For their second Advent 2023 mini-episode, Eleanor and Martin shake it on down with Eleven Ladies Dancing! They start by chatting about the earliest records we have of dancing, including in prehistoric cave art and Bronze Age sculpture, then skip ahead to early folk and 'circle' dances like the branle and the farandole. After discussing the birth of ballet, care of Catherine De Medici, it's then onto a whirling discussion of storytelling dances like the ballo , as featured in some early opera, a...
Dec 13, 2023•18 min•Season 3Ep. 31
For their first Advent 2023 mini-episode, Martin and Eleanor strap on their hose, gird their loins, and jump into the Yuletide fray with Twelve Lords A-Leaping! After a chat about patronage and feudal hierarchy, they discuss the various ways a lord could 'leap' rungs of the social ladder, including through war, diplomacy, commerce, chivalry, and marriage, then shake their tail-feathers to talk about "The Dancing Plague" - a bizarre, millennium-long contagion which saw crowds of people across Eur...
Dec 12, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 30
On this week's episode, Martin and Eleanor head to Gloucestershire, a county which really does have it all! After a chat about Old St Andrew's Day and the Boar's Head Feast, they clickety-clack down the Great Western Railway to explore the history and folklore of Gloucestershire - from the Wye Valley, Gloucester Cathedral, and Chedworth Roman Villa to the Brockweir Mermaids, Beast of Dean, the Witch of Berkeley, ghosts, giants, dragons, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: M...
Dec 11, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin dig into the ancient history and modern past of the Druids. Part of the "Magic and Medicines" series, they chat about the Druids' interest in mistletoe, their alleged powers, practices, and unique status in Bronze and Iron Age life, leaf through the sources of this information, and hop to the 18th century when fraudster Iolo Morganwg (Edward Williams to his friends) revived interest in the Druids through mass scale fakery. But what's real and what isn't?...
Dec 07, 2023•48 min•Season 3Ep. 14
Eleanor and Martin launch into Series 3 of Three Ravens with a visit to the historic county of Bedfordshire, one-time home of John Bunyan. After a brief chat about St Barbara, St Osmund and St Clement, they slosh down the Great Ouse basin and leap into the history and folklore of Bedfordshire - from the Five Knolls barrow cemetery and Someries Castle to the ghostly nun of Chicksands Priory, a bit of devilish action at Marston Moretaine, some rascally highwaymen, and much more besides. Then it's ...
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Martin and Eleanor start Series 3 by looking both forward and backwards. In addition to chatting about some things they learned during Series 2, they chat about what's new for Three Ravens, what's worked, and some of what they're planning for the weeks ahead, mentioning some of the counties they will be exploring over the next 13 episodes and some of the stories they are excited to tell... The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and El...
Dec 04, 2023•13 min
In our second Listener Episode, we read seven stories and a poem sent in by members of the Three Ravens community. The stories include methods of protection from "The Evil Eye" and the doings of a mysterious 1,500 year-old midwife from Robert, tales of Irish werewolves from Sabrina, an account from Sam of her family's visit to the Rollright Stones, Kathryn's story of "The Nutshell Cat" from Bury St Edmunds, some Ouija and Tarot discussion care of Andrew, two fantastic tales from Sophie, includin...
Nov 27, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 29
The last in a trio of bonus compilation episodes of the Three Ravens podcast, to plug the gap before Season 3 starts in December. We’ve entitled this episode Three Kisses because it contains three of our more romantic tales, including our Surrey story, "The Tale of Blanche Heriot," our Northumberland story, "The Fish and the Ring," and our Worcestershire story, "The Legend of the Swan." The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Elean...
Nov 20, 2023•51 min•Season 2Ep. 28
The second of a trio of bonus compilation episodes of the Three Ravens podcast, to plug the gap before Season 3 starts in December. We’ve entitled this episode Three Hauntings because it contains three of our ghost stories, including our Hampshire story, "The Netley Abbey Phantoms," our Dorset story, "William Doggett the Vampire Ghost," and our Northamptonshire story, "The Hexham Heads." The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Elea...
Nov 13, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 27
The first of a trio of bonus compilation episodes of the Three Ravens podcast, to plug the gap before Season 3 starts in December. We’ve entitled this episode Three Mermaids because it contains three of our tales of semi-aquatic transformation and so-called monstrosity, including our Cornwall story, "The Mermaid of Zennor," our Suffolk story, "The Wild Man of Orford," and our Cheshire story, "The Mermaid of Rostherne Mere." The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award...
Nov 06, 2023•48 min•Season 2Ep. 26
To cap off Haunting Season, Eleanor and Martin reach back through time to explore the ancient roots of Samhain, Halloween, and Allhallows. From Celtic megalithic tombs like Newgrange and the remnants of pagan rites discovered by archaeologists to widespread European traditions of guising, souling, 'need-fires', divination, demons and deities, they chat about everything from the early seasonal guidance of Hywel Dda and decrees for seasonal worship passed down by the Roman senate, to Pope Gregory ...
Oct 31, 2023•54 min•Season 666Ep. 9
Is that just a shadow in the corner or is there something waiting in the dark? With the moon full and the stars out, it's hard to tell... either way, it's Haunting Season, so time to feel afraid! For their final weekly double-bill of original ghost stories this year, Eleanor and Martin tell The Five Minute Call , a theatrical tale of backstage haunting, and The Rotten House , a chronicle of loneliness, poverty, and seeping dread, all before a brief chat about their inspirations at the end. The T...
Oct 30, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 666Ep. 8
In this Haunting Season Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor chat about the life and crimes of Ronald O'Bryan, a.k.a. 'The Candy Man.' Part of the "Something Wicked" series about folkloric true crimes, they chew over the Satanic Panic, ideas of Halloween Sadism, the 'Mad Poisoner' trope and its roots in the Industrial Revolution, Urban Legends around food contamination and more, while also digging into the life, crimes, and media storm which surrounded O'Bryan himself, a wildly incompetent optician...
Oct 26, 2023•31 min•Season 666Ep. 7
These are nights of long shadows, where hollowed pumpkins watch with empty mouths and scarecrows stand lonely in the mist: it's Haunting Season, and time to feel afraid! For their third weekly double-bill of original ghost stories, Eleanor and Martin tell The Audience , a creeping chronicle of political horror, and The Coal Hole , a tale of fear real or imagined, told through a child's eyes, all before a brief chat about their inspirations at the end. The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folk...
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 666Ep. 6
In this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin explore the dying art of corn dolly making. Part of the "Dying Arts" series, they discuss the link between European beliefs around 'Harvest Maidens,' 'Corn Spirits,' and elaborately fashioned 'corn tokens,' including English regional variants such as the Worcester Crown and the Yorkshire Spiral, then dig into traditions recorded by James Frazer in his book The Golden Bough as well as techniques, methodology, and recent famous examples of Corn Dollies, su...
Oct 19, 2023•23 min•Season 666Ep. 5
The evenings are getting darker, and there's a spine-chilling tingle in the air, which can only mean one thing: it's Haunting Season! For their second weekly double-bill of original ghost stories, Martin and Eleanor step outside their comfort zones and tell Right Then, My Love , a twisted tale of old-aged terror, and The Blackberry Pickers , a Gothic romance where the sweetest fruit ferments into horror, all before a brief chat about their inspirations at the end. Learn more about The Three Rave...
Oct 16, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 666Ep. 4
In this Haunting Season Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor explore the arcane history of demons. Part of the "Three Ravens Bestiary" bonus series, they move through Ancient Greek and Roman concepts of the demonic, discussing primal forces such as Nemesis, Eros and Phobos, then reach back further, to Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, and demons such as Ammit, The Devourer of Corpses, Memy, a flint-knife wielding giraffe, and Pazazu, King of the South Wind. Then they leap ahead into the wild world of ...
Oct 12, 2023•39 min•Season 666Ep. 3
Grab yourself a mug of something warm, or maybe a glass of something stronger, wrap yourself in a blanket, close the curtains, and light some candles: it's Three Ravens Haunting Season and time to get spooky! For their first weekly double-bill of original ghost stories, Eleanor and Martin tell two 20th century tales, The Rosemary Branch , about a chilling encounter on a steam train, and Tomfoolery , an unsettling story of childhood pranks gone wrong, all before a brief chat about their inspirati...
Oct 09, 2023•53 min•Season 666Ep. 2
In this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin start their month-long 'Haunting Season' with a discussion of the history of Ouija. Part of the "Magic and Medicines" series, they chat about the first recorded Spirit Boards from 12th century China, then dig into their next appearance: as the Ouija Board, which named itself, along with the Spiritualist Movement, the life and grisly death of William Fuld, the 'Father of Ouija,' and how perceptions of Ouija changed from that of a family parlour game into ...
Oct 05, 2023•29 min•Season 666Ep. 1
For the Three Ravens Series 2 finale, Martin and Eleanor yomp to Yorkshire, England's largest county, releasing an appropriately-sized bumper episode! After looking ahead to Haunting Season, and discussing Old Man Day and the rather grisly tradition of Goose Riding, they load up the steam engine and traverse the history and folklore of Yorkshire - from the ancient city of York and beautiful places like Whitby and Mother Shipton's Cave to tales of feuding giants, cantankerous kelpies, very smelly...
Oct 02, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In this Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor discuss a ghostly murder that took the Victorian world by storm. Part of the "Something Wicked" series, they chat about the life of William Corder and his lover, Maria Marten, whose ghost returned after she was killed to help solve the crime. With a case that travels from Suffolk to London and involves a book bound in human skin, a haunted skull, an electrocuted cadaver, and mobs of people stripping the murder site and grave of the deceased for mementos,...
Sep 28, 2023•23 min•Season 2Ep. 25
On this week's episode, Eleanor and Martin venture to Cheshire, a county rich with ancient mysteries. After discussing Old Holy Rood Day and St Helena, they dabble in the River Dee and then dive into the history and folklore of Cheshire - from the Lindow Man and Maiden Castle to the Dragon of Moston, the many mysteries of Alderley Edge, the ghost duck of Tushingham's Blue Bell Inn, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Eleanor's telling of "The Mermaid of Rostherne Mere." Lea...
Sep 25, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin talk about the dying art of marionette-making. Part of the "Dying Arts" series, they discuss puppetry in general, including the history of the tradition across different cultures, then dig into the specific methods used by marionette-makers and marionettists - art forms which were once ubiquitous across Europe and Great Britain, but which are now only really extant in England at five specialist theatres... Learn more about The Three Ravens Podcast at www...
Sep 21, 2023•27 min•Season 2Ep. 24
On this week's episode, Martin and Eleanor head to Northumberland, heart of the once mighty Kingdom of Northumbria. Once they've had a quick chat about Samuel Johnson Commemoration Day and the Southwark Fair, they blow the dust off their manuscripts to illuminate the history and folklore of Northumberland - from the Mesolithic remains of the Howick House and stunning sites like Bamburgh Castle to tales of boggarts, bluecaps, the Beast of Bolam Lake, and much more besides. Then it's time for the ...
Sep 18, 2023•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 11
In this Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor discuss the immortal fire-bird of legend, the phoenix! Part of the "Three Ravens Bestiary" bonus series, they start by unpacking the earliest known references to the phoenix via Hesiod, Herodotus and Pliny The Elder, then start to draw connections between those early works and the Phoenicians, Christian writing, Victorian fantasy fiction, and similar creatures from other cultures including the Ancient Egyptian god Bennu, the Chinese Fenghuang, and the Ko...
Sep 14, 2023•21 min•Season 2Ep. 23
On this week's episode, Eleanor and Martin sojourn in Surrey, a county whose borders have changed in every direction over time. After discussing Saint Felix and St Regula and the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, they raise their blue and gold banners and charge into the history and folklore of Surrey - from Hampton Court and Reigate's Barons' Caves to the Silent Pool, the Buckland Shag, Mother Ludlum and the Devil's Jumps, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Eleanor's telling of ...
Sep 11, 2023•54 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin offer solutions to try if you've been hexed! Part of the "Magic and Medicines" series, they briefly discuss the history and logic of curses and offer examples from tablet fragments excavated from the hot springs at the Roman shrine to Sulis in Bath, then dig into a set of case studies: what do you do if you've been hexed with prickling pains, or are a fisherman who can't net a catch, or you have been 'overlooked' by a witch and can't catch a break? Betwe...
Sep 07, 2023•18 min•Season 2Ep. 22
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting On this week's episode, Martin and Eleanor bustle to Berkshire, the "Royal County," and tell the tale of "Herne the Hunter." After chatting through a raft of folk festivals taking place this week, including Nutting Day, the Hop Hoodening, and Colchester's Barnet Fair, they cut to the chase and explore the history and folklore of Berkshire - from Windsor Castle and the Headless Ghost ...
Sep 04, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 2Ep. 9
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting In this Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor explore the dark life of Elizabeth Bathory, the "Blood Countess." Part of the "Something Wicked" series, they discuss the 16th century penchant for stories of witches, magicians and the occult, the context in which Bathory lived in Renaissance Hungary, her "Black Knight" husband, and the litany of crimes which earned Bathory the title of "Mos...
Aug 31, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 21
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting On this week's episode of The Three Ravens Podcast, Eleanor and Martin head to Huntingdonshire, a historic county latterly absorbed into Cambridgeshire. With the episode released on both Apple Pie Day and St Augustine of Hippo's Day, they discuss the duties of an Apple Pie Princess and commiserate over the lack of hippo saints, then light their lamps and illuminate the history and fo...
Aug 28, 2023•59 min•Season 2Ep. 8
