In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, Stephen Dubner explores what it was like to be middle-aged in the Middle Ages. The episode features interviews with two medieval historians, Neslihan Shanojak and Phillipp Schofield, who provide insights into various aspects of life during that period. Shanojak discusses religious life, urban living, and the role of guilds, while Schofield paints a picture of rural life through the story of Robert, the son of Adam, a relatively wealthy peasant in 14th-century England. The conversation covers topics such as diet, family life, economic activities, the influence of the church, the criminal justice system, and attitudes towards death. Both historians reflect on the differences between medieval and modern life, with Shanojak expressing a surprising openness to living in the Middle Ages under certain conditions.
