Medieval Archives

The Archivist

The Medieval Archives podcast transports you back to an age of heroic kings, gallant knights and pious bishops. Separate fact from fiction and find out how the men and women of the middle ages really lived. read less
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Episodes

MAP89: British Myths & Legends with Amy Jeffs
Feb 28 2024
MAP89: British Myths & Legends with Amy Jeffs
Medievalist and Art Historian Dr. Amy Jeffs joins the show to discuss her books  Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain and Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain In Amy’s first book, Storyland she examines the origins of Britain from Noah’s flood to the Norman invasion. And there are some good stories to tell, including the incredible story of Albina, who ruled Britain, was seduced by demons and gave birth to a race of giants.In her second book titled Wild takes you on a journey from desolation to hope. Through seven chapters of insightful reflection she is able to retell stories from medieval texts with vivid descriptions and unique perspectives.One of the standout elements of both books are the illustrations which Amy created. Listen to the episode to find out how she created them and how the creation process helped her through the lock-down, quarantine we all dealt with.You can find Amy Jeffs online at: Twitter/X & InstagramYou can buy Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain and Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain on Amazon.(00:08) - Welcome to another episode(01:35) - Amy Jeffs Interview(01:56) - Amy's start into medieval history(05:55) - The origins of Storyland(13:33) - Favorite origin Story?(14:50) - Albina, demons and the brith of giants(17:57) - Let's get Wild(25:54) - Creating the illustrations.(29:34) - Bonus content in the audio books(33:09) - New Book? Stay Tuned!(34:42) - Amy's contact information and social media accounts(35:09) - Thank you Amy for a great talk!(35:33) - Support the podcast! Share with your friends and donate now.(36:18) - Thanks for listening Creators & GuestsMedieval Archives - HostDr Amy Jeffs - GuestFollow Medieval Archives on Twitter/X | Mastodon | Blue Sky📜Sign Up for our newsletter 💰Become a Producer; DONATE to the showBoost the show with a Podcasting 2.0 certified app: Castamatic | Podverse | Curiocaster | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx ★ Support this podcast ★ RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com
MAP88: The Crusader States with Nic Morton
Jan 29 2024
MAP88: The Crusader States with Nic Morton
Professor and author Nicolas Morton joins the podcast to discuss his book, The Crusader States and their Neighbours. The Crusader States were founded during the First Crusade. The Crusaders conquered the land and claimed it as their own. There were four Crusader States established during the First Crusade; The County of Edessa, The County of Tripoli, the Principal of Antioch and the Kingdom of Jerusalem. For almost 200 years the Crusaders States grew and thrived…or did they?That’s why we have Nic Morton on the show today. His new book The Crusader States and their Neighbours, well it’s not really new. It was first published in 2020 but it’s now getting a new printing and in paperback. His book looks at the history of the Crusader States, their creation, how they were ruled over and how outside forces led to their eventually demise. You can find Nic Morton online at: Twitter/X | YouTube | Academia.eduYou can buy The Crusader States and their Neighbours on Amazon or from Oxford University Press and grab a copy of The Mongol Storm on Amazon as well.(00:11) - Welcome to the Medieval Archives Podcast!(02:08) - Welcome Nic Morton(02:43) - Beginning of the First Crusade(05:26) - Formation of the Crusadser States(10:41) - No Resistance to the Crusader States?(11:49) - Eastern Christian population(15:17) - Early Crusader States(17:44) - Byzantine Empire cliams the land(22:35) - Downfall of the Crusader States(25:05) - Enter Nur al-Din(27:20) - The Rise of Saladin(29:47) - Battle of Hattin and the demise of the Crusader States(34:03) - Mamluk Empire(35:38) - Mamluk training grounds, the Crusader States(36:17) - Mamluk vs Mongol(38:04) - Society in the Crusader States(43:33) - Reestablish the Crusader States?(46:23) - Get Nic's books!(47:49) - Thank you Nic for being on the show(48:09) - We're on Mastodon and Blue Sky(48:34) - Support the Show(48:48) - Thank you for listening! Creators & GuestsMedieval Archives - HostNicholas Morton - GuestFollow Medieval Archives on Twitter/X | Mastodon | Blue Sky📜Sign Up for our newsletterBoost the show with a Podcasting 2.0 certified app: Castamatic | Podverse | Curiocaster | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx ★ Support this podcast ★ RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com
