Gone Medieval

History Hit

From long-lost Viking ships to kings buried in unexpected places; from murders and power politics, to myths, religion, the lives of ordinary people: Gone Medieval is History Hit’s podcast dedicated to the middle ages, in Europe and far beyond.

#38 in the Top 100 history Monthly chart

15 Listeners

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Top 10 Gone Medieval Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Gone Medieval episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Gone Medieval for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Gone Medieval episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Vikings in Northern Britain

Gone Medieval

05/18/21 • 25 min

Archeological evidence of the Vikings as far north as Northumbria has practically been non-existent...until now. In an exclusive for Gone Medieval, Dr Cat Jarman is joined by Dr Jane Kershaw as they discuss their discoveries from a brand-new Viking site in Northumberland, fifteen years after metal detectorists started carefully documenting their finds in the area. Hear why Halfdan and the Viking Great Army ended up in this part of the country and find out what they've left behind. Jane is a professor of Archaeology at the University of Oxford, specialising in the Early Medieval period and Viking-Age; Scandinavian settlements in Britain; and Viking silver, gender and cultural identity.

3 Listeners

How to be an Atheist in the Middle Ages

Gone Medieval

08/29/23 • 38 min

We tend to think that it was impossible not to subscribe to Christianity in the Middle Ages. But, as in any age, belief can wax and wane. But the chroniclers of the period largely ignored the voices of ordinary people, whose faith may not have been quite so devout as we have been led to believe.

In this episode of Gone Medieval, Dr. Eleanor Janega talks to Dr. Alec Ryrie, author of Unbelievers: An Emotional History of Doubt, which charts how atheism bloomed as a belief system in its own right.

This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.

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3 Listeners

Emperor Frederick II: Scourge of the Papacy

Gone Medieval

07/23/24 • 32 min

One of the most important of Holy Roman Emperors, Frederick II was revered and reviled in equal measures. He was a scholar, an architect, a poet, a scientist and a composer. Yet rumours swirled that he was a pagan, a sensualist who kept a harem, even secretly a Muslim, who was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church numerous times.

In this explainer episode of Gone Medieval, Dr. Eleanor Janega tells the compelling story of one of her favourite historical figures; a ruler who fought for recognition, both on the battlefield and in the court of public perception.

Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Jane and produced by Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.

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3 Listeners

Mysteries of Cerne Abbas Giant

Gone Medieval

05/25/21 • 31 min

It's not often a discovery shocks archeologists, but the revelation that the Cerne Abbas Giant could've been created in the late Saxon period has surprised many. In this episode Cat Jarman speaks with the person who was in charge of dating the 180 ft giant with the 30 ft erect penis, Martin Papworth from the National Trust. Find out how they went about testing the Dorset landmark, why so many people assumed it was created in the 17th century, and what challenges popped up during the project.

2 Listeners

Battle of Hastings

Gone Medieval

01/25/24 • 25 min

Over the previous three episodes in our special series, Gone Medieval has taken a close look at the three main contenders for the throne of England in 1066. From Harold Godwinson who sat on it, to Harold Hardrada who might have seemed the most likely to win it, and William the Conqueror, the hardened Duke of Normandy.

In this episode, Matt Lewis explores the final clash of that seismic year. Who would wear the crown of England by the end of 1066 was still an open question and there was only one place that question could be answered. This is the story of the Battle of Hastings.

This episode was mixed and produced by Rob Weinberg.

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You can take part in our listener survey here.

2 Listeners

Rise of Mercia

Gone Medieval

04/11/24 • 41 min

In Gone Medieval’s special series examining some of Anglo-Saxon Britain’s most significant kingdoms, we arrive at the kingdom of Mercia, which once enjoyed supremacy over not only Wessex but all of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. At its peak, Mercia controlled what is now Birmingham and London, but it ceased to be a kingdom when Alfred the Great came to power. But its history did not end there.

In this episode, Matt Lewis speaks to Annie Whitehead, author of Mercia: The Rise and Fall of a Kingdom, to discover the important role the Mercians - including such renowned characters as Penda, Offa and Lady Godiva - played in the forging of the English nation.

This episode was edited by Ella Blaxill and produced by Rob Weinberg.

You can take part in our listener survey here.

2 Listeners

The Habsburgs

Gone Medieval

10/02/23 • 39 min

How did an obscure Swiss family grow in power to gain control of the Holy Roman Empire in the 15th century? How did they manage to then take in a large part of Europe stretching from Hungary to Spain, and from the Far East to the New World?

In this episode of Gone Medieval, Dr. Eleanor Janega meets Professor Martyn Rady to find out the reasons for the Habsburg’s incredible endurance, founded in the belief that they were destined to rule the world as defenders of the Roman Catholic Church, guarantors of peace and patrons of learning.

This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.

You can take part in our listener survey here.

2 Listeners

5 Medieval Christmas Traditions

Gone Medieval

12/11/23 • 40 min

In this episode of Gone Medieval, our co-hosts Dr. Eleanor Janega and Matt Lewis get together to revive some of the Christmas traditions that were commonplace in the Middle Ages - from the literal origins of the Yule log to having a procession to celebrate finding a duck in a drain!

So grab a festive drink and a mince pie because Matt and Eleanor are ready to get serious about the silly season.

This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.

You can take part in our listener survey here.

2 Listeners

Justinian: Greatest Byzantine Emperor?

Gone Medieval

02/08/24 • 40 min

The Eastern Roman Emperor from 527 to 565, Justinian was a ruler who infused even the most mundane tasks with spiritual and religious significance. The challenges he faced - climate change, battles over culture and identity, the first recorded global pandemic - and many of the solutions he found to address them still resonate with us today. His legacy remains all around us, in his massive building programme, in our legal systems, and in his fundamental contribution to both the formation of Christendom and the emergence of Islam.

In this episode, Matt Lewis talks to Peter Sarris, author of Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint, about a man who, from the humblest beginnings, rose to become ruler of much of the known world achieving an almost god-like status.

This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.

You can take part in our listener survey here.

2 Listeners

The Venerable Bede

Gone Medieval

10/05/23 • 47 min

Bede, whose name towers over early medieval English literature, is often referred to as the “father of English history.” He calculated the first tide-tables, played a role in the creation of the Lindisfarne Gospels, wrote the earliest extant Old English poetry and did the earliest translation of part of the Bible into English. Despite never leaving Northumbria, he also wrote a guide to the Holy Land.

In this episode of Gone Medieval, Matt Lewis finds out everything you need to know about the Venerable Bede from Professor Michelle Brown, author of Bede and the Theory of Everything.

This episode was edited and mixed by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.

You can take part in our listener survey here.

2 Listeners

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Curated by Henricus Rex

FAQ

How many episodes does Gone Medieval have?

Gone Medieval currently has 369 episodes available.

What topics does Gone Medieval cover?

The podcast is about History and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Gone Medieval?

The episode title 'Vikings in Northern Britain' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Gone Medieval?

The average episode length on Gone Medieval is 36 minutes.

How often are episodes of Gone Medieval released?

Episodes of Gone Medieval are typically released every 3 days, 3 hours.

When was the first episode of Gone Medieval?

The first episode of Gone Medieval was released on Apr 21, 2021.

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Gone Medieval

History Hit

Top 10 Gone Medieval Episodes

Featured in these lists

FAQ

How many episodes does Gone Medieval have?

What topics does Gone Medieval cover?

What is the most popular episode on Gone Medieval?

What is the average episode length on Gone Medieval?

How often are episodes of Gone Medieval released?

When was the first episode of Gone Medieval?

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