In this seasonal Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor cosy up and explore the rather bonkers history of Valentine's Day. They start in the 8th century, with the Venerable Bede and Catholic Martyrology of Jerome, neither of which refer to Valentine's Day or St Valentine. Next, they venture back in time to recount the macabre life of the 3rd century figure we now know as St Valentine before leaping forward to the 12th century and the moment after which February 14th would be forever associated with l...
Feb 14, 2024•56 min•Season 3Ep. 44
In this week's episode, Martin and Eleanor wade through the ancient mysteries of Lincolnshire. After a brief chat about Shrovetide and some associated lunacy, such as 'Old Football' and 'Dappy Door Night,' they clamber into their ancient boat and paddle through history and folklore of Lincolnshire. They talk about ancient relics like the Corieltauvi Bull Rider and the Witham Shield, monuments including Lincoln Castle, Lincoln Cathedral, and Crowland Abbey, folklore surrounding the Stainfield Woo...
Feb 12, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this week's Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor follow the trail in search of Bigfoot, uncovering a whole world of mythical wild men! Part of the "Three Ravens Bestiary" bonus series, they start by chatting about the origins of Bigfoot, including some notable 20th century hoaxes, arriving at root of these legends: the Native American Sasquatch. Through this, they hop across to Europe, discussing cave art, the history of the Woodwose, and its even older cousins like the Silvestre, the Schrat, an...
Feb 08, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 23
This week's episode sees us Eleanor and Martin wending their way to Wiltshire, home of both Stonehenge and Avebury Ring! After a brief chat about the ghastly life of St Agatha, they burrow deep into the monumental history and folklore of Wiltshire, from Old Sarum, Wardour Castle, and two of the most famous stone circles in all the world to the Flying Monk of Malmesbury, Urchfont's 18th century serial killer landlord, the ghost of Black Molly at Pyt House, and much more besides. Then it's time fo...
Feb 05, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin peer into the arcane history of scrying! Part of the "Magic and Medicines" series, they start by chatting about our understanding of scrying in prehistoric cultures and the earliest references to mirror divination in Ancient Greece, Egypt, Persia, and Mesoamerican societies. Then it's on to Renaissance occultism, including what was gleaned from John Dee's obsidian mirror and Nostradamus' bronze bowl, Joseph Smith's use of scrying stones, St Agnes' Eve an...
Feb 01, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 22
On this week's episode, Martin and Eleanor dash to Derbyshire, a county forged in earthquakes and wildfires! After a brief chat about the pagan festival of Imbolc, they slip into the sacred hot springs of Aquae Arnemetiae to discuss the history and folklore of Derbyshire, from the Viking burial complex at Heath Wood, Peveril Castle, and the plague village of Eyam to The Devil’s Bonfires of Longdendale Valley, the peeing giant of Robin Hood's Stride, the Deep Dale Hob Cave, and much more besides....
Jan 29, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Season 3Ep. 8
In this week's Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor conjure up the wild life story of the first witch condemned in Ireland. Part of the "Something Wicked" series about folkloric true crimes, they set the scene by discussing the history of Kilkenny within Ireland's five historic counties, then explore how a young Flemish immigrant managed to become one of the richest women in 13th century Leinster. With a bizarre biography including several court cases, four dead husbands, and allegations of macabre...
Jan 25, 2024•43 min•Season 3Ep. 21
This week and Martin and Eleanor hurry to Herefordshire on the border between England and Wales. After a brief chat about St Vincent's Day, including his painful life and Raven Church, they dig a dyke to mark the borders of the history and folklore of Herefordshire - from the Black Mountain, Goodrich Castle, and Arthur’s Stone to Jack-a-Kent, the King of Cats, the Mermaid of Marden, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Eleanor's telling of "The Dragon of Mordiford." The Thre...
Jan 22, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin explore the history of Fan Making, a critically-endangered craft. Part of the "Dying Arts" series, they start off chatting about the 3,000 year-old legacy of fans from China, Japan, and Africa, then dig into the European craze for fans, including their religious uses, their styles, hidden compartments, and secret language. After exploring the shifts the 19th century offered around fan culture, including their place in merchandising, make-up, and mass pro...
Jan 18, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 20
On this week's episode Eleanor and Martin relay to Rutland, England's smallest county. After a chat about St Ceolwulf's Day and the Venerable Bede, they blow their hunting horns and gallop through the history and folklore of Rutland - from Oakham Castle, Great Casterton, and Rutland Water to Amelia Woodcock, the Wise Woman of Wing, the Rutland Dinosaur, the astonishing life of Lord Minimus, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Martin's telling of "Four Eggs A Penny." The Thr...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this week's Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor dive into the murky history of Selkies. Part of the "Three Ravens Bestiary" bonus series, they start by talking through the modern view of these mystical half-human, half-seal sea creatures, and chat about the most popular selkie myth of recent times - one of kidnap, stolen seal skins, and forced marriage. But then they wheel back to the origins of selkies, as found in Norse sagas, the Celtic 'Lore of Places' and elsewhere, too. After a brief chat...
