Medieval Archives

💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

The 14th century opened with a nightmare beginning a period called the Crisis of the Late Middle Ages, which lasted almost 200 years and was filled with famine, plague, religious schisms and wars, lots of wars. Sadly, it’s the beginning of the end for the medieval era.

After centuries of warmth, prosperity, and booming harvests, Europe plunged into a cold, wet catastrophe, the Great Famine of 1315. In this episode, you’ll learn about the end of the Medieval Warm Period and the disaster that began the Crisis of the Late Middle Ages.

The Great Famine of 1315–1317 was the beginning of the crisis and one of the most devastating in 14th century Medieval Europe, a harrowing event that killed millions and reshaped the fabric of society. From endless rain and rotting grain to livestock dying in the fields and desperate people turning to unthinkable acts, the famine reshaped Europe for generations.

We'll look at the medieval world before the famine, down the science, politics, and human stories behind one of medieval Europe's worst disasters. Learn how years of cold rain, crop failure, and desperation changed the course of European history. 

You'll hear firsthand accounts from chroniclers, discover the volcanic eruptions that may have triggered the cooling and ushered in the "Little Ice Age." Learn how years of relentless cold rain led to crop failures, the collapse of livestock populations, and mass starvation that reshaped Europe forever.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• 🌾 How centuries of agricultural success led to a fragile, overpopulated Europe.

• 🌧️ How the endless rains of 1315 destroyed crops and livestock across the continent.

• 🧂 Why salt, vital for preserving meat, suddenly vanished, worsening starvation.

• 🕊️ How famine fueled crime, cannibalism, and the collapse of faith in the Church.

• 🌋 How volcanic eruptions from Indonesia to Iceland may have triggered the cooling.

• 🧙‍♂️ The real famine folklore behind the Brothers Grimm’s Hansel and Gretel.

• 💀 How the Great Famine killed over 25% of Europe’s population and set the stage for the Black Death.

The Great Famine of 1315–1317 marked the first great crisis of the Late Middle Ages. For three years, unrelenting rain, crop failure, disease, and starvation devastated Europe. It was the end of the Medieval Warm Period and the dawn of the Little Ice Age, a chilling prelude to the horrors of the Black Death three decades later.

Get all the links and see the bibliography in the show notes on Medieval Archives!

Grab a free copy of A Distant Mirror by Barbara Tuchman

Other episodes to explore:
Ep. 42 - Medieval Diseases and “Cures”
Ep. 75 - Natural Disasters: Earthquakes that rocked the Middle Ages

• (00:17) - 14th Century or Bust!
• (01:10) - Thanks to all the producers!
• (01:54) - Life in the 13th century
• (04:20) - Little Ice Age Begins
• (05:38) - Rain, rain, go away
• (06:57) - Crop failure, livestock death & price gouging
• (12:21) - No relief, abandoned chldren and 'Hansel & Gretel
• (13:16) - Cannibalism, Fact or Fiction?
• (14:25) - Black Horseman of Famine and loss of faith
• (16:41) - You are my sunshine
• (18:28) - Poems, Folk Tales & Consequences
• (21:07) - Volcanic activity led to the LIttle Ice Age
• (26:58) - Volcanic Eruption & Bibliography
• (27:05) - Get your free audio book!
• (27:57) - Sharing is caring
• (28:06) - Become an Executive Producer with a 1315 donation

• Medieval Archives - Host

Follow Medieval Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

Medieval Archives is AD free and AI free because of our wonderful producers. Help keep Medieval History alive by becoming a producer today.

Love Medieval History? Help us spread the word and become a history-making legend!

• Share the epic tales: Your friends will thank you for introducing them to the fascinating world of Medieval history.
• Become a proud producer: Support the show that keeps medieval history alive! Visit https://MedievalArchives.com/support for details or donate now via PayPal, or use Venmo or donate with Stripe
• Leave your mark on history: Get your name listed in the credits – a lasting legacy for your love of the Middle Ages!

Boost the show and see the artwork with a Podcasting 2.0 certified app: Castamatic | iCatcher! | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx

★ Support this podcast ★

RSS Podcast Feed

Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Dragon Moon Media
All Rights Reserved. No Infringement is Intended.
Medieval Archives & Dragon Moon Media production. 

Read the 1970 New York Times article that started it all.

Get all the links and see all the Dear Abby and Ann Landers articles in the show notes on Gen X Archives!

Check out our partner site The Retro Network for more great retro content! 

• (00:06) - Welcome to the premiere episode!
• (01:19) - Halloween PSA 1977
• (01:51) - Trick or Treating in the 1970s & 80s
• (04:50) - Humbug Billy and Aresnic poisoning
• (05:44) - Dr. Shyne & Heart Shaped "Candy"
• (06:25) - Helen Pfeil The Long Island Poisoner
• (06:57) - NYT Paranoid Article
• (08:01) - Detroit candy laced with heroin
• (08:34) - "The Candyman"
• (11:59) - 1982 News Break - Poisonous Candy
• (12:32) - Chicago Tylenol Murders
• (13:17) - Tylenol Murder fears
• (14:59) - James Lewis Profile
• (18:17) - Poison candy; Real or Urban Legend?
• (19:23) - Halloween changed forever
• (20:32) - Kids, don't eat the candy
• (21:13) - Wrapping it up
• (21:46) - Share with your friends, or Whatever!

• Medieval Archives - Host
• Gen X Archives - Host

Follow Gen X Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

Gen X Archives is independent and AD free because of our wonderful producers. Help keep Gen X History alive by becoming a producer today.

Keep Gen X History Alive!

• Share the glory days: Introduce your friends to the music, movies, TV, and pop culture that defined our generation—they’ll thank you for the trip down memory lane.
• Become a Latchkey Legend!: Help keep the Gen X stories alive! Visit GenXArchives.com/support to donate via PayPal, Venmo, or Stripe.
• Immortalize your awesomeness: Get your name in the credits, a permanent shout-out for your love of all things Gen X. 

Support the stories you grew up with. Make your mark today!

Boost the show and see the artwork with a Podcasting 2.0 certified app: Castamatic | iCatcher! | Pocket Casts

RSS Podcast Feed

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Dragon Moon Media
All Rights Reserved. No Infringement is Intended.
Gen X Archives & Dragon Moon Media production. 

💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe

On this Medieval Archives Halloween Special we're listening to two tales of revenge by the the master of gothic horror, Edgar Allan Poe.

This isn't the first time Poe has made an appearance on Medieval Archive. I love Poe's work, one of my favorite stories is "The Tell-Tale Heart." It's not medieval but it is fantastic. On past Halloween episodes we featured The Masque of the Red Death and The Pit and the Pendulum.

The two stories on this episode are "Hop-Frog" and "The Cask of Amontillado." "Hop-Frog" focuses on Hop Frog, a court jester who is constantly humiliated by the king and his men. When the King demands Hop Frog create a unique custom for a masquerade ball Hop Frog devises a terrible plan for revenge.

The story takes inspiration from the Ball of the Burning Men in 14th century France during the reign of King Charles the Mad. If you listened to episode 31 of the podcast you might know where the story of Hop Frog is going. If not, you're in for a nice tale of revenge.

The Cask of Amontillado is another tale of revenge. While not specifically medieval it is close the the middle ages and the entire story takes place in creepy medieval catacombs under an Italian palazzo.

Montresor opens the story by stating he has suffered a "thousand injuries" and a final, unforgivable insult from his acquaintance, Fortunato. It leads to  Montresor plotting his revenge to teach Fortunato a lesson.

Get all the links and see the bibliography in the show notes on Medieval Archives!

Grab a free copy of The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe

Other episodes mentioned:
Ep. 31 - Mad Monarchs of the Middle Ages
Ep. 77 - The Masque of the Red Death
Ep. 69 - The Pit and the Pendulum

Listen to all the Medieval Halloween Episodes!

• (00:08) - Welcome to Medievel Archives 🎃Halloween Special
• (00:54) - Thank you Producers!
• (01:10) - Email your thoughts and comments
• (01:32) - Edgar Allan Poe Introduction
• (03:02) - Hop-Frog
• (27:28) - The Cask of Amontillado
• (42:46) - Get your free audio book
• (43:06) - Give your friends a treat! 🍬
• (43:18) - Become an Executive Producer!
• (43:43) - Thank You for your Support!!

• Medieval Archives - Host

Follow Medieval Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

Medieval Archives is AD free and AI free because of our wonderful producers. Help keep Medieval History alive by becoming a producer today.

Love Medieval History? Help us spread the word and become a history-making legend!

• Share the epic tales: Your friends will thank you for introducing them to the fascinating world of Medieval history.
• Become a proud producer: Support the show that keeps medieval history alive! Visit https://MedievalArchives.com/support for details or donate now via PayPal, or use Venmo or donate with Stripe
• Leave your mark on history: Get your name listed in the credits – a lasting legacy for your love of the Middle Ages!

Boost the show and see the artwork with a Podcasting 2.0 certified app: Castamatic | iCatcher! | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx

★ Support this podcast ★

RSS Podcast Feed

Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Dragon Moon Media
All Rights Reserved. No Infringement is Intended.
Medieval Archives & Dragon Moon Media production. 

💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe

                                                           John the Fearless (1371-1419)

14th century France was in utter turmoil, torn apart by an insane king,  multiple assassinations, a failed Crusade, a brutal civil war, and a new, devastating phase of the Hundred Years' War. The country was on the brink of collapse.

At the center of it all stood one man: John the Fearless, a prince of the blood with a legitimate claim to the throne, a crusader who battled the Turks in the Balkans, and a powerful duke who shaped the destiny of an entire nation.

John earned his name 'the Fearless' at the Battle of Nicopolis fighting the Ottoman Turks. Sultan Bayezid I gave him the name after witnessing John's fierce nature in battle. John was captured at Nicopolis and remained a prisoner for two years.

After returning to France and becoming the Duke of Burgundy he looked to expand his power and influence, ultimately assassinating the Duke of Orleans leading to the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War.

John the Fearless' story is a wild tale of ambition, betrayal, and bloodshed. So, get ready to explore a pivotal chapter of French history.

