Medieval Archives

MAP90: The Black Hour: Solar Eclipse and the Medieval Mind


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Have you ever seen an eclipse? I’ve seen numerous lunar eclipses and I’ve seen a few partial solar eclipse, but never a total solar eclipse. On 08 April 2024, Mexico, the United States and Canada will experience a total solar eclipse. It’s the first one in 7 years and the last one for 20 years. The next total solar eclipse in North America will be in 2044.

Europe won’t be in the path of the 2024 eclipse but, if you live in Europe you won’t have to wait long for a total eclipse. There’s one on the way soon.


In modern times we know what is happening. How did medieval people feel about an eclipse. Was it seen as a bad omen or a curse? Or did they understand the science behind it?

In this episode we'll look at the myths, omens and science of eclipses and the medieval era .


  • (00:00) - Medieval Archives 90
  • (00:12) - Welcome Back
  • (00:20) - Medieval Solar Eclipses
  • (01:14) - Questions, Comments or Topic Ideas?
  • (01:27) - Get a new Podcast App! https://podcasting2.org/
  • (02:26) - 2024 Eclipse
  • (03:15) - 2026 Eclipse
  • (03:34) - 2027 Eclipse
  • (05:05) - Medieval Myths and Solar Eclipses
  • (05:16) - Giant Frog eating the sun
  • (05:20) - Rahu the Demon
  • (05:40) - Chinese Myths
  • (05:56) - Norse Myth
  • (06:19) - Omens & Death
  • (06:20) - Mohammad’s Eclipse 632
  • (06:38) - Louis of Bavaria 840
  • (07:12) - Reconquista 939
  • (07:52) - Dub, King of the Scots and Two Eclipses
  • (08:48) - King Henry’s eclipse 1133
  • (10:16) - Medieval Earthquakes https://medievalarchives.com/75
  • (11:38) - The Anarchy https://medievalarchives.com/4
  • (11:46) - Eclipse of 1185 and Prince Igor
  • (12:15) - The Black Hour 1433
  • (12:47) - Astronomy and the Medieval Mind
  • (13:07) - Can Stonehenge predict eclipses?
  • (13:20) - Stonehenge Eclipse 1999
  • (13:29) - Stonehenge Eclipse 2090
  • (13:35) - Medieval Chroniclers record eclipses
  • (13:46) - 733 Eclipse and the Venerable Bede
  • (14:00) - Leo the Deacon discovers the solar corona
  • (15:11) - Geoffrey Malaterra, Sicily 1084
  • (15:36) - Saladin, Syria 1176
  • (15:49) - Eclipse 1185 and a new discovery
  • (16:10) - Laurentian Codex and the Solar Prominences
  • (17:22) - Roger of Wendover & Solar Eclipse 1230
  • (17:55) - Regiomontanus & the Alfonsine tables
  • (18:27) - Medieval thought vs 2024 thought
  • (19:26) - Go outside and see the eclipse!
  • (19:42) - Share your photos; tag Medieval Archives on social media
  • (19:54) - independently owned and operated
  • (20:05) - Keep history alive! Support the show.
  • (20:37) - Share the show with your friends
  • (20:46) - Thanks for continued support
  •  Creators & Guests
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      Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com


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      Medieval Tales Podcast is a Medieval Archives & Dragon Moon Media production. 

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