Jan 11, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 19
This week Eleanor and Martin are off to Essex, a county where Boudica famously engaged in some impromptu remodeling... After a chat about Plough Monday and associated silliness, they then sharpen their three Saxon daggers and rampage through the history and folklore of Essex - from the Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins, Old King Cole, and the sacking of Colchester to the ghosts of Borley Rectory, the Saffron Walden basilisk, a whole pack of Shucks, and much more besides. Then it's time for the...
Jan 08, 2024•58 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin explore the history of poppets! Part of the "Magic and Medicines" series, they chat about the many roles dolls play in magic, from Worry Dolls and Kolossoi to paleolithic carvings and ushabti, and dig into some strange corners of human history - from the Reader's Digest drive to curse Adolf Hitler to Scottish 'clay corpses', myths about Voodoo Dolls, Japanese doll burning festivals, and much more besides... The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklor...
Jan 04, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 18
On this week's episode, Martin and Eleanor head to Leicestershire, the county where Richard III died at Bosworth Field. After a chat about New Year's Day traditions and superstitions, they leap into the history and folklore of Leicestershire - from Simon de Montfort and Melton Mowbray pork pies to Belvoir Castle, Ashby de la Zouch, and Kirby Muxloe, as well as the Humberstone, further adventures of Bel the giant, ghost suffragettes, and more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Martin's t...
Jan 01, 2024•53 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this week's Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor dig into the legend of the Christmas Scarecrow, Hans Trapp. Part of the "Something Wicked" series about folkloric true crimes, they set the scene by talking about life in the Holy Roman Empire during the 15th century. Then it's time to recount the truths and some of the likely fictions surrounding this legendary Christmas bogeyman. For example, did he really do a deal with the devil for power? How many people died when he flooded Weissenburg and i...
Dec 28, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Deck the halls and jingle your bells as Eleanor and Martin welcome you to a festive celebration of all things Christmas, Yule, and Midwinter! Starting off deep in prehistory, they chat through the pagan origins of Midwinter celebrations as found at neolithic sites like Stonehenge, discuss Ancient Greek and Roman concepts of the end-of-year, wassailing, and Norse Yuletide traditions, plus the long history of the Holly King, Old Man Winter, and Father Christmas. Then they dig into the Christian tr...
Dec 25, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 3Ep. 43
As promised, here is a spooky ghost story for Christmas care of Three Ravens. Following in the tradition of M.R. James, E.F. Benson, and Charles Dickens, it feels only right to cosy up and listen to something scary on Christmas Eve. This year it's Martin doing the honours, with a longer story set in the English Renaissance. We follow Maline, a young maid working in a gloomy, snow-swept castle, where few things are quite as they initially appear... The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore...
Dec 24, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 42
In their final Advent 2023 mini-episode, Martin and Eleanor come up against a problem: partridges don't have much of a place in folklore! They make a valiant effort, discussing how Perdix was transformed into a partridge in Ancient Greek mythology, and recount a literally apocryphal tale of John The Evangelist stroking his partridge - and they chat about pears, too, and their associations with Hera/Juno, but it's slim pickings. So, to make up for it, they revert to the alternate lyrics and tell ...
Dec 23, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 41
In their penultimate Advent 2023 mini-episode, Eleanor and Martin talk Two Turtle Doves - which aren't white! Who knew?! In addition to chewing over the slightly unnerving roles doves traditionally played in Candlemas and Imbolc celebrations, they dig into some dovey deities, including the Ancient Mesopotamian goddess Inanna and the Celtic god Aengus, and retell some dove-related folktales including The Ant and the Dove, The Dove, and For the Love of a Dove, coming away with some intriguing refl...
Dec 22, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 40
In this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin discuss traditional Christmas crafts. Part of the "Dying Arts" series, they start of chatting about Midwinter, Yule Logs, and the Ashen Faggot, then discuss the history of the Christingle, old recipes for Christmas pudding, the tradition of the 'Kissing Ball' and 'Kissing Bough' as well as Christmas Trees, Advent Calendars, and Walnut Gilding. As you might expect, there are digressions along the way, but still, scissors, ribbons, and glitter at the ready...
