Gone Medieval: "How to be a Medieval Teenager" – Detailed Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Gone Medieval
• Host/Author: History Hit
• Episode: How to be a Medieval Teenager
• Release Date: November 29, 2024
• Description: "Gone Medieval is History Hit’s podcast dedicated to the Middle Ages, in Europe and far beyond. From long-lost Viking ships to kings buried in unexpected places; from murders and power politics, to myths, religion, the lives of ordinary people."

Introduction to the Episode

Gone Medieval kicks off with hosts Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Yonega setting the stage for an insightful exploration into the lives of 18-year-olds throughout British history. The episode focuses on Dr. Yonega's new book, "18: A History of Britain in Eighteen Young Lives," which examines what it meant to be 18 across different eras, emphasizing the varied responsibilities and experiences that shaped these young individuals.

Interview with Dr. Eleanor Yonega

a. About the Book "18"

Dr. Eleanor Yonega introduces her book as a modern lens to understand historical youth. She explains that turning 18 is a contemporary marker of adulthood, distinct from historical contexts where individuals often assumed adult roles much earlier.

"I think 18 is a modern concept, actually, this kind of marking of adulthood. And what I wanted to do is look at a thousand years of 18-year-olds in history and see what they're up to." [04:24]

Her central thesis reveals that historical 18-year-olds were often burdened with significant responsibilities, challenging the modern perception of youth. The book showcases their capabilities and the extraordinary feats they achieved when placed in pivotal situations.

b. Profiles of Historical Figures

1. Bede

   • Background: Known as the Venerable Bede, he is traditionally pictured as an elderly scholar. Dr. Yonega reimagines his youth, emphasizing his experiences such as surviving a plague in a monastery.

   "There’s this terrible plague that comes from the monastery, and everyone dies apart from this guy who’s a kind of teacher and then this young lad. And we think that young lad is Bede." [10:01]

   • Insights: Bede's traumatic childhood experience likely influenced his prolific writing and deep faith, connecting his early life to his later achievements.

2. Empress Matilda

   • Background: A central figure in medieval history, Matilda was thrust into power at a young age, governing parts of the Holy Roman Empire and later navigating the tumultuous period of civil war in England.

   "Her whole life is turned upside down... she was given huge amounts of responsibility. She was ruling on behalf of her husband in lots of different ways." [16:15]

   • Insights: Matilda's early responsibilities and her unexpected challenges, such as the White Ship disaster, illustrate the unpredictability of life and the need for adaptability.

3. Geoffrey Chaucer

   • Background: Best known for The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer's youth involved exposure to diverse social environments, from bustling London to military campaigns in France.

   "You’re exposed to all these different people, all kinds of backgrounds, and then he goes to France... he must have been talking to all these different people." [26:58]

   • Insights: Chaucer's interactions with ordinary people across various settings informed his nuanced understanding of human nature, distinguishing his literary work.

4. Mary Anning

   • Background: A pioneering paleontologist from Lyme Regis, Mary Anning, by 18, had already made significant fossil discoveries despite limited formal education and societal constraints.

   "She was already making amazing contributions to our understanding of fossils... considered an expert by the time she was 18." [34:00]

   • Insights: Anning's self-education and determination highlight how passion and curiosity can drive extraordinary achievements, even against societal limitations.

c. Gender Differences in Medieval Times

Dr. Yonega delves into the stark contrasts between the experiences of young men and women in medieval Britain. She notes the scarcity of non-royal female figures due to historical record biases.

"The medieval and Tudor men that I write about have definitely more agency and more opportunities... It was quite hard to make it an even reflection of women's experiences." [24:21]

• Challenges for Women: Most documented female figures were either royals or involved in significant events, limiting the representation of ordinary women's lives.
• Agency and Opportunities: Women like Empress Matilda had substantial responsibilities, but finding non-royal women in history with recorded lives was challenging. Later figures, such as Mary Anning, showcase increased agency reflecting societal changes.

d. Changes in Experiences of 18-Year-Olds Over Time

The conversation explores how the concept of being 18 has evolved, contrasting modern experiences with historical ones.

"In the past, when you made it to the age of 18, you’re doing pretty well already. So I think we can be grateful at least that our health is much more favorable." [38:13]

• Medieval Responsibilities: Historically, 18-year-olds often assumed adult roles earlier, such as marriage or military service.
• Modern Context: Today, 18-year-olds typically focus on education and personal development, facing unique challenges like social media pressures and academic expectations.
• Comparative Insights: Despite modern stressors, historical 18-year-olds dealt with life-threatening conditions and lacked the relative safety and opportunities available today.

Conclusions and Insights

Dr. Yonega emphasizes that historical young people were capable of remarkable achievements and that their experiences can inspire contemporary youth to recognize their potential beyond academic measures.

"People are much more open to these ideas of different careers and that’s been an amazing thing." [38:13]

• Character over Academia: The book argues that qualities like courage, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit were critical to success historically and remain valuable today.
• Advice to Modern Youth: Dr. Yonega suggests following one's passion as a guiding principle, as evidenced by her own career path driven by her interest in history.

"Follow the thing that you’re passionate about and that will take you to whatever the end point is." [42:09]

Final Remarks

The episode wraps up with encouragement for listeners to explore Dr. Yonega's book and related podcast episodes that delve deeper into figures like Bede, Empress Matilda, and Geoffrey Chaucer. Hosts Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Yonega invite listeners to subscribe to Gone Medieval for more captivating historical narratives.

"Join Eleanor and I for more from the greatest millennium in human history." [44:04]

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Dr. Eleanor Yonega:
  "I think 18 is a modern concept, actually, this kind of marking of adulthood." [04:24]
  "People are much more open to these ideas of different careers and that’s been an amazing thing." [38:13]
  "Follow the thing that you’re passionate about and that will take you to whatever the end point is." [42:09]

• Matt Lewis:
  "You could write this book about people who are 60 and see what they've achieved or haven't achieved." [07:07]
  "Everyone ought to know about Empress Matilda." [18:42]

Conclusion

"Gone Medieval's" episode "How to be a Medieval Teenager" offers a rich exploration of historical adolescence, highlighting the extraordinary lives of 18-year-olds across centuries. Through Dr. Yonega's insightful analysis and engaging storytelling, listeners gain a deeper appreciation for the resilience and achievements of young individuals in history, drawing parallels to contemporary youth experiences. The episode serves as both an educational journey and an inspiring call to recognize and harness one's potential.