The Dark Side of Medieval England

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

History Hit

Myths, Folklore, Mystery, History, Ghosts, Society & Culture, Murder, Ufos, True Crime, Paranormal, Supernatural, Serial Killers

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 25 August 2025

⏱️ 44 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This episode contains descriptions of execution and torture.

To be Hanged, Drawn & Quartered. Put on the Rack. Impaled on a spike. This list paints a very dark picture. What was the reality of execution and torture in the Medieval world? Was it as bad as we think? Worse?

Guiding us through this very grim history is Matt Lewis host of the History Hit podcast 'Gone Medieval'.

Produced by Annie Coloe. Edited by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.

Please vote for us for Listeners' Choice at the British Podcast Awards! Follow this link, and don’t forget to confirm the email. Thank you!

You can now watch After Dark on Youtube! www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit

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All music from Epidemic Sounds.

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello everyone. It's us, your hosts Maddie Pelling and Anthony Delaney.
0:04.2	But before we begin the show, we want to ask for a few seconds of your time.
0:08.2	If you're enjoying After Dark, and we love you, if you are, we would love you just a little bit more.
0:13.5	If you could vote for us in the listeners choice category at the British Podcast Awards.
0:18.0	So go to the show notes now, click the link and just then search for After Dark.
0:23.2	Fill in your name and your email and don't forget to confirm. They will send you an email.
0:27.2	You need to confirm. The whole process probably takes about 30 seconds.
0:30.6	If you've already voted, we are so, so grateful. If you haven't, stop what you are doing right now.
0:35.4	Vote for us before you enjoy this show.
0:43.8	Hello and welcome to After Dark. Before we get into today's episode all about medieval torture,
0:50.7	a warning. No surprises for guessing that this is grim stuff, and not for younger listeners
0:56.3	or indeed the faint-hearted. There's going to be descriptions of torture, execution, and
1:02.3	generally stomach-turning chat. So, listener, beware and continue only if you dare. Also, we
1:08.7	recorded this episode a little while ago, and you might spot that there are
1:12.5	not the usual dramatic scripted sections between the chat that we usually have, but don't
1:17.4	worry.
1:18.4	It's a great episode, and the beloved dramatized sections aren't cancelled.
1:23.0	Last thing, it's been a while since we've reminded you that you can get in touch with us to
1:26.7	tell us how much you like the show.
1:28.8	Give us ideas and suggestions for episodes.
1:31.9	And anything else you want to share with us, you can email After Dark at historyhit.com.
1:36.8	Okay, that's it. On with the show. Hello and welcome to After Dark, myths, misdeeds and the paranormal.
	...

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