The Maniculum Podcast

History EN ↓ 156 episodes

Maniculum: little hand, pointing finger; often found in manuscript marginalia. Hi! We’re Mac and Zoe, a professional medievalist and triple AAA game developer, and together, we use modern game design techniques to uncover the origins of your favorite tropes and adventures from medieval manuscripts. In each episode, we explore a new medieval manuscript, its connections to modern TTRPGs, and teach you how to adapt these tales into compelling campaigns and amazing adventures. Whether you’re looking to recreate the noble Arthurian tales or incorporate weird and wacky medieval monsters into your c...

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The Maniculum Podcast

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Samhain and Werewolves, or, The Liberal Art of Lycanthropy 31.10.2020 2:12:47

Happy Halloween! Or All Saint's Day, All Hallow's Eve, or Samhain, to call the holiday by any of its other names. This week, we unfold the layers behind some common Halloween traditions, and take a look at two different medieval werewolf stories.

Niall Frossach's True Judgment, or Blushing Kings and Kinky Nuns 18.10.2020 1:29:26

This week, we pick up an Irish tale that's a bit queer in more ways that one... This story questions what it means to be a true king in Ireland, and how to best serve all one's subjects.

The Gesta Romanorum Pt. 1, or, The Virgin Mary Told Me to Do It 05.10.2020 1:33:09

Check out the Maniculum Podast this week as we dive into a wacky bunch of old "Roman" folk tales which include a variety of incredibly strange occurrences including talking deer, holy dog water, and blood sigils.

The Death of Mac Erca, or Who Gets Custody of the King? 05.10.2020 1:22:14

The Maniculum Podcast is back this week with an Irish death tale of one of the early high kings of Ireland. Looking beyond the bizarre feud between an Otherworldly goddess and a cursing Bishop, this story asks some big questions about the nature of kingship in Ireland.

The Tournament of Tottenham, or Emotional Support Chicken 05.10.2020 1:32:10

Welcomen! We're kicking off the Maniculum Podcast with a suitably festive text: the Middle English poem known as the Tournament of Tottenham. We learn a lot about the Middle English language and the Middle English middle class in this text, but most importantly, we learn never to underestimate the value of an emotional support animal, especially if that animal is a chicken.

Welcome & Introduction 03.10.2020 40:20

Wes hal and welcome to the Maniculum Podcast! Get to know your hosts and what we're about in this introductory episode.