The Three Ravens Podcast

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The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon. Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past... With Bonus Episodes released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crime from across history) plus a range of exclusive content on Patreon, audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in? Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three Ravens


    • Nov 20, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 2m AVG DURATION
    • 375 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Three Ravens Podcast is an absolute gem of a podcast that captivates listeners with its well-structured episodes and the artful storytelling of hosts Martin and Eleanor. Their shared enthusiasm for arcane history and folklore shines through in every episode, as they skillfully spin yarns and deliver original writing across various genres, from folk and gothic horror to adaptations of traditional tales. The podcast feels like a lively fireside conversation, inviting listeners to join in and warm their spirits with captivating stories. It is truly a favorite among imaginary audio friends.

    One of the best aspects of The Three Ravens Podcast is its impeccable storytelling. Martin and Eleanor have a talent for bringing these ancient tales to life with their captivating delivery and rich imagination. They have an extensive knowledge of a wide range of folk tales, from various countries, which brings joy to listeners who appreciate the cultural richness found in these stories. The hosts also delve into dying arts episodes, documenting ancient crafts in the hopes of preserving them for future generations. This unique aspect adds depth and diversity to the podcast.

    As for the worst aspects, it is difficult to find any major flaws in this podcast. Some listeners may wish for more consistent releases or longer episodes, but considering the quality of content provided by Martin and Eleanor, it is a minor concern at best. The dedication they put into each episode is evident, making it worth the wait.

    In conclusion, The Three Ravens Podcast is a true treasure that offers an enchanting escape from the chaos of daily life. Listeners can curl up by the fire with a cup of tea and immerse themselves in a world filled with fairies, ghosts, giants, witches, and magic. Martin and Eleanor's passion for folklore shines through every episode, creating an oasis where one can savor captivating stories from all over England. This podcast deserves all the love it receives from its loyal audience.



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    Latest episodes from The Three Ravens Podcast

    Forgotten Melodies #7: Witch Songs

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2025 74:34


    For this month's Forgotten Melodies bonus episode we're singing and talking about Witch Songs!As ever, the episode features new arrangements of three traditional folk songs: Witches Reel, Broomfield Hill and Hare Spell, and Martin, Ben and Eleanor chat about the history and context of each.With Witch Trials continuing in Scotland long after they had ended in England and Wales, it's perhaps unsurprising that so many Witch Songs have Scottish versions. Following our Gunpowder Plot Patreon Exclusive episode we're therefore continuing to talk quite a lot about James VI of Scotland, I of England here, including about the North Berwick Witch Trials. Then again, there's also the hill in Somerset where witches offer handy advice to maidens! We've done our best to do the genre justice and sing songs that aren't all doom and gloom, and really hope you enjoy the episode. Although we are hoping to have some musical offerings coming up on the week of Christmas, Forgotten Melodies will now be on a small hiatus until 2026, so we'll look forward to singing and playing more music for you then!The Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Series 7 Episode 5: Pembrokeshire

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2025 123:02


    This week, the good ship Three Ravens is pulling into port in the south-westerly Welsh county of Pembrokeshire!Populated in days of yore by 'The Demetae' - the Mead Drinkers - Pembrokeshire was, for a time, known as 'Little England Beyond The Border' as once it was claimed by the Normans, it stayed under their control.With a long legacy in naval trade, piracy and smuggling, the county is hardly short of folklore - and its castles also remain standing! Mostly...Along the way we discuss the significance of Preseli Bluestone, avoid the monstrous, water-dwelling Afanc, tell the tale of a sleepy giant who had to intervene when two fish got into a protracted argument, explore some unsettling ghost stories, and plenty else besides, interspersed with some extracts from this Saturday's upcoming interview with Pembrokeshire storyteller Deborah Winter.All of which leads up to Eleanor's story for this week, "The Toads of Nevern" which sees an English curate encountering some sinister enemies of the church.Including ones that hop about, and pay no heed to scripture!We hope that you enjoy the episode, and will speak to you again on Thursday with our new Forgotten Melodies bonus episode all about Witch Songs!The Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Local Legends #50: Michael Harvey

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2025 68:29


    For our 50th Local Legends interview episode, we've rustled up author and award-winning storyteller Michael Harvey, and made him talk about the extremely dreamy Welsh county of Radnorshire. Michael is a Welsh storyteller and author with more than 25 years of experience. Gongs include a Major Creative Wales Award and a British Award for Storytelling Excellence. He is known for telling traditional stories from Celtic and Welsh oral traditions, and, for a time, worked at the Bleddfa Centre in Radnorshire - the historic Welsh county that has been our focus on Three Ravens this week.To learn all about Michael's work and find out where to see him next, check his website here.Speaking with Michael for this episode was a genuine pleasure, and it's a conversation which ranges, including discussions of stories from and about Radnorshire to a lot more besides, encompassing Welsh history and folk customs to life at the Bleddfa Week of Storytelling.Maybe this conversation will prompt the universe to conspire to bring it back.Otherwise, we we will speak to you again on Monday for Series 7 Episode 4, about the the history and folklore of the historic Welsh county of Pembrokeshire!The Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Three Ravens Bestiary #20: Wargs and Werewolves

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2025 73:39


    This month's episode of the Three Ravens Bestiary is all about one of our favourite topics - Wargs and Werewolves!We start with J.R.R. Tolkien, exploring how the species of intelligent wolf he invented - the Warg - combined Old English and Old Norse words and ideas, bringing different traditions of werewolf belief crashing into the public consciousness.It is this, brought into monster movies over time, that really created the 'Modern' werewolf.Though where does the werewolf's story begin?We're throwing a broad net on this one, including discussions of Skinwalkers and Wendigos, the Epic of Gilgamesh and the first-ever "man beast" in the form of Enkidu; we touch on the Classical myth of King Lycaon of Arcadia, transformed into a wolf due to his inhuman transgressions, and discuss how the Great European Werewolf Panic, which lasted for over 300 years, changed folk belief about the links between Black Magic and werewolves forever.It's a grand and sweeping story, and goes to explain a few things about why werewolves are pretty much always scary, why Wargs matter so much, and how modern cinema-goers are maybe a bit more like Odin than they probably realise.So, pull up your Wolf Pants, leave the silver bullets at home, and let's get lupine! Aroooo!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Series 7 Episode 4: Radnorshire

