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

Richard Abels

Crusades

Hattin

Saladin

Crusader Kingdom Of Jerusalem

Roman Republic

Baldwin IV

Investiture Controversy

Papal Conclave

Pope Boniface VIII

King Philip IV Of France

Medieval Papacy

Papal Monarchy

Western Christendom

Middle Ages

Jerusalem

Templars

Lancelot and Guinevere

Gregorian Reform

Pilgrimage

Catholic Church

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.

67 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	79	Founded	4 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	EducationHistory

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Latest Episodes

The Crusades and the Wars for the Middle East (with Prof. Nicholas Morton)

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In this episode Dr. Nicholas Morton returns to discuss his newest book, The Crusader Storm: A Global History of the Wars of the Middle East (Basic Books, 2026). With some rare exceptions, histories of the Crusades and the Crusader S... more

20 Jun 2026 • 1 hr

A Model Pre-Gregorian Reform Bishop: St. Ulrich of Augsburg

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Back in September Ellen and I did an episode on Popes Leo IX and Gregory VII and their promotion of the Gregorian Reform of the Church. Because my hosting platform informed me that I have 21 minutes left to post a new episode this m... more

27 May 2026 • 20 min • Popular

Offa of Mercia: Laying the Foundations of a Kingdom of England (with Prof. Rory Naismith)

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Offa, king of Mercia from 757 to 796, was the most powerful and successful Anglo-Saxon ruler of pre-Viking England. Today Offa is probably best remembered for Offa's Dyke, a massive 150 mile long earthwork that runs along the border... more

21 May 2026 • 1 hr 18 min

Sieges, Chivalry, and Medieval Warfare: Dr. Larissa Tracy's podcast, "Medieval Mischief and Mayhem" (with Dr. Richard Abels) (E23 2026))

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As I did with the episode I scripted for the podcast BEEF about the conflict between King Philip the Fair of France and Pope Boniface VIII, today I am posting an episode from another podcast, "Medieval Mayhem and Mischief with Dr. ... more

13 May 2026 • 1 hr 20 min

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Recent Guests

Rory Naismith

Professor of Early Medieval History at the University of Cambridge

University of Cambridge

Episode: Offa of Mercia: Laying the Foundations of a Kingdom of England (with Prof. Rory Naismith)

Richard Abels

Professor Emeritus of History, US Naval Academy

United States Naval Academy

Episode: Sieges, Chivalry, and Medieval Warfare: Dr. Larissa Tracy's podcast, "Medieval Mischief and Mayhem" (with Dr. Richard Abels) (E23 2026))

Steve Tibble

Co-host and military historian

Historian, author of Assassins and Templars

Episode: The Knights Templar: The Trial and Suppression of the Order (with Steve Tibble)

Stephen Morillo

Professor Emeritus of History at Wabash College

Wabash College

Episode: Knights, Samurai, and the Myth of Japanese Feudalism: A Conversation with Professor Stephen Morillo

Jennifer Paxton

Co-host/guest expert on the Norman Conquest

Catholic University of America

Episode: 1066 And All That: The Significance of the Norman Conquest (with Dr. Jennifer Paxton), part 2

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

Hosts

Richard Abels

Host of the medieval history show, frequently guiding discussions with guests and providing scholarly context.

Ellen Abels

Co-host and spouse, contributing narrative balance and facilitating conversations with guests.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 67 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
Canada4 months 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 States5 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
7 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

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Listeners Say

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

Some criticism centers on host pacing and editing, but overall sentiment remains positive and constructive.

Fans praise accessible yet rigorous history storytelling and engaging host–guest dynamics.

Guests and topics are consistently seen as knowledgeable and compelling for medieval enthusiasts.

Listener feedback highlights depth of research and enjoyable pacing, with room for production polish.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts

#56

Chile/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Knights Templar: The Trial and Suppression of the Order (with Steve Tibble)

Q: Were the charges against the Templars credible or primarily a tool for political and financial gain?

The hosts argue that the charges were largely trumped up and used as a legal fiction to seize wealth and property, aided by torture which forced many confessions, while some witnesses later recanted or questioned the charges as part of a broader power struggle.

The Knights Templar: The Trial and Suppression of the Order (with Steve Tibble)

Q: Why did Philip IV decide to pursue the Templars in 1307?

The motivation was a mix of greed, cash needs of the French crown, and a belief that targeting the wealth and financial power of the Templars would also eliminate a crucial independent source of income for the crown, especially given the Order's debt to the crown.

Knights, Samurai, and the Myth of Japanese Feudalism: A Conversation with Professor Stephen Morillo

Q: So one of the things I think makes people compare knights and samurai is the assumption that they must have been similar militarily, that they're both heavily armored military men. How accurate is that assumption?

Historically, superficial similarities obscure deeper differences. Knights and samurai developed within very different military, political, and social contexts, with mobility, weaponry, and landholding shaping distinct combat roles and identities, so cross-cultural comparisons must be carefully defined and contextualized.

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.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

A thoughtfully accessible deep dive into medieval history, blending scholarly analysis with engaging storytelling. Across episodes, the host and guests explore everyday life in the Middle Ages, from bioarchaeology and daily diet to the workings of medieval states, pilgrimages, and the church's political power. The show frequently pairs rigorous research with vivid narratives, occasional humor, and lively discussions with guests ranging from historians to medievalists, making complex topics approachable for curious listeners who enjoy connections between archaeology, manuscript culture, and political history. A standout trait is the dynamic husband-and-wife hosting duo, which adds warmth and perspective while keeping scholarly rigor front an... more

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1. Gone Medieval
2. The Ancients
3. Dan Snow's History Hit
4. The History of England
5. Not Just the Tudors

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this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 79 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. Rory Naismith
2. Richard Abels
3. Steve Tibble
4. Stephen Morillo
5. Jennifer Paxton
6. Professor Alison Beach
7. David Woodman
8. Garry J. Shaw

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