Medieval Archives

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of 24 stories written Geoffrey Chaucer between 1387–1400. The tales are presented as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together on a journey from London to Canterbury to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The Miller's Tale is about a carpenter, John, his beautiful wife Alison and two clerks who fall in love with Alison. Today on the Medieval Archives Podcast we'll listen to the Miller's Tale from Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. 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! 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 | Do

Jack Cade's RebellionThe summer of 1450 was full of unrest in England. A failing war in France, political corruption and out of control crime left the citizens of England on edge. One man, Jack Cade, gathered together a band of followers from all classes of life and marched on London. The group presented King Henry VI a list of grievances called 'The Complaint of the Poor Commons of Kent' and demanded the King clean up the corruption and crime. What followed was a summer of battles, looting, death and betrayal pitting Jack Cade and his followers against the King and his court. Today on the Medieval Archives Podcast we discuss Jack Cade's Rebellion, the history leading up to it's beginnings, the rebellions and it's aftremath and the fate of Jack Cade. Enjoy the lesson! 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! Listen to the episode now In this episode

Cesare Borgia in a Nutshell MadeGlobal’s History in a Nutshell Series aims to give readers a good grounding in a historical topic in a concise, easily digestible and accessible way. Cesare Borgia in a Nutshell outlines the life of one of history’s most controversial figures from his birth through to his murder in 1507 at the age of just 31. This book aims to expose the truth behind the age-old rumours of this ancient family and to shed light onto a fascinating period of history. Today on this bonus episode of the Medieval Archives Podcast Samantha presents the Top Five Borgia myths! Listen to the episode and sign up for the book giveaway below. 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! Listen to the episode now Book Giveaway! For a chance to win a copy of Cesare Borgia in a Nutshell subscribe to our newsletter and then send us an email with the answe

The Children's Crusade 1212In the summer of 1212 a French boy and a German boy had separate visions of freeing the Holy Land from the Muslims. Their quests included over 20,000 medieval children and is known as the Children's Crusade. Stephan of Cloyes, a French shepard boy, claimed Jesus told him to gather a group of children and free the Holy Land. That same year in Germany, Nicholas of Cologne, had his own idea to free the Holy Land of Muslims. The two boys enlisted the help of thousands of children and embarked on a journey through Europe to the Holy Land. Shunned by Kings and Popes the children would not be deterred. Today on the Medieval Archives Podcast we discuss the Children's Crusade, it's beginnings, the journey to the Medeterrian Sea and the fate of the children on the Crusade. Enjoy this lesson on the Children's Crusade! 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 Medie

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from the Medieval Archives! No intro, no talking just Christmas music inspired by the Middle Ages! Have a safe holiday season and thank you for supporting the Medieval Archives Podcast. 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! 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. iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Download MP3 | RSS Feed ★ Support this podcast ★

Happy Halloween! The Spanish Inquisition, started in 1478 by Ferdinand and Isabella, was used to rid Spain and the Spanish Territories of heretics. The Spanish Inquisition targeted Catholics who strayed from the Catholic teaches and expanded to Jews, Muslims and non-Catholic Christians. Being convicted by an Inquisition tribunal didn't also led to death, but it almost guaranteed torture. Torture to confess your sins, torture to renounce your evil ways or to name other heretics. Today on the Halloween inspired episode we are going to listen to Edgar Allan Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum. It's a tale of one man's experience as he is tried, sentenced and tortured for crimes against the cross. 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! Listen to the episode now In this episode we discuss: The Spanish Inqusition Edgar Allan Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum ht

During the first phase of the Hundred Years War a smaller war broke out in France, the Breton War of Succession. Wars of Succession always start the same way, a Nobleman dies without an heir. In this case it was the Duke of Brittany, John the Good, who died childless in 1341. Two men stepped up to claim the duchy and the Civil War raged for 23 years. But in the midst of it all a combat was held that's remembered for the Chivalry and Honor that was displayed by both sides. On 26 March 1351 60 knights met on the battlefield to test their mettle in a friendly competition. Today on the Medieval Archives Podcast we discuss the Combat of the Thirty a medieval battle that pitted knight against knight in a test of skill. The Combat lasted all day and in the end every man, all 60 were either wounded or in some cases dead. Enjoy this lesson on the Combat of the Thirty! Please send any comments, suggestions or topic ideas to podcast@medievalarchives.com If you are enjoying the podcast please considering leaving a rating

Women in the Middle Ages were docile, meek and subservient. Or at least that's what we were led to believe. But that isn't always the case. In previous lessons we looked at Black Agnes, the defender of Dunbar Castle and Melisende, the Queen of Jerusalem. Women like Joan of Arc, Isabella, the She-Wolf of France and Eleanor of Aquitaine are examples of powerful women in the Middle Ages. Today we are going to look at more women who broke the stereotype and proved to be strong, powerful leaders and commanders. You can call them warriors, but you might not want to call them Warrior Princess! If you are enjoying the podcast please considering leaving a rating on iTunes. Rate the Medieval Archives Podcast now! Listen to the episode now In this episode we discuss: Margaret of Anjou Tomoe Gozen, Samurai Warrior Tamar of Georgia Joanna of Flanders, 'Jeanna le Flamme' And more... http://www.medievalarchives.com/medievalpatron Get your free audio book from Audible.com at: http://www.medievalarchives.com/AudioBook ★ Su

