Sociological axe-grinding disguised as history
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“This is really just regarding the recent Eleanor of Aquitaine episode, but it signifies a larger problem: I don’t know in what world Henry II of England was a “bad king” and Eleanor somehow eclipses his ability and cleverness, but it’s certainly not the real one. I suppose it’s the world where we gush over the wrongly forgotten sTroNG WOmeN of history and think the remedy to that imbalance is to shoehorn them, and place them on a pedestal above crucially important male figures. Male figures like oh, for instance, THE FATHER OF THE COMMON LAW. Eleanor was incomparable it’s true but Henry II is arguably the greatest Medieval English monarch—and the only reason, really, why Eleanor is so splendidly famous. Focusing on the former with no regard to the latter is a good marker, in one episode, that this podcast is more sociological axe-grinder than well-rounded, truly balanced historical reality. Balanced would be having an episode to put Eleanor in context of the larger Angevin world and remind us of Henry II’s remarkable kingship or his centrality to English medieval history, and beyond. Wisdom advises that experts like Nicholas Vincent, David Carpenter, Robert Bartlett, or the inimitable John Gillingham might appear. With the shabby parameters of this episode, I’d be surprised if that even occurred to them. I’m loathed to admit that I miss a Ricardian, but I miss Matt Lewis. Give approaches like this episode’s another generation, and history as a field simply won’t be worth its toil—we’ll all be sitting through grubby, moralizing lectures about the patriarchy and squalid sociological rants disguised as supposedly “good” medieval history.”
Dane1940 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/12/24
More reviews of Gone Medieval
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“I’ve listened to two very different episodes. The first about stonemasons, set at a church near where I grew up in England and the second about non-binary gender throughout medieval times and in religion. Both fascinating and enjoyably discussed. I look forward to continuing down the back catalogue!”
Spencer E Holtaway via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/18/21
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“Even the catch phrase works 😊”
Berengaria-Nicolaas via Apple Podcasts ·
Netherlands ·
03/15/22
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“Someone needs to coach the guests on this show. Some of them are impossible to listen to. The author of the book on The Burgundians sounds completely manic. Besides his shrill, over-excited delivery, his content is disorganized and too personal. What listeners really want to know about his...”Read full review »
Hortensia15 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/04/21
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