The Merovingian Dynasty: France's First Kings

The Merovingian Dynasty: France's First Kings

Author: History Hit May 19, 2026 Duration: 57:44

Long-haired rulers, dynastic bloodshed, secret letters, and a kingdom built in the aftermath of empire; Dr. Eleanor Janega and Dr. James Palmer dive into the wild, Roman-adjacent world of the Merovingians.

What made the first kings of France so unforgettable, and why were they later written out of the story? From myth to murder, this is the family that helped shape medieval France.


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Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. Audio editor is Tim Arstall, 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
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…
Lizard Shampoo, Potions & Remedies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:10
Can vultures eyes wrapped in fox pelt help heal sore skin? How important are leeches? Medieval people cared deeply about beauty, health and wellness; they were obsessed with remedies, beauty hacks and astrological predic…