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Medieval Archives
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Illuminating the Dark Ages for the Digital World
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MAP97: Hunger Games: The Great Famine of 1315
Nov 1000:37:31Tap to summarizeListen Now! 🌾Hunger Games: The Great Famine of 1315🌾 Executive Producer:⭐Lilac Square Antiques & Books 💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe 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 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 Other episodes to explore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtR4qn3WiTU I hope you enjoyed the lesson on The Great Famine of 1315-1317! Send us an email to podcast@medievalarchives.com Or leave a message by calling the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066 Support Medieval Archives Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Support Medieval Archives Download the MP3 or listen in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com
Transcribe →MAP96: Tales of Medieval Revenge by Edgar Allan Poe
Oct 2700:37:31Tap to summarizeListen Now! 🎃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. Grab a free copy of The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe Other episodes mentioned: I hope you enjoyed the lesson on John the Fearless and 14th Century France. Send us an email to podcast@medievalarchives.com Or leave a message by calling in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066 Support Medieval Archives Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Support Medieval Archives Download the MP3 or listen in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com
Transcribe →MAP95: John the Fearless and the Bloody Fight for France
Oct 1300:37:31Tap to summarizeListen Now! 🇫🇷 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. Grab a free copy of A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous Fourteenth Century by Barbara W. Tuchman Other episodes mentioned: I hope you enjoyed the lesson on John the Fearless and 14th Century France. Send us an email to podcast@medievalarchives.com Or leave a message by calling in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066 Support Medieval Archives Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Support Medieval Archives Download the MP3 or listen in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com BIBLIOGRAPHY Blockmans, Wim, and Walter Prevenier. 2011. The Promised Lands: The Low Countries under Burgundian Rule, 1369 – 1530. Nachdr. The Middle Ages Series. Univ. of Pennsylvania Press. Sumption, Jonathan. 2017. The Hundred Years War. Volume 4: Cursed Kings. Paperback edition. The Middle Ages Series. University of Pennsylvania Press. Tuchman, Barbara Wertheim. 1979. A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century. Ballantine. Vaughan, Richard. 2008. Philip the Good: The Apogee of Burgundy. New ed., Repr. The Dukes of Burgundy. Boydell Press. Vaughan, Richard, and Jean sans Peur Herzog von Burgund. 1979. John the Fearless: The Growth of Burgundian Power. Rev. ed. Longman Paperback. Longman.
Transcribe →MAP94: Papal Conclave: Medieval Origins of a Modern Election
Apr 29, 202500:37:31Tap to summarize🇻🇦 Papal Conclave 🇻🇦 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. I hope you enjoy the medieval origins of the papal conclave. Who do you think will be the new pope? Send an email to podcast@medievalarchives.com Or leave a message by calling in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066 If you want to know about some of the worst popes in medieval history check out our Popes Behaving Badly podcast episode Support Medieval Archives Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Support Medieval Archives Download the MP3 or listen in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com BIBLIOGRAPHY Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy. 1st U.S. ed, Random House, 2011. O’Malley, John W. A History of the Popes: From Peter to the Present. First paperback edition, A Sheed & Ward Book / Rowman & Littlefield, 2011. Sweeney, Jon M. The Pope Who Quit: A True Medieval Tale of Mystery, Death, and Salvation. 1st ed, Image Books, 2012. Wärnberg, Jessica. City of Echoes: A New History of Rome, Its Popes, and Its People. First Pegasus Books cloth edition, Pegasus Books, 2023.
Transcribe →MAP93: Robin Hood: Prince of Movies
Mar 24, 202500:37:31Tap to summarize🏹 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 Support Medieval Archives Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Robin Hood Movie Posters (click on the photos to see a bigger version) No Caption No Caption No Caption No Caption <source media="(min-width: 1024px)" srcset="https://medievalarchives.com/wp-content/uploads...
Transcribe →MAP92: Canterbury: A Modern Day Pilgrimage
Mar 10, 202500:39:01Tap to summarizeCanterbury: A Modern Day Pilgrimage 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 Support Medieval Archives Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Canterbury Photos (click on the photos to see a bigger version) Westgate Church of the Holy Cross Chaucer Statue Chaucer Base Hospital of Saint Thomas Becket Old Weavers’ House Buttermarket Pub</f...
Transcribe →MAP91: The Devil’s Bible
Oct 28, 202400:37:31Tap to summarizeCodex Gigas: The Devil’s Bible We’ve entered the spooky season and today we are looking at a mysterious manuscript called the Codex Gigas, Latin for Giant book. It lives up to it’s name measuring over 3 feet long, 2 feet wide, 9 inches thick, over 500 fully illuminated pages and weighing in at 170 pounds! There’s more to it besides its massive size though. Legend has it the book was written in one night, by a single monk, a 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. Herman the Recluse Herman broke his monastic vows and was condemned to death by immurement (buried alive) for his sins. The night before the sentence was carried out Herman pleaded with the Abbot to spare his life. Herman told the Abbot he would write a book containing all earthly knowledge and glorifying the monastery. The Abbot agreed, but told Herman he must complete the book before morning. In fear and desperation Herman summoned the Devil and made a deal. The Devil would help Herman complete the book and Herman would give up his soul. Support Medieval Archives The Devil’s Bible The Devil’s Bible does contain a lot of knowledge from the Middle Ages. Herman included the following works: Two Hebew Alphabets The Vulgate Bible (without the Book of Acts and the Book of Revelation Antiquities of the Jews The Jewish War Etymologies Art of Medicine Aphorisms of Hippocrates Chronica Boemorum And much much more! We also discussed Jan Hus and the Hussite Wars. A topic covered 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 a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx The Devil’s Bible Photos No Caption No Caption No Caption <div class="spectra-image-gallery__media spectra-image-gallery__m...
Transcribe →MAP90: The Black Hour: Solar Eclipse and the Medieval Mind
Apr 8, 202400:37:31Tap to summarizeThe Black Hour: Solar Eclipse and the Medieval Mind 08 April 2024, a total solar eclipse will travel across North America. The path of totality stretches from Durango, Mexico up through Dallas, Texas, Arkansas, Southern Illinois, through Indianapolis, Ohio, Buffalo, New York, Toronto, Montreal and making it’s way over New Brunswick before leaving North America. If you live in the path of totality be sure to get outside on April 8 and see the eclipse. It’s an incredible experience, even a partial eclipse. Just don’t look at the sun directly, it’s bad for your eyes. 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? Myths The myths surrounding solar eclipses vary from nation to nation but they all have a similar tone…something is eating the sun, or moon. The creature varies from a frog eating the sun in Vietnam to a dragon in India. India also includes the lore of the demon Rahu eating the sun but the demon is beheaded before he can swallow it so the sun falls out of his severed neck, reappearing in the sky. Support Medieval Archives The Japanese thought poison would fall from the sky during an eclipse and covered their wells. In Transylvania they believed an eclipse would bring a plague. The Chinese believed an eclipse would grant the Emperor health and success but only if it was predicted. Failing to predict an eclipse would put the life of the Emperor in danger. Legend has it two Chinese astrologers were executed for failing to predict an eclipse in 2100 BC. An unknown author wrote this at the burial site “Here lie the bodies of Ho and Hi Whose fate though sad was visible, Being hanged because they could not spy Th’eclipse which was invisible.” The Norse myth explains an eclipse as the wolf fenrir eating the moon. One thing all the myths and cultures agree on is the eclipse is a harbinger of bad things to come. Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode Boost the show with a Podcasting 2.0 certified app: Castamatic | Podverse | Curiocaster | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Photo Gallery 2024 Eclipse 2026 Eclipse 2027 Eclipse Rahu the Demon Solar Corona <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="614" data-id="16570" src="https://medievalarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/fea-medieval-planetary-alignment-eclipses-middle-ages-1024x614.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-16570" srcset="https://medievalarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/fea-medieval-planetary-alignment-eclipses-middle-ages-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https://medievalarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/fea-medieval-planetary-alignment-eclipses-middle-ages-300x180.jpg 300w, https://medievalar...
Transcribe →MAP89: British Myths & Legends with Amy Jeffs
Feb 28, 202400:37:31Tap to summarizeBritish Myths & Legends Medievalist and Art Historian Dr. Amy Jeffs joins the show to discuss her books  Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain and Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain In Amy’s first book, Storyland she examines the origins of Britain from Noah’s flood to the Norman invasion. And there are some good stories to tell, including the incredible story of Albina, who ruled Britain, was seduced by demons and gave birth to a race of giants. In her second book titled Wild takes you on a journey from desolation to hope. Through seven chapters of insightful reflection she is able to retell stories from medieval texts with vivid descriptions and unique perspectives. One of the standout elements of both books are the illustrations which Amy created. Listen to the episode to find out how she created them and how the creation process helped her through the lock-down, quarantine we all dealt with. You can find Amy Jeffs online at: Twitter/X & Instagram You can buy Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain and Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain on Amazon. Support Medieval Archives Download the MP3 or listen in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com
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MAP87: The Mongol Storm with Nic Morton
Jul 17, 202300:43:44Tap to summarizeProfessor and author Nicolas Morton joins the podcast to discuss his book, The Mongol Storm. The Mongol Empire rose to power in the early 1200s, founded by Genghis Khan. At it’s peak the Empire stretched from the Pacific Ocean to the Black Sea, encompassing Korea, Mongolia, China, Russia and portions of Eastern Europe and the Near East. Nic’s new book The Mongol Storm covers the Mongol Empire and their influence in the near east. We discuss the rise of the Mongol Empire, what their society looked like, their religion and of course, their great military might. Support Medieval Archives Get the book now! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/nicholas-morton/the-mongol-storm/9781541616295/?lens=basic-books About the Book How the Mongol invasions of the Near East reshaped the balance of world power in the Middle Ages  For centuries, the Crusades have been central to the story of the medieval Near East, but these religious wars are only part of the region’s complex history. As The Mongol Storm reveals, during the same era the Near East was utterly remade by another series of wars: the Mongol invasions.   In a single generation, the Mongols conquered vast swaths of the Near East and upended the region’s geopolitics. Amid the chaos of the Mongol onslaught, long-standing powers such as the Byzantines, the Seljuk Turks, and the crusaders struggled to survive, while new players such as the Ottomans arose to fight back. The Mongol conquests forever transformed the region, while forging closer ties among societies spread across Eurasia.  This is the definitive history of the Mongol assault on the Near East and its enduring global consequences.   Get your free audio copy of The Mongol Storm from Audible.com at: https://www.medievalarchives.com/AudioBook The Vast Mongol Empire Nicolas Morton is an associate professor at Nottingham Trent University. The author or editor of nine books, including The Field of Blood, Morton lives in Nottinghamshire, UK. Twitter: @NicholasMorto11 YouTube: @MedievalNearEast Download the MP3 or listen in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast <a rel="noreferrer noopener"...
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