The Green Man

The Green Man

Author: History Hit June 24, 2025 Duration: 1:00:29

Dr. Eleanor Janega delves into the enigmatic figure of the Green Man, tracing his origins and uncovering the myths and realities behind this medieval character. Eleanor is joined on location in Kent - at St. Mary's, Minster-in-Thanet, and St. Nicholas at Wade - by Imogen Corrigan to explore the symbolism and significance of the medieval Green Man carvings, a detail often misunderstood as a pagan symbol but here reinterpreted within a Christian context of rebirth and eternal life. Along the way, they discuss the influence of historical periods including the Black Death, the role of craftsmen, and the blending of pagan and Christian elements in religious art.


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Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. It was edited by 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: 100

Gone Medieval
Podcast Episodes
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…
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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…
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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…
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Lizard Shampoo, Potions & Remedies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:10
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The Two Hundred Years War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:46
Was the Hundred Years War actually a two-century long conflict?Matt Lewis sits down with Professor Michael Livingston to re-examine the traditional concept of the Hundred Years War between France and England. From the mu…
Ad Gefrin: Anglo-Saxon Palace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:19
Dr. Eleanor Janega is on a field trip to uncover the secrets of the Anglo-Saxon palace at Ad Gefrin, the summer residence of King Edwin of Northumbria. Joined on site by experts Chris Ferguson and Professor Sarah Semple,…
Medieval Hallowe'en [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:02
Come with us down the dark, damp woodland lane for Gone Medieval's Halloween Spooktacular.Matt Lewis is joined by Amy Boucher and Alix Chidley-Uttley to delve into the eerie world of medieval ghost stories, folklore, and…
Owain Glyndwr, Welsh Rebel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:36
Who was the self-proclaimed Prince of Wales, who was foretold in myth to free Wales from the tyrannical English and who was also a fabled wizard?Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by Dr. Rhun Emlyn to find the real Owain Glynd…