Revolts, Religious Chaos, and A New World

As the end of The Middle Ages nears, peasants revolt after being blamed for the Black Death, and the Catholic Church endures a wave of turmoil. But Chris points out moments of hope as the world opens up for exploration.  Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iHeart…

Black Death

The Black Death was a medical catastrophe, with the majority of deaths occurring in children under 16. It took 300 years for the population to recover.  But the plague also impacted social, economic, political, and religious aspects of life. Chris explains how the Black Death struck an already weak…

The Crusades

Jerusalem is a critical pilgrimage site and scholarly center, especially during the Middle Ages. Chris explains why it’s holy land for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and he chronicles the several crusades during these years. Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iH…

Knights And Legends

Chris dives into some of the most popular topics from this era, including the rules of engagement for knights, the castle-building economy, chivalry, and the legend of King Arthur. Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts and School of Humans. It is a …

Spiritual Awakening

In the 12th century, there was an intellectual revolution that included a pursuit of questions, an evangelical awakening, and the church decrying the dangers of heresy. Chris explains this pivotal time of the Renaissance and what led to the Spanish Inquisition.  Half-Hour History: Secrets of the M…

Medieval Nation-Building

Chris gives a status update on France, England, Germany, and Spain during this critical Medieval period. He talks about why the King of France is above the law and how the Magna Carta relates to modern-day due process. Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iHeart P…

Emperors vs. Popes

Chris explores the period of Gregorian popes, or papal monarchs. This is when several popes took on emperors in the battle to be the ultimate authority in Europe.   Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iHeart Podcasts and School of Humans. It is a Curiosity Podcas…

City Life

Working and living in a Medieval city was a lot different than the countryside. There were merchants, guilds, and trade that relied on money, not bartering. Chris gives us a sense of city life, and even explains how loans and traveler’s checks existed all those years ago. Half-Hour History: Secret…

Peasant Life

Feudalism was a key part of how society worked in the Middle Ages, as 80% of the population at the time was tied to farming. Chris breaks down life in the countryside and how innovations led to an agricultural revolution. Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iHear…

Charlemagne's Renaissance

In this episode, we learn about the rule and Renaissance of the emperor Charlemagne. Chris also tells us about the lives of monks and nuns, and how being mediocre in early Medieval times was actually a good thing. Half-Hour History: Secrets of the Medieval World is a co-production of iHeart Podcas…