The First Troubadours

The First Troubadours

Author: History Hit May 29, 2026 Duration: 47:00

How could a love song become a political weapon? How were scandals, wars and crusades turned into some of the most influential poetry ever written?

The songs of the troubadours - celebrities in their day - helped define the emotional landscape of the Middle Ages and left a legacy that still echoes through European literature. Matt Lewis is joined by Professor Linda M. Paterson to explore the poet-musicians who shaped medieval ideas of courtly love, chivalry, gender, power and performance.


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Erotic Medieval Poet: Gwerful Mechain

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Crusades Against Heretics (Albigensian Crusade)

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Gone Medieval is presented by Matt Lewis. Audio editor is Amy Haddow, the producer is Rob Weinberg. 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: 50

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