Medieval mythbusting

Olivia and Aran take on five common modern-day misconceptions about the Middle Ages and dig into what makes them so prevalent. These myths are, in order:

1. The medieval world wasn't colourful (0:45)

2. Most people in the Middle Ages were illiterate

3. Medieval knights followed a strict chivalric code

4. Medieval communities were largely homogeneous

5. Medieval peasants worked less than modern people

Also discussed are appropriate names for baby boys, the Breaking Bad "Mexico" filter, and the beneficial relationship between good eyesight and firearm ownership.For more information about some of what we cover:

• A medieval castle restored to its original pink colour https://roaringwaterjournal.com/tag/lime-render-on-medieval-castles/

• The Medievalists.net podcast on literacy and education https://www.medievalists.net/2019/09/education-in-the-middle-ages/

• French Chivalry by Sidney Painter https://muse.jhu.edu/book/72155

• Graves in medieval London https://www.medievalists.net/2019/09/black-death-burials-reveal-the-diversity-of-londons-medieval-population/

• Richard Clark on medieval labour https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ehr.12528

• Nora Kenyon on medieval labour https://www.jstor.org/stable/2589850

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