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Artwork for 'tis but a scratch: fact and fiction about the Middle Ages

'tis but a scratch: fact and fiction about the Middle Ages

Richard Abels
Hattin
Crusades
Saladin
Crusader Kingdom Of Jerusalem
Roman Republic
Baldwin IV
Western Christendom
Lancelot and Guinevere
Medieval Adultery
Zengid Dynasty
Ayyubid Dynasty
Rodrigo Diaz De Vivar
El Cid
Tristan and Isolde
Kristin Lavransdatter
Jocelin Of Brakelond
Bury St. Edmunds Abbey
Marius
Julius Caesar
Battle Of Hastings

Talking about popular conceptions of the Middle Ages and their historical realities. Join Richard Abels to learn about Vikings, knights and chivalry, movies set in the Middle Ages, and much more about the medieval world.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes73Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationHistory

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Artwork for 'tis but a scratch: fact and fiction about the Middle Ages

Latest Episodes

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Today’s episode is the first of a two-part series on the notorious Christian military order, The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, more commonly known as the Knights Templar.  This first episode deals with the ... more

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Until now, "'Tis But A Scratch: Fact & Fiction About the Middle Ages" has dealt with medieval Europe and the Middle East. In this episode, we branch out to a more global perspective by comparing medieval European knights with the samurai... more

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It has been several months since I posted the first half of a two part series on the significance and consequences of the Norman Conquest with my good friend and colleague Dr. Jennifer Paxton of the Catholic University of America. Despit... more

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And now for something completely different! In this episode, we are not going to be talking about kings or popes, crusades, wars, or political events. Instead, we will be examining the life experiences of ordinary medieval people uncover... more

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Recent Guests

Professor Alison Beach
Professor of Medieval History and Director of Impact in the School of History at the University of St. Andrews
University of St. Andrews
Episode: Episode 70: What we can learn about medieval people from their bones and teeth. A conversation with Professor Alison Beach
David Woodman
Professor of History at Robinson College, Cambridge, and author.
Robinson College, Cambridge
Episode: The First King of England: Æthelstan (with David Woodman)
Garry J. Shaw
Author and journalist covering archaeology, history, and world heritage.
Yale University Press
Episode: Mysterious Medieval Manuscripts: Interview with Garry J. Shaw
Nora Berend
A true expert on the Cid and author of 'El Cid, The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Mercenary'
University of Cambridge
Episode: El Cid, From History to Legend
Dr. Jennifer Paxton
Anglo-Norman historian and professor at Catholic University of America
Catholic University of America
Episode: The Norman Conquest, part one: From Cnut to the Death of Edward the Confessor
Dr. Steve Tibble
Historian and author specializing in the Crusades
Royal Holloway College, University of London
Episode: Crusaders and Settlers in the Holy Land: Who Went and Why
Professor Nick Morton
Veteran historian of military history, particularly in the context of the Crusades
Episode: The Battle That Destroyed the Military Forces of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem: Hattin (1187)
Larissa Kat Tracey
Expert on medieval literature and history, co-host on the podcast.
Episode: Medieval Adultery in Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Opera and Literature (with Kat Tracey)

Host

Richard Abels
Host of the show, Richard Abels is a knowledgeable professor with expertise in medieval history and a captivating storytelling style. He often combines serious scholarship with humor and personal anecdotes to engage listeners.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 65 ratings
  • Poor execution. Poor host.

    Not everybody is made to be a poscaster. Too bad, as it could have been fun.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    HappyGenny
    Canadaa month ago
  • Spectacular

    Can’t believe I just discovered this podcast. I highly recommend this if you enjoy BBC In Our Time, and the Signature Courses-the perfect blend! I wish they were longer!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gianni Ru
    United States2 months ago
  • Richard Abels is an excellent scholar and presents a very well-informed view on many topics concerning the middle ages. Presentation style is sometimes a bit stiff.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    TheNunnceler
    4 months ago
  • Hark!

    Gather round Ye peasants, and harken as the great scribe and bard Richard the Able tells the tales from Medieval Times!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MVStarblazer
    United Statesa year ago
  • Mixed feelings

    On one hand, I enjoy the topics covered on this podcast. They are well within my interest zone. However, Richard is not a good host or podcaster. His editing is terrible and he does it to prove his own point when he doesn’t receive the answer he wants from his guest. He cuts off his guests frequently in the middle of a point and rambles on about examples that we are better getting from the experts he has as guests. He pushes points that aren’t necessarily supported by scholarship to prove he’s r... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RKirk58
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the audience seems enthusiastic about learning and enjoying historical discussions.
Listeners appreciate the informative and entertaining nature of the content, noting the balance of scholarly discussion with humor.
Some feedback suggests that while the subjects are engaging, there are concerns regarding the editing and presentation style.
The hosts' dynamic, particularly the husband-and-wife team, adds charm and accessibility to the topics covered.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#189
Norway/History
Apple Podcasts
#212
South Korea/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mysterious Medieval Manuscripts: Interview with Garry J. Shaw
Q: What is the significance of Hildegard's invented language?
Shaw discusses Hildegard's unknown language as a means of conveying divine insights and potentially a secret communication among her nuns, highlighting its mystical and theological implications.
Mysterious Medieval Manuscripts: Interview with Garry J. Shaw
Q: Why did people write in cipher?
Shaw suggests that while some wrote for secrecy, others did it for reasons like performance, creativity, and to draw attention to their works, as well as potential commercial gains.
Mysterious Medieval Manuscripts: Interview with Garry J. Shaw
Q: How does an Egyptologist become so interested in enciphered and mysterious medieval European manuscripts?
Garry Shaw explains that his interest was sparked by his work in science journalism and reporting on the Voynich manuscript, which led to a deeper fascination with similar mysterious manuscripts.
A medieval election
Q: What was King Henry II's role in the election process?
He required the monks to present three candidates to him, and although he could suggest outsiders, the monks aimed to keep the election within their community.
A medieval election
Q: How did the monks choose candidates for the election?
The monks discussed among themselves and nominated individuals they deemed fit based on their reputation and contributions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content revolves around the intersection of popular conceptions and historical realities of the Middle Ages, providing listeners with an engaging exploration of various aspects of medieval life, culture, and historical narratives. Episodes frequently cover topics such as the lives of ordinary medieval people, significant figures like Æthelstan, and notable events such as pilgrimages and the development of the papal monarchy. Unique to this show is the blend of scholarly rigor with humor and personal anecdotes, making complex histories accessible and entertaining for a broad audience.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Ancients
2. Gone Medieval
3. In Our Time
4. The History of England
5. Dan Snow's History Hit

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 73 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Professor Alison Beach
2. David Woodman
3. Garry J. Shaw
4. Nora Berend
5. Dr. Jennifer Paxton
6. Dr. Steve Tibble
7. Professor Nick Morton
8. Larissa Kat Tracey

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