Medieval Robots

Medieval Robots

Author: Weird Medieval Guys April 27, 2026 Duration: 1:49:58

Wait, what? Are you for real? is this a bit you're doing?


Ever wondered what people in the Middle Ages actually talked about over a pint, or what bizarre details lurk in the margins of illuminated manuscripts? Weird Medieval Guys digs into all that and more, hosted by Olivia-the mind behind the popular online presence-and Aran, a historian with a keen eye for the odd. Together, they sift through centuries of history, art, and primary sources not to recount the grand, familiar narratives, but to uncover the strange, hilarious, and profoundly human stories that usually get left out of the textbooks. Each episode feels like a conversation with two deeply knowledgeable friends who can’t wait to tell you about the monk who drew a fighting snail in his prayer book, or the surprisingly complex social rules of medieval beekeeping. This isn’t a dry lecture; it’s an exploration of the everyday weirdness that defined an entire era, from peculiar fashion choices and questionable medical remedies to the lives of figures who were, by any measure, absolute characters. Tune in for a consistently surprising and deeply researched look at the past, where the focus is always on the details that make history feel alive, relatable, and endlessly fascinating. You’ll come away from this podcast with a new appreciation for the Middle Ages, one wonderfully weird guy at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 59

Weird Medieval Guys
Podcast Episodes
The Hundred Years' War Part III: the Maid of Orléans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:43
As we continue our series on the Hundred Years' War, Armagnac cause has never seemed so hopeless. An Englishman sits on the French throne, the Scottish army has been crushed, and now the Armagnac stronghold of Orléans is…
The Hundred Years' War Part II: Danse Macabre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:14
Our series on the Hundred Years' War continues with a deep dive into the events of the conflict and the consequences of a century of violence and death across Europe. Join Olivia and Aran as they discuss how the Black De…
The Hundred Years' War Part I: the Lion and the Unicorn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:25
A new, three-part epic kicks off in this episode of Weird Medieval Guys, covering the Hundred Years War, the apocalyptic conflict which forged the modern nations of England, France and Scotland. In this episode, Olivia a…
Why was football banned 30 times in medieval England? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:46
The European football championships have kicked off, so it's time to talk sports! Join Olivia and Aran as they crack open a cold one or several and take a look at the long history of football in Europe, as well as the al…
The Holy Roman Empire: holy, Roman, AND an empire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:17
It's time to get continental because on this episode of the Weird Medieval Guys podcast, we're heading to the Holy Roman Empire! When Voltaire famously said that the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, Roman, nor an empi…
What to do if you get time travelled to the Middle Ages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:33
Oh no! You've become unstuck in time and now you're in 15th century England with no idea what to do or how to avoid a miserable life as a social pariah who speaks an unrecognisable language and is ignorant to the rules a…
Vikings in the Arctic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:58
It's grim up north...Why did a five-hundred-year-old Viking colony in Greenland suddenly disappear, with no trace or record? In this episode, Olivia, Aran, and local archaeologist Joe Mason assemble to try and solve one…
Why the Middle Ages ended in 19th century Japan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:15
Yes, you heard us right!! Join Olivia and Aran as they defend their most dubious claim to date, which is definitely not just an excuse to step beyond our usual remit and talk about the wild, delightful world that was Edo…
Medieval Welsh bards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:30
Journey across space and time with Olivia and Aran this week as we head to medieval Wales, home of one of history's finest bardic traditions. But what was a bard, what did they do, and why did Wales have so darn many of…
Weird medieval animal facts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:27
Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo... Spring is just around the corner in the northern hemisphere, so it's time to learn some animal facts! Turns out, medieval people had all sorts of strange beliefs about…