The Battle of Sluys was the first major battle of the Hundred Years' War. There were a few battles before it but nothing that compared to the size and ramifications of Sluys. The Hundred Years' War was a series of wars between England's Plantagenet Dynasty and France's House of Valois and lasted 116 years! The main cause of the war was the rightful rulers of France. In 1328 King Edward III of England was the closest living mail heir to the French throne. However, when King Charles IV of France died Edward was passed over for a more distant relative Philip of Valois. If you are enjoying the podcast please considering leaving a rating on iTunes. 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. iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Download MP3 | RSS Feed

Geoffrey Chaucer wrote The Canterbury Tales toward the end of the 14th century. The tales are a story telling contest by a group of pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. Today we are going to listen to The Pardoner's Tale, a tale of greed, treachery and betrayal. The Pardoner's Tale is about three young men who discover their friend has been killed. The men set out to avenge their friend and kill death, but quickly abandon their plans when they discover a pile of gold coins. If you are enjoying the podcast please considering leaving a rating on iTunes. 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. iTunes | Stitcher Radio | Download MP3 | RSS Feed The music is provided by Tim Rayburn. It is avail

While browsing a B. Dalton bookstore in 1987 I happened upon a book with a glowing sword on the cover. The description talked of Skull Bearers, trolls, dwarfs, elves and a powerful Sword of Shannara. I was sold! That summer I read the entire Original Shannara trilogy by Terry Brooks. Over the years I would continue to read any book with the name Terry Brooks across the front. The magic of his words, the castles and keeps, swords, heroes and villains captured my imagination and never let go. The Original Shannara Trilogy is one of the reason I began studying medieval history. Today on the Medieval Archive Podcast we talk to best selling author Terry Brooks about his books and the upcoming TV series The Shannara Chronicles. You can connect with Terry at his website TerryBrooks.net, through his Facebook page or find him on Twitter @officialbrooks If you are enjoying the podcast please considering leaving a rating on iTunes. Rate the Medieval Archives Podcast now! Listen to the episode now In this episode we disc

This year marks the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. The medieval King responsible for the document is King John of England. He didn't create it, but it was his turbulent reign that caused the Barons to create the document. King John put his seal on it in June 1215 and then refused to abide by the Magna Carta forcing the Barons to revolt against their king. Their revolt, The First Barons' War or The Magna Carta Rebellion, lasted over two years and only ended with the death of King John. Today on the Medieval Archive Podcast we talk to author and historian Marc Morris about his new book, King John: Treachery, Tyranny and the Road to Magna Carta. You can connect with Marc at his website MarcMorris.org.uk, through his Facebook page or find him on Twitter @Longshanks1307 Marc recently wrote a piece on King John for History Today titled King John: Still Englands Greatest Villain. If you are enjoying the podcast please considering leaving a rating on iTunes. Rate the Medieval Archives Podcast now! Listen to th

We are two weeks away from the beginning of the Richard III re-interment ceremonies. Leicester will be packed with dignitaries, tourist and medievalists to witness the final procession of Richard from Leiscester to Bosworth and back. On the last episode we talked to David Monteith, the Dean of Leicester Cathedral about the Cathedral and the re-interment process. Today on the Medieval Archives. Podcast we talk to author and historian Kristie Dean about her new book, The World of Richard III. The book chronicles the travels of Richard and examines the history of the castles, cathedrals and homes Richard visited during his life. You can connect with Kristie at her website KristieDean.com or through her Facebook page. Get your copy of The World of Richard III at TheBookDepository.com If you are enjoying the podcast please considering leaving a rating on iTunes. Rate the Medieval Archives Podcast now! Listen to the episode now In this episode we discuss: Kristie's background The travels of King Richard III King Ri

Three years ago archaeologists began a dig to discover the lost remains of King Richard III. Unbelievably they found his remains the very first day! It took over a week of careful excavation to uncover and exhume his bones. The bones were sent to the University of Leicester for analysis. After months of testing and DNA analysis the University confirmed on 04 February 2013 that the remains found in the Leicester car park were indeed Richard III. The discovery brought up another battle...where to bury, or re-bury the King. Leicester was the obvious choice, but some wanted him buried in Westminster Abbey next to other Kings and others wanted him taken to York for burial. In the end, and after a long court battle, a judge decided Leicester was the final resting place. This March, King Richard III will be officially re-interred in the Leicester Cathedral. Joining us on the podcast today is the Very Revd David Monteith, the Dean of Leicester Cathedral. He talks about the history of the cathedral and the upcoming re