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2025 112:24


    On this week's episode we're off to the least populated historic county of Wales, Radnorshire on the Welsh Marches!As for why Radnorshire has been so depopulated and wild for quite so long, it has a lot to do with war, and plenty to do with the Black Death. We discuss how these traumas, combined with the destruction of castles, have left the county speckled with desolate empty hillforts and ghost villages - a landscape filled with tales of murder and tragedy, as well as lots of fascinating superstitions...These include the ways in which 'Spirit Nights' were organised, how 'Sin Eaters' were employed to absorb the errors of the dead, and plenty else, from the donation of graveside 'Shovel Money' to 'Rag Knife Men' and the vigilante groups known as Rebecca and her Daughters. All this aside, we chat about the Cat Man of Radnor Forest, the drowned Giant's Graves now sunk within a reservoir, the Llandrindod Wells Sheela Na Gig, the county's link to the Elizabethan magus Doctor Dee, and plenty else besides, interspersed with some extracts from this Saturday's upcoming interview with award-winning Welsh storyteller and author Michael Harvey.All of which leads up to Martin's story for this week, "Davies and the Devil" through which a lowly orphan turns the tables on the Dark One across a hundred years of mischief.We hope that you enjoy the episode, and will speak to you again on Thursday with a new Three Ravens Bestiary episode all about Wargs and Werewolves and - if you're a Patreon supporter - our November Exclusive episode about the history and folklore of the Gunpowder Plot!The Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Three Ravens Podcast Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2025 4:16


    The Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Local Legends #49: Christine Watkins

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2025 58:50


    Eleanor is joined around the campfire by storyteller priestess Christine Watkins to talk all about her home county of Monmouthshire.Christine was born in Monmouthshire, where her family has deep roots. She has been crafting words for speaking live or in broadcast since 1980 - stories of belonging and apartness, discovery and creation. She's the author of Gwent Folk Tales and the host of the podcast Around Goes The Rambler, in which she walks Monmouthshire over the course of a year and a day.You can learn more about Christine and her work, and listen to the podcast, on her website at christinewatkins.co.uk.For now, though, let's gather round the campfire in the shadow of the Sugarloaf and talk about all things Monmouthshire with a true Local Legend, Christine Watkins.Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Magic and Medicines #20: Reiki

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2025 72:04


    For this month's Magic and Medicines Bonus Episode, we're talking all about Reiki!We have a bit more direct experience with this one than some of our past topics, as we completed our First Degree Reiki qualification this summer over the Solstice.Our conversation digs into the theory and history behind Reiki, its development by Mikao Usui and subsequent spread to the West, along with the establishment of the Usui Shiki Ryoho lineage. We look at the Five Principles which provide an ethical underpinning for the practice of Reiki, and talk about the practicalities of Reiki healing, along with the many different permutations of the system.And, of course, tell the story of how it made its way down to us!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast Proud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Series 7 Episode 3: Monmouthshire

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 128:04


    After the madness of Haunting Season, we're returning to Series 7 and the history and folklore of Monmouthshire in south east Wales!We discuss the county's history of invasion, by the Romans, the Normans, the English, and of course by heavy industry, and its many changing names - Caerwent, Gwent, Wentland and Monmouthshire.We couldn't fail to mention our favourite son of Monmouthshire, Geoffrey, as well as some of the incredible landscape and cultural features of the county. We're helped along in this by some excerpts from our Local Legends interview with Christine Watkins.Then we dig into folklore, finding surprising cures for warts and meeting cunning men, wily bridge-building parsons, and some rather mean-spirited fairies.Eleanor's story "Winter's Eve" has the chilling Gwrach y Rhibyn drifting through a cloud of mist, and a whole host of Nos Galan Gaeaf customs.We hope that you enjoy the episode, and we'll speak to you again on Thursday with a new Magic and Medicine episode all about Reiki!The Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    November Update: The Last Red Berries

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2025 56:34


    Haunting Season 2025 is over, so in this month's Update Episode we're looking ahead to the continuation of Series 7!As usual, the episode offers the main Three Ravens news from the last month, the plan for the month ahead, and the opening chunks of last month's Patreon Exclusive episodes.First comes the initial 25 minutes or so of Eleanor's conversation with historian and demonologist Fiona Dodwell about cursed and haunted dolls, which is followed by the opening of our Film Club episode for October, as released last Thursday, about the 2007 cult horror comedy 'Trick 'r Treat.'Speak to you again tomorrow on our new County Episode all about Monmouthshire, for which Eleanor has written a pretty freaky monster story that we hope you'll very much enjoy!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Local Legends #48: Tony Walker

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2025 87:31


    For our final Local Legends interview of Haunting Season 2025, Eleanor speaks with Tony Walker, author and host of the Classic Ghost Stories podcast. We are huge fans of Tony's work, from his narrations of well-known ghost stories and lesser read hidden gems to his own original fiction.Though as we discuss during this conversation, Tony's interests in the uncanny and peculiar started in childhood. He has worked in ghost tourism, spent many years as a mental healthcare professional, and has traveled almost as widely as he has read.His own writing, which prompted the creation of the Classic Ghost Stories podcast, speaks to his genuine, deep-seated interest in the Gothic, the paranormal, and the 'super-normal' - he has an open mind, natural curiosity, and a warmth and friendliness that make him wonderful to spend time with.In this interview, Eleanor chats to Tony about the formula for the perfect ghost story, real life ghost stories, his favourite spooky tales and places, and lots more, from the intersection between storytelling and gaming to the replica Punic mask he bought on holiday which seemed to become home to an errant nature spirit...To find out more about his work simply search up 'Classic Ghost Stories' on the app you're using to listen to this, or visit his Substack here.Otherwise, we thoroughly hope that you have enjoyed our third annual Haunting Season, and will speak to you tomorrow in our November Update episode, then again on Monday when Series 7 continues with our exploration of the history and folklore of the historic Welsh county of Monmouthshire!Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2025 74:32


    To wish everyone a very happy Halloween, we warmly present a reading of Oscar Wilde's classic ghost story, The Canterville Ghost.After a month of celebrating more sincere ghost stories and quite dense, spooky topics, we thought it might be time for a little levity - and this story is an important one: written in 1887, it called time on the Victorian ghost story, masterfully blending satire, social commentary, and supernatural themes, subverting the traditions of the form to explore profound ideas about culture, redemption, and the human condition.It's a tale which has its cake and eats it, packed with familiar gothic tropes while also being both a parody and social satire; it serves as a sharp critique of both the English aristocracy and the American nouveau riche, with Wilde using the clash between ancient, tradition-bound British culture and modern, materialistic, and practical American culture to highlight the absurdities and shortcomings of both societies.Exploring eternally-relevant themes such as redemption and forgiveness, life and death, and the tensions between materialism and spirituality, it also showcases Wilde's characteristic wit, irony, and use of paradox. Rightfully acknowledged as a masterpiece of comic gothic fiction that continues to be enjoyed for its literary craftsmanship and timeless relevance, we hope you enjoy Martin's reading, that it makes you smile during our current quite dark and dismal times, and offers both a lighthearted, entertaining parody and a poignant, meaningful exploration of human nature and social values.In addition to which, for tomorrow's episode of Local Legends Eleanor has interviewed Tony Walker, host of the Classic Ghost Stories Podcast, for whom this sort of thing is his bread and butter, so speak to you again then!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Magus #5: Aleister Crowley

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2025 81:26


    On this month's Haunting Season-themed episode of Magus we're digging into the gory life story of "The Beast" himself, Aleister Crowley!One of the most infamous occult figures of the 20th century, we explore how Crowley's singular life unfolded - his religious childhood, early penchant for sadism, his academic failures, and his interests in the arcane; his poetry, quest for knowledge, and the boundless, destructive hedonism which led him into penury and dissolution.Author of some of the century's most influential books about 'magick' - a spelling he himself pioneered - we recall how it was not until Crowley was long dead that his work reached a significant global audience. But what has been lost in the reclamation of Crowley as a rock and roll icon celebrated by the 60s counter-culture?From his life-long drug habits to his many frauds, his litany of sexual abuses to his contradictory messaging and petty feuds, he was a person who courted controversy at every stage of his life, and whose globe-trotting existence left a legacy of pain and trauma in its wake. As such, we're diving into some grotty stuff on this one, along with some fascinating, challenging, and at times utterly ridiculous concepts.Though, fair warning, you may want to scrub yourself clean afterwards...Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Haunting Season 2025 #4: Wraiths of Helmand

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2025 135:22


    It's already the final week of Haunting Season 2025, so we proudly present our last 'Trilogy of Terror' for this year!The episode features our two last winning short stories in this year's Ghost Story Writing Competition, along with another diverse selection of things which terrify our listeners.'Up At The Cross Roads By Tants Farm' by Holly Barratt tells the tale of a time-skip with a deadly result, and 'The Secrets The Snow Keeps' by Sarah Harrison reminds us of the importance of telling the truth. After that, we finish with Eleanor's story 'Wraiths of Helmand', a slightly harrowing exploration of memory and trauma. We really hope you enjoy all three, and we'll be back on Thursday with a brand new Magus episode all about Aleister Crowley - and a few other things to look forward to before Haunting Season 2025 well and truly drifts away!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Local Legends #47: Dr Marion Gibson

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2025 57:49


    For our third Local Legends interview of Haunting Season 2025, Martin chats about spooky stuff with the author of Witchcraft: A History in 13 Trials, Dr Marion Gibson. Marion is currently Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures at the University of Exeter, and if you are unfamiliar with her work then she is the author of books including The Witches of St Osyth, Reading Witchcraft: Stories of Early English Witches, Witchcraft: The Basics, and Rediscovering Renaissance Witchcraft, and her work as a consultant for TV includes Sky History's The Witches of Essex with Dr Alice Roberts and Rylan Clark, Investigating Witch Hunts with Suranne Jones, and the BBC's Paranormal: Britain's Last Witch with Sian Eleri.To find out more about her work visit her website here.For now though, let's settle in for a good ol' chinwag about topics including the relationship between the witch and Halloween, ghostly familiar spirits, the tale of a naval commander who encountered The Devil, The Witches of Warboys, The Exeter Book, and a whole bunch more...Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Forgotten Melodies #6: Murder Ballads

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2025 85:15


    It's Haunting Season, so for this month's Forgotten Melodies bonus episode we're exploring the bloody broadsides of Murder Ballads.As ever, the episode features new arrangements of three traditional Murder Ballads: Edward, The Bonny Bows and The Cruel Ship's Carpenter, and Martin, Ben and Eleanor talk about the history of the murder ballad and of the songs.From its medieval roots in Northern Europe to its journey across the Atlantic and back again, we explore the murder ballad's connection to true crime, and the narratives which reoccur again and again.Then, Martin gets his own back by springing a quiz on Eleanor and Ben...Forgotten Melodies will continue to enjoy the darker side of folk music in November, in which we'll be singing and discussing Witch Songs.The Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Haunting Season 2025 #3: Connect With Me

