Medieval Archives

MAP97: Hunger Games: The Great Famine of 1315

Listen Now! 🌾Hunger Games: The Great Famine of 1315🌾 Executive Producer:⭐Lilac Square Antiques & Books 💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe The 14th century opened with a nightmare beginning a period called the Crisis of the Late Middle Ages, which lasted almost 200 years and was filled with famine, plague, religious schisms and wars, lots of wars. Sadly, it’s the beginning of the end for the medieval era. After centuries of warmth, prosperity, and booming harvests, Europe plunged into a cold, wet catastrophe, the Great Famine of 1315. In this episode, you’ll learn about the end of the Medieval Warm Period and the disaster that began the Crisis of the Late Middle Ages. The Great Famine of 1315–1317 was the beginning of the crisis and one of the most devastating in 14th century Medieval Europe, a harrowing event that killed millions and reshaped the fabric of society. From endless rain and rotting grain to livestock dying in the fields and desperate people turning to unthinkable acts, the famine reshaped Europe for generations. We’ll look at the medieval world before the famine, down the science, politics, and human stories behind one of medieval Europe’s worst disasters. Learn how years of cold rain, crop failure, and desperation changed the course of European history. You’ll hear firsthand accounts from chroniclers, discover the volcanic eruptions that may have triggered the cooling and ushered in the “Little Ice Age.” Learn how years of relentless cold rain led to crop failures, the collapse of livestock populations, and mass starvation that reshaped Europe forever. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🌾 How centuries of agricultural success led to a fragile, overpopulated Europe. 🌧️ How the endless rains of 1315 destroyed crops and livestock across the continent. 🧂 Why salt, vital for preserving meat, suddenly vanished, worsening starvation. 🕊️ How famine fueled crime, cannibalism, and the collapse of faith in the Church. 🌋 How volcanic eruptions from Indonesia to Iceland may have triggered the cooling. 🧙‍♂️ The real famine folklore behind the Brothers Grimm’s Hansel and Gretel. 💀 How the Great Famine killed over 25% of Europe’s population and set the stage for the Black Death. The Great Famine of 1315–1317 marked the first great crisis of the Late Middle Ages. For three years, unrelenting rain, crop failure, disease, and starvation devastated Europe. It was the end of the Medieval Warm Period and the dawn of the Little Ice Age, a chilling prelude to the horrors of the Black Death three decades later. “When God saw that the world was so over proud,He sent a dearth on earth, and made it full hard…”~ The Evil Times of Edward II Grab a free copy of A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman Other episodes to explore:Ep. 42 – Medieval Diseases and “Cures”Ep. 75 – Natural Disasters: Earthquakes that rocked the Middle Ages Other episodes to explore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtR4qn3WiTU I hope you enjoyed the lesson on The Great Famine of 1315-1317! Send us an email to podcast@medievalarchives.com Or leave a message by calling the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066 Support Medieval Archives Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Support Medieval Archives Download the MP3 or listen in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

MAP96: Tales of Medieval Revenge by Edgar Allan Poe

Listen Now! 🎃Tales of Medieval Revenge by Edgar Allan Poe🎃 Executive Producer:⭐Lilac Square Antiques & Books 💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe On this Medieval Archives Halloween Special we’re listening to two tales of revenge by the the master of gothic horror, Edgar Allan Poe. This isn’t the first time Poe has made an appearance on Medieval Archive. I love Poe’s work, one of my favorite stories is “The Tell-Tale Heart.” It’s not medieval but it is fantastic. On past Halloween episodes we featured The Masque of the Red Death and The Pit and the Pendulum. The two stories on this episode are “Hop-Frog” and “The Cask of Amontillado.” “Hop-Frog” focuses on Hop Frog, a court jester who is constantly humiliated by the king and his men. When the King demands Hop Frog create a unique custom for a masquerade ball Hop Frog devises a terrible plan for revenge. The story takes inspiration from the Ball of the Burning Men in 14th century France during the reign of King Charles the Mad. If you listened to episode 31 of the podcast you might know where the story of Hop Frog is going. If not, you’re in for a nice tale of revenge. The Cask of Amontillado is another tale of revenge. While not specifically medieval it is close the the middle ages and the entire story takes place in creepy medieval catacombs under an Italian palazzo. Montresor opens the story by stating he has suffered a “thousand injuries” and a final, unforgivable insult from his acquaintance, Fortunato. It leads to Montresor plotting his revenge to teach Fortunato a lesson. Grab a free copy of The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe Other episodes mentioned: I hope you enjoyed the lesson on John the Fearless and 14th Century France. Send us an email to podcast@medievalarchives.com Or leave a message by calling in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066 Support Medieval Archives Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Support Medieval Archives Download the MP3 or listen in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