Dec 21, 2023•37 min•Season 3Ep. 16
In their tenth Advent 2023 mini-episode, Martin and Eleanor discuss French Hens, which are a genuine, actual thing! Aside from Eleanor performing the St Crispian Day speech from Henry V (yes, the whole thing) they also chat about Bresse Gauloise chickens, Brythonic history, and England's slightly tetchy relationship with the French, along with discussing poultry-based folktales including Henny Penny and talking through Alectromancy, the Celtic goddess Brigid, and the way chickens help to ward of...
Dec 21, 2023•18 min•Season 3Ep. 39
In their ninth Advent 2023 mini-episode, Eleanor and Martin are talking Four Colley Birds, and not 'Calling Birds' at all! From 'Sing a Song of Sixpence,' which dates back to the Renaissance, to Celtic myths like The Tale of Branwen and The Three Birds of Rhiannon, they discuss how the blackbird occupies a very strange position in folklore. Not least in two really strange tales, one of which sees the Patron Saint of Europe stripping naked and jumping into a bed of stinging nettles, and another w...
Dec 20, 2023•14 min•Season 3Ep. 38
For their eighth Advent 2023 mini-episode, Martin and Eleanor are facing down eternity to talk Five Gold Rings! They begin talking about the special properties of gold and the symbolism of rings from Ancient Egypt to today, including the significance of the gifts made in the story of Jesus' birth. Then, before long, they're discussing the mythical Ouroboros, the Ring of Gyges, Norse and Anglo-Saxon runic rings, and the mythical Seal of Solomon which made its wearer able to speak to animals and s...
Dec 19, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 37
In their seventh Advent 2023 mini-episode, Eleanor and Martin are talking Six Geese A-Laying. They start off chatting about whether geese are really just big ducks (and remain split on the matter) all before they set to honking and a-hollering about some famous examples of geese in mythology and folklore, such as The Golden Goose, The Goose That Laid The Golden Eggs. the Ugly Duckling, Icarus' doomed flight, Mother Goose, and more besides... The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podca...
Dec 18, 2023•15 min•Season 3Ep. 36
On this week's episode, Eleanor and Martin are off to Buckinghamshire, one of England's 'Home Counties.' With no particular Saints Days to mark they get cracking quickly and set about unearthing the history and folklore of Buckinghamshire, from the many stately homes owned by the Rothschild family and others, such as Waddesdon Manor, Mentmore Towers, and Bletchley Park, to tales of Little Witches, the Gib Lane Ghost, a rector who trapped the devil in a shoe, and much more besides! Then it's time...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In their sixth Advent 2023 mini-episode, Eleanor and Martin are talking Seven Swans A-Swimming! They start off chatting about swans and their many associations, including in Medieval cookery, then dip their bills into some of the very many appearances of swans in myth and folklore, from the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice to The Children of Lir, Derbforgaill's love for Cú Chulainn to Leda and the Swan. Then, to finish, Martin retells The Legend of the Seven Swans, the likely inspiration for this li...
Dec 17, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 35
In their fifth Advent 2023 mini-episode, Martin and Eleanor take those udders in hand and talk Eight Maids A-Milking! They start off discussing the Maiden archetype and concept of the Triple Goddess, then moo-ve on to talking about the Maiden's lactose-free role in some specific folktales such as Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, and Bluebeard. Then it's time to chew the cud about the strange role milk plays in folklore and fairytales, including brief retellings of Aesop's "The Milkmaid and her Pail ...
Dec 16, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 34
In their fourth Advent 2023 mini-episode, Eleanor and Martin are marching to the beat of Nine Drummers Drumming. After a brief chat about the earliest drums yet found by archaeologists (which, to Eleanor's alarm, involved alligators...) they strike up a rhythm and discuss drumming in the animal kingdom, stone age spiritualism, and the ways drums in early societies were used to carry messages over long distances. Then they dig into the history of the "Drums of War" from the Crusades and Little Dr...
Dec 15, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 33
In their third Advent 2023 mini-episode, Martin and Eleanor add a honk to their gronk and make a ruckus with Ten Pipers Piping! After discussing how pipes predate writing, with the earliest known example carved from a bear's thigh over 60,000 years ago, they dig into the links between shepherds, pipes, and lyric poetry, discuss the Medieval shawm and the innovations it brought to early music, and retell two ancient myths about the invention of the pipe: "The Legend of Pan and Syrinx" and "The Ta...
Dec 14, 2023•14 min•Season 3Ep. 32
In this Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor discuss Krampus, the demonic man-goat of Alpine legend. Part of the "Three Ravens Bestiary" bonus series, they start by offering an overview of his place in central European Yuletide tradition, then dig into ideas including the influence of Christianity on folk customs, some other surviving Alpine traditions and festivals, and connections between Norse myth and the Krampus - along with chatting through the many curious features of this shadowy, yet mostl...
Dec 14, 2023•24 min•Season 3Ep. 15
