Was Feudalism really just Slavery? w/ Levi Roach. JFT Ep15

Was Feudalism really just Slavery? w/ Levi Roach. JFT Ep15

Author: Michael July 17, 2025 Duration: 57:50

Slavery with extra steps? Professor Levi Roach joins me to discuss Feudalism. An hour goes quickly so we touch on three main points. Did Feudalism exist (the academic debate)? Was Feudalism just slavery? What was Feudalism like? If you would like to dive deeper and read his paper on Feudalism it is here

If you would like to check out his very excellent book on the Normans it is here

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Previous episodes of Just Feudal Things covered:

-The First Crusade- Myths, Misconceptions, and Modern Scholarship

-The Albigensian Crusade

-The Last Anglo-Saxon King, Harold Godwinson

Coming up, I will have a show with an expert on Richard III discussing evidence that perhaps he did not murder his nephews. New episodes on the 3rd and 17th each month!



Get full access to Memory Medieval at memorymedieval.substack.com/subscribe

Michael hosts Memory Medieval Podcast, a series of thoughtful conversations that dig into how people lived, thought, and organized their worlds a thousand years ago. Rather than just listing dates and battles, this podcast explores the textures of daily life, the evolution of cultural ideas, and the complex structures of society that defined the medieval period. Each episode features a different historian or expert, leading to organic discussions that can jump from analyzing a single manuscript to debating broad social transformations across centuries. You’ll hear about the stories we tell ourselves about the past and how our modern memory of the Middle Ages is constantly being reshaped. The tone is more like a deep dive with curious friends than a formal lecture, making the distant past feel surprisingly immediate and relevant. For anyone with an interest in the roots of our contemporary world, this podcast offers a nuanced and engaging doorway into a fascinating era. Find more from Michael and his guests through the Substack linked to the show.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 36

Memory Medieval Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Last Anglo-Saxon King --JFT Ep14 w/ Paula Lofting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:00
Did Harold Godwinson have a legitimate claim to the throne of England? Did William the Conqueror? What was Anglo-Saxon culture like? Author Paula Lofting joins me to discuss the last Anglo-Saxon King of England, Harold G…
The Albigensian Crusade with Laurence Marvin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:21
Laurence Marvin, professor of history at Berry University, joins me to discuss the Albigensian Crusade. Who were the Cathars? What was the purpose of the Crusade? What did the French Kings stand to gain? We talk about th…
Upcoming medieval-inspired game! JFT Ep8 w/ Jan of Knight's Path [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:45
I have a very fun episode for you today. I am speaking with Jan, a European game developer who is creating the game Knight’s Path. English is his second language so this is a pretty RARE English interview! When I ask peo…
Great Man or Instrument of God? Henry V! JFT7 w/ Medieval Scholar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:24
One of the largest medieval history accounts on X, Medieval Scholar joins me to talk about Henry V and various theories of history. Was Henry a great man? Was he an instrument of God? How should we look at history and ho…
Painting Dante's Inferno - JFT6 w/Eric Armusik [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:55
In this episode I am joined by Eric Armusik to discuss Dante and his enormous artistic project in progress, 40 large canvas paintings of Dante’s “Inferno”. We will discuss an artists perspective of history and historical…
5th Crusade (gone wrong) and medieval military insurgency! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:16
Today I am joined by professor Laurence Marvin to discuss the 5th crusade and medieval military insurgency. Professor Marvin has written the first book-length account of the 5th crusade in over 40 years! He also wrote a…