Weird Medieval Guys

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

How eco friendly were the Middle Ages?

BUY THE WORDSPOTTER'S GUIDE BY OLIVIA SWARTHOUT, IN STORES NOW: https://profilebooks.com/work/the-wordspotters-guide/ Were these guys hippies? Or were we already On One

Nov 10
1 h 47 min

Unsolved medieval mysteries

It's our third halloween special! Talking about: -the codex gigas -the green children of woolpit -the erdstallen -the dancing plague -the voynich manuscript By the

Oct 26
1 h 49 min

Medieval hygiene

As we all know, everyone in the middle ages lived and died in the muck. What's worse, they had no idea that being caked in shit and smelling terrible was bad. Or did they

Oct 14
1 h 44 min

Medieval medicine

leech up, leech heads! Join the Weird Medieval Guys Discord server! https://discord.gg/Ga9EQWfK28

Sep 29
1 h 39 min

Was Mansa Musa the richest man in history?

"PEOPLE OF CAIRO, YOU LISTEN TO ME. GO INTO THE TREASURY, AND PUT YOUR HAND IN THE CASH REGISTER FOR NO REASON. THAT MONEY IS YOUR MONEY AS OF RIGHT NOW." al-Umari, attr

Sep 14
1 h 49 min

Peasant rebellions

Why are peasants so revolting?

Jun 17
1 h 32 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, Ol

May 25
2 h 25 min

Why don't we build cathedrals any more?

Roger Scruton - In Defense of Booty

May 11
1 h 48 min

Medieval Robots

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

Apr 27
1 h 49 min

Did medieval people think the world was going to end in 1000 AD?

It would only make sense, right? Why else would they call it millenarianism?

Apr 13
1 h 38 min

How medieval scribes invented fonts

And how Hitler made them illegal!

Mar 30
2 h 08 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

Mar 16
1 h 55 min

What did the mongol empire ever do for us?

Join the official WMG Discord server!! https://discord.gg/6GzvXdWX23

Mar 2
1 h 46 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 dead

Feb 17
1 h 43 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://disco

Feb 2
1 h 44 min

Weird medieval mailbag #3

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

Jan 19
1 h 37 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 Bas

Jan 6
2 h 05 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. B

Dec 22 2025
1 h 49 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, t

Dec 9 2025
1 h 55 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

Nov 24 2025
1 h 33 min

Chart positions

Where Weird Medieval Guys ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Nov 12, 2026).

#179 NEW History US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I get so excited whenever a new episode comes out. Aran and Olivia’s podcast style is casual and hilarious while still being very informative. They know how to go on a tangent that’s actually enjoyable and they also know how to bring it back in a timely manner. Every time a multi-part series gets longer or a cold open gets more complex and sound designed I get even more excited. This and Ologies are probably the two podcasts I recommend the most to people. Also my go-to podcast for relistening on a road trip or plane ride, very soothing to listen to if you’ve already heard it once or twice.

An_hundred · Feb 2026

This podcast is like being in a history class section led by your favorite teaching assistant, where you can finally dive into the stuff that actually interests you, like how to deliver incendiary devices via cat during a siege. Olivia and Aran approach history with a true respect for the people who lived it, and that makes their discussions so much more engaging and rewarding than your average podcast. Each episode leaves you with so much to think about, both in terms of broad historical processes, and in terms of the everyday lives of people at the time. Love it.

CHP42 · Jan 2026

These guys are knowledgeable and engaging, breaking down medieval Europe with humor and insight. Who woulda thunk that a multi-parted show on the Norman Conquest could be so scintillating? But it is!

Ospeaumtb · Jan 2026

I enjoy the podcast but I can’t help but feel kinda disappointed that the topics seem to have gotten a lot less “weird.” Of course it’s purely a matter of personal taste but I preferred the obscure niche stuff about bestiaries, astrology, and Prester John over the stuff about the 100 Years’ War and the Norman Conquest because while those topics are certainly important, they aren’t very weird and they already get a ton of coverage elsewhere. I’m still a fan of the podcast though and am very happy that it’s back after that extended hiatus. And huge props to the hosts for keeping it ad-free, it’s really hard to find a decent history podcast without obnoxious ads.

MSal951 · Jan 2026

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.