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025 184:54


    We enter the third week of Three Ravens Haunting Season 2025 with our third 'Trilogy of Terror'!Our two winning entries for this week, both submitted for our annual Three Ravens Ghost Story Writing Competition, are quite different in tone."Forgotten" by Felix Woidtke is a dark tale of America's abandoned places with a real bite, while Alexa Harding's "Like Father; Like..." explores a dead father's long shadow.Then, to finish, Martin's epic-length story, "Connect With Me" is an insidious imagining of a grim near future where humanity is reduced to nothing more than a ghost of itself. We really hope you enjoy all three and can settle in for a longer listen. We'll be back on Thursday with a new Forgotten Melodies episode all about Murder Ballads!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Local Legends #46: Rob Kirkup

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2025 71:50


    For our second Local Legends interview of Haunting Season 2025, Eleanor chats to author, paranormal historian, ghost-hunter and the host of the outstanding How Haunted? podcast, Rob Kirkup!Rob's from the north east of England, and has been leading paranormal investigations for over twenty years, which has involved him spending many nights in total darkness at some of the most haunted places in the UK. He's author of Ghosts of the North East, Paranormal Northumberland, and loads of other titles, some of which include his own photography. To find out more about Rob's work, and of course, to listen to How Haunted?, visit how-haunted.com. For now, though, let's make sure our camping torches have plenty of batteries and settle in for a conversation which includes spontaneous combustion, haunted dolls, Ghostbusters, and some genuinely inexplicable occurrences with a true Local Legend, Rob Kirkup. Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Three Ravens Bestiary #19: Zombies and Revenants

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 70:35


    For this week's Haunting Season-themed Bonus Episode we're chatting all about the mythology of Zombies and Revenants! To start off with, which is which? Because one dates from Medieval times, and the other comes from a word invented by an English poet in 1819.And if we look further back, to Ancient Egypt, Ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome and Scythia, what root creatures and legends can we find that travel forward through history to become 'The Zombie' and 'The Revenant.'One is rooted in fear surrounding death, too, and society showing due respect to the dearly departed, while the other is rooted in racism, yet both end up in the same place.A world of paranoia, filled with the fear of others, and about the belief the End Times are coming.Mix in a little bit of Samurai and Cowboy mythology and a sprinkling of Science Fiction and it turns out we've ended up exactly where we wanted to be.A place where zombies could be anywhere, or anyone... but don't worry, as zombies can be cute now, so, presumably, less dangerous?Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Haunting Season 2025 #2: Sundowners

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 114:54


    Three Ravens Haunting Season continues today with the second of our four 'Trilogies of Terror' across the month of October!We begin, in tried and tested style, with two winning tales from our annual Three Ravens Ghost Story Writing Competition.The first of these, "The Old Way Stone" by Alex Effinger, feels almost like a late Victorian classic, set in Scotland, while the second, "The Descendant" by Tim Lane is a wildly imaginative comedic ghost story, featuring a haunted tea cozy...Lastly comes Eleanor's new story for this week, "Sundowners." Channeling her recent experiences in hospital, it's a twisty one, featuring more than just one kind of creeping dread...We sincerely hope that you enjoy all three, and speak to you again on Thursday for our Three Ravens Bestiary Bonus Episode all about Zombies and Revenants!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    LIVE @ Gloucester History Festival 2025!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2025 77:01


    Roll on another month and another Three Ravens Live Show release - and of not just one but two performances recorded at Gloucester History Festival at the end of September 2025!As we explain in the episode, first comes our Forgotten Melodies Live show, performed on Sunday 21st September in the Great Hall at Gloucester's Blackfriars as part of Witch Night, followed by a retelling of Martin's Gloucester story first heard in Series 3 Episode 2 about Gloucestershire, "The Torbarrow Guardian" as recorded that afternoon in the Scriptorium Buttery.We really hope you enjoy both recordings, speak to you tomorrow for an all-new episode of Three Ravens Haunting Season, and if you would like details of the Forgotten Melodies Live set list then it's as follows:The Earth, The Air, The Fire, The Water (Trad)On Matthew Hopkins by Samuel Butler (c.1663)Ring Down Below (Trad)Hecate's Speech from Macbeth by William Shakespeare (c.1606)Old Pendle (Trad)Very Wicked People (spoken word)Witches Reel (Trad)Witch Burning by Sylvia Plath (1959)Sovay (Trad)The White Witch by James Weldon Johnson (1915)Hare Spell (Trad)Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Local Legends #45: Dr Susan Owens

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2025 72:57


    For our Local Legends interview this week, the first of Haunting Season 2025, we've spoken to the celebrated author of 'The Ghost: A Cultural History' Susan Owens!Recorded at Susan's home in Suffolk, this ranging chat includes discussions of the ghost that haunted the old V&A Museum's stores of paintings, Susan's all-time favourite ghost story, and plenty of discussion of the way England's past haunts its present. Along the way we touch on the great Romantic painter John Constable, the Pre-Raphaelites, Rob Lloyd Parry, and plenty else beside.So, settle in with a nice big cup of something warm, and let's talk Medieval ghosts. Let's talk Ham House and the ghost of Elizabeth Murray, Duchess of Lauderdale. Let's also talk about the point in time when ghosts turned invisible. Before which, they were something else entirely...For now, though, let's listen in to a conversation with The Storyteller of Wales about his life, career, and this week's Three Ravens historic county, Denbighshire.Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Magic and Medicines #19: Voodoo

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 93:02


    This month's Magic and Medicines Bonus Episode definitely has Haunting Season associations, as we're talking all about Voodoo! Although, being up front, "Voodoo" is but a tiny subset of a vast number of syncretic religious and cultural practices dating back to Africa 6,000 years ago - 'syncretic' meaning something which merges different beliefs into a unified whole. Sharing lots of ideas with forms of ancient pagan animism found all over the world, 'Vodun' is a religious faith with over 60 million followers today. But how has it changed due to societal factors, including slavery, which directly birthed Haitian 'Vodou' and its curious relationship to Catholicism?So yes, we will be talking about Louisiana Voodoo, the 20th century Voodoo Revival, "Voodoo Dolls" and all sorts of other cool stuff, from temples marinaded in sacrificial blood to Mami Wata, Legba the 'Spirit of Crossroads' to Marie Laveau, and so much more. But we also need to acknowledge both where our Western concepts of Voodoo come from and how those ideas came to dominate much of the cultural consciousness.It's dark matter, as they say, and we've done our best to do the topic justice!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Haunting Season 2025 #1: Uncle Wilf

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 110:49


    Three Ravens Haunting Season is now officially risen from the grave, hungry for coziness and chilling tales of terror!As in previous years we begin this Monday episode with two winning tales from our annual Three Ravens Ghost Story Writing Competition. The first of these, "Cold" by Susanne Okulitch, offers up a cool bit of class discussion set against a backdrop of an ice cold Alpine blizzard, while the second, "The Lion Tamer" by Maria Williams presents something altogether stranger, though perhaps more heart-warming in the end. Lastly comes Martin's new story for this week, "Uncle Wilf." Another slightly offbeat tale, it features a certain amount of Gothic gloom, then becomes a tale about cycles of time, grief, and family. Hopefully it still freaks you out, while also reaching for something else. Not least, to please The Master...Fingers-crossed you enjoy all three, and speak to you again on Thursday for our Magic and Medicines Bonus Episode all about Voodoo!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Local Legends #44: Chris Baglin

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2025 87:59


    Martin is joined around the campfire by storyteller, magician and puppeteer Chris Baglin.Chris performs as 'Professor Llusern' and 'Cyfarwydd Cymru', with the second being his bardic name, meaning 'the storyteller of Wales'. Chris performs at castles, heritage centres and fetes across north Wales and beyond, and for the past several years he has been the regular storyteller at Conwy Castle and a half dozen other places, too. When not performing, Chris travels across the country and abroad as a drama adjudicator for various festivals, and organises events for Welsh Language promotion organisation. He is also a script writer and voice over artist, is a lead Creative Schools practitioner (an Arts Council Wales project), and he, too, has a storytelling podcast.You can learn more about Chris and his work on his websites, https://professorllusern.com/ and http://www.cyfarwydd.cymru/.For now, though, let's listen in to a conversation with The Storyteller of Wales about his life, career, and this week's Three Ravens historic county, Denbighshire.Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Three Ravens Guide to Halloween

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 78:06


    Ah - smell that wisp of wood smoke in the air? Feel that strange sensation as the hairs rise on the back of your neck? See that ancient spectre stood in your path, pointing at you while mumbling things that you can't hear?It can only mean one thing: it's the month of Halloween, October, and therefore it's also Three Ravens Haunting Season!To kick off 'Haunting Season 3' we thought, to do something different, that we might discuss how people might approach Halloween and this advent of 'The Dark Months' from a few different points of view.For example, how does Seasonal Affective Disorder change how we feel and behave during October? How do folk customs seem to often counteract these ideas, bringing people together for spans of fiery time before encouraging us to retreat to our caves?We chat through some suggestions of things to try on a very basic level at first, and then, during the section section of the episode we discuss the best Halloween TV and movies around at the moment, including everything from our Top 5 Spooky Family Movies to our Top 5 Classic Spooky Movies, our Top 5 Recent Recommendations, and more.In the final section, in addition to discussing some potential Spooky Reads to try, we discuss specific customs, from wreath making and warding your house to some simple autumnal recipes, Halloween-themed cocktails and mocktails, and a bunch of other things too.The hope is, if you're a fan of Halloween, you'll be nodding along. If Halloween is a bit of a mystery to you, hopefully it lays out some of the things you might do to mark the occasion, and why.We really hope you enjoy it, and speak to you again on Saturday for our Local Legends episode about Denbighshire's folklore with Chris Baglin.Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast Proud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    October Update: What Are You Afraid Of?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 51:59


    Three Ravens Series 7 may be underway, but it's now October, meaning it's Three Ravens Haunting Season!This episode offers a bit of an update from us about Three Ravens goings-on, including the plan for the month ahead, after which we've included sections of last month's Patreon Exclusive episodes.First comes the initial 25 minutes or so of Martin's exploration of The Cult of Mithras which is followed by the opening section of our Film Club episode for September, as released last Thursday, about the 1962 Hammer Productions movie 'Captain Clegg' - known in the U.S.A. as 'Night Creatures.'Speak to you again tomorrow for the Three Ravens Guide to Halloween, and again on Saturday with our Local Legends interview with Chris Baglin! Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Series 7 Episode 2: Denbighshire

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 140:44


    For our second County Episode of Series 7, we're off to North Wales to talk about the history and folklore of Denbighshire!In terms of the county's history, there's a lot - and it's absolutely fascinating. From the centuries when it was a domain controlled by the Marcher Lords to the recent severing of Wrexham away from Denbighshire to rebel princes including Owain Glendwyr, it's a meaty one, and a landscape filled with rugged coasts, sweeping valleys, forested uplands, and a bonkers array of castles and scheduled monuments.After that, aided by some excerpts from our full Local Legends interview with Chris Baglin, we dig into the county's folklore, from ghostly centurions to horse-stealing sprites, King Arthur in drag to a pretty strange variation on The Sleeping King story, there's tonnes to chat about, and we aren't in a rush to move on!This leads into the main event: Martin's story "A Howl of Wind in the Castle of Crows" - a take on the legendary yet ill-fated love of Hywel ab Einion and Myfanwy Fychan, including a pretty grisly conclusion...After that, we had some microphone issues, but nonetheless discuss the story's symbolism, share some news of ancient Chilean mummies and Viking vulva statues, while also talking about Haunting Season 2025, which will begin on Thursday!We really hope you enjoy the episode and will speak to you again on Wednesday for our 'October Update' all before our Three Ravens Guide to Halloween comes out on Thursday, followed by the full interview with Chris on Saturday!The Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Local Legends #43: Milly Jackdaw

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2025 68:57


    In Series 7's first episode of Local Legends, Eleanor is joined around the campfire by storyteller, theatre maker and ecologist Milly Jackdaw.Milly's fascinating career has seen her telling stories on the banks of wild lakes, at festivals and in theatres, and in some of the places most connected to the stories themselves. With a background in theatre, Milly brings a particular theatrical flair to her storytelling. She toured with Purple Broccoli Theatre Co for nearly a decade, bringing performances with core environmental themes to diverse venues, all the while developing her passion for solo storytelling.At the heart of it all is Milly's deep love of the natural world, a primary theme of all her work. She's studied field ecology, animal communication and plant spirit communication, and is a trustee for the charity Cambrian Wildwood. You can learn more about Milly and her work on her website, https://www.millyjackdaw.com/.For now, though, let's gather in close around the Three Ravens campfire, take a sip of something warm and spiced, and listen in for a fascinating chat about the life and work of an inspiring storyteller, the county of Cardiganshire, and tales such as the birth of Taliesin and Myrddin's Pig, with a true Local Legend: Milly Jackdaw.Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Forgotten Melodies #5: Harvest Songs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 84:01


    Grab your scythe, your nut-brown bowl, and keep an eye on the Farmer's Daughter, as on this month's Forgotten Melodies bonus episode we're talking all about Harvest Songs - in particular, We Gets Up In The Morn, John Barleycorn, and The Barley and the Rye! As ever, the episode contains new takes on all three of these songs from Eleanor and Ben, who are also joined by Katie 'The Harmony Machine' Sommers, with Martin joining in with chat about the history behind each song, and traditions related to harvest rituals.Because let us not forget, the first Christian harvest church services only came about during the 19th century, yet some of these songs date from before Shakespeare. As such, they speak to much longer traditions of autumnal celebration linked to the three phases of harvest, and narratives around it.From Papua New Guinean rituals linked to yams to the ladies-only Classical-era harvest festival of Thesmophoria, we chat through the surprisingly universal ideas of what people celebrate when it comes to gathering in crops; everybody appreciates the deity that brings the rain, but what about the Divine Feminine - Mother Earth - who appears is many forms across the world?As always, we really hope you enjoy the episode, and set your calendars for next month's Haunting Season-themed episode of Forgotten Melodies, on which we will be singing (and talking) all about Murder Ballads...The Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Series 7 Episode 1: Cardiganshire

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 142:56


    The long-heralded first County Episode of Three Ravens Series 7 is finally here and is a bumper-length installment all about the historic county of Cardiganshire on the west coast of Wales!Unable to resist discussing a local saint, Eleanor begins by introducing us to Carantoc, a dragon-slaying local hero who lost a special altar, apparently. Though luckily King Arthur was about to find it for him. Despite maybe having stolen it in the first place...After that, we whip through Cardiganshire's history, including its mythical ancient king Ceredig - from whom the county gets its Welsh name of 'Ceredigion' - to its conquering by gold-hungry Romans, resistance to the Normans, and the devastation wrought upon it by Cromwell's New Model Army.Sparsely populated and extremely rural, Cardiganshire is rich with mythology, such as the drowned lands of Cantre'r Gwaelod, an astonishing number of ghost animals (including an overly-affectionate spectral pig), giants with toothache, child-stealing fairies, and the 'Beast of Bont.' Yet, there's one tale that stands head and shoulders above the others. As discussed with this week's Local Legends guest, storyteller Milly Jackdaw, this story is that of the birth of Taliesin, the legendary Dark Age Brythonic poet who has since come to define key aspects of Welsh national character.Consequently, despite this week's 'Treasure of Wales' being the Holy Grail, the chewed-up remnants of which are currently located at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth, and a plethora of other legends from Devilish goings-on to portentous Corpse Candles that augur doom, what choice did Eleanor have but to tell her take on that very story?Her version, entitled "The Cauldron of Awen," is a wild and poetic ride that bridges land and sea, vast spans of time, and transformations from human to animal and back again. After she's told it, we then discuss the legend's symbolism, share some news of an exciting archaeological discovery from just over the border in England, and dig into the Three Ravens mailbag, which is bursting at the seams from a long summer of correspondence!We really hope you enjoy the episode and are already exciting to speak to you again on Thursday in our Forgotten Melodies bonus episode all about Harvest Songs, all before the full interview with Milly comes out on Saturday!The Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Questions and Answers Episode!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2025 101:56


    The dust has now had some time to settle, and with Dog Days finished we thought it was high time to have a chat about the project. Using questions supplied by listeners from across social media and the Three Ravens Patreon, this episode sees us talking completely off the cuff about our inspirations, the practical challenges of releasing the series, quite how much of the story is based in fact, how we approached certain characters, and much more besides.Thank you so much to everyone in the Conspiracy of Ravens who listened to the series and cheered us on, and as for the future... well... you'll have to listen to this episode to find out what it might hold for Kit Marlowe and his many friends and enemies!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Three Ravens Bestiary #18: Djinns and Genies

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 75:05


    After a bit of a blip, we're now back with an episode all about the mythology of Djinns and Genies from prehistory through to today! Part of our Three Ravens Bestiary Bonus Series, we begin with our Western conception of 'the genie' - a pantomime creature, memorably played by Robin Williams in the 90's Disney movie, filtered through a century of fairy tales and family-friendly legends. Yet, as you might expect, this slight cozy form of 'Oriental' spirit is very different to the 'Jinni' of early Semitic cultures, as discussed in a range of poetry and art, later addressed by Islamic scholars and critics informed by the entire chapter of the Qur'an dedicated to discussing desert spirits and acceptable forms of magical belief.What emerges, as we explore these distinctions, is a series of parallels, including between the 'human' and 'spirit' worlds, between Muslim and Christian discussions of Otherworldly creatures, between types of Devil, and the ways that folktales and legends enable us to see ourselves through tales of so-called monsters.It's a journey that takes us from abandoned ruins lost in Arabian dunes to the times of Geoffrey Chaucer, from Classical discussions of 'genius loci' to tales of pre-Islamic Soothsayers possessed by demons.If you've been rubbing lamps and hoping to have wishes granted then you may have been barking up the wrong tree - but worry not: we've got advice for you on magic rings, fishing, and transcendental meditations that might well enable you to commune with a Jinn.Just don't go expecting them to make all your dreams come true, as they're much more likely to ask you out on a date or hide in the form of a serpent than they are to turn your fantasies into reality... Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Romney Marsh Ghost Tour

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 113:24


    Proof of life, everyone: Eleanor is home from the hospital, and here, talking on this episode!As you may have gathered, the last week has been a bit of a whirlwind, but now Eleanor has been discharged we are working hard on making her fully fit and well. To fill the gap, we duly present another Patreon Exclusive episode from the back catalogue - our Romney Marsh Ghost Tour, released last September, for which we went hunting spooks in the uncanny environment of Romney Marsh just over the Sussex county border into Kent.Did we find a ghost on our trip? Maybe. We certainly recorded some pretty interesting audio. Though we'll leave you to judge, and hopefully enjoy our journey around five churches and several other reputedly haunted sites, with interstitial bits recorded at home to fill in the gaps.Speak to you again on Thursday for our Three Ravens Bestiary episode about Djinns and Genies, and thank you very much for you continued patience.Normal business will be resumed soon!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The Ghosts of Glasshayes House

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 132:12


    Hullo everybody - Martin here!Just a quick message to say, this is obviously not the episode we were hoping to release today. This was meant to be Series 7 Episode 1, the opening salvo of our journey through the 13 historic counties of Wales! Unfortunately, Eleanor has had to be hospitalised, so we're a bit on the back foot.They're not quite sure what it is she has, save that it's quite a nasty infection. She first developed symptoms on Thursday and we thought she might just have contracted Covid again. But then it got worse on Friday, worse again on Saturday, and then it was into hospital where Eleanor has had to stay. I'm briefly home to do this, and get myself some rest, and then I'll be back in there with her in the morning.As for what's actually in this episode, well, it's a Patreon Exclusive episode, and our first Spenser & Associates mystery, The Ghosts of Glasshayes House. It's a pretty freaky-deaky story, and for everyone on Patreon we're sorry we don't have anything new for you today, but no doubt you can understand why we are where we are!Keep an eye on social media as I'll be updating it once I know more, and thank you for being so supportive and kind, and for no doubt sending boat-loads of love and healing energies Eleanor's way. Cross your fingers they can figure out what it is really soon, and that she'll be on the path the wellness before we know it.Love you all very much, sending out gronks powerful enough to reverberate around the whole world, and speak to you soon - one way or another!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    A Brief History of Wales

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2025 88:07


    In an act of gross hubris, we proudly present our first episode of Three Ravens Series 7: A Brief History of Wales!Based on a silly amount of research, this episode tracks through the story of how the country of Wales became 'Wales' - from the nation's very first settlers who wandered west through England through to the Stone Age tradition of cromlech building, the Bronze Age, and, in due course, the Iron Age, too.Along the way, the nascent country of Wales develops its own place within Celtic culture, apart from its immediate neighbours, yet connected by ancient trade routes, including by sea. With more hill forts per square mile than any other British nation, even before the Romans came along things in Wales were feisty.Yet, once the Romans came, much like in neighbouring England, things changed forever. Across almost four centuries, the Welsh landscape itself was reshaped by Rome, all before maintaining such large armies in 'Britain' became unaffordable.Much as Rome retreated, Christianity also arrived, and with it a tantalizing time; the development of Anglo Saxon 'England' on one side of Offa's Dyke, and, on the other, one that calls itself 'Cymry' - 'the collective' or 'fellow countrymen.' While the Angles call them the 'Wealas' - 'the foreigners...'We hope it makes for interesting and exciting listening, whether you are Welsh or not, and we look forward to speaking with you again on Monday for Series 7 Episode 1, all about the historic county of Cardiganshire!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Magic and Medicines #18: Enochian and Angelic Magic

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 75:16


    Our first new Magic and Medicines Bonus Episode in ages is out today, and all about Enochian and Angelic Magic! If you happened to listen to our series "Dog Days" then you will have encountered several allusions to this topic, but, so that we can all start on a level pegging, we begin this episode at the beginning of this particular magical tradition, discussing Enoch and the Apocryphal books of the Pentateuch/Christian Bible where Angels are explained, along with tales of the rebel Nephilim who prompted Yahweh/Jove/God to send the Great Flood.Once the waters of all that have receded, we then dig into the dense and mulchy discoveries made by Doctor John Dee and his scryer Edward Kelley. Between them, so they said and wrote, the pair managed to communicate with Angels, who taught them enormous amounts about how the Universe is really structured, and much more besides.Though their work fell out of popularity for several centuries, like the Book of Enoch, the 19th century and the dawn of several secret societies prompted a significant revival in interest in the topic, with the likes of Aleister Crowley developing Renaissance theories and, apparently, fleshing out our understanding of what's hidden in the Aethyrial Realms, behind gates, keys, and outside the realms of normal human experience.It's all slightly bonkers, but we think you're gonna love it - and are so excited to speak to you again on Saturday when we release Series 7 Episode 0: A Brief History of Wales!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    September Update: Reap What You Sow!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2025 59:33


    Ahead of the launch of Three Ravens Series 7, today's episode is a bit of an update from us about Three Ravens goings-on, containing sections of last month's Patreon Exclusive episodes!First comes the initial 25 minutes or so of Eleanor's new Spenser & Associates story 'The Shadow of the Hell Bitch' which is followed by the opening section of our Film Club episode for August, as released last Thursday, about the cult 90's horror/magic movie from Clive Barker 'The Lord of Illusions.'Before that we share news about upcoming Live Shows, bookstore appearances, the curse that seems to have befallen our kitchen, and a bunch of other stuff, too - including the episodes we have planned coming up across September!Speak to you again on Thursday for our first Magic and Medicines Bonus Episode of the new series, and again on Saturday for Series 7 Episode 0: An Introduction to Wales!Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastProud members of the Dark Cast Network.CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE THREE RAVENS ACAST SURVEY - PLEASE DO! IT'LL HELP!!!Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 30 - The Fates Bound Fast In Iron Chains

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2025 41:03


    The sweltering, heady Dog Days of summer are over and the rain comes down for days.With new scars and his eyes open to a world of magic, Kit is safe and well.Until Tom Watson asks him for just the tiniest favour...Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 29 - The Sweet Fruition of an Earthly Crown

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2025 43:20


    In the penultimate chapter of Dog Days, Kit stumbles through London as the rain falls, letting his feet lead the way.Where they take him is of some surprise. And what he is to do there is something for which he is not prepared.Though he has always wished for riches.Forever after, he shall be careful what he wishes for...Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 28 - The Tempest of the Gods

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 38:57


    As Dog Days enters its final days, Chapter 28 reveals to us a crystal world of mysteries: that of The Kasal. Who is he? Why is he? What does he want?Moreover, what does Kit want? For the villain before him presents an offer very few would ever refuse...Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 27 - Fill All The Air With Fiery Meteors

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 25:52


    Chapter 27 of Dog Days sees Tamburlaine Part 2 end in triumph.The two magi, Hues and Herriot, scour the playhouse for any sign of the Kasal.But even their sorcery meets its match when Kit comes face to face with the Kasal himself.Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 26 - The Sky Shall Wax As Red As Blood

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 43:01


    In Chapter 26 of Dog Days, Tamburlaine Part 2 has opened at last!Outside the Theatre, Kit is too nervous to watch.But even then he isn't left alone, because some old foes crawl from the shadows with scores to settle...Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 25 - Brighter than the Lamps of Heaven

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025 31:48


    Only five more chapters of Dog Days to go, and in this one Doll and Kit race back to the Theatre to see the debut performance of Kit's play. Backstage they encounter many old friends. Mr Lyly. Ned and Joan Alleyne. Thomas Kyd.But outside of the playhouse, beyond the bubble of fantasy, are darker things, such as Poley, Skeres, and Tom Walsingham, too...Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 24 - With My Hand Turn Fortune's Wheel About

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 35:48


    Today's episode of Dog Days, Chapter 24, sees Kit finally attending to the thing he ought to be focused on: Tamburlaine The Great Part 2 - his play, which will be performed to the public in but a few short hours.Then again, there is the other matter. That of the diamond, The Rainbow, which he is honour-bound to recover.Luckily, Kit's sister Doll has been busy with the Roses, and might just have something to show him...Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 23 - From Mine Ashes Let a Conqueror Rise

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2025 37:40


    In Dog Days Chapter 23, Kit proceeds to his new rooms, for tonight his play, Tamburlaine The Great Part 2, will enjoy its first performance.The journey is not straightforward, his journey to the Theatre waylaid.But once he has arrived, this is just the person waiting for him he really needs to speak to...Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 22 - The Black and Fatal Ravens

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2025 43:01


    In Chapter 22, Kit, Doctor Dee and Edmund Spenser rush back to Mortlake.They find the Rainbow stolen, and Katherine and the ravens in the middle of a furious battle.And the mystery is ever closer to being solved... Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    LIVE @ Black Shuck Festival 2025!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2025 108:54


    Let's wag our shaggy tails and howl at the Barley moon everyone, as today we have something very special - not just one but two Three Ravens Live Shows, as recorded at Black Shuck Festival in Bungay at the start of August!As we explain in the episode, first comes our Forgotten Melodies Live show, performed on Saturday 2nd August in St Mary's Church as part of 'A Strange and Terrible Wunder' followed by an hour-long 'Three Ravens Live Show' from Sunday 3rd, featuring a host of East Anglian folklore and Eleanor's full telling of The Legend of Black Shuck, as featured in our book Three Ravens Folk Tales and first heard way back in Series 3 Episode 13!We really hope you enjoy both recordings, roll on Hot Dog Summer, and speak to you in little over a week's time for the launch of Three Ravens Series 7!Forgotten Melodies Live set list:Three RavensNorfolk by Sir John Betjeman (poem)Scarborough FairSumer Is Icumen In/We Gets Up In The Morn (A Capella Medley)Lammas Day (spoken word)John BarleycornSalthouse by John Press (poem)Black Shuck Medley (spoken word)Spanish LadiesThree Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 21 - Black is the Beauty of the Brightest Day

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025 44:41


    Our third week of Dog Days concludes with Chapter 21, in which Kit finds himself beside the corpse of the Queen of the Roses. Deep in their temple, most have run, formed a mob to chase down the suspected murderer.The rest stay with Kit, and, more importantly, the icy remains of Bel Imperia.Yet, Kit has a meeting across London, at the Bethlehem Hospital.One at which he expects to meet a man he hopes might make some of this make sense...Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 20 - Murderous Fate Throws All His Triumphs Down

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025 28:19


    On today's chapter of Dog Days - the twentieth (only 10 more to go!) - Kit is taken, by boat, back to the underground Temple of Aphrodite. Morning is coming, and he hopes his sister, Bel Imperia's prisoner, is still alive.Yet, the court is in a state of jubilation. They believe they have killed 'The Kasal' - the wizard responsible for so many deaths.Though is the severed head on the pike beside the throne the right one?And do curses still work even after the person who wove them has perished?Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dog Days: Chapter 19 - Jove's Dreadful Thunderbolts

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 45:04


    Time for some mid-week madness in this episode of Dog Days: hot on the heels of a well-dressed man who has created a fire in a records room at Gray's Inn, Kit Marlowe knows he is outmatched and in trouble.Yet, the Lammastide Revels continue in all the streets about.As the crowds get thinner, is Kit being led somewhere quiet?Has the hunter become the hunted?Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcastThree Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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