Get all the links and see the bibliography in the show notes on Medieval Archives!

Grab a free copy of A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous Fourteenth Century by Barbara W. Tuchman

Other episodes mentioned:
Ep. 31 - Mad Monarchs of the Middle Ages
Ep. 44 - The Battle of Agincourt (1415)

• (00:00) - Welcom to Medieval Archives
• (00:23) - Heading to Medieval France
• (00:57) - Thank you to all the producers!
• (01:38) - Early life of John the Fearless
• (03:22) - John on Crusade
• (07:17) - Battle of Nocopolis 1396
• (12:44) - John, Duke of Burgundy
• (16:31) - Assassination of Louis of Orleans
• (18:00) - Burgundian- Armagnac Civil War
• (21:30) - Treaty of Pouilly-le-Fort with Dauphin Charles
• (22:42) - Assassination of John the Fearless
• (24:17) - Aftermath & The Treaty of Troyes
• (26:51) - Catherine of Valois & the Tudor Dynasty
• (27:08) - John the Fearless conlcusion
• (28:27) - Shownotes & Bibliography
• (28:39) - Send in comments or leave a voicemail
• (28:49) - Share with your friends!
• (28:56) - Become an Executive Producer!
• (29:17) - We have a website!
• (29:21) - THANK YOU for your support!

• Medieval Archives - Host

Follow Medieval Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

Medieval Archives is AD free and AI free because of our wonderful producers. Help keep Medieval History alive by becoming a producer today.

Love Medieval History? Help us spread the word and become a history-making legend!

• Share the epic tales: Your friends will thank you for introducing them to the fascinating world of Medieval history.
• Become a proud producer: Support the show that keeps medieval history alive! Visit https://MedievalArchives.com/support for details or donate now via PayPal, or use Venmo or donate with Stripe
• Leave your mark on history: Get your name listed in the credits – a lasting legacy for your love of the Middle Ages!

Boost the show and see the artwork with a Podcasting 2.0 certified app: Castamatic | iCatcher! | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx

★ Support this podcast ★

RSS Podcast Feed

Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Dragon Moon Media
All Rights Reserved. No Infringement is Intended.
Medieval Archives & Dragon Moon Media production. 

💰Become a Producer! DONATE to the show via PayPal, or use Venmo You can also donate with Stripe

Pope Francis died on 21 Apr 2025 starting a process established in the Middle Ages.

Learn all about the Medieval origins of the Papal Conclave and watch as it unfolds in modern Italy during the Papal Conclave of 2025.

Once a Pope dies the Vatican enters a period called Sede Vacante, (Vacant Seat). Then the process of the Papal Conclave is started. Pope Gregory X issued the Papal bull Ubi periculum maius intenditur (Where greater danger lies) in 1274 which established the Papal Conclave.

Popes after Gregory rescinded the papal conclave and elections took months and years to complete.

The last pope elected outside the Papal Conclave process was Pope Celestine V in 1294. Celestine reinstated Gregory's papal bull and the papal conclave. Celestine's successor, Boniface VIII was elected through the Papal Conclave process as has every Pope since.

There have been modifications over the centuries but the core process remains the same.

Listen in to learn the Medieval origins of the papal conclave, how the conclave and voting process works. Who takes the oath of secrecy, why a popes change their names and what does the smoke mean?

Get all the links and see all the pictures in the show notes on Medieval Archives!

Grab a free copy of Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy by John Julius Norwich.

• (00:00) - Bells Toll for Pope Francis
• (00:27) - Welcome to the Medieval Archives
• (02:02) - Pope Francis has Died
• (02:59) - 1978 The Year of Three Popes
• (05:00) - Papal Conclave Medieval Origins
• (14:31) - How to Elect A Pope
• (19:15) - The Conclave Begins
• (31:20) - Conclave is Over Thanks to Medieval Popes
• (31:41) - Who Will be the Next Pope?
• (34:23) - Thanks for your support!!
• (35:38) - Papal Anthem

• Medieval Archives - Host

Follow Medieval Archives on X.com | Mastodon | Blue Sky

📜Sign Up for our newsletter

Medieval Archives is AD free and AI free because of our wonderful producers. Help keep Medieval History alive by becoming a producer today.

Love Medieval History? Help us spread the word and become a history-making legend!

• Share the epic tales: Your friends will thank you for introducing them to the fascinating world of Medieval history.
• Become a proud producer: Support the show that keeps medieval history alive! Visit https://MedievalArchives.com/support for details or donate now via PayPal, or use Venmo or donate with Stripe
• Leave your mark on history: Get your name listed in the credits – a lasting legacy for your love of the Middle Ages!

Boost the show and see the artwork with a Podcasting 2.0 certified app: Castamatic | iCatcher! | Pocket Casts | Fountain | Breez | Sphinx

★ Support this podcast ★

RSS Podcast Feed

Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com

Thank You to everyone who downloads, subscribes, listens, and supports the show. We appreciate you taking the time to listen to each episode. Share it with your friends!

Copyright © 2025 · Dragon Moon Media
All Rights Reserved. No Infringement is Intended.
Medieval Archives & Dragon Moon Media production.