This episode flows nicely from the last one, despite the seemingly different topics, because advances in methodology have had a huge impact on economic history. One might think that this was particularly true of the middle ages, but really economics were not a preoccupation until fairly recently. This means that historians of the ancient world are as in the dark as medieval historians in this area. Given the vital place the economy has in understanding how a society works, i wouldn't be surprised if all of the things you all think you know about the Greeks and Romans was flipped on its head in the next few decades.
In any case, as I say in the episode intro, I am going to be adding a way to help me buy sources soon, so check back for that. I should also say something about the outro music. Future Kings of Nowhere were on the cusp of a huge breakthrough with this song in 2009, but then the lead singer and songwriter got cancer and by the time it went into remission it had been a number of years and priorities had changed. They still get together down in Durham every year or so to play some shows, but they seem like they will always be in the might have been camp. Which is a huge shame because their songs are totally my kind of thing. Energetic, melodic, and whitty as heck. Anyway, check them out, maybe buy an album. I didn't bother asking permission under the circumstances, so make up for my laziness with some dollaz.