Human Circus: Journeys in the Medieval World

A departure from our usual historical period for the 17th-century story of Osman Agha of Timisoara, an Ottoman soldier taken prisoner in the years after the Battle of Vienna. If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here. I'm on BlueSky @a-devon.bsky.social, Instagram @humancircuspod, and I have some things on Redbubble. Sources: Osman Agha of Timisoara. Prisoner of the Infidels. Edited, translated, and introduced by Giancarlo Casale. University of California Press, 2021. Finkel, Caroline. Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire. Basic Books, 2005. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A 12th-century execution and the mixed messages in the chronicles around how things had gotten to that point. Did William with the Long Beard offer a better life to those unhappy in Richard I's London, or did he just take advantage of their misery to serve his own vices? If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.I'm on BlueSky @a-devon.bsky.social, Instagram @humancircuspod, and I have some things on Redbubble.Sources: The Annals of Roger de Hoveden, translated by Henry T. Riley. Henry G. Bohn, 1853. The Church Historians of England, volume IV, part II, translated by Joseph Stevenson. Seeley's, 1861. Roger of Wendover's Flowers of History, translated by J. A. Giles. Henry G. Bohn, 1849. Alexander, Dominic. "'The People are the Waters': Social Revolt in London, 1196-1381," Counterfire. May 30, 2021. Dennis, David E P. "The Rise and Fall of William Fitz Osbert." McEwan, John. "William FitzOsbert and the Crisis of 1196 in London," Florilegium. Volume 21, 2004. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The conclusion of Nasir Khusraw's pilgrimage is filled with harrowing and enlightening moments. He faces physical and spiritual challenges while traveling through drought-stricken areas and deserts. The journey to Mecca includes rich landscapes and dangerous encounters with factions. Post-pilgrimage, Nasir reflects on his contrasting views of Taif, revealing the subjectivity of travel. Amid his hard journey toward home, he establishes a center of learning in exile, making profound contributions to philosophy and poetry.

Embark on an 11th-century adventure with philosopher Nasir Khosrow as he journeys from Jerusalem to vibrant Fatimid Egypt. Experience the hospitality at the shrine of Abraham and the bustling markets of Tinnis, known for its textiles. Discover the architectural wonders and daily life of Cairo, while contrasting the optimism of Al-Mustansir’s era with the brewing crises. Delve into the peace and justice of the caliphate that fostered trade and religious welfare, all set against the backdrop of a fascinating medieval landscape.

Explore the transformative journey of Nasir Khusraw, a Persian poet and thinker who embarks on a quest for wisdom. After a prophetic dream, he leaves his secular life behind, traveling through diverse landscapes and cultures. His pilgrimage to Jerusalem unveils the city's beauty and historical significance, from breathtaking architecture to vibrant bazaars. With poetic reflections, he contemplates good deeds and the passage of time, weaving a narrative that blends spirituality with the richness of the medieval world.

Happy Holidays!This episode is about festive "medieval" poetry.If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.I'm on BlueSky @a-devon.bsky.social, Twitter @circus_human, Instagram @humancircuspod, and I have some things on Redbubble.Sources: Andrews, William. At the Sign of the Barber's Pole: A Study in Hirsute History. Lethe Press, 2008. Cook, Megan. "Dirtbag Medievalism," Avidly. July 14, 2021. Eco, Umberto. Travel in Hyperreality. Harcourt, inc, 1986. Jackson, Sophie. The Medieval Christmas. The History Press, 2013. Scott, Walter. Marmion. Riverside Press, Cambridge, 1896. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Born in the 13th century, Pietro d'Abano was referred to variously as “the Great Lombard,” “the Conciliator,” and, in at least one case, a “great necromancer.” This scholar and physician faced various troubles relating to heresy or sorcery, and stories swirl around him of calling on demons or magically making spent coins return to his purse.If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.I'm on BlueSky @a-devon.bsky.social, Twitter @circus_human, Instagram @humancircuspod, and I have some things on Redbubble.Sources: Browning, Robert. The Complete Works of Robert Browning. Ohio University Press, 2007. Garin, Eugenio. History of Italian Philosophy, Volume 1. Translated by Giorgio Pinton. Rodopi, 2008. Hasse, Dag Nikolaus. "Pietro d'Abano's 'Conciliator' and the Theory of the Soul in Paris," After the Condemnation of 1277: Philosophy and Theology at the University of Paris in the Last Quarter of the Thirteenth Century. Edited by Jan A. Aertsen, Kent Emery, and Andreas Speer. Walter de Gruyter, 2013. Prioreschi, Plinio. A History of Medicine: Medieval Medicine. Horatius Press, 1996. Tafu, Pedro. Pero Tafur: Travels and Adventures (1435-1439). Translated and edited with an introduction by Malcolm Letts. Harper & brothers, 1926. Thorndike, Lynn. A History of Magic and Experimental Science Volume 2. Columbia University Press, 1923. Touwaide, Alain. "Pietro d'Abano, De venenis: Reintroducing Greek Toxicology in Late Medieval Medicine." Toxicology in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Edited by Philip Wexler. Academic Press, 2017. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Annales Fuldenses, or Annals of Fulda, is a source for 9th-century events in Carolingian lands: the incursions of the Northmen, fighting among the royal relatives, and omens in the sky. It also contains the story of an unfortunate village, an even more unfortunate villager, and the evil spirit that haunted both.If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.I'm on BlueSky @a-devon.bsky.social, Twitter @circus_human, Instagram @humancircuspod, and I have some things on Redbubble.Source: The Annals of Fulda: Ninth-Century Histories, Volume II. Translated and annotated by Timothy Reuter. Manchester University Press, 1992. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The story of a 14th-century Flemish pirate, merchant, and adventurer, a man who took prizes at sea and took whatever side he needed to on land, crossing paths with various counts and kings as he went.If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.I'm on BlueSky @a-devon.bsky.social, Twitter @circus_human, Instagram @humancircuspod, and I have some things on Redbubble.Sources: Barrell, Andrew D. M. Medieval Scotland. Cambridge University Press, 2000. Cushway, Graham. Edward III and the War at Sea: The English Navy, 1327-1377. Boydell Press, 2011. Holinshed, Raphael. Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, Volume 5. J. Johnson, et. al. 1808. Lucas, Henry S. “John Crabbe: Flemish Pirate, Merchant, and Adventurer.” Speculum 20, no. 3 (1945): 334–50. Rose, Susan. Medieval Naval Warfare, 1000-1500. Routledge, 2003. Wilson, Ben. Empire of the Deep: The Rise and Fall of the British Navy. Orion, 2013. The Anonimalle Chronicle 1307 to 1334. Edited by Wendy R. Childs and John Taylor. Cambridge University Press, 2013. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our 15th-century Spanish traveller goes home, mixing with the imperial elite along the way.If you like what you hear and want to chip in to support the podcast, my Patreon is here.I'm on BlueSky @a-devon.bsky.social, Twitter @circus_human, Instagram @humancircuspod, and I have some things on Redbubble.Source: Pero Tafur: Travels and Adventures (1435-1439), translated and edited with an introduction by Malcolm Letts. Harper & brothers, 1926. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices