Gone Medieval Podcast Summary
Episode: Mythbusting Medieval Buildings
Release Date: November 15, 2024

Hosted by History Hit, "Gone Medieval" delves into the intricate world of medieval architecture, uncovering the truths behind enduring myths. In the episode titled "Mythbusting Medieval Buildings," hosts Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Yonega engage in a captivating discussion with James Wright, exploring common misconceptions about medieval structures and the folklore that surrounds them.

Introduction

[03:01] Matt Lewis welcomes listeners to the episode, highlighting the significance of surviving medieval buildings as tangible connections to the past. He introduces James Wright, making his third appearance on the podcast, to discuss his new book, Historic Building, Myth Busting: Uncovering Folklore, History, and Archaeology. The conversation aims to debunk longstanding myths and provide a deeper understanding of medieval architecture.

The Importance of Practical Experience

[04:02] Dr. Eleanor Yonega emphasizes the value of her background as a stonemason in her approach to studying medieval buildings. She explains how hands-on experience allows her to observe and interpret architectural features that theoretical studies might overlook.

"It just looking at, say in medieval accounts or even images of building sites and spotting the boatman with the barge and stone arriving on site... I was able to sort of measure the amount of what's called gallating."
— Dr. Eleanor Yonega [07:25]

Pentagrams in Medieval Architecture

[12:17] Dr. Eleanor Yonega delves into the presence of pentagrams in medieval church architecture. Contrary to modern associations with witchcraft, pentagrams in the medieval context were symbols of protection and Christian virtue.

"The pentagram was important within mainstream Christian art. It was one of these holy symbols... it seems to be connected to an idea of strength and it's seen to be protective."
— Dr. Eleanor Yonega [17:24]

She explores examples like Amiens Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral, discussing whether pentagrams were used as foundational geometry or held symbolic significance. Yonega also touches on mason's marks, explaining their practical use in construction rather than symbolic artistry.

Mason's Marks: Beyond Myths

[21:36] Dr. Eleanor Yonega discusses mason's marks—symbols carved into stones by stonemasons. While often misconstrued as individual signatures or indicators of payment per stone, Yonega argues that these marks were more likely related to productivity tracking or foreman approvals.

"They tend to not be visibly acting as artist signatures because most medieval stone buildings were plastered over and then painted... They have been interpreted as being a way of assessing productivity."
— Dr. Eleanor Yonega [21:36]

She highlights the differences between medieval and modern interpretations of these marks, emphasizing that understanding mason's marks requires a nuanced approach beyond popular myths.

Arrow Stones: Debunking Common Misconceptions

[30:14] James Wright introduces the topic of arrow stones—grooves found on church walls traditionally believed to be marks left by archers sharpening their weapons. [30:27] Dr. Eleanor Yonega challenges this narrative, presenting evidence that contradicts the prevalent theory.

"Blacksmiths have looked at these marks... they laugh because if you were trying to sharpen something to such an extent that you created these very deep grooves in churches, you would actually blunt your edge."
— Dr. Eleanor Yonega [33:27]

Yonega proposes alternative explanations, such as "Christian white magic," where parishioners collected stone dust mixed with holy water for healing purposes. She references historical accounts, like those of the Venerable Bede, to support this theory.

Leper Squints and Devil's Doors: Unraveling the Truth

Leper Squints

[42:24] Dr. Eleanor Yonega examines the phenomenon of leper squints—small windows in churches believed to allow lepers to view Mass without entering the main congregation. She critiques this interpretation, noting inconsistencies and lack of supporting evidence.

"A lot of these, when you look at them individually and then as a group, don't tend to stack up... They were badly sited and not doing the job proposed."
— Dr. Eleanor Yonega [48:00]

She offers alternative purposes for these apertures, such as ventilation, arguing that practical needs likely outweighed symbolic explanations.

Devil's Doors

The discussion shifts to devil's doors—blocked entrances in churches thought to have been used by pagan visitors or as escape routes for exorcised devils. Yonega debunks these myths by presenting historical inaccuracies and contextual evidence.

"The story goes that these were doors which were blocked up in the post-medieval period because they no longer had a use... But on the continent, the story is completely different."
— Dr. Eleanor Yonega [48:14]

She clarifies that these doors were primarily functional, facilitating religious processions that became obsolete post-Reformation, leading to their eventual closure.

Folklore vs. Historical Reality

[35:12] Dr. Eleanor Yonega underscores the importance of distinguishing between folklore and historical facts. She emphasizes that many myths surrounding medieval buildings stem from Victorian-era reinterpretations rather than authentic medieval practices.

"Understanding folklore is fundamentally important... folklore is every bit as illuminating as the reality of what happened in the medieval period."
— Dr. Eleanor Yonega [56:53]

Yonega advocates for a balanced approach that respects folklore while rigorously investigating historical evidence to uncover the true stories behind architectural features.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In wrapping up the episode, [54:26] James Wright and [57:04] Dr. Eleanor Yonega reflect on the significance of debunking myths to gain a clearer understanding of medieval society. Yonega highlights her respectful treatment of folklore in her book, aiming to breathe new life into these stories by placing them in their proper historical context.

"Folklore and storytelling... have been embraced. And I've tried always to see what they can tell us about the societies that repeat them."
— Dr. Eleanor Yonega [56:53]

The episode concludes with an invitation to listeners to explore more about medieval architecture and myths through James Wright's book and additional podcast episodes.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Eleanor Yonega
  “The pentagram was important within mainstream Christian art. It was one of these holy symbols... connected to an idea of strength and seen to be protective.”
  [17:24]

• Dr. Eleanor Yonega
  “They tend to not be visibly acting as artist signatures because most medieval stone buildings were plastered over and then painted... They have been interpreted as being a way of assessing productivity.”
  [21:36]

• Dr. Eleanor Yonega
  “Blacksmiths have looked at these marks... they laugh because if you were trying to sharpen something to such an extent that you created these very deep grooves in churches, you would actually blunt your edge.”
  [33:27]

• Dr. Eleanor Yonega
  “Understanding folklore is fundamentally important... folklore is every bit as illuminating as the reality of what happened in the medieval period.”
  [56:53]

This episode of "Gone Medieval" offers an enlightening exploration of medieval building myths, challenging listeners to reconsider commonly held beliefs and appreciate the true historical significance of architectural features. Through meticulous research and practical insights, Dr. Eleanor Yonega and James Wright provide a nuanced understanding that bridges folklore and historical reality.