They did it. They actually did it. Doc and Nina shoot the…well, you know. Warning: this episode might be the most disgusting yet. Topics covered: where to find the best medieval human excrement, the Lloyd’s Bank coprolite and how to value poop, “the Poopsmith,” the Erfurt Latrine Disaster 1184, and why it’s important to keep buildings up to code.  Recommendations: “How to Go to the Toilet, Medieval Style” https://www.medievalists.net/2021/11/toilet-medieval/  The Medieval Grad Podcast: https://www.medievalists.net/2021/07/introducing-the-medieval-grad-podcast/

Doc and Nina started this season…and then stopped suddenly! What happened? Well, Doc went blind for a little while and it impeded the podcast!  And in Pop Medieval fashion, they turn this into a podcast episode. Topics covered: chest day, eyeball jelly, leech books, disability studies, medieval eye recipes, John the Blind of Bohemia, the punishment for lousy leechcraft Recommendations  John the Blind, King of Bohemia (1296-1346) (https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/john-bohemia-0013170) Steve Pollington’s Leechcraft: Early English Charms, Plantlore and Healing  (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/809699.Leechcraft) Michael Drout’s Quick and Easy Old English (https://books2read.com/Drout-Old-English) Nokes’ BBC Future article on Swordfighting https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20221124-the-lost-medieval-sword-fighting-tricks-no-one-can-decode Upcoming: Nokes’ upcoming book: Beowulf in Comic Books and Graphic Novels – coming in early 2023 Nina’s upcoming n

Here it is, Pop Medievalists — the episode that was supposed to drop months ago before Mt Doom exploded on Doc and Nina. What does that mean? They’ll explain in the next episode! Anyway, here, they watch the season finale of The Rings of Power and offer their live commentary. Engineer Mike makes a rare audio appearance for you Engineer Mike stans. We’ll be back soon! Until then, see hwaet’s Poppin on our Discord server: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

Pop Medieval is back for Season 4! Doc and Nina discuss the most expensive television show ever, "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power." Their mutual consensus: negative, to varying degrees. Why does this show "insist upon itself?" Topics include: Nina's GED in Lotrology, David Bowie's codpiece, elven swimming abilities, how to time soap opera pacing, Thomas Kinkade, the demon children of elf heaven, Spirit Halloween Numinorians, and how any show -- regardless of the subject matter -- can be improved with dinosaurs. Recommendations On Fairy-Stories (https://vdocuments.net/jrr-tolkien-on-fairy-stories.html?page=1) See the extended cuts of -- The Fellowship of the Rings (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120737/) The Two Towers (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167261/) The Return of the King (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/) See hwaet's Poppin' on our Discord server: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

Doc and Nina are getting ready to kick off season 4 of Pop Medieval! But first, a minisode! Pulled from an outtake from season 3, Nina attempts to recall the events of the "Lord of the Rings" as a non-LotR geek, from memory. Can she recall all the plot points? (She! Does not! Pass!)  Mild salty language warning.

It's the season 3 finale! Time for your final exam! Have you been paying attention all year, or have you been idly listening on your morning commute? Featuring a Pop Medieval correction and retraction!  After your exam, be sure to check out Doc and Nina's summer reading program: "Icarus", "A Bitter Spring" by Nina MacNamara (https://ninamacnamara.com/) A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine (https://www.amazon.com/Memory-Called-Empire-Arkady-Martine-ebook/dp/B07C7BCB88) "Watch of Traxis" (https://books2read.com/watch-of-traxis), "From A to Zombie" (https://books2read.com/u/b5QrLl) by Professor Awesome "Alfgar’s Stories from Beowulf" by Edward Risden (https://witanpublishing.com/2020/09/07/alfgars-stories-from-beowulf/) Wæs Þu hæl for the summer, everyone! But we'll be on Discord if you miss us. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

Doc and Nina try to record an episode without giggling, but the lord of the lash says, "nay, nay, nay!" They are back in Nerdhaven studios together and, propelled by the new Lord of the Rings series called "The Rings of Power," discuss some Tolkien adaptations. Stay for a serenade.  Topics discussed: Overpromising book deadlines, selective rotoscoping, a shocking dvd discovery, Rankin Bass's confusing start and bizarre flashbacks, Nina's need for a map, Frodo-mon, the fourth wall break, and justice for the felbeast.  Recommendations Dan Olsen’s Exhaustive History of Ralph Bakshi’s Lord of the Rings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr_rb_pitHk)  Old English and Samwise Gamgee by Dr. Richard Scott Nokes (https://books2read.com/u/3yPjRp) Listen to "Where There's a Whip There's a Way" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoAfb3f04mo)