MAP95: John the Fearless and the Bloody Fight for France

Listen Now! 🇫🇷 John the Fearless and the Bloody Fight for France 🇫🇷 Executive Producer:⭐Two Anonymous Producers (Thank you! you know who you are) 💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe John the Fearless (1371-1419) 14th century France was in utter turmoil, torn apart by an insane king, multiple assassinations, a failed Crusade, a brutal civil war, and a new, devastating phase of the Hundred Years’ War. The country was on the brink of collapse. At the center of it all stood one man: John the Fearless, a prince of the blood with a legitimate claim to the throne, a crusader who battled the Turks in the Balkans, and a powerful duke who shaped the destiny of an entire nation. John earned his name ‘the Fearless’ at the Battle of Nicopolis fighting the Ottoman Turks. Sultan Bayezid I gave him the name after witnessing John’s fierce nature in battle. John was captured at Nicopolis and remained a prisoner for two years. After returning to France and becoming the Duke of Burgundy he looked to expand his power and influence, ultimately assassinating the Duke of Orleans leading to the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War. John the Fearless’ story is a wild tale of ambition, betrayal, and bloodshed. So, get ready to explore a pivotal chapter of French history. Grab a free copy of A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous Fourteenth Century by Barbara W. Tuchman Other episodes mentioned: I hope you enjoyed the lesson on John the Fearless and 14th Century France. Send us an email to podcast@medievalarchives.com Or leave a message by calling in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066 Support Medieval Archives Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Support Medieval Archives Download the MP3 or listen in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com BIBLIOGRAPHY Blockmans, Wim, and Walter Prevenier. 2011. The Promised Lands: The Low Countries under Burgundian Rule, 1369 – 1530. Nachdr. The Middle Ages Series. Univ. of Pennsylvania Press. Sumption, Jonathan. 2017. The Hundred Years War. Volume 4: Cursed Kings. Paperback edition. The Middle Ages Series. University of Pennsylvania Press. Tuchman, Barbara Wertheim. 1979. A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century. Ballantine. Vaughan, Richard. 2008. Philip the Good: The Apogee of Burgundy. New ed., Repr. The Dukes of Burgundy. Boydell Press. Vaughan, Richard, and Jean sans Peur Herzog von Burgund. 1979. John the Fearless: The Growth of Burgundian Power. Rev. ed. Longman Paperback. Longman.

MAP94: Papal Conclave: Medieval Origins of a Modern Election

🇻🇦 Papal Conclave 🇻🇦 Pope Francis died on 21 Apr 2025 starting a process established in the Middle Ages. Learn all about the Medieval origins of the Papal Conclave and watch as it unfolds in modern Italy during the Papal Conclave of 2025. Once a Pope dies the Vatican enters a period called Sede Vacante, (Vacant Seat). Then the process of the Papal Conclave is started. Pope Gregory X issued the Papal bull Ubi periculum maius intenditur (Where greater danger lies) in 1274 which established the Papal Conclave. Popes after Gregory rescinded the papal conclave and elections took months and years to complete. The last pope elected outside the Papal Conclave process was Pope Celestine V in 1294. Celestine reinstated Gregory’s papal bull and the papal conclave. Celestine’s successor, Boniface VIII was elected through the Papal Conclave process as has every Pope since. There have been modifications over the centuries but the core process remains the same. Listen in to learn the Medieval origins of the papal conclave, how the conclave and voting process works. Who takes the oath of secrecy, why a popes change their names and what does the smoke mean? Get all the links and see all the pictures in the show notes on Medieval Archives! Grab a free copy of Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich. I hope you enjoy the medieval origins of the papal conclave. Who do you think will be the new pope? Send an email to podcast@medievalarchives.com Or leave a message by calling in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066 Support Medieval Archives Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Support Medieval Archives Download the MP3 or listen in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

MAP93: Robin Hood: Prince of Movies

🏹 Robin Hood 🏹 in the Movies The story of Robin Hood is over 600 years old. An Outlaw from English folklore and a hero to the people, Robin Hood has inspired countless poems, books and movies. Robin Hood first appeared in the poem Piers Plowman, written around 1377. His band of Merry Men, Will Scarlett, Little John and Much the Miller’s son, began to appear in the 15th century. Friar Tuck first appeared in the 1450 story titled Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham. The 1475 tale Robin Hood and Guy of Gisbourne introduce Gisbourne as a friend of the Sheriff and one of Robin’s arch enemies. Maid Marian appeared in the tales by the 16th century. The legend of Robin Hood as we know it today is credited to two men in the 19th century Sir Walter Scott and Howard Pyle. It’s unclear if Robin was and actual person but there are a couple of good candidates. A man called Roger Godberd and a man called Robin Hood of York. Real or not, Robin Hood is a folk hero for the ages and Hollywood always loves a folk hero. We are going to look at the Top 10 Robin Hood movies to hit the silver screen. We won’t be looking at made-for-TV movies, or TV series, only Robin Hood movies released in theaters. Join along as we countdown the 10 best Robin hood movies of the last century. Then let me know if you agree or disagree with my list. Is your Top 10 different than mine? Let me know your Top 10 list by sending an email to podcast@medievalarchives.com Or tell me your favorites by calling in to the Medieval Archives hotline at +1 720.722.1066 Support Medieval Archives Get a Podcasting 2.0 app to see the photos below while you are listening to the episode See the artwork and boost the show with a Modern Podcasting 2.0 app: Castamatic | iCatcher | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx Robin Hood Movie Posters (click on the photos to see a bigger version) No Caption No Caption No Caption No Caption No Caption No Caption No Caption No Caption Version 1.0.0 No Caption Support Medieval Archives Download the MP3 or listen in your favorite podcast app. Subscribe to the feed so you do not miss a single episode. Direct link to the MP3 file | Apple Podcast Feed | RSS Podcast Feed Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com Watch all the Movie trailers in the video playlist below https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5FTUti3wXENyZMs2_qEKGQ86f-eE62br