Join Living Medieval's Mitch Lawrence and historian Tyler Batstone to discover how medieval tournaments originated, their cultural significance, and how they evolved from martial training to the theatrical spectacles we all know and love. Mitch and Tyler explore the brutal, romantic, and political aspects of these legendary events and consider how true to reality our modern depictions are.

🎙 Hosted By Mitchell Lawrence - @mitchofthefyrd

👥 Follow Tyler on social media - @medievalbatstone on Instagram🔗 Find Us Online

🌐 Website: www.livingmedieval.com

📸 Instagram: @livingmedievalofficial

🎵 TikTok: @livingmedieval

📘 Facebook: Living Medieval

🎶 Music Credits

Intro: The Jolly Tankard by Kaazoom

Outro: Medieval Story by SergePavkinMusic

(Both royalty-free via Pixabay)

Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to medieval tournaments and their importance02:00 - Were medieval tournaments as brutal as depicted in pop culture?05:12 - The significance of horse and weapon importance in jousting09:23 - How tournaments originated in France and spread across Europe12:11 - Military purposes of tournaments and training benefits16:06 - Nobility hosting tournaments for celebration and diplomacy20:34 - Political motivations behind grand tournaments in France25:03 - The dangerous and deadly side of medieval tournaments29:19 - Famous knights and champions like William Marshall33:52 - The influence of Arthurian legend and literature on tournament ideals43:56 - The theatrical and ceremonial nature of late medieval tournaments47:37 - The evolution of tournament armor and equipment52:11 - The importance of honour, chivalry, and truthful combat54:24 - The decline of tournaments with the rise of gunpowder warfare58:12 - The cultural legacy of tournaments in modern reenactment's and pop culture

In this episode, Mitchell Lawrence sits down with Thomas Dennis, director and lead actor in 'A Taste of Loyalty', as he shares his deep passion for Richard III and medieval history. He discusses the complexities of adapting historical narratives into film, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in costumes and settings. The film aims to explore the human side of Richard III, challenging the villainous image often associated with him. Thomas highlights the moral dilemmas faced by Richard and the intricate political dynamics of the Wars of the Roses. As the premiere approaches on Tuesday 3rd March, there is great excitement for the audience's reception and the potential for a full-length feature film.

👥 Follow Thomas and A Taste of Loyalty online:

ATOL Patreon: A Taste of Loyalty

ATOL Instagram: A Taste of Loyalty (@a.taste.of.loyalty_film)

Thomas Dennis: Thomas Dennis (@thethomasdennis)

🎶 Music Credits

• Intro: The Jolly Tankard by Kaazoom

Outro: Medieval Story by SergePavkinMusic

(Both royalty-free via Pixabay)

🔗 Find us online:

· 🌐 Website: www.livingmedieval.com

· 📸 Instagram: @livingmedievalofficial

· 🎵 TikTok: @livingmedieval

· 📘 Facebook: Living Medieval

· 📘 Mitch: @mitchofthefyrd

What did a medieval headdress truly mean for the women who wore it ? Was it simply a practical covering, or something with far greater meaning?

In this episode of Living Medieval, host Jess sits down with Maria - a living historian, reenactor, and seamstress based in Scotland - to explore the fascinating world of medieval headdresses. Their conversation traces the evolution of women’s headwear from the 11th to 15th centuries, uncovering its functions, symbolism, and the social messages woven into every veil, wimple, and hennin.

🎙 Hosted By Jessica Lawrence

🔗 Find Us Online

🌐 Website: www.livingmedieval.com

📸 Instagram: @livingmedievalofficial

🎵 TikTok: @livingmedieval

📘 Facebook: Living Medieval

👥 Follow Maria on social media formore brilliant insights into medieval beauty standards:

YouTube: @pinsandweevils

Instagram @pinsandweevils

🎶 Music Credits

Intro: The Jolly Tankard by Kaazoom

Outro: Medieval Story by SergePavkinMusic

(Both royalty-free via Pixabay)

Who was Harold Godwinson beyond the traditional 'arrow in the eye' narrative we are all so familiar with?

Living Medieval host, Jess, chats with author and living historian Paula Lofting who offers a portrait of Harold Godwinson that goes beyond the customary mechanicsof battlefield and his claim to the throne. This conversation explores the influence of Harold's personal relationships on him as both a man and leader, presenting a more intimate view of Harold than the usual political narrative.

You can buy a copy of Paula’s book ‘Searching for the Last Anglo-Saxon King: Harold Godwinson, England’s Golden Warrior’ on Amazon.

🎙 Hosted By Jessica Lawrence

🔗 Find Us Online

www.livingmedieval.com

👥 Follow our Guest Paula Lofting Wilcox

Website: www.threadstothepast.com

Instagram @paulaloftingwilcox

Facebook: Paula Lofting Author Page

Bluesky @paulaloftingauthor

🎶 Music Credits

• Royalty free from Pixabay

What happens when a living historian steps into the shoes of a 7th-century mystery woman? In this episode, Jess sits down with living historian Charlotte Fielding to unravel the story behind the Loftus Princess, a powerful yet enigmatic figurewhose grave goods whisper of status, symbolism, and forgotten narratives.

Together, they explore the delicate art of historical recreation: from sourcing authentic materials to decoding grave foods and reconstructing identity through fabric, metal, and imagination. Charlotte opens up about the collaborative magic of the re-enactment community and how this project reshaped her view of Anglo-Saxon women—not just as historical footnotes, but as leaders, influencers, and icons.

It’s a conversation that blends scholarship with soul, and reminds us that history isn’t just studied—it’s lived.

🔗 Find us online:

🌐 Website: www.livingmedieval.com

📸 Instagram: @livingmedievalofficial

🎵 TikTok: @livingmedieval

📘 Facebook: Living Medieval

👥 Hosted by: Jessica Lawrence

👥 Follow our guest on Instagram: CharlotteFielding: @aelettethesaxon

Cover imageby Liam Norman: @thesonysaxon

Artisansand crafters:

www.danegeld.co.uk- Historic Jewellery

Króka Thurston'sWorkshop

Hafurtask -Historical Crafts

Music introand outro royalty and copyright free, available on Pixabay:

Intro - The Jolly Tankard by Kaazoom

Outro- Medieval Story by SergePavkinMusic

In our debut episode of Living Medieval, host Jess steps into the Reenactors’ Corner for a lively conversation with Mitchell Lawrence, Charlotte Fielding, and Katya Zielonko—three passionate and experienced medieval Living Historians. Together, they unpack what Living History truly means, why it matters, and how it goes far beyond weekend dress-up.

From meticulous research to immersive portrayals, these reenactors share how they strive for historical accuracy while keeping audiences engaged.

We explore how newcomers can get involved, the delicate dance between authenticity and accessibility, and why re-enactment is a powerful tool for education, connection, and community. These three voices are helping raise the profile of the hobby—and redefining what it means to bring the past to life.

🔗 Find us online:

🌐 Website: www.livingmedieval.com

📸 Instagram: @livingmedievalofficial

🎵 TikTok: @livingmedieval

📘 Facebook: Living Medieval

👥 Follow our guests on Instagram:

• Mitchell Lawrence: @mitchofthefyrd
• Charlotte Fielding: @aelettethesaxon
• Katya Zielonko: @saewynshistory

__________________________________________

Cover Image by Liam Norman - @thesonysaxon

Music intro and outro royalty and copyright free, available on Pixabay:

Intro - The Jolly Tankard by Kaazoom

Outro- Medieval Story by SergePavkinMusic

Welcome to Living Medieval!

In this bite-sized kickoff episode, meet Jess — your podcast host - as we take a quick look at what this podcast is all about: bringing history to life through stories, people, and hands-on adventures as reenactors and living historians. It’s just the beginning, so stay tuned for future episodes packed with swords, sagas, and surprises!

Want to find out more about Living Medieval or read our online publication?

Head over to www.livingmedieval.com

Want to get in touch? Contact: info@livingmedieval.com

Follow us on Instagram - @livingmedievalofficial

Find us on Facebook - 'Living Medieval'

Follow us on TikTok - @livingmedieval

_________________________________________________

Music intro and outro royalty and copyright free, available on Pixabay:

Intro - The Jolly Tankard by Kaazoom

Outro- Medieval Story by SergePavkinMusic