We’re going to the stars! In this episode, Doc tells Nina about the new astronomical discovery and what that has to do with Tolkien plus some other medieval astronomy instruments. Finally, Doc implies that Nina has the “ill-Inanna.”  Topics covered: sky protractors, using video game consoles to remember names, complicated steampunk sundials, Mayan city planning, American presidential rituals, and the longest star naming discussion ever. Show Notes https://www.space.com/hubble-most-distant-star-tolkien-name-earendil  thoughtco.com/the-astrolabe-using-the-stars-for-navigation-and-timekeeping-4126095 http://english.pmo.cas.cn/resources/facilities/201911/t20191123_226171.html https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/maya/mmc07eng.html Recommendations: The Expanse – All 6 Seasons on Amazon Prime https://www.amazon.com/The-Expanse-Season-1/dp/B08B49T8TZ  How to make an Astrolabe https://arxiv.org/pdf/1202.2005.pdf British Museum’s “How to Use an Astrolabe” https://youtu.be/N

Doc refocuses current events on himself and then introduces Nina to Saint Olga of Kyiv. Doc completely misses two jokes. Plus, Nina relives past trauma. Topics covered: The grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Golden Horde, who can lay claim to what, the greatness of Maggie Smith, #niceguys of the 8th century, the logistics of getting buried alive in a castle, extra steamy bath houses, St. Olga’s non-traditional funeral practices and birding, and spiritual incest. Recommendations: Rejected Princesses: Tales of History’s Boldest Heroines, Hellions, and Heretics by Jason Porath (https://www.rejectedprincesses.com/) The Primary Chronicle (https://www.mgh-bibliothek.de/dokumente/a/a011458.pdf) See hwaet’s Poppin’ in the Pop Medieval Discord. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

Spring Break, Pop Medievalists! While Doc and Nina work on their freckling, they left you with another Minisode. It’s timely, too: Who hates Red Sparrow as much as Nina? Probably no one. Enjoy! (Some salty language. Listener discretion advised.)

Doc and Nina play the popular viking-themed video game, Valheim. They’ll discuss the meaning of the game and get into the finer aspects of the world. Topics covered: being dead, naked and afraid; rewarding cooperative game play;Ms. Awesome’s Viking Animal Crossing; where fantasy name generators fail; the evolution of tree punching; sea travel realism; unforgiving viking homelife; corvid mythos; the connection between Eikthyr and heavy metal music; troll clothing; and non-toxic norse communities. Recommendations Valhalla Rising (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0862467/) Old Norse for Modern Times (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54954746-old-norse-for-modern-times) See hwaet’s Poppin’ in the Pop Medieval Discord. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

In this very special episode of Pop Medieval, Nina rescues Doc from a bicycle repair man's refrigerator and interviews him about his latest book, "The Watch of Traxis." She asks the important questions like, is this book a horror novel? Topics covered: the genesis of the name Prof Awesome, tabletop roleplaying games, wristwatches ruining SEO, Doc's lazy writing style, and some Discord shoutouts! Buy "The Watch of Traxis" in print or ebook form today! (https://www.amazon.com/Watch-Traxis-Professor-Awesome-ebook/dp/B09LXHTPSJ/) See hwaet's Poppin' in the Pop Medieval Discord. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

Doc and Nina are back from their January break and have a new episode. In this Valentine’s Day episode, they’re gushing, cooing, and preening about Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Parliament of Foules” — birds, that is. Ca-CAAA! Topics covered: Valentine’s Day as a romantic day,  low-brow ducks, dream visions, “The Dream of the Rood,” dating reality shows, socially approved relationships, the dark history of the cuckoo bird,  and strange podcast metrics. Recommendations Romance of the Rose by Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun (https://roseandchess.lib.uchicago.edu/rose.html) Peacemaker (https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GYb0FKQLsGIyPfQEAAAAM) See hwaet’s Poppin’ in the Pop Medieval Discord. Join us at: https://discord.gg/VaF2sZdeGk

Doc sends Nina to cooking school for Christmas (no, this episode is NOT late — technically we’re still within the Christmas season). She recounts her experiences with the hits and misses from her week of feasting. Topics covered: green beans vs broad beans, The Eggnog Riot at West Point, adding fried eggs to meals, Doc’s ill-fated chicken dish, more bean discussion, the dangers of too much dairy, the sin of butter, meals for Lent Recommendations: Eat Medieval (https://eatmedieval.com/) Nina says — Stay as authentic to the recipes as possible if you want to try cooking with the Black Friars. If you have dietary restrictions (like lactose intolerance) these will NOT be the recipes for you. You can, however, replace the meat with vegan options like Beyond Meat or Impossible meat. Eat Clean Bro (https://eatcleanbro.com/) Shieldmaiden in the Kitchen, by Terri Barnes, medieval historian –  (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm2Ae34xZXeRD2K2N3LoolQ) See hwaet’s P

