King Arthur

King Arthur

Author: History Hit September 26, 2025 Duration: 58:44

How have tales of King Arthur evolved over centuries and why have they exerted such an enduring cultural appeal on countless generations?

Matt Lewis delves into the legend of King Arthur, guided by Dr. Mary Bateman. Together they explore the evolution of Arthur's myth from ancient folklore to the romanticised figure and a robust literary tradition, engaging the imagination across successive eras.


More:

Legend of William Tell

Legends of Robin Hood


Gone Medieval is presented by Matt Lewis. Audio editor is Amy Haddow, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.


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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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Gone Medieval
Podcast Episodes
How to Get to Heaven: Papal Indulgences [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:35
Were papal indulgences really just a medieval “get out of hell free” card? How were they expanded after the Crusades? And how were they used to fund projects, including the rebuilding of St Peter’s in Rome?Dr. Eleanor Ja…
Game of Thrones: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:54
Matt Lewis journeys into the world behind the latest story from the Game of Thrones universe, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, to discover how it illustrates that medieval history is far more colourful and spectacular tha…
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Duration: 1:00:21
** Contains strong language**What would Britain look like today if Richard III had won at Bosworth? What did medieval people sing when they were drunk and hanging out? What is the most historically accurate part of Monty…
Saladin: Crusher of the Crusades [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:19
Who is the Sultan that beat back Richard the Lionheart, and earned his respect as a worthy foe?Matt Lewis is joined by Professor Jonathan Phillips to delve into the life and legacy of Saladin, the formidable Muslim leade…
James II and the Deadly Black Dinner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:41
What would you do if a royal feast turned into a death sentence before dessert was served? Step into Edinburgh Castle as the boy-king James II looks on in horror, and the Douglas brothers are dragged from candlelit feast…
How Horses Ran the Medieval World [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:58
How integral were horses to warfare, agriculture and travel in the Middle Ages? What did your horse say about your status? How can knowing more about horses unlock a deeper understanding of medieval society itself?Matt L…
How to win a Medieval Battle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:48
Matt Lewis and Dr.Eleanor Janega are launched into a medieval battle, how do they survive? They explore the intricacies of medieval warfare; from the strategic brilliance of leaders like Saladin to the unexpected outcome…
The Parliament of Bats: Plantagenets at War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:35
How could England be ruled when the king was just a baby? When Henry VI came to the throne at nine months old, the hunger for power among his Plantagenet uncles spilled into violence. 600 years ago, in February 1426, par…
What Caused the Viking Age? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:54
A wind whips across the North Sea as dragon-headed ships cut through the waves towards Anglo-Saxon England. Their arrival marks the start of the Viking Age.In this episode of Gone Medieval, Dr Eleanor Janega is joined by…
The Hospitallers: Warrior Monks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:05
Matt Lewis explores the evolution of the Knights Hospitaller, from charitable brotherhood to a formidable fighting force at the heart of the Crusades. How did they reconcile their piety with the brutality of medieval war…