Gone Medieval

Gone Medieval

Author: History Hit Language: English Episodes: 100
Step beyond the simple dates and dusty timelines to find the vibrant, complex world of the medieval era. Each episode of Gone Medieval pulls you into a different corner of that sprawling age, whether it's tracing the journey of a Norse longship or piecing together the political intrigue that toppled a throne. This isn't just about kings and castles; it's equally concerned with the everyday experiences of ordinary people, their beliefs, their struggles, and the myths that shaped their world. You'll hear stories of startling discoveries, from misplaced royal remains to hidden histories that challenge our modern assumptions. Produced by History Hit, this podcast benefits from deep historical research and engaging storytelling, released every Tuesday and Friday. It’s a thorough exploration that makes a distant period feel immediate and surprisingly relevant, covering events across Europe and far beyond its borders. Tune in to find the human stories woven into the grand tapestry of a thousand years of history, where power, faith, and daily life collided in fascinating ways.
Episodes
The Jews of Norwich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:39
The chilling discovery of a medieval well in Norwich, filled with the remains of 17 Jewish adults and children, opened a window into the lived reality of historical antisemitism. What do these findings tell us about the…
Norwich Castle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:13
Medieval Norwich comes alive as Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Janega visit Norwich Castle, once a hulking Norman fortress, royal palace and later a Victorian jail. Matt tours the huge Keep with archaeologist Dr Tim Pestell,…
St. Francis & the First Nativity Play [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:31
Christmas would not be complete without a nativity play: Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, all watched over by an ox, a donkey and assorted bystanders in the stable. St Francis of Assisi staged the very first nativity play wa…
Medieval Roots of The Modern Alphabet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:57
How did the alphabet we use today take shape?Matt Lewis welcomes Danny Bate to explore how the medieval period shaped the alphabet we use today. They discuss the transformation of Egyptian hieroglyphs, the significant im…
Medieval Europe's Encounter with Islam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:44
What if the Renaissance was powered by Arabic science?Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Drayson to uncover how figures like Constantine the African and Fibonacci transformed European learning and commerce by…
When the Vikings met the Slavs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:51
Journey east with Matt Lewis and Martyn Whittock to uncover how the Vikings came face to face with the Slavs. Using clues like the Ingvar Rune Stones, Matt and Martyn discover how the Vikings reshaped Northeastern Europe…
Trial of Joan of Arc [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:54
How did a teenage girl stand up to armies, theologians, and kings?Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by Professor Anne Curry to trace Joan of Arc’s astonishing rise and tragic fall. From leading French forces to facing a ruthl…
Scotland's Stone of Scone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:00
How did a medieval Scottish stone become the centre of a daring heist in the 1950's?This is the extraordinary saga of the Stone of Scone, aka the Stone of Destiny, a relic that created the kings of Scotland, is shrouded…
How the Wind Blew Up The Middle Ages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:17
From the tactical nautical decisions of the Normans and Vikings to medieval monks' meticulous wind records, medieval civilisations have always harnessed and feared the wind.Dr. Eleanor Janega and Simon Winchester explore…
The Birth of the Medieval World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:35
Matt Lewis pays a visit to Gone Medieval's sister podcast The Ancients for a lively debate with Tristan Hughes about the blurred boundary between the ancient and medieval worlds. Can Tristan champion Roman Emperor Justin…