*Note: This episode contains very frank discussion of rape and sexual assault due to the plot of the film, “The Last Duel.” This also contains plot spoilers of a historical event.* Doc and Nina review their final Movember movie — well into December — “The Last Duel.” It’s intense, it’s difficult, but it’s absolutely brilliant. Nina shares her new taglines for each chapter of the movie and Doc gives his assessment of the movie’s opinion of, um, “little deaths.” Both Nina and Doc have their own separate rants in this one, so get comfortable. Topics covered: The Hundred Years’ war, property ownership, de Carrouges’ temper tantrums, le Gris’ project management skills, the bit of movie pandering during Marguerite’s title fade, Doc and Nina’s love of this movie despite their complaints, the French inquisition, the outcome of the duel, who owns a piece of land anyway, the science of orgasm a

Doc and Nina take on a beloved camp classic for Movember: Highlander. Guess what — it’s also from 1986! And Sean Connery is back, doing his Scottish non-Scot thing again. Topics covered: what exactly the Prize is, Christopher Lambert’s myopic sword-fighting, the Quickening, Styrofoam pillars, Rachel’s origin story, the best line in the film, medieval wrasslin’, the Kurgan as our language ancestor, witans versus things, and Doc’s experience impressing elementary school kids in “Camelot.” Recommendations: World’s Most Expensive Medieval Sword – 13th Century Kamakura Katana (https://luxatic.com/the-top-10-most-expensive-medieval-weapons-ever-sold/) Beowulf (1999) w/ Christopher Lambert (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120604/) *Note from staff: apparently, the Quickening went down while Nina was recording and it screwed up her audio. Apologies for that.*

Movember continues! Hoo boy, this is a doozy. Doc and Nina are back in the same room to watch “The Name of the Rose,” a 1986 slog with Sean Connery and Christian Slater! Can they really stop laughing long enough to explain what’s going on? (This is all Engineer Mike’s fault.) Topics covered: who’s actually IN this movie, Sherlock Holmes, the actual title of this film, Benedictine vs Franciscan orders, the lost book on Poetics, Frasier vs Tenet, the Cotton Library fire, the greasy sex scene, Doc’s teenage dating life, Nina’s very important question Recommendations FYI – this movie is almost impossible to find. We’re linking to where you can buy the DVD (if you have to) The Name of the Rose (https://www.amazon.com/Name-Rose-Sean-Connery/dp/B019HR3E18/) The Mission (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091530/) Napoleon Dynamite (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374900/) Mythic Quest (https://tv.apple.com/us/show/mythic-quest/umc.cmc.1nfdfd5zlk

Doc and Nina kick off Mov-ember with The Green Knight. Spoilers abound. Topics discussed: knighthood, Gawain’s confusing heritage, the fox’s identity, Gawain becoming unstuck in time, the Trojan War, the color green, who killed St. Winifred, singing naked giants, greatness versus goodness, the last ten minutes of the movie, and how to pronounce “lady” and “Gawain.” Recommendations A24 Screening Room (available on the Apple Store and Roku) Lion (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3741834/) Sword of the Valiant (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084750/)

Doc tells Nina the spooky tale of St Erkenwald, the 13th century bishop who found an incorruptible corpse of a 6th century pagan king, resurrected him, and sent him to heaven with his holy tears. Topics covered: sacraments, incorruptible corpses, Padre Pio, stigmata, Vladimir Lenin, HP Lovecraft, Doc’s turn as a horror writer, Jeffrey Combs, BDSM, deadites, and boomsticks Recommendations Re-Animator (1985) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089885/) Army of Darkness (1992) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106308/) The Beast of Wolfe’s Bay (http://www.wolfesbay.com/) Check out Doc’s “horror” novel, From A to Zombie (https://books2read.com/u/b5QrLl)

Shall we play a (board) game? Doc shows Nina a board game featuring a raging Geat and Fairytale Femme Fatale. Topics of discussion: Beowulf, Little Red Riding Hood, asymmetrical games, board games, metaphors, fox and geese, Doc’s hair, condescending comic book guys, Squid Game, and Mrs. Awesome’s patience. Recommendations Pop Medieval Ep 16: A Beginner’s Guide to the SCA (https://www.profawesome.com/podcast/pop-medieval-ep-16-a-beginners-guide-to-the-sca/) An Outsider’s View of the SCA (https://unlocked-wordhoard.blogspot.com/2007/10/outsiders-view-of-sca.html) Root (https://ledergames.com/products/root-a-game-of-woodland-might-and-right) ed: Root is a 4-person game, not a 5-person game.