What would you do if a royal feast turned into a death sentence before dessert was served? Step into Edinburgh Castle as the boy-king James II looks on in horror, and the Douglas brothers are dragged from candlelit feast to shadowed courtyard.

Dr. Eleanor Janega is joined by Professor Michael Brown to dissect the Black Dinner of 1440 - often cited as the inspiration behind the "red wedding" in Game of Thrones - and ask how far will powerful nobles go to secure their grip on power? From sewer-assassinated kings to exploding cannons and murderous uncles, this episode unpacks the ruthless politics that forged late medieval Scotland.

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Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. Edited and produced by Amy Haddow and Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.

Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast.

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