There is more truth in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” than you might think

'tis but a scratch: fact and fiction about the Middle Ages - Episode 1 The title of our podcast ‘Tis But a Scratch: Fact and Fiction about the Middle Ages” is a tribute to one of Richard’s favorite “medieval” movies, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Richard was incredulous when Carol told him that she had never seen the movie. After she watched it, she was incredulous that he actually used parts of it in his medieval history classes. In this episode Richard explains how there is more historical truth in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” than anyone would think—probably including the Monty Python troupe—and how he used it in his classes. Among the topics covered are the “chivalry” of the Black Knight; “Bring out you dead” and the Black Death; courtly love and Castle Anthrax’s amorous 150 maidens; and why Richard the historian hates, hates, hates “Braveheart” (although as a moviegoer he kind of likes it). The host of 'tis but a scratch is Richard Abels, A professor emeritus of history at the United States Naval Academy, Richard is a specialist in the military and political institutions of Anglo-Saxon England. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a Fellow of the Medieval Academy of America. You can listen to more episodes of 'tis but a scratch: fact and fiction about the Middle Ages on: Buzzsprout - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1925107.rss Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5DcF6ze... Podbay - https://podbay.fm/p/tis-but-a-scratch... Their own YouTube Channel -    / @factandfictionaboutthemidd7043