How Old is ‘Haha’? The Sound of Medieval Laughter
Surviving in multiple copies, Ælfric’s work is not only the oldest Latin grammar written in English (or, indeed, any vernacular language), but it’s also been described as ‘one of the…
Who Was The Best English Monarch? David Mitchell Rates The Royals!
Who was the worst King and Queen of England? What made a King or Queen successful? In this video, comedian and author of 'Unruly: A History of England's King and…
History Extra podcast: The problem with poo: a millennium of manure
When did poo become a problem? Why was manure so important in the medieval economy? And why don't we have vacuum-powered sewers? All these questions – and more – are…
Why Is It Called A Spelling “Bee”?
where lots of people gather socially to do a lot of work.
The etymology of “earthling”
and its interesting ending via Jess Zafarris
The Heretical Origins of the Sonnet
The lyrical poetic form’s origins can be traced back earlier than Petrarch.
Pope of Math and Dark Magic
Continuing the theme of exploring Papal history, we discuss Gerbert of Aurillac, AKA Pope Sylvester II, who's scientific and mathmatical mind lead him to the highest seat of Catholic power.…
Eleanor Rykener: Trans Sex Worker of Medieval London?
The year is 1395. The city: London. The crime: an "unmentionable, ignominious vice" commonly known as sodomy. And the perp? A rascally, resourceful enigma named John Rykener, who enters the…
BBC Medieval Lives: Birth, Marriage, Death Documentary
For a medieval woman approaching the moment of labour and birth, there were no antiseptics to ward off infection or anaesthetics to deal with pain. Historian Helen Castor reveals how…
What Was Life Really Like For Medieval Children?
Medievalist Dr Stephen Baxter takes a fresh look at the Middle Ages through the eyes of children. At a time when half the population was under eighteen he argues that,…