon injuries, providing a unique look into everyday medieval life, including community support for the infirm.
This episode delves into the rich medieval history of Northampton, uncovering its significance far beyond its modern perception. Host Matt Lewis and historian Mike Ingram discuss how Northampton's strategic central location and natural defenses made it a frequent royal base, site of England's second university, and a hub for major political and religious events. From the drama of Thomas Beckett's trial to the signing of critical Scottish treaties and its connection to the Magna Carta, Northampton was truly at the heart of medieval England's political, cultural, and economic life, despite being repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt.
Before St. George, England had other patron saints, most notably St. Edmund the Martyr, an early medieval king renowned for his gruesome death by invading Vikings. This episode explores Edmund's reign in East Anglia, his confrontation with the Great Heathen Army, and the surprising rise of his cult, even among his killers' descendants. Dr. Francis Young discusses the historical accounts of his martyrdom, the miraculous post-mortem events, and the spread of his veneration across Europe, including the debated French claims to his body. The conversation culminates in the exciting modern search for his lost remains, potentially hidden beneath a Suffolk tennis court.
This episode delves into the catastrophic 1120 White Ship disaster, where King Henry I lost his only legitimate son, plunging England and Normandy into dynastic uncertainty. Charles Spencer discusses Henry I's ruthless rise to power, the drunken circumstances of the shipwreck, and the profound historical consequences, including the eventual rise of the Plantagenets and the potential averted futures like the Hundred Years' War. It also touches on recent archaeological efforts to find the ship and Henry I's burial site.
This episode debunks common myths about Berserkers, moving beyond the popular image of mad, drug-fueled warriors. Dr. Roderick Dale reveals that Old Norse literature, while containing violent duels, suggests Berserkers were more likely champions or royal bodyguards. The discussion explores the etymology of the name, examines archaeological evidence, and refutes the idea of magic mushroom use, instead portraying their famed 'rage' as a cultural, ritualistic phenomenon.
This episode delves into the life of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, son of Edward III and brother to the Black Prince. Helen Carr explores his upbringing, his acquisition of vast wealth through marriage, and his ambitious pursuits of royal claims in Scotland and Castile. A complex figure, Gaunt balanced personal ambition with profound loyalty to the Crown, facing political opposition and the Peasants' Revolt. Though his Castilian campaign ended in personal humiliation, his diplomatic skills and vast dynastic legacy through his descendants profoundly shaped medieval Europe.
Dr. Eleanor Janega joins Dr. Cat Jarman to demystify medieval sexuality, revealing how different it was from today's conceptions. They discuss the varied sources historians use, the church's attempts to control sexual behavior versus the reality of people's lives, and the accepted role of sex work. The conversation also delves into medieval reproductive theories, the surprising emphasis on mutual pleasure, and the unique understanding of gender roles in sexual desire, where women were often perceived as the more active and persistent pursuers.
Anthropologist and historian Luke Pepera delves into Medieval Africa, exploring its unique historical sources, including oral traditions, archaeological records, and Arab accounts. The episode highlights Africa's extensive global trade networks across the Indian Ocean and Sahara, its immense wealth, and the transformative pilgrimage of Mansa Musa, whose actions inadvertently influenced later European interest and colonial dynamics. It also examines Islam's peaceful integration and the African focus on history for identity and community.
Dr. Cat Jarman and Dr. David Petts discuss the pivotal 793 Viking raid on Lindisfarne, analyzing why this wealthy Northumbrian monastic center was targeted and the immediate shockwaves felt across Europe. They explore the monastery's diverse community, its role as a regional hub, and present new archaeological findings that challenge traditional narratives about the site's abandonment and reveal its continued significance.
Join archaeologist James Wright and host Matt Lewis as they unravel fascinating myths surrounding medieval buildings. They investigate the common belief about clockwise spiral staircases favoring right-handed defenders, revealing castles' true purpose as symbols of power. The discussion then moves to pervasive underground tunnel legends, uncovering their prosaic reality as drains or cellars. Finally, the episode examines "witch marks," arrow-sharpening grooves, and reused ship timbers, replacing folklore with intriguing historical and ritualistic explanations.
Dr. Kat Jarman and Professor Mark Horton delve into the vibrant early medieval trade networks of East Africa, predating Atlantic routes. They discuss key commodities like slaves, gold, and ivory, highlighting the critical role of monsoon winds and island settlements in facilitating connections across the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and Asia. The episode also uncovers the agency of local Bantu communities in controlling this trade, their Islamic conversion for protection, and the lasting legacy of Swahili entrepreneurial culture.
This episode delves into the life of Empress Matilda, a powerful 12th-century figure who almost became England's first Queen Regnant. It explores her early life as a political pawn, her extensive education and regency in the Holy Roman Empire, and the complex dynastic struggles that followed her father Henry I's death. The discussion highlights the societal prejudices against a female ruler and Matilda's strategic shift to secure the throne for her son, Henry II, ultimately establishing the Plantagenet dynasty.
Dr. Cat Jarman speaks with Martin Papworth about the groundbreaking OSL dating of the Cerne Abbas Giant, an ancient chalk figure in Dorset. The project revealed that the giant, previously thought to be 17th-century or older, dates back to the Anglo-Saxon period (7th-11th centuries). This discovery recontextualizes its possible origins as a pagan god or local saint, and discussion includes evidence suggesting later alterations to its iconic features.
Historian Nathen Amin and Matt Lewis examine Henry VII's consolidation of power against pretenders like Lambert Simnel and Perkin Warbeck, highlighting the scarcity of historical sources and the king's initial leniency contrasting with his later ruthless actions. The discussion covers the critical international dimension of these conspiracies, the persistent threat posed by the Earl of Warwick's bloodline, and how Henry's use of spies and strategic financial policies ultimately secured the Tudor dynasty, albeit with a complex and sometimes tragic legacy.
This episode explores the remarkable ascent of Henry VII, from his obscure birth and perilous youth spent as a political captive under the watchful eye of Yorkist enemies, to his unexpected seizure of the English throne. Guest Nathen Amin details how Henry's formative years shaped his kingship, his struggles to unite a divided realm, and the immediate challenges posed by pretenders like Lambert Simnel, setting the stage for his enduring legacy.
Dr. Cat Jarman and Dr. Jane Kershaw discuss the groundbreaking discovery of a new Viking Great Army site in Northumberland, a region previously lacking archaeological evidence for Vikings. They delve into the historical context of Halfdan and the Great Army's move north, the identification of the site through everyday metal finds, and its strategic importance as a temporary winter camp. The discussion also touches on the site's multi-period history and the exciting prospects for future archaeological research.
From long-lost viking ships to kings buried in unexpected places; from murders and power politics, to myths, religion, the lives of ordinary people: Gone Medieval is the new podcast from History Hit dedicated to the middle ages, in Europe and far beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
