Medieval Archives

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The Medieval Archives podcast transports you back to an age of heroic kings, gallant knights and pious bishops. Separate fact from fiction and find out how the men and women of the middle ages really lived.

Recent Episodes
  • MAP94: Papal Conclave: Medieval Origins of the Modern Election
    Apr 28, 2025 – 39:10
  • MAP93: Robin Hood: Prince of Movies
    Mar 24, 2025 – 01:07:04
  • MAP92: Canterbury: A Modern Day Pilgrimage
    Mar 10, 2025 – 39:01
  • MAP91: Codex Gigas: The Devil's Bible
    Oct 28, 2024 – 25:17
  • MAP90: The Black Hour: Solar Eclipse and the Medieval Mind
    Apr 8, 2024 – 21:42
  • MAP89: British Myths & Legends with Amy Jeffs
    Feb 28, 2024 – 37:31
  • MAP88: The Crusader States with Nic Morton
    Jan 29, 2024 – 49:22
  • Medieval Tales Podcast: The Black Arrow Part 1 of 9
    Jan 11, 2024 – 01:10:05
  • FEED DROP: Medieval Tales Podcast Trailer
    Jan 10, 2024 – 01:21
  • MAP87: The Mongol Storm
    Jul 17, 2023 – 43:45
  • MAP86: Alice Kyteler: The Witch of Kilkenny
    Oct 24, 2021 – 30:08
  • MAP85: Mudlarks: Searching for London's Lost Treasures
    Feb 28, 2021 – 45:06
  • MAP 84: The Medieval Knight with Christopher Gravett
    Dec 22, 2020 – 01:13:44
  • MAP #83: Halloween Special – Ghost Stories From Haunted Castles
    Oct 27, 2020 – 41:22
  • MAP082: Viking Warriors and Explorers
    Sep 3, 2020 – 45:55
  • MAP81: John II The Good: King of France 1350-1364
    Jul 28, 2020 – 26:53
  • MAP80: Sword for Hire: Mercenaries in the Middle Ages
    Jul 14, 2020 – 31:18
  • Medieval Archives Podcast Update
    Jun 29, 2020 – 05:23
  • MAP#79: Richard the Lionheart and author W.B. Bartlett
    May 2, 2018 – 01:06:30
  • MAP#78: Edward II The Man with author Stephen Spinks
    Jan 30, 2018 – 01:22:03
  • MAP#77 – The Masque of the Red Death
    Oct 30, 2017 – 20:22
  • MAP#76 – Music inspired by Richard III and the Wars of the Roses
    Aug 29, 2017 – 01:01:55
  • MAP#75: Natural Disasters: Earthquakes that rocked the Middle Ages
    Apr 19, 2017 – 19:22
  • MAP#74: Northern Crusades: Teutonic Knights, Alexander Nevsky and the Battle on the Ice
    Mar 27, 2017 – 17:46
  • MAP#73: The Canterbury Tales: The Miller’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer
    Mar 12, 2017 – 58:21
  • MAP#72: Jack Cade’s Rebellion: A Prelude to the Wars of the Roses
    Dec 4, 2016 – 17:26
  • MAP Bonus: Top Five Borgia Myths and Book Giveaway
    Nov 18, 2016 – 08:53
  • MAP#71: The Children’s Crusade 1212
    Sep 6, 2016 – 15:59
  • MAP#70 – Medieval Christmas II
    Dec 21, 2015 – 50:52
  • MAP#69: The Pit and the Pendulum
    Oct 26, 2015 – 50:30
  • MAP#68: Combat of the Thirty
    Oct 13, 2015 – 17:26
  • MAP#67: Warrior Princess: Female warriors of the Middle Ages
    Jul 6, 2015 – 25:07
  • MAP#66: The Battle of Sluys (1340)
    Jun 22, 2015 – 15:39
  • MAP#65: The Pardoner’s Tale (Canterbury Tales)
    May 24, 2015 – 46:19
  • MAP#64: Terry Brooks and The Shannara Chronicles
    Mar 22, 2015 – 44:22
  • MAP#63: Marc Morris, King John and the Road to Magna Carta
    Mar 16, 2015 – 47:52
  • MAP#62: Kristie Dean and The World of Richard III
    Mar 8, 2015 – 25:05
  • MAP#61: David Monteith Dean of Leicester Cathedral and King Richard III
    Feb 22, 2015 – 34:50
  • The Vikings Podcast #301: Mercenary
    Feb 22, 2015 – 27:53
  • MAP#60: Council of Constance: Heretics, Schism and the Teutonic Knights
    Nov 26, 2014 – 28:31
  • MAP#59: Author Ian Macgill, 1066 and The Rhyme of King Harold
    Nov 10, 2014 – 01:01:04
  • MAP#58: Gilles de Rais – Gallant Knight, Occultist and Serial Killer
    Oct 28, 2014 – 38:06
  • The Vikings Podcast #212: Vikings Season 2 Blu-ray Giveaway!