MAP85: Mudlarks: Searching for London's Lost Treasures
Mar 1 2021
MAP85: Mudlarks: Searching for London's Lost Treasures
Mudlarks A mudlark is defined as someone who digs or searches in in river or harbor mud for items of value. The term was widely used in 18th and 19th century London. Mudlarks would search the shores of the River Thames during low tide to find valuable items and sell them for a profit. Being a mudlark back then was usually a job for those in extreme poverty. Today things are different. Mudlarks in the 21st century aren't finding and selling items to survive, they are helping document and preserve the history of London. On this episode of the Medieval Archives Podcast we are joined by two modern day Mudlarks, Jason Sandy and Nick Stevens. They have over twenty years experience searching the foreshore of the River Thames. Thames Mudlarking Jason and Nick share their experiences mudlarking and the amazing artifacts they've found throughout the years. They also share their vision for the Thames Museum, a place to showcase all the great items found in the mud of the river Thames. For more information about the Thames Museum visit ThamesMuseum.org you can also donate to the museum and help the vision become a reality. Over the years they've found artifacts from all time periods; a Mesolithic ’Thames Pick’ flint adze, a Roman Hair Pin, Roman coins, medieval pilgrim badges, medieval gadling, Victorian coins and maybe most shockingly, the skull of a 12 year old girl dated back to 1730. About the Book This beautifully illustrated book tells the captivating story of London and its inhabitants through the extraordinary assortment of artefacts discovered by mudlarks along the banks of the River Thames. The foreshore of the River Thames is an enchanting and mystical place where time seems to have stopped. As the murky tidalwaters of the river slowly recede, the exposed riverbed becomes the longest archaeological site in Britain. Jason Sandy, Nick Stevens and other mudlarks can often be found combing the shoreline at low tide searching for historical treasures concealed by the mud: from megalodon teeth to Roman coins, Georgian shoe buckles and shrapnel from the Blitz. You never know what you might find in the Thames! Over the years, mudlarks have found a vast array of historically significant artefacts, deepening our understanding of London’s past. This fascinating new book is packed with 160 incredible photographs of the intriguing objects discovered by over 50 mudlarks. Each artefact offers a clue to the past and provides a glimpse into London’s rich history and its people. Thames Mudlarking: Searching for London's Lost Treasure is available online at: Bloomsbury Publishing Website Amazon (affiliate link) Barnes & Noble Target.com Jason Sandy is an American architect and developer who moved to London in 2007. A member of the Society of Thames Mudlarks, he has written many articles about mudlarking, as well as lecturing, appearing on national television and having an active presence on Instagram at @jasonmudlark.   Nick Stevens is a professional photographer, a member of the Society of Thames Mudlarks, and can be found on Instagram at @rockthemudlark. He appeared in all three seasons of the History Channel’s Mud Men and co-founded the Thames Museum, which will tell the story of London through mudlarking finds. ★ Support this podcast ★
MAP 84: The Medieval Knight with Christopher Gravett
Dec 23 2020
MAP 84: The Medieval Knight with Christopher Gravett
When people think of the Middle Ages one of the first images that pops into their head is a knight in shining armor. Knights are synonymous with the Middle Ages. Slaying dragons, saving damsels in distress, but beyond the fairy tales are the real life knights. Men who sacrificed and endlessly trained to earn the title of Knight. On this episode of the Medieval Archives podcast I’m joined by historian and author Christopher Gravett to discuss The Medieval Knight. Chris is a former curator at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London, and an expert in the field of medieval arms, armor and warfare. He also worked with numerous TV series and movies as a historical advisor including The Conquerors, Braveheart and Ivanhoe. Chris even advised Terry Jones, best known as part of Monty Python, for his books. Chris has some fascinating ‘behind-the-scenes’ stories. Chris’s new book The Medieval Knight covers the evolution of the knight over 300 years, from the early Norman Knights of William the Conqueror to the gradual decline in the 15th century. We discuss a variety of topics including how knights trained, how armor evolved over the years and tournaments. Did you know a king and a prince were killed while jousting in a tournament! Listen in to find out. You can read my review of The Medieval Knight here. It is a fantastic book! Grab a copy today and enjoy the well researched history and the amazing pictures that help visualize the weapons and armor. ★ Support this podcast ★
