Weird medieval mailbag #3

Weird medieval mailbag #3

Author: Weird Medieval Guys January 19, 2026 Duration: 1:37:21

Q&A with Aran and Olivia

Join the official WMG Discord server!! https://discord.gg/6GzvXdWX23


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: 56

Weird Medieval Guys
Podcast Episodes
Constantinople part I: The city of the world's desire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:06
After nearly half a year adrift on the seas of medieval history, it is finally time for Olivia and Aran to wash ashore on the hospitable shores of a little town called CONSTANTINOPLE. Join us for part 1 of 2 about the gr…
Weird Medieval Mailbag [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:41
Weird Medieval Guys is back, and there's more audience participation than ever! In this episode, Aran and Olivia tackle a litany of listener questions on the most important medieval topics, like the conversion of the Vik…
How to host a medieval holiday party [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:34
In this episode, Olivia and Aran are joined by a delightful host of guests from Weird Medieval Guys podcast episodes past as they prepare to put on the perfect medieval holiday party. Join them for a journey through medi…
Bonus episode: the outtakes! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:00
Due to Olivia's characteristic truancy, no episode could be recorded this week. In lieu of your regular WMGPod content, please enjoy this gag reel of previously-unseen podcast content featuring Olivia, Aran, and occasion…
Medieval student life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:11
The Middle Ages gave us one of the longest-lasting institutions of education: the university. And where there are universities, there are sure to be students sowing chaos and destruction. Olivia and Aran are joined by a…
Why Florence lived rent free in medieval people's heads [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:45
The Weird Medieval Guys book is now out!!! Head to linktr.ee/weirdmedievalguys to pick up a copy!Florence and its residents appear in late medieval popular culture across Europe, particularly in jokes at their expense. S…
Medieval vampires [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:53
In this special Halloween episode of the Weird Medieval Guys podcast, Olivia and Aran take a look at the confluence of fact, fable and fear that created the medieval vampire myth. We then explore how that myth developed…
What's the deal with jesters? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:23
Jesters. They're just funny little guys with bells who hang around their medieval king and make wisecracks, right? As it turns out, there's actually a bit more to it. Olivia and Aran trace the origins and development of…
How to divorce your medieval wife [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:50
In the medieval world, divorce was illegal and marriage was forever. In most cases, at least. Olivia and Aran take on. the most pressing question of all, then: how can you leave your wife anyways? Starting in 8th century…
Why did medieval artists draw the ancient world wrong? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:55
Olivia and Aran tackle the much-maligned subject of medieval historical artwork, seeking to understand and explain why medieval artists depicted historical figures such as Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great as looking…