In the latest of our ‘Roots of Hatred’ series, RSS presenters Valerie Emmott, Danyal Laskar and Madge Dresser continue their look at some small starts to big problems.
With the recent rise of the far-right in the UK and European elections, what’s the uneasy balance between democracy, free speech and hate speech? Does this say anything about intolerances and scapegoats in our modern world? How far back does Islamophobia go? Did anti-Semitism start in similar ways? What’s the story of the Saracen’s Head? How does a piece of ceramics found in a 21st century city centre development reveal the respect earned by Muslim leader Saladin in 12th century Bristol?
With more on the links between the Crusades and how we live now, it’s worth taking a close look at what ‘Crusade’ actually means. Madge speaks to Dr Peter Fleming, a specialist in Middle Ages Europe at the University of the West of England. She also talks to Gail Boyle, archaeologist at Bristol City Museums, about a surprising legacy of the new Colston Hall development.
It’s not all talk on the podcast. There’s also some amazing music, including a song that was ‘top of the charts’ back in the 12th Century! The Early Music Consort performs one of fewer than 200 pieces of medieval music that survive: “Chevalier, Mult Estes Guariz” from the time of the 2nd Crusade. Translation available here so put that on your – er – ‘knight’pod.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE:
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