248 episodes

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.

Gone Medieval History Hit

    • History
    • 4.7 • 973 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

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.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Margaret of Anjou

    Margaret of Anjou

    Dr. Eleanor Janega continues Gone Medieval’s special series exploring Medieval Queens with a look at Margaret of Anjou, who rose to become a figurehead, and even a military leader, when her husband King Henry VI suffered bouts of mental illness. She became one of the principal figures in the Wars of the Roses and at times personally led the Lancastrian faction, being praised for “her valiant courage and undaunted spirit.” 
    Eleanor explores Margaret’s remarkable life and influence with medieval scholar Dr. Joanna Laynesmith
    This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.
    Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians including Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code MEDIEVAL. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here >
     
    You can take part in our listener survey here.

    • 35 min
    Emma of Normandy

    Emma of Normandy

    Matt Lewis continues Gone Medieval’s special series showcasing Medieval Queens with a look at Emma of Normandy, the Norman-born noblewoman who became the English, Danish, and Norwegian Queen through her marriages to Æthelred the Unready and the Danish King Cnut the Great. After Cnut's death, Emma continued to play an active role in politics during the reigns of her sons by each husband, Edward the Confessor and Harthacnut.
    Matt finds out more about Emma from historian Elizabeth Norton, author of England's Queens: The Biography and She Wolves: The Notorious Queens of Medieval England. 
    This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.
    Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians including Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code MEDIEVAL. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here >
     
    You can take part in our listener survey here.

    • 38 min
    Holy Roman Empire: Explained

    Holy Roman Empire: Explained

    Voltaire famously wrote that the "The Holy Roman Empire was in no way holy, nor Roman, nor an empire.” But Dr. Eleanor Janega believes that literally everything about Voltaire’s statement is wrong - in the medieval context.
    In this explainer episode of Gone Medieval, Eleanor attempts to describe this important and powerful entity that lasted for around 800 years, stretching from Sicily to the North Sea, from Burgundy to Poland, which was home to some of the wealthiest and most important cities in medieval Europe and a huge percentage of the medieval European population.
    This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.
    Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians including Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code MEDIEVAL. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here >
     
    You can take part in our listener survey here.

    • 32 min
    The Middle Ages in Five Facts

    The Middle Ages in Five Facts

    Where is the grave of King Arthur? What was the worst year in human history? Who were the most fractious royal siblings? What were the origins of humble pie? Which monsters pre-occupied Medieval minds?
    In this episode, Gone Medieval’s co-hosts Matt Lewis and Dr. Eleanor Janega delve into some of the big Medieval questions, obscure facts and bizarre stories featured in History Hit Miscellany, our fascinating and entertaining new book published this month.
    The History Hit Miscellany is published on September 28, but you can pre-order here or visit historyhit.com/book to order from your favourite book shop.
    This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.
    Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians including Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code MEDIEVAL. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here >
    You can take part in our listener survey here.

    • 39 min
    Anne of Bohemia

    Anne of Bohemia

    Dr. Eleanor Janega continues Gone Medieval’s special series of podcasts about Medieval Queens with a look at Queen Anne of Bohemia, the first wife of England’s King Richard II. 
    Eleanor is joined by Kristen Gaiman, lecturer at the University of Toledo, Ohio, to find out about Anne’s influence on English culture, how queens could work to mitigate the worst excesses of kings, and what childlessness meant in a royal context.
    This episode was edited by Joseph Knight and produced by Rob Weinberg.
    Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians including Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code MEDIEVAL. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here >
     
    You can take part in our listener survey here.

    • 38 min
    How to Spot Magic in Medieval Buildings

    How to Spot Magic in Medieval Buildings

    In the Middle Ages, people made marks and concealed many objects in their buildings to protect themselves from harmful magic. Dead cats, horse skulls, hidden shoes, written charms and protection marks were all used widely as methods of repelling, diverting or trapping negative energies. 
    In this episode of Gone Medieval, Matt Lewis finds out more from Brian Hoggard, author of Magical House Protection: The Archaeology of Counter-Witchcraft.
    This episode was produced by Rob Weinberg.
    Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians including Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code MEDIEVAL. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here > http://access.historyhit.com/checkout?code=medieval&plan=monthly
     
    You can take part in our listener survey here > https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK

    • 32 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
973 Ratings

973 Ratings

Rock787878 ,

Hats off to Matt and Eleanor

Great podcast for history fans. Matt and Eleanor have an infectious enthusiasm. Eleanor, in particular, has this great, almost gossipy way of discussing the subject matter, which can hook you even when you’re not all that interested in the topic.

BostonBravesGirl ,

Hate the background music!

The recent addition of background music playing behind the speakers is terrible. It makes the speaker more difficult to hear and often the musical tone has zero relationship to what’s actually being said. I’ve really enjoyed Gone Medieval to date but the music might force me to look elsewhere.

SamMahony ,

Downgrade

I’m an American so I can say this what a downgrade from Kat to Eleanor, she’s everything that’s annoying about Americans

Top Podcasts In History

Wondery
Goalhanger Podcasts
Aaron Mahnke and Grim & Mild
Wondery
Sarah Marshall
History Hit

You Might Also Like

History Hit
History Hit
History Hit
talkingtudors
Immediate Media
History Hit