MAP #83: Halloween Special – Ghost Stories From Haunted Castles
Oct 27 2020
MAP #83: Halloween Special – Ghost Stories From Haunted Castles
The witching season is upon us once again. Past Halloweens we’ve covered a Medieval Serial Killer, Medieval Zombies and more. All the Halloween episodes are available on the Halloween Podcast page. This Halloween we are looking at haunted castles from the Middle Ages. Castles We’ll visit a handful of castles around England and one in Ireland. Most of the castles today are in Northern England and one isn’t a castle. We’ll start out at Whitby Abbey and make our way north to Alnwick Castle and the infamous Alnwick Vampire! The Alnwick Vampire spread death and pestilence wherever it roamed. It was even recorded by medieval chronicler William of Newburgh. Then we’ll look at a castle dubbed ‘The Most Haunted Castle” in England, Chillingham Castle. Filled with the ghosts of hundreds of Scottish prisoners, an evil torturer and an innocent boy caught in the middle of political betrayal. The last two stops on our trip are on the Emerald Isle at Malahide Castle talking about perhaps, the first evil clown and ending up in London at the massive Tower of London! The Tower of London is home to some of the most famous ghosts in England including the Princes in the Tower and Queen Anne Boleyn. The night before her execution, Queen Anne wrote her death poem, which you can read below. I found a beautiful rendition of the poem set to music in the episode. Queen Anne Boleyn Death Poem: Oh Death, rock me asleep, Bring me to quiet rest, Let pass my weary guiltless ghost Out of my careful breast. Toll on, thou passing bell; Ring out my doleful knell; Let thy sound my death tell. Death doth draw nigh; There is no remedy. My pains who can express? Alas, they are so strong; My dolour will not suffer strength My life for to prolong. Toll on, thou passing bell; Ring out my doleful knell; Let thy sound my death tell. Death doth draw nigh; There is no remedy. Alone in prison strong I wait my destiny. Woe worth this cruel hap that I Should taste this misery! Toll on, thou passing bell; Ring out my doleful knell; Let thy sound my death tell. Death doth draw nigh; There is no remedy. Farewell, my pleasures past, Welcome, my present pain! I feel my torments so increase That life cannot remain. Cease now, thou passing bell; Rung is my doleful knell; For the sound my death doth tell. Death doth draw nigh; There is no remedy. The Tower of London also had one of the craziest executions recorded. A novice executioner missed his mark and chased an elder lady around hacking her to death. As comical as it sounds it as a gruesome death seen by over 150 witnesses. Grab some candy and get ready for a chilling tour of haunted castles! Haunted Castles covered in this episode: Whitby AbbeyAlnwick CastleChillingham CastleMalahide CastleThe Tower of London Get your free audio book from Audible.com at: https://www.medievalarchives.com/AudioBook Download the MP3 and listen to it on your favorite MP3 player. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast Feed The intro music was provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com ★ Support this podcast ★
MAP082: Viking Warriors and Explorers
Sep 3 2020
MAP082: Viking Warriors and Explorers
The Viking Age​ VIKINGS! The scourge of the early middle ages. Vikings raided England, Ireland and Europe with a ferocity never seen before. On this episode we’re going to look at a few Vikings that you may not have heard of, or know much about. One of them should be taught in every school in America and Europe. They are portrayed as blood thirsty killers who pillage and plunder, but they were also adventuring explorers who discovered new lands and some even set aside their Viking ways to adapt in new societies. Viking Expansion​ Further Reading​ If you are interested in learning more about The Viking Age and Viking warriors below is a list of books I used while researching this episode. Brownworth, Lars. The Sea Wolves: A History of the Vikings, 2014.Castleden, Rodney. Vikings: Raiders, Traders and Masters of the Sea, 2015.Clements, J. M. Vikings. Lost Worlds. New York: Metro Books, 2012.Kunz, Keneva, ed. The Vinland Sagas: The Icelandic Sagas about the First Documented Voyages across the North Atlantic ; the Saga of the Greenlanders and Eirik the Red’s Saga. New ed. Penguin Classics. London: Penguin Books, 2008.Logan, Francis Donald. The Vikings in History. 2. ed., reprinted. London: Routledge, 1998. Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used on this site. While they don't cost you anything when you purchase through them they help support Medieval Archives. Download the MP3 and listen to it on your favorite MP3 player. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Apple Podcasts | Stitcher Radio | Download MP3 | RSS Feed The intro music was provided by Tim Rayburn.  It is available at Magnatune.com   ★ Support this podcast ★
MAP81: John II The Good: King of France 1350-1364
Jul 29 2020
MAP81: John II The Good: King of France 1350-1364
John II: King of France 1350-1364 King John II of France, called The Good. John ruled during a tumultuous time, the Plague was in full force killing large parts of France’s population, the Hundred Years’ War was raging and France was in financial trouble. With all that going on how did John get dubbed, The Good? We’ll take a look at his rise to the throne, his exploits in battle and on the home front to see if he was truly a good king. John II: Prisoner of War King John II and his son Philip The Bold were captured by the English during the Battle of Poitiers. King John spent the next four years in England trying to negotiate a release and raise the ransom money. His eldest son, Charles worked on the home front trying to raise money and support for his father’s return. In 1360 England and France signed the Treaty of Brétigny ensuring the release of King John Further Reading If you are interested in learning more about Medieval Mercenaries below is a list of books I used while researching this episode. Tuchman, Barbara Wertheim. A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century. Ballantine, 1979. Jones, Michael K. The Black Prince: England’s Greatest Medieval Warrior. Pegasus Books, 2019. Jones, Michael, ed. The New Cambridge Medieval History, Volume 6: C.1300 – c.1415. Vol. 6. The New Cambridge Medieval History 6. Cambridge University Press, 2015. Sumption, Jonathan. Trial by Battle: The Hundred Years War. Vol. 1. 3 vols. The Hundred Years War 1. Faber & Faber, 1990.   Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used on this site. While they don’t cost you anything when you purchase through them they help support Medieval Archives. Lesson Notes In today's lesson we discuss: Salic LawThe Black DeathThe Hundred Years WarEngland & King Edward IIIThe Battle of PoitiersThe Order of the Star Get your free audio book from Audible.com at https://www.medievalarchives.com/AudioBook Download the MP3 and listen to it on your favorite MP3 player. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Apple Podcasts | Stitcher Radio | Download MP3 | RSS Feed   The intro music was provided by Tim Rayburn.  It is available at Magnatune.com ★ Support this podcast ★
MAP80: Sword for Hire: Mercenaries in the Middle Ages
Jul 14 2020
MAP80: Sword for Hire: Mercenaries in the Middle Ages
Fight For Profit Soldiers in the Middle Ages fought for King and Country. But what did they do when the wars ended? Not all soldiers retired back to a life of farming or trade. Some men wanted to continue fighting and they fought for profit Medieval Mercenaries rose to prominence in the 13th and 14th centuries. The Mercenary Companies were made up of men from every corner of Europe; Germany, France, England, Spain, Scandinavia, Italy. Mercenary Companies The Mercenaries formed companies, small (and in some cases large) armies of men who would fight for the right price. The Catalan Company, always outnumbered but never at a disadvantage counted around 8,000 men in its ranks.   The White Company led by the infamous Sir John Hawkwood, employed over 15,000 men at its peak. Hawkwood was a longbowman for Edward III in the Hundred Years War and fought at both the Battle of Crécy and Poitiers. Further Reading If you are interested in learning more about Medieval Mercenaries below is a list of books I used while researching this episode. Caferro, William. John Hawkwood: an English Mercenary in Fourteenth-Century Italy. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 2015Cooper, Stephen. Sir John Hawkwood: Chivalry and the Art of War. Pen & Sword Military, 2008D’Amato, Raffaele, and Giuseppe Rava. The Varangian Guard: 988-1453. Osprey, 2010Deiss, Joseph Jay. Captains of Fortune: Profiles of Six Italian Condottieri. New York, 1967Keen, Maurice Hugh. Medieval Warfare: A History. Oxford University Press, 1999   Disclaimer: Affiliate links are used on this site. While they don’t cost you anything when you purchase through them they help support Medieval Archives. Lesson Notes In today's lesson we discuss:John Hawkwood and the White CompanyAlbert SterzWerner von Urslingen and the Great CompanyKonrad von LandauThe Varangian GuardRoger de Flor and the Catalan Company ★ Support this podcast ★
