Episodes

  • Ibn Sina and Biruni with S. Frederick Starr

    Ibn Sina and Biruni with S. Frederick Starr
    Nov 21 2024
    Experimenting, translating, and philosophizing about physics and metaphysics, biology and geology, two great thinkers from Central Asia stand out both for their achievements, and their completely opposite points of view. This week, Danièle speaks with S. Frederick Starr about the work and the lives of Ibn Sina (aka Avicenna) and Biruni, their contributions to science and culture, and the reason they outright despised each other.

    You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
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    48 mins
  • The Otherworld with Lisa Bitel

    The Otherworld with Lisa Bitel
    Nov 14 2024
    A place of supernatural encounters both incredibly good and spectacularly bad, the Otherworld featured in stories and songs throughout the Middle Ages, especially on the storied isle of Ireland. This week, Danièle speaks with Lisa Bitel about what the Otherworld was like, why Otherworldly beings were interested in humankind, and where we find these enchanting stories.

    Sign up for the online course on The First Crusade at https://medievalstudies.thinkific.com/courses/first-crusade
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    47 mins
  • Bad Chaucer with Tison Pugh

    Bad Chaucer with Tison Pugh
    Oct 31 2024
    When it comes to classics of literature, it can feel like there’s a lot of pressure to nod along with the crowd and say that some authors are just brilliant, full stop. But sometimes even great literature isn’t so great. This week, Danièle speaks with Tison Pugh about the good, the bad, and the downright ugly in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.

    You can support this podcast on Patreon. Go to www.patreon.com/medievalists
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    48 mins
  • Medieval Riga with Kevin O'Connor

    Medieval Riga with Kevin O'Connor
    Oct 24 2024
    Across the world, there’s no shortage of contested sites where local identities, national identities, and international politics clash, often with high stakes for the people who live there. One of these places is the storied capital of Latvia: Riga. This week, Danièle speaks with Kevin O’Connor about medieval Riga, its tumultuous place as a trading post between West and East – as well as war between bishops and crusaders – and how its medieval history plays out in today’s politics.

    You can support this podcast on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/medievalists
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    52 mins
  • The Green Ages with Annette Kehnel

    The Green Ages with Annette Kehnel
    Oct 17 2024
    New and high-tech solutions for a sustainable future are being proposed on the daily, but what if some of the best ideas actually reside in the past? This week, Danièle speaks with Annette Kehnel about the way medieval communities shared, recycled, and even upcycled.

    You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
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    46 mins
  • Henry V with Dan Jones

    Henry V with Dan Jones
    Oct 10 2024
    Last week, we looked at the story of Richard II and Henry IV, and the way these two cousins wielded the power of the English crown. This week, we round out the cycle that makes up the Hollow Crown by looking at Henry V, a man who many - including this week's guest, Dan Jones - have called England’s greatest warrior king.

    Check out online courses in medieval studies at https://medievalstudies.thinkific.com/
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    54 mins
  • The Eagle and the Hart with Helen Castor

    The Eagle and the Hart with Helen Castor
    Oct 3 2024
    Richard II came to the throne as a young child, only to lose it to his cousin Henry IV in 1399. But why did Henry take such drastic action? And what became of the teenage boy who stood up to a crowd of angry peasants and held his own? This week, Danièle speaks with Helen Castor about these rival cousins, the events that shaped them, and how an anointed king could lose his hollow crown.

    You can listen to this episode ad-free at https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
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    56 mins
  • Charlemagne with Cullen Chandler

    Charlemagne with Cullen Chandler
    Sep 26 2024
    What’s so great about Charlemagne? We’re about to find out. This week, Danièle speaks with Cullen Chandler about the reign of Charlemagne, how he ruled such a massive empire, and how he still took the time to care about font.

    You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
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    47 mins