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Weird Medieval Guys

Weird Medieval Guys

Leaving no stone unturned in our quest for the weirdest stories, guys, and art from the Middle Ages.

The Weird Medieval Guys podcast is brought to you by Olivia, the creator of internet sensation Weird Medieval Guys, and Aran, a historian and fellow weird guy connoisseur.

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  • 20 episodes
  • Avg 1 hr 47 min
  • English

Episodes 20

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  • #60
    May 25 · 2 hr 25 min

    Reviewing Medieval Movies

    The movies are back, or so they say. But what makes a good medieval movie? Historical accuracy? Satisfying storytelling? The quality of the tassels? To find out, Aran, Olivia and Joe Mason reviewed five movies. Some of them were good, some of them were interesting, and some of them were Braveheart. Films reviewed: Braveheart (1995) The Northman (2022) The Green Knight (2021) The Kingdom of Heaven (2005) A Knight's Tale (2001) Join the Weird Medieval Guys Discord community: https://discord.gg/S36vz4jD98

  • #58
    April 27 · 1 hr 49 min

    Medieval Robots

    Wait, what? Are you for real? is this a bit you're doing?

  • #55
    March 16 · 1 hr 55 min

    Medieval travel writing

    Nothing beats a Jet 2 Holiday - except, of course, trekking thousands of miles across Central Asia to deliver spices, preach the gospel, or just see that's going on over there. The Mongol Empire facilitated an unprecedented transcontinental mobility, which a few people (mostly Europeans, go figure) wrote about. Some of that writing was genuinely insightful, and some was unitentionally hsyterical. Oh, and it led to the creation of one of history's most legendary archetypes: white boys who say Inshallah. Join the WMG discord: https://discord.gg/S36vz4jD98

  • #53
    February 17 · 1 hr 43 min

    The Order of Assassins

    In the medieval Middle East, no group was as feared as the Order of the Assassins - or as misunderstood. In this episode, Olivia and Aran chart the emergence of this deadly organisation and their role in the complex web of Middle Eastern politics. This episode has everything you could want: high-octane derring-do, arcane Islamic eschatology, thundering Mongol armies and yes: even a few scheming viziers. Come for the assassins, stay for Aran almost bursting a vessel trying to accurately explain all of early Islamic history in five minutes.

  • #52
    February 2 · 1 hr 44 min

    Medieval drinking culture

    Dry January is over! Wet February is here! What was it like to get drunk in the Middle Ages? Let's investigate...... Join the official WMG Discord server!! https://discord.gg/6GzvXdWX23

  • #51
    January 19 · 1 hr 37 min

    Weird medieval mailbag #3

    Q&A with Aran and Olivia Join the official WMG Discord server!! https://discord.gg/6GzvXdWX23

  • #50
    January 6 · 2 hr 5 min

    The Norman Conquest part VI: The Book of Judgement

    Our series on the Norman Conquest finally comes to an end with a grand finale covering the aftermath of the events in Scotland, England, and Wales. Though William the Bastard may die 20 years after the conquest takes place, his actions will reverberate throughout history....

  • #49
    Dec 22, 2025 · 1 hr 49 min

    The Norman Conquest episode V: The Lake of Blood

    It all comes down to this. Harold Godwinson, Harald Sigurdson, and William the Bastard are preparing their armies, for a tri-cornered showdown for the English throne. But what really happened in 1066? In this episode, Olivia and Aran will piece together Norman histories, Icelandic sagas, English chronicles, and one big tapestry, to assemble the events that would change England - and Europe - forever.

  • #48
    Dec 9, 2025 · 1 hr 55 min

    The Norman Conquest part IV: The Bastard of Normandy

    So far we've talked a lot about the Norman conquest without talking very much about who the Normans were and why they (and especially one guy) wanted to conquest. Well, that changes today! How did some Vikings become French, why is that our problem over here in England, and what's wrong with being a bastard descended from a long line of bastards? Find out.... Join the Weird Medieval Guys discord today: https://discord.gg/S36vz4jD98

  • #47
    Nov 24, 2025 · 1 hr 33 min

    The Norman Conquest episode III: The Thunderbolt of the North

    In the third episode of our Norman Conquest series, we look at the life and times of the second of our claimants to the English throne in 1066: Harald Sigurdson, King of Norway. When a teenaged Harald's life is upended by Cnut's invasion of Norway in 1028, he builds a new life for himself as a mercenary in Kyiv, and eventually as an honour guard for the Roman Emperors themselves. Along the way, he'll have to contend with Arab armies, a sexually voracious Empress, and even a giant serpent. It's a pulpy, action-packed adventure story for the whole family! Assuming any of that is true, anyway. Which... eh. We'll get into it. Join the Weird Medieval Guys discord today: https://discord.gg/S36vz4jD98 Music used: "Olav Trygvason", recorded by GULDBERGS AKADEMISKE KOR (https://archive.org/details/78_olav-trygvason_guldbergs-akademiske-kor-f-a-reissiger-arild-sandvold_gbia7026768b)

  • #45
    Nov 10, 2025 · 1 hr 30 min

    The Norman Conquest part II: The House of Godwin

    Thanks to the efforts of Alfred the Great and his descendants, England enters the new millennium as united kingdom. However, trouble is brewing: the Vikings have returned, and their leader, Sweyn Forkbeard, has designs on the English throne. What follows is a bloody tale of intrigue, with more mysterious deaths than a series of The Traitors. Expect an unready king, people marrying their dead enemies' wives, and the rise of a newly-minted dynasty that you might have heard of: the Godwinsons.

  • #45
    Oct 27, 2025 · 1 hr 42 min

    The Norman Conquest part I: The King of All the World of Britain (with Joe Mason)

    We are literally so back!! And this time with our longest series yet!! This is part 1 of 6(?) of our Norman conquest series and this part is all about ENGLAND!! More specifically, the crazy cats who invented it. Many thanks to our dear friend Joe Mason for joining us again. Join the official WMG discord! https://discord.gg/6GzvXdWX23

  • #44
    Apr 7, 2025 · 2 hr 10 min

    Medieval Jewish Life

    Well, we finally made it: The Definitive Podcast (jodcast?) on medieval Jewish culture. After the destruction of the Second Temple, Jews were scattered across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Despite often-brutal repression, many Jews thrived, creating new communities, cultural expressions, and even languages. Despite marginalisation, Jewish women were also key to this evolution, enthusiastically contributing to spiritual and cultural life in dynamic ways. And even though they were a minority almost everywhere, some Jews rose to become major political leaders. Programming note: WMG will be going on hiatus until the end of Summer. But never fear! We will be back, with "The Norman Conquests" - a globetrotting adventure from Ireland to Palestine, featuring a cast of colourful characters including proud warrior-kings, marauding pirates, and a fearsome empress. Oh, and former frog Joe Mason will be there. Don't say we don't spoil you. In the meantime, why not join the WMG Discord community, a community of lovely people who love chatting about history. https://discord.gg/ZwHz5JDKky

  • #43
    Mar 17, 2025 · 1 hr 35 min

    How to solve a medieval murder

    Taggart voice There's been a murder! Medieval life was full of murders! People were getting knifed all the time mate. But who was responsible for sorting the guilty from the innocent? What do God and intimate social knowledge have to do with it? And is this all a thinly-veiled excuse for Aran to do his incredible Poirot impression? For more information, see the University of Cambridge's Medieval Murder Maps: https://medievalmurdermap.co.uk/

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes