logo
episode-header-image
May 2022
14m 18s

A Violent History of Fun - Having the Cr...

FIN DWYER
About this episode
When you think of the Middle Ages what springs to mind? Medieval battles, warfare and general hardship? Certainly not fun. However while medieval Ireland was a violent place by any standard people were still able to enjoy themselves. In this episode I explore what our medieval ancestors did for fun. From football to archery, poetry to the pub they knew how to have a good time!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Jul 15
Hitler’s Irish Relatives: The Strange True Story
A video version of this episode is available on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/irish-history-podcast/id363368392On the day Hitler invaded Poland, another Hitler was making headlines in Britain. It was not the dictator, but his Irish sister-in-law, Bridget Hi ... Show More
20m 23s
Jul 8
Living on the Wrong Side of History: My Family Secrets
Family history is often where the heroic version of the past falls apart.We like to imagine our ancestors standing on the right side of history. Someone in the GPO in 1916 or in the IRA in 1920. We like to think they made brave choice when it mattered. But most people were not he ... Show More
38m 26s
Jun 24
The Irish Crown Jewels Robbery: Ireland’s Crime of the Century?
In the summer of 1907, the Irish Crown Jewels were stolen from the heart of British power in Ireland, under the noses of the police, the military and the political establishment. Worth £50,000 at the time, their disappearance made headlines around the world. It was also deeply hu ... Show More
47m 22s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2025
Medieval Sex
Warning: this episode contains explicit language.Medieval people weren’t prudish—far from it. Dan is joined by medieval historian Dr Eleanor Janega to explore sex, marriage, and desire in the Middle Ages. They delve into the beliefs around sodomy as “non-procreative sex”; pilgrim ... Show More
42m 14s
Feb 2023
73: Tie me up Daddy - Top 5 Torture Techniques from Medieval Time
Hi friends, happy Thursday!Welcome to the Dark History podcast. Look torture is awful, but if there is one age that really turned torture into an artform, it was Medieval Times. No, not the super cool restaurant, we’re talking about the time in history where torture popped AWF. I ... Show More
53m 51s
Aug 2023
Sex: The Medieval Rules
<p>Sex. It’s everyone’s favourite subject. But has it been that way since the Middle Ages? The repressive instincts of some medieval churchmen meant that the way that ordinary people experienced and enjoyed sex in medieval Europe was very different to how it is today. But despite ... Show More
42m 17s
May 2024
Medieval Torture & Execution
When you say ‘going medieval’ on someone, it brings up quite nasty connotations. But is this brutal suggestion a fair depiction of medieval times and their thoughts on torture and punishment? What are some of the more gruesome methods they employed? And why did Henry I give autho ... Show More
49m 47s
Apr 2022
Medieval emotions: were they like our own?
Speaking to Dave Musgrove, medieval historian Elizabeth Boyle reflects on life throughout the Covid lockdowns, using early Irish literature to explore how similar the emotions of people in the middle ages were to our own. (Ad) Elizabeth Boyle is the author of Fierce Appetites: ... Show More
38m 40s
Sep 2023
The Middle Ages in Five Facts
<p>Where is the grave of King Arthur? What was the worst year in human history? Who were the most fractious royal siblings? What were the origins of humble pie? Which monsters pre-occupied Medieval minds?</p><br><p>In this episode, <em>Gone Medieval</em>’s co-hosts Matt Lewis and ... Show More
39m 34s
Sep 2025
Ballads of Love and Death
In this enchanting episode, Dr. Eleanor Janega dissolves the boundaries between history, folklore, and music to explore the haunting world of medieval ballads. Joined by author Amy Jeffs, illustrator Gwen Burns and composer/singer Natalie Brice, Eleanor uncovers the timeless stor ... Show More
1h 1m
Dec 2024
Midwinter Medieval Traditions
<p>Ever wondered how Christmas was celebrated in Medieval times? Dr. Eleanor Janega and Matt Lewis explore the fascinating world of Medieval festive traditions. From the violent brawls of medieval football to the quirky custom of 'mumming,' Eleanor and Matt dive into the rich tap ... Show More
42m 19s
Jun 2021
Sex in the Middle Ages
<p>Despite being a key part of society and everyday life, medieval sexuality was probably left out of your history lessons at school. But how much do we really know about these very private aspects of life in the Middle Ages? Dr Cat Jarman is joined by historian Dr Eleanor Janega ... Show More
31m 36s
Apr 2022
Medieval Sex
*WARNING this episode includes explicit language and adult themes*What were your medieval ancestors getting up to in the bedroom? Join sex historian Kate Lister, Betwixt the Sheets, to find out.Medievalist and George Michael super-fan Dr Eleanor Janega is on the podcast to chat a ... Show More
42m 56s