    Oct 23, 2014 – 04:43
  • MAP#57: Dan Jones Interview: Wars of the Roses and The Plantagenets
    Oct 13, 2014 – 54:22
  • MAP#56: Jan Hus and the Hussite Wars
    Sep 28, 2014 – 44:44
  • MAP#55: Bernard Cornwell Interview – The Empty Throne
    Sep 15, 2014 – 34:31
  • MAP#54: The Battle of Bannockburn 1314
    Jun 24, 2014 – 31:32
  • MAP#53: War of Scottish Independence 1296-1328
    Jun 18, 2014 – 33:20
  • MAP#52: Defending the City of God, Sharan Newman Interview
    May 13, 2014 – 39:44
  • MAP#51: Jacques de Molay and The Knights Templar
    Mar 19, 2014 – 36:47
Recent Reviews
  • TJChillen89
    Literally my favorite podcast.
    Gary does a great job of keeping me interested. The podcasts have been infrequent as of late but I listen immediately. I wish there was more. I have bought many books based on his recommendations.
  • ENinVA
    Medieval Archive - great podcast
    Medieval Archives is a great podcast. Gary is a great narrator - he makes history exciting! Thoroughly enjoy this podcast and highly recommend it for history buffs who appreciate learning about both major events and unique or unusual insights into history, including hauntings!
  • CW1940
    Great podcast! Hope it doesn’t end!
    I found this podcast by looking up medieval history on my podcast app, and I found this one! I am glad I did because I have enjoyed this 100% if you love medieval history, this is for you! I have several other history podcasts in my library, but I haven’t really listened to them, or if I have I haven’t “binged listened” to them like I have this one, and I love this one! Medieval history is a subject that I am always craving to learn more about, and this feeds into my addiction! I am a history buff, I’ve loved it all my life; I am studying to be a history professor, so I live, breath, and enjoy history. Thank you for making this podcast!
  • buckeyebabe
    Excellent!
    I just discovered this podcast. It’s a shame there was such a huge gap in episodes but they seem to have resumed intermittently. Gary is super passionate about the topic and is a good storyteller. He’s fun and interesting and likes to use movie clips, music clips etc. (HATE the History Teachers. Ugh 🤦🏻‍♀️) I skip straight over the author interviews. NOT his forte. But otherwise, I’m really enjoying the podcast. Especially good are the Richard lll episodes. Thank you, Gary! Hoping for more frequent episodes!
  • M.B. Clarke
    Medieval
    This is a great podcast. Especially since I have been trying to find some that talk about military history and some Modern history. His voice is nice and has accurate information. Good stuff give it a go if your into this era of history. Also, they are not that long which can go either way some days. Thanks for making it!
  • brian the guy you love
    It’s fine for what it is
    I found this through the Gilles De Rais episode and it’s okay. The episode is brief and the narrator has an odd flow that breaks in places that don’t make sense. Beyond that his emphasis on certain subjects gives me the distinct impression that he’s a very religious man. De Rais was a sexual sadist who preyed on boys but according to this he only did it to make a pact with satan for more money? There’s a strong Sunday school vibe I can’t shake. Not bad overall but lacking detail, weirdly narrated, and a little too fire n brimstone preacher.
  • genericnickname2011
    Disappointing
    I was doing a search for podcasts on Scottish history and stumbled across this show. Maybe I just picked a bad episode to listen to, but the narrator is clearly reading a script and honestly does not sound very interested in his topic. I listened to the episode in Edinburgh Castle and he didn’t even try to scratch the surface - a castle has been sitting on Castle Rock since the 12th century, in what is arguably the most haunted city in Europe, and he could barely come up with 3 minutes of material??
  • NimueoftheBigWoods
    I wish this was still being produced
    This was one of the first history podcasts I listened to, so it’s got a special place in my heart. Since then, I’ve found many (too many) history podcast to listen to, but I keep checking back to see if Gary the Archivist has posted more. Unfortunately, the answer has been ‘no’ for several months. The stories are told with insight and humor. I recommend this to you if you love Medieval European history.
  • Moon Tea
    Medieval Archive
    Great podcast. I started on the Charles Martell episode, going thru the rest now. Very good
  • katenmkate
    Best in History!
    2018 Did I write that? Amazing! I did so enjoy M.A. several years ago; I’m going to resubscribe and do it again. It NEVER gets old. See the 2014 or 2015 ¿poem? below for my earlier review. Archives of the long ago ages, Medieval, in fact, you'll find in these pages. This podcast is told By a poet so bold He makes history such fun, Listen! Subscribe, this will be the best one, Of all history podcasts. There are no more to equal. You will find that you NEED a Med-podcast-Ian sequel.
  • 🎎🎐
    Best podcast out there!
    Amazing to listen to it's as if the archivist brings you back in time to when all of these things were happening, cant stop listening!
  • lightfoot's foal
    Informative and Entertaining
    He presents the information with alot of enthusiasm and is obviously enjoying his work. He is able to break down complicated stories so that you can understand them. I especially liked the #31 "Mad Monarchs of the Middle Ages", #46 "Made in China", and #56 "Jan Huss", and #12 "Black Agnes of Dunbar".
  • TheQueenofYears
    Love this podcast!
    Great podcast. Fascinating,funny,and articulate!
  • Ddddddino
    Good content, production and release FAR too slow
    The back catalog kept me busy for a while but once I finished it I was disappointed to realize that he only releases an episode every so often, and the recent one was 9 minutes long. What's the deal?! I understand the busy life that would come with being a professional historian, so maybe that's what it is... but I demand more. Please make more. Pretttttyyy please? Thanks, and I look forward to your next episode in 2-3 months. Apologies for the snark in advance
  • dougcueva
    Medieval Time Machine
    This podcast is very informative. The dialogue is modern, and you learn a lot. I like the intro music especially, it really puts you in the mood. Can't wait to hear more. Keep it up!
  • Rickey A. Wright II
    Entertaining and Educational
    I stumbled across this podcast while looking for Arthurian content. I scrolled thru and found an episode on the Holy Royal Emperor Charles, and was hooked. This podcast is very well put together. The audio quality is top notch, and the bumpers are HQ as well. I did not get bored with the speakers tone and was entertained the whole way. I also enjoyed when he used historical excerpts as citations. All in all, a very enjoyable podcast. 5 Stars!
  • Grady III
    Great job
    Just listened to #51, about the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. Keep up the good work!
  • JesterDean
    Too bad...
    Use to be good... Has made a real show in some time. AWOL. Dude... Come on!
  • ZumbaKarin
    Fabulous
    Great podcast!!
  • Giles de Nabkus
    Love it!!!
    Love all you do! Drive a truck and fight in the sca on the weekends!!! Gets me though the day! More on crusades and if possible something on the council of nablus? Thanks!!!
  • The Manslayer
    It used to be good...
    This podcast used to be good, especially when the shows were about certain historical figures or battles. Now all he does is interview authors, it's kinda boring now. Hopefully he will return to the old way of doing shows, they were excellent! Until then, he's lost me as a listener. But I'll keep checking on where he's going.
  • Darcy Lisa
    Pretty great
    This is well researched and Gary’s enthusiasm for the subject is infectious. The only occasional less than excellent episode happens when Gary interviews an author. He’s a fabulous presenter but not always the greatest interviewer.
  • Joey1957
    enjoy
    This is a great podcast that will inform you and put a great show in perpective.
  • MiltonMiggs
    Good Stuff
    I really enjoy this podcast. It's well structured and informative. Some of the earlier episodes can be a bit dry, but it's gotten smoother as its gone on. Gary the Archivist's love of history and desire to share that love is quite apparent, and it makes it all the more enjoyable. Highly recommended.
  • tessadora
    Great content, okay delivery
    For the most part I really enjoy this podcast; they have interesting content, great guests, and there are tons of episodes. The only thing lacking is the guy's interview style. It's very stiff and not conversational at all. Sometimes feels like he's not really listening to the guest's answers, and instead just rattling off a list of questions. I still enjoy this a lot though, and though sometimes they interviews make me cringe a bit, it's an informative podcast.
  • Fred.BurgVA
    Good Going Gary!
    I read medieval history in graduate school for a year….this podcast is excellent in content and presentation. Gary has a good radio voice, even if he tends to murder Latin pronunciation . O, well, Latin is a dead language anyway! LOL Great going, Archivist!
  • Wildpyre
    Huss
    Though Huss was martyred, his teachings were proven right doctrinally. The Roman Catholics were wrong in persecuting him and his followers. Huss was no heretic. His persecutors were the heretics.
  • FairytaleVegas
    Later episodes are better quality
    I haven’t been able to listen to the first few because of the audio quality (lots of gaps and such) but later episodes are pretty much seamless and interesting.
  • Arete Veritas
    Great historical lessons!
    I really enjoy this podcast. It's pretty low-key, which is fine by me. He talks in a measured manner, inserting interesting tidbits here and there. I do find I have to focus and concentrate on these podcasts---it's not one I can listen to while doing other things. But I'm learning fascinating details of history I knew just smidgens about, and fascinating details of history I knew nothing about. This podcast isn't good if you're looking for lots of frou-frou, spunky music to pique your interest, etc, but it is highly recommend for history buffs, information buffs, anyone seeking to expand their knowledge.
  • Federico S.
    This is a gem
    I was little hesitant to subscribe to this podcast. I'm so glad I did subscribed, this podcast is truly a gem, perfectly balanced, perfectly impartial and a great narration. I can't wait to listen to the rest of their library. Keep up the great work thank you very much for what you do.
  • CaliKat!
    Clear but not concise!
    Love these podcasts! They give detailed histories without being confusing or drawn out. After tracing family lines to Ragnar Lodbrok, Sweyn Forkbeard, and many others, it has become even more fascinating learning their stories! Thanks Archivist!
  • Alex Slash Freire
    The best one
    Just love it
  • djrieowocjtjeoalgjc
    Great
    This is a great podcast. I like listening to it. Eh?
  • RyderCA
    AWESOME!! More episodes !!
    I Love this podcast! The information is so interesting and told in an entertaining way. The haunted castle episodes gave me the chills, and the Mad Monarchs episode was Shocking!! I am always looking forward to new episodes and have listened to some of the episodes 2 or 3 times (including the Popes Behaving Badly)! They're fascinating! Keep them coming please :)
  • Ppppintoo
    Best history podcast.
    Love this podcast. Great narration. History has never been so mutch fun. Must have podcast.
