MAP96: Tales of Medieval Revenge by Edgar Allan Poe

MAP96: Tales of Medieval Revenge by Edgar Allan Poe

Author: The Archivist October 27, 2025 Duration: 44:17

🎃Tales of Medieval Revenge by Edgar Allan Poe🎃

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On this Medieval Archives Halloween Special we're listening to two tales of revenge by the the master of gothic horror, Edgar Allan Poe.

This isn't the first time Poe has made an appearance on Medieval Archive. I love Poe's work, one of my favorite stories is "The Tell-Tale Heart." It's not medieval but it is fantastic. On past Halloween episodes we featured The Masque of the Red Death and The Pit and the Pendulum.

The two stories on this episode are "Hop-Frog" and "The Cask of Amontillado." "Hop-Frog" focuses on Hop Frog, a court jester who is constantly humiliated by the king and his men. When the King demands Hop Frog create a unique custom for a masquerade ball Hop Frog devises a terrible plan for revenge.

The story takes inspiration from the Ball of the Burning Men in 14th century France during the reign of King Charles the Mad. If you listened to episode 31 of the podcast you might know where the story of Hop Frog is going. If not, you're in for a nice tale of revenge.

The Cask of Amontillado is another tale of revenge. While not specifically medieval it is close the the middle ages and the entire story takes place in creepy medieval catacombs under an Italian palazzo.

Montresor opens the story by stating he has suffered a "thousand injuries" and a final, unforgivable insult from his acquaintance, Fortunato. It leads to  Montresor plotting his revenge to teach Fortunato a lesson.

Get all the links and see the bibliography in the show notes on Medieval Archives!


Grab a free copy of The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe

Other episodes mentioned:
Ep. 31 - Mad Monarchs of the Middle Ages
Ep. 77 - The Masque of the Red Death
Ep. 69 - The Pit and the Pendulum

Listen to all the Medieval Halloween Episodes!

  • (00:08) - Welcome to Medievel Archives 🎃Halloween Special
  • (00:54) - Thank you Producers!
  • (01:10) - Email your thoughts and comments
  • (01:32) - Edgar Allan Poe Introduction
  • (03:02) - Hop-Frog
  • (27:28) - The Cask of Amontillado
  • (42:46) - Get your free audio book
  • (43:06) - Give your friends a treat! 🍬
  • (43:18) - Become an Executive Producer!
  • (43:43) - Thank You for your Support!!
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Step into the world of Medieval Archives, where host The Archivist guides you through the sprawling, complex landscape of a thousand-year era. This isn't just a parade of dates and famous names. Instead, each episode is a deep exploration, peeling back the layers of popular legend to examine the tangible realities of medieval life. You'll hear about the strategic calculations behind what we call epic battles, the fragile alliances within courtly intrigue, and the quiet rhythms of survival in villages far from castle walls. The podcast is built on a foundation of historical evidence, carefully separating enduring fact from compelling fiction. By focusing on the people-from monarchs and saints to merchants and peasants-and the beliefs that guided them, the narrative connects these distant events to our understanding of today. Whether discussing the rise of a kingdom, the fall of a dynasty, or the evolution of a simple tool, the aim is to provide context and clarity. Tune in for a thoughtful, accessible journey that treats history not as a static record but as a continuous, human story. The medieval world was one of profound transformation, and this series seeks to illuminate how it was truly lived, felt, and shaped by those who were there.
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