MAP#79: Richard the Lionheart and author W.B. Bartlett
May 3 2018
MAP#79: Richard the Lionheart and author W.B. Bartlett
In today's lesson we are joined by author Wayne Bartlett to discuss Richard the Lionheart! Wayne's new book Richard the Lionheart: The Crusader King of England is available through Amberley Publishing. It's an excellent biography and the first biography of Richard the Lionheart in over 40 years!Wayne and I discuss Richard's upbringing, the Crusades and his war in France. We also cover the women in his life; his powerful mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, the rejected Alice of France and his wife Berengaria of Navarre.Whilst Richard I is one of medieval England’s most famous kings he is also the most controversial. He has variously been considered a great warrior but a poor king, a man driven by the quest for fame and glory but also lacking in self-discipline and prone to throwing away the short-term advantages that his military successes brought him.In this reassessment the author looks at his deeds and achievements in a new light. The result is a compelling new portrait of ‘the Lionheart’ which shows that the king is every bit as remarkable as his medieval contemporaries found him to be. This includes his Muslim enemies, who spoke of him as their most dangerous and gallant opponent. It shows him to be a man badly let down by some of those around him, especially his brother John and the duplicitous French king Philip. The foibles of his character are also exposed to the full, including his complicated relationships with the key women in his life, especially the imposing contemporary figure of his mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and his wife, Berengaria, with whom he failed to produce an heir, leading to later suggestions of homosexuality.This is a new Richard, one for the twenty-first century, and a re-evaluation of the life story of one of the greatest personalities of medieval Europe.W. B. Bartlett has worked across the globe in almost twenty countries and has spent time in over fifty. He is the author of many history books for Amberley including titles on the Titanic, Medieval History and Dam Busters. He lives in Bournemouth.You can buy his book from Amberley Publishing at https://www.amberley-books.com/richard-the-lionheart.html or from AmazonIf you are enjoying the podcast please considering leaving a rating on Apple Podcasts.Rate the Medieval Archives Podcast now! Listen to the episode now  http://www.medievalarchives.com/medievalpatron Get your free audio book from Audible.com at: http://www.medievalarchives.com/AudioBook Download the MP3 and listen to it on your favorite MP3 player. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Apple Podcasts | Stitcher Radio | Download MP3 | RSS FeedThe intro music was provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com ★ Support this podcast ★
MAP#74: Northern Crusades: Teutonic Knights, Alexander Nevsky and the Battle on the Ice
Mar 27 2017
MAP#74: Northern Crusades: Teutonic Knights, Alexander Nevsky and the Battle on the Ice
In 1242 the Teutonic Knights were conquering lands to the east into Novgorod. Pope Gregory IX blessed the Knights in their Crusade to rid Novgorod of the orthodox pagans. Alexander Nevsky and his army had other plans. They intended to defend their country from all invaders. The conflict ended with a fierce battle, called the Battle on the Ice. On a frigid day in April the two armies met on the frozen ice of Lake Peipus. If the Teutonic Knights were victorious they would stamp out the Orthodox religion and spread Catholicism throughout Russia. If Nevsky and his army successfully stopped the Knights Novgorod and Russia would be free of Western influence. Today on the Medieval Archives Podcast we'll discuss the Northern Crusades and the Battle on the Ice. Please send any comments, suggestions or topic ideas to podcast@medievalarchives.com If you are enjoying the podcast please considering leaving a rating on iTunes. Rate the Medieval Archives Podcast now! In this episode we discuss: Northern Crusades Livonian Order of the Teutonic Knights Pope Gregory IX Saint Alexander Nevsky And more... http://www.medievalarchives.com/medievalpatron Get your free audio book from Audible.com at: http://www.medievalarchives.com/AudioBook Download the MP3 and listen to it on your favorite MP3 player. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Download MP3 | RSS Feed The music was provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com ★ Support this podcast ★