  • groundhog3
    Harold L Raymond III
    This is one of the best podcasts I've ever followed and always look forward to new episodes. As a Medieval re-enactor myself, I find this to really be on point with my personal study and research.
  • Wxsfvjvsfjjh
    This podcast rocks
    I really dig the episode about the Popes behaving badly. How about a episode on the sea battle of Lepanto or the siege of Rhodes. Robin Hood or the Teutonic Knights would also be cool to learn more about. Thank you for making my commute to work more enlightening.
  • Ziller15
    So great!
    I picked up the podcast at episode 48 and now I’m hooked. It’s a period in time I’m very interested in and the added bonus is the delivery and voice which makes the whole experience so much more compelling. Thanks so much for all the hard work you’ve put into the podcast.
  • Wilberjhead
    Good content
    This is a good, entertaining, and informative podcast.Helps you get through a boring workday.
  • Girl on a budget
    AWESOME
    Such a great podcast! I absolutely love listening to it, give us mas!!!!!!!
  • NOT a swede
    Story Telling is an art
    This guy lacks an artistic bone. Getting past what feels like 5 minutes of endless self promotion brings you to a story narrated by a voice that goes from monotone to 'i'm too cool for school'. Something I just couldn't get past.
  • theblahs
    Brain Quickie
    The show is excellent, addictive, informative, and well done. I love the quick but thorough synopsis of history and the announcer is great. If you love history, trivia, and quality entertainment this is a show for you. One of my fav podcasts and the more I listen to other history podcasts more I appreciate this one.
  • The Radical Right
    Fret not the 4 out of 5 stars
    In the absence of earthly "perfection" I always reserve such pinnacles for improvement. It is also my belief that the practice of withholding an apex rating allows for, or rather perhaps provides the recipient with the necessary hunger. That hunger which, today is tragically all too often replaced by sloth. A condition spawned by a prolonged gluttony upon such carcinogenic carbohydrates as curved grades and trophies for everyone. That being said, "Medieval Archives" is a must for the lover of history. A podcast which is as unique as it is entertaining. Indeed this archivist offers up a delightful house blend consisting of facts and storytelling sprinkled aptly with clips both modern and retro, comprised from pop culture (and thus of a humorous nature) as well as current news of relevance. However, on a personal note the aspect which I have found most refreshing, most satisfying is one which I have also found myself repulsed by the absence of, in many other history podcast, and that is - a sincere respect (dare I say reverence) in regard to the handling of matters touching on the Divine. Wether this attitude is conveyed out of respect for the faith of others or is derived from a belief personal in nature, it matters not. For I have cringed and then deleted far too many wannabee historian weekend podcasts as a result of the host having either sadly attempted humor at the expense of faith, or having attempted to exhibit their lofty intelligence with the dismissal of the Eternal. It is for this, this modest yet noble display of respect, above all that I would like to thank you.
  • Baldwin IV
    Rich material
    Fun listening, whether you're a medieval enthusiast or a casual history buff. Clear presentation of events in their historical context, and evenhanded description of controversies.
  • Renaissance Paul J
    great job
    I really enjoy the content and the enthusiasm of your presentation.
  • Dionysius O'Keefe
    Where was this guy when I was going to school?!
    I weep for all the history I did not learn back in the day. I am beginning to appreciate medieval times as a great pivot point in history. Archivist: please keep ‘em coming!
  • fiiioohnahh
    I only wish there were more episodes to listen to!
    Great podcast, and I never thought I would find medieval history interesting. The Archivist is a great storyteller, conveying historical facts with just the right amount of editorializing, and his voice is really nice to listen to.
  • Thatguyernie
    Great for work
    I love this podcast and it's great for work because I can look interested in my job when actually enjoying a great history lesson.
  • Stryker2505
    Great Show
    I love this Podcast.It's fun and informative.
  • brogwlee
    MAP#47: Charlemagne, The Father of Europe
    Interesting and informative. Could have been more chronilogical in the the order of events.
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