Were the medieval times a dull era? In episode 66 Alli Templeton, a historian and author of the blog Medieval Wanderings, sets the record straight. She describes the period as colorfully vibrant and absolutely fascinating. Our discussion focuses on the traditions around the harvest, the importance of community and Christmas celebrations. We discuss the societal structure of the Middle Ages, including feudalism, the roles of women, and the significance of agricultural cycles. Allie describes medieval harvest traditions, festive celebrations, particularly focusing on Christmas customs and the adaptation of pagan practices by the Christian church. We also delve into the importance of storytelling, poetry and even give some example of medieval riddles seen in medieval entertainment.
www.medievalwanderings.com
Allie's Journey into Medieval History (11:12 - 23:45)
• Allie became interested in medieval history through a TV show about castles
• Discovered the colorful characters and fascinating stories of medieval times
• Pursued a history degree while caring for her autistic children
• Started a blog called Medieval Wanderings
• Walked the 'Iron Ring' of castles in North Wales as part of a castle quest
• The Middle Ages: Time Period and Society (23:45 - 35:26)
• Middle Ages generally accepted as 1000 years from mid-400s to 1485 in England
• Society organized in feudal system and three estates (fighters, prayers, workers)
• Discusses roles of women in medieval society
• Life revolved around agricultural cycle and religious calendar
Medieval Harvest and Traditions (35:26 - 45:19)
• Two main harvests: hay harvest in June and main harvest in August/September
• Describes harvest celebrations and customs
• Mentions the importance of fire in festivals and traditions
• Discusses how Christian church adapted pagan customs
Medieval Christmas and Celebrations (45:19 - 55:46)
• Advent period was a time of fasting and reflection
• Christmas celebration lasted 12 days, starting from Christmas Day
• Describes Christmas feasts and traditions in castles and noble homes
• Mentions the tradition of the boy bishop
Christmas Greenery and Traditions (55:46 - 01:04:31)
• Discusses the use of holly, ivy, and mistletoe in Christmas decorations
• Explains the pagan roots of these traditions and how the church adapted them
• Describes the 'kissing bow' tradition
Storytelling and Riddles in Medieval Times (01:04:31 - 01:13:02)
• Importance of storytelling and poetry in medieval entertainment
• Discusses the Exeter Book, a collection of Anglo-Saxon verse and riddles
• Shares examples of medieval riddles and their solutions
Medieval Customs in Modern Celebrations (01:13:03 - 01:20:21)
• Allie shares how she incorporates medieval traditions into her family's celebrations
• Discusses brewing mead, playing medieval games, and cooking medieval recipes
• Plans to cook a medieval feast for Christmas using authentic recipes
Future Projects and Conclusion (01:20:21 - 01:27:04)
• Briefly mentions Twelfth Night traditions and the origin of Christmas cake
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