Pop Medieval Ep 17: What We Did Over Our Summer Break
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Welcome to season 2 of Pop Medieval! Doc and Nina return with a bevy of updates from their summer break. First, Nina stepped into the feudal Middle Eastern future with Frank Herbert’s “Dune” before settling down with Netflix’s “The Old Guard” and a few episodes of “The Witcher”. Then Doc tried to improve his understanding of medieval T’ang Dynasty poetry and resurrected an old favorite tabletop: Dungeons and Dragons!
In this episode, Doc introduces a skeptical but curious Nina to the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a non-profit organization devoted to the research, study, and re-creation of medieval and renaissance art, skills, combat, and culture.
Doc discusses his history with the SCA and dispels a few misconceptions about the organization (namely, it’s not LARPing and the weapons are not Styrofoam). He talks about how members choose their personas, their crafts, and use the barter system to pay for goods and services. It’s incredibly nerdy, incredibly fun, and will turn the most dubious of skeptics (Nina) into excited neophytes!
Show Notes
Don’t take our word for it! Visit the SCA website and look up an event near you! (https://www.sca.org/)
Like the rest of America, Doc and Nina have been bitten by something big, striped, and caged. That’s right, in this episode, they’re discussing the Netflix sensation, Tiger King! But what does a docu-series about backyard zoo wars have to do with anything medieval?
Doc will talk about menageries of Henry I, Charlemagne, and Frederick II and the everlasting allure and power of tigers. Plus, Nina will attempt to design a coat of arms for each tiger “kingdom.” Finally, they’ll play a quick game of “thrones” – which kingdom would you chose?
Pop Medieval Minisode 1: A Reading From Tristan and Iseult
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Hwaet and welcome to our first minisode! Nina is by herself this time and reading an excerpt from a book about two very star-crossed lovers. Yep, that’s “The Romance of Tristan & Iseult,” where a loyal knight falls in love with his king’s beautiful queen. Sound familiar at all?
You can read along or by yourself later at the always accessible Project Gutenberg:
Pop Medieval Ep 14: Social Distancing, Boccaccio's Way
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Doc and Nina are holed up in their own houses right now. And while COVID-19 has different effects on their productivity levels, both of them have found time to record an episode on The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. This is a series of 100 short stories told by ten young Florentines hiding out in a country house, hoping to escape the worst of the Black Plague.
Nina and Doc will share their favorite stories from Day 2 of the book (the theme of “misadventures that end happily”). Doc and Nina also get into a discussion about why some of these stories are crueler than others.
Show Notes:
Nina’s Recommendations for “Sheltering in Place”:
Stardew Valley (https://www.stardewvalley.net/)
The Decameron – 3rd Day, Tenth Story
March is here! For St. Patrick’s Day and Women’s History Month, Doc discusses the history of Medieval Brewing, which was dominated by women known as “alewives.” He’ll talk about St. Brigid of Ireland, Katharina von Bora, and Hildegard of Bingen and give a brief history of brewing. Plus, Nina tells Doc a surprising fact about herself that even he didn’t know.
Show Notes: Our alewives in this episode are: St. Brigid of Ireland, Katharina von Bora, and Hildegard of Bingen
Before you begin this episode, make a list of ten people closest to you. They can be family, friends, loved ones — anyone whose loss would impact you.
Ok, ready?
With all the spread and seriousness of the coronavirus — or COVID19 — this last month, Doc and Nina’s have another topical discussion. Responsible for wiping out 30% of medieval Europe, the Black Plague (better known as the Bubonic Plague) spread from China via the fleas of rats. To demonstrate the substance of this loss, Doc has Nina make her own list and pick three random loved ones from her life. The results are unnerving!
After Doc has Nina kill off most of her support system, he then kills off the rumors about a certain nursery rhyme’s connections to the Black Plague.
We promise this episode will make you laugh, everyone.
Pop Medieval Ep 11: On The Loss of Christopher Tolkien and Terry Jones
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Doc and Nina get serious for a moment to talk about the passing of Christopher Tolkien, the son and executor of J.R.R Tolkien, and his impact on the Tolkien estate and it’s mark on pop culture. They’ll also discuss the loss of Terry Jones, one of the founding members of the Monty Python troupe, and remind our listeners that his writing credits were far more than just comedic.
Pop Medieval Ep 10: Seven Medieval Words (We Should Bring Back Today)
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The last time Doc and Nina played a game, it ended in Doc’s humiliating loss! Now, he’s out for blood with a game of “Seven Medieval Words (We Should Bring Back Today).” He’ll give Nina seven Old English words and let her guess the definitions. Can Nina get four out of seven correct, or will Doc get his revenge? Plus, Nina schools Doc on the deeply upsetting modern English translation of a modern German word.
Mov-ember (finally!) concludes on a high note! Doc and Nina discuss the 2019 Netflix original, The King, starring Timothee Chalamet. This is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry V,” so brush up on your Henriad before listening!
Doc and Nina will discuss the historical context of Henry V (or Hal, as he’s called in the film), his shaky Salic claim to both the English and French thrones, war (what IS it good for anyway?), and the movie’s decision to leave out the St. Crispian’s Day speech. Doc will also talk about the gross reason why Henry V is always painted in profile and Nina admires Fallstaff’s dancing dad bod.
