logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
57m 34s

Medieval Ghost Stories

Bbc Radio 4
About this episode

Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Michael Carter and actor Mathew Baynton to learn all about ghost stories in the European Middle Ages. From the twelfth century onwards, medieval Europe produced a huge number of ghost stories, often written in monasteries. But why were monks so interested in ghosts? How were ghost stories related to wider Christian beliefs about death and the afterlife? And what happened to these beliefs with the arrival of the Protestant Reformation?

From creepy child ghosts to friendly apparitions via the fires of purgatory, this is a glimpse into the strange, spooky and sometimes sinister side of medieval beliefs.

Research by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Jon Mason Written by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Produced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Production Coordinator: Caitlin Hobbs Senior Producer: Emma Nagouse Executive Editor: Chris Ledgard

Up next
Jul 3
Empress Dowager Cixi (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined in 19th-century China by historian Professor Yangwen Zheng and comedian Sophie Duker to learn about the Qing dynasty ruler Empress Dowager Cixi.A contemporary of Queen Victoria, Cixi rose from low-ranked concubine to de facto ruler of China for nearly half a ... Show More
28m 7s
Jun 26
History of the Telephone (Radio Edit)
For our 150th episode, Greg Jenner is joined by historian Professor Iwan Morus and comedian Catherine Bohart to learn about the history of the telephone on its 150th anniversary.The inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, was granted the American patent for his new comm ... Show More
28m 8s
Jun 24
Announcing Series 12
Greg Jenner looks ahead to the new series of You're Dead to Me.If you’re in the UK, listen first on BBC Sounds, or watch on iPlayer from Friday 26 June. If you’re outside the UK, you can find us on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcasts, with the new series beginning on Friday ... Show More
1m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2025
Medieval Hallowe'en
Come with us down the dark, damp woodland lane for Gone Medieval's Halloween Spooktacular.Matt Lewis is joined by Amy Boucher and Alix Chidley-Uttley to delve into the eerie world of medieval ghost stories, folklore, and superstitions. What is the ominous significance of yew tree ... Show More
1h 1m
Oct 2022
Ghosts
<p>How long have people believed in ghosts?</p><br><p>Eleanor Janega is back Betwixt the Sheets with Kate to tell us why you should always stand up to ghosts and why you might be visited by a woman with frogs sucking on her body.</p><br><p>From improper burials to resentful visit ... Show More
42m 36s
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
Oct 2024
The Spooky History of Ghosts
<p>Explore the fascinating history of ghosts and uncover the ancient origins of ghost stories from around the world! In this episode, we dive deep into the myths and legends that have shaped our beliefs in the paranormal for centuries. From ancient Egypt to modern Europe, and bey ... Show More
37m 43s
Jun 2021
66. Ghosts
Settle down by the fire and prepare to be haunted. Roger Clarke, author of A Natural History of Ghosts, joins Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook to wonder whether ghost stories evolve to reflect the age in which the apparition appears. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc ... Show More
53m 23s
Dec 2024
Medieval Burials
<p>What can medieval burial practices reveal about societal values and beliefs? Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by biological anthropologist Dr. Jo Buckberry, to explore this question.</p><br><p>They discuss the secrets behind Sutton Hoo's majestic burial mounds, the intriguing pres ... Show More
51m 34s
Oct 2025
Roman Ghostbusters
As the Halloween season hits, Mary and Charlotte turn to the wealth of ghost stories from the ancient world to ask: did the Greeks and Romans really believe in ghosts and why are their stories so similar to ours when many of our beliefs are so different? Mary and Charlotte recoun ... Show More
37m 43s
Mar 2021
Nateland | Ep #40 - Middle Ages
On this week's podcast, Nate, Aaron, and Brian take a trip back to Medieval Times to learn about the Middle Ages. The guys discuss famous court jesters, learn about unusual medical treatments, and discuss well known phrases that originated from the Middle Ages. Co-hosts: Brian Ba ... Show More
1h 20m
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
Oct 2018
158 - Incredible Spooky Stories
<p>On this special spooooky Halloween episode, Dave, Jess and Matt each tell a incredible true tale that'll have you pissing your pants!! There are ghosts, haunted dolls and reincarnations! Spooooooooooooooooky!</p><p>Recorded live at Howler in Melbourne, this is the final episod ... Show More
1h 44m