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Medieval Myths & Mysteries

By: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Dorsey Armstrong
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Publisher's Summary

Was King Arthur a real person? What about Robin Hood? Is the Holy Grail a cup, or something else, altogether? Did Europeans really burn millions of people at the stake for witchcraft, in the past? These are just a few of the questions you will explore with the help of medieval scholar Dorsey Armstrong as she reveals the truth about the stories we continue to tell about the medieval period. Some contain nuggets of truth, others are wholly fabricated, but all of them can tell us something about the past.

From films like Braveheart and Excalibur to literature such as Ivanhoe and Morte d’Arthur, the years between 500 and 1500 have generated amazing stories of knights and damsels, superstitions and magic; some of these stories even made it into our grade school history curriculum. But what were those years really like? Known, somewhat inaccurately, as the “Middle Ages,” this period was not merely a transition from Roman antiquity to the Renaissance, but a vibrant time full of people just as curious, innovative, malicious, joyful, confused, ambitious, complex - in other words, just as human - as in any other period of history.

The 10 enlightening (and often humorous) lectures of Medieval Myths and Mysteries will show you how far from the “dark” times of legend these centuries were. Uncover the facts about the Knights Templar. Reveal the truth behind the tales of legendary creatures like the Questing Beast and the unicorn. Trace the events of the Black Death and the ways it altered the world in its wake, and much more.

With Professor Armstrong, you will dig deep into the ways that later generations reshaped the narrative of the medieval years and perpetuated the myths of a simpler and less civilized age, which was, in fact, much richer and more complex than many of us have been led to believe.
©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.
Customs & Traditions Occult Witty Mediaeval History British Folklore
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incredibly interesting

I fell across this lecture and thought I'd listen and was glad I did. im not sure I agree with all her research, but it was well presented

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great listen

great content and reading, an interesting take on a broad range of subjects from the period.

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Listened during road trip

Narration good, could do without the pop culture type comments (which will become quickly dated) unfortunately. Otherwise an excellent listen, interesting, concise and so easy to listen to.

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History for a lay/American audience

Pitched at individuals with elementary knowledge of history, nevertheless an interesting series of lectures delivered by an engaging speaker.

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Fascinating lectures

A tremendously interesting and brilliantly presented series of lectures (more like stories than lectures actually) which I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommended

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An interesting listen

Interesting and funny! Dorsey has a great delivery method. Some sections were a bit too detailed, but then history can be complicated!

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Great book that debunks common misconceptions

This was an entertaining book that debunked a lot of common misconceptions about medieval myths and mysteries - from King Arthur to mythical creatures. If there's one thing you learn from this book it would be that medieval humans are not too far off from modern humans. Armstrong takes the reader on an interesting journey and even provides a bit of background into Game of Thrones.

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medieval Myths & Mysteries

wow. love it. just finished it. going to start it all over again. informative

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More great history from Dorsey Armstrong

Another great class from the fabulous Dorsey Armstrong. Armstrong's strength is bringing history to life with passion, rigorous scholarship and an eye for the entertaining.

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Interesting and well-researched!

Really enjoyed listening to this lecture series on my way to work each day!

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