Season 3 Premiere! What's in store for Ragnar and company this year? A trip to Wessex, raids, glory? All that and more! Find out on another great episode of Vikings. On this episode of The Vikings Podcast we'll review and recap the Season 3 premiere episode, Mercenary. Then we'll look at the history presented in the show and see how it compares to actual history. Mercenary Ragnar and Lagertha's fleets depart Kattegat once more for Wessex but this time they bring settlers. King Ecbert hosts the Vikings and proposes a deal. Despite the misgivings of some of the other leaders, Ragnar leads his forces into battle once more, but this time as allies of Wessex. Listen to the episode now http://www.thevikingspodcast.com/vikingpatron In this episode's history lesson we discuss: King Brightwulf Burgred And much more! Visit our sponsor Audible for your free audio book (Click on the Image below) Send in your comments and feedback by calling the listener voicemail line at 720.722.1066 or send an email to feedback@thevikin

Six hundred years ago Anti-Pope John XXIII called the Council of Constance. It was an ecumenical council recognized by the Roman Catholic Church and began in November 1414. The main purpose of the Council was to end the Western Schism. In 1414 three Popes ruled the Catholic Church, Anti-Popes John XXIII and Benedict XIII and Pope Gregory XII. There were two other issues the Council addressed as well. The heretics John Wyclif and Jan Hus and the Lithuania-Teutonic Knight conflict. The Council of Constance lasted three and a half years and completed two of its objectives, while only partially addressing the third. At the end of the Council a new Pope would stand at the Head of the Catholic Church and the heretics were repressed and burned! The Lithuania-Teutonic Knight conflict would take a little longer to settle. Join us today as we look at the Western Schism and the lead up to the Council of Constance. We'll also look at the Council's actions regarding the heretics and the Teutonic Knights. Please send any c

Journalist and author Ian Macgill found his writing passion traveling through the jungles of South America. As a young man Ian was awarded the Winston Churchill fellowship and traveled through South America studying ancient sites. His adventures in South America would make a great book as well! After his travels he returned to Britain and began his career as a journalist. Ian now owns and operates the Grapevine Magazine in Sheffeld, England. Most recently Ian authored the book The Rhyme of King Harold, the story of King Harold written entirely in verse. Join us today on the Medieval Archives podcast as we talk with Ian Macgill on his adventures in South America, his book The Rhyme of King Harold and the tumultuous year 1066! Did Harold usurp the English throne? Could the Norman invasion been avoided if Harold wasn't the King? Find out all that and more in our fascinating interview with Ian Macgill! The Rhyme of King Harold is the name of the book, Head over to the website and have a look! (http://www.rhymesof

Gilles de Rais, an esteemed knight and the Marshall of France, who fought alongside Joan of Arc. Then he turned to the occult and tried to deal with the devil. Gilles isn't remembered as a hero of France, instead he is remembered as a gruesome child murderer. On today's episode we are going to look at Gilles de Rais, a knight who fought alongside Joan of Arc and was her trusted adviser. He was granted the title of Marshal of France by King Charles VII for his loyalty and military victories. But as the Hundred Years War started to end he turned to black magic. Gilles de Rais would stop at nothing to keep his wealth and gain more. He tried Alchemy to turn matter into gold, which lead to sorcery and summoning demons. Through it all he was a vile child killer, who killed so many children by his own admission he cannot count them all. In his testimony de Rais confessed to beating, hanging and beheading children, and that was just the start! His crimes are so vile they will make your stomach turn. Join us today on

I wanted to get out a quick update to let you know about the VIKINGS Season 2 Blu-ray giveaway! It's easy to enter and you could take home a great prize! Head over to http://www.medievalarchives.com/vikingsgiveaway to enter the contest. One lucky player will win a copy of VIKINGS Season 2 on Blu-ray Listen to the episode now The Blu-Ray version includes all 10 original episodes plus: 10 extended and unrated episodes (same episodes as the original with added scenes and no TV rating) “The Viking Sagas” – an interactive Archival Exploration “My Family, My Enemy” featurette “A Warrior Society: Rites of Passage” featurette “Imagining and Exploring Climatic Battles” featurette Commentary from Michael Hirst & Gustaf Skarsgard Download the MP3 and listen to it on your favorite MP3 player. Subscribe to the feed or in iTunes so you never miss a single episode. Direct Download (MP3) | Subscribe in iTunes | Miro | RSS Get your free audio book from Audible.com at: http://www.medievalarchives.com/AudioBook Copyright ©

Award-winning journalist, best selling author and Historian Dan Jones joins the Medieval Archives Podcast to talk all things Plantagenets! His first book on the subject The Plantagents: The Kings Who made England covers the first two centuries of Plantagenet Kings from Henry II to Richard II. In his latest book Wars of the Roses(Hollow Crown, UK Title), Dan chronicles the last century of the Plantagenet dynasty and the Wars of the Roses. He sets the stage with Henry V, takes readers through the Wars of the Roses and finishes with the rise of the Tudor dynasty. Join us on the podcast as Dan and I discuss his writing style, his upcoming TV series on the Plantagenets and how the Plantagenet Kings shaped the medieval era and modern England. Please send any comments or suggestions to podcast@medievalarchives.com If you are enjoying the podcast please considering leaving a rating on iTunes. Rate the Medieval Archives Podcast now! Listen to the episode now In this episode we discuss: Dan's background The Plantagenet