Shows
The Three Ravens PodcastSecrets of the Thames Part 1 of 2: Harry Lambeth's TeethAnd now for something completely different! Today we bring you the first of a two-part double-bill of special episodes made with the help and support of London Museum Docklands, all about the new 'Secrets of the Thames' exhibition.In this first installment we chat about some key terms, such as 'Foreshore' and 'Mudlarking,' while digging into the silt of London's history just a little bit.Martin presents the first half of his chat with curator of Secrets of the Thames Kate Sumnall, discuss the true story of one of Eleanor's favourite artifacts...2025-07-151h 23
Le journal régional de 18h30Harcèlement de rue : Bourges propose des portes-clés munis d'alarmesDes portes-clés munis d’alarmes et une application d’entraide pour les femmes, c’est ce que la ville de Bourges va proposer à ses habitantes pour lutter contre le harcèlement de rue. Quoi de mieux que d’aller à Rome à pied pour vivre le jubilé, c’est ce que vivent actuellement une dizaine de pèlerins partis de Nantes, ils traversent en ce moment-même la Région Centre. Le festival le plus inclusif possible va lui aussi poser le pied dans la Région en septembre, l’Art de Rien revient pour sa 3ème édition au Château de Vaux...2025-06-1612 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 6 Episode 13: NorfolkIn today's episode of Three Ravens, it's series finale time, and Martin is guiding us through the history and folklore Norfolk!We begin by acknowledging quite what an extraordinary journey we have been on in just over two years, and then discuss Appleby Horse Fair which is happening right now - get along to it if you can! Then, we navigate to Norfolk and chat through all sorts of wonders to do with the county - from the prehistoric landscape of the Grimes Graves flint mines to the feverish revelations of the first female writer...2025-06-092h 11
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 6 Episode 11: StaffordshireOn the week's episode of Three Ravens we're mining out the black gold of history and folklore of Staffordshire - a county with some pretty dark parts, and some very silly ones, too.We start off discussing the tradition of Rogationtide, a week-long celebration that would have started today, which basically involved smacking the ghosts out of your village, all before we sally forth to Staffordshire!We begin with some pretty cool bits of history, including the Black Country industry of chain-making and its relation to the Chained Oak of Alton, the mythical slaughter that...2025-05-262h 03
The Three Ravens PodcastLocal Legends #38: Emma HeardOn this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined around the campfire by Emma Heard, the creator of perhaps the country's preeminent folklore blog, Weird Wiltshire!As Emma and Martin discuss during this conversation, Emma launched Weird Wiltshire during the pandemic. Originally intended as a means for Emma to explore her interests in folklore and paranormal activity, it then took off, with Emma, before long, sitting on a Twitter following of tens of thousands of people.The blog itself is an incredible resource for people interested in strange and esoteric tales, but Emma’s de...2025-05-171h 12
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 6 Episode 9: WiltshireThis week, on the first of the 'Final Five' episodes in our second lap around England's 39 historic counties, we're digging into the sacred ritual landscape of Wiltshire, and getting weird!We start off discussing St Pancras Day, including Pancras' martyrdom in 4th century Rome when he was a mere teenager, before his bones went on tour with St Augustine, all before we wander to Wiltshire in England's South West.On the history front, we discuss the astounding history of the ancient capital of Old Sarum, the moving of Salisbury Cathedral during the 13th century, two...2025-05-122h 21
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 6 Episode 7: HerefordshireOn this week's episode of Three Ravens we're heading into disputed territory: Herefordshire in the Welsh Marches, which is a county with so much history and folklore!We start off by going over all Queer Eye and giving April 14th a makeover, concluding that, while we could make this 'Nothing Day' about gardening, or ice skating on bone-bladed skates, it really ought to be a day devoted to the celebration of Justin. Be that the ancient pre-Christian philosopher, or the Justin's in your life. All with dubious historical justification. After that, we hurry on into...2025-04-142h 51
The Three Ravens PodcastLocal Legends #34: Ailsa Clarke and Bethan Briggs-MillerOn this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined by the hosts of the Eerie Essex podcast, Ailsa Clarke and Bethan Briggs-Miller!Ailsa and Bethan have been at this here podcasting malarkey since the pandemic, and it’s highly likely that you are already familiar with Eerie Essex. If you’ve never had the pleasure to listening to them though, well, you’re in for a treat! In this episode Ailsa, Bethan and Martin talk about everything from lasagne to garden centres to demonic possession, getting lost in underground caves, and Matthew Hopkins, Witch Finder...2025-04-051h 12
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 6 Episode 5: EssexOn this week's episode of Three Ravens we're off to Essex, exploring the history and folklore of a county that has everything. Apart from mountains...We start off discussing April Fool's Day, which has a surprisingly long legacy, after which we embark for Essex!We begin by talking about a bunch of strange historical quirks in the county, including lots of things to do with ponds - ones in which dead pirates have oak trees growing out of their chests, or where, for centuries, people have been drawn out into Epping Forest to end their...2025-03-312h 00
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 6 Episode 3: BuckinghamshireOn this week's episode of Three Ravens, we are chatting all about the history and folklore of Buckinghamshire, a county once believed - completely wrongly - to have very few folktales... We start off chatting about St Patrick's Day, discussing his weird life amongst pirates and of generally annoying people, all before he became Patron Saint of Ireland, after which we bounce on over to Buckinghamshire!After discussing how this week's Local Legends guest Dr Terrie Howie changed the game in terms of how people view the legends of the area, we start to delve...2025-03-171h 56
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 6 Episode 1: BedfordshireOn the first episode of Three Ravens Series 6, we are making a right old fuss about an often overlooked county when it comes to folklore - Bedfordshire, the county of John Bunyan, little blue spacemen, and mysterious Medieval serial killers... We start off chatting about both St Winwaloe's Day, which is surprisingly saucy actually, and all the madness of Shrove Monday, after which we bustle across to Bedfordshire!After chatting through some amazing aspects of Bedfordshire's history, as represented by three pretty jaw-dropping historical finds, including the Dunstable Swan Jewel, a magical Viking sword, and...2025-03-032h 11
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 5 Episode 12: CheshireThis week, for our penultimate County Episode of Series 5, we're talking all about the history and folklore of Cheshire, a legend-rich county whose identity and boundaries have been in near-constant flux ever since its founding.We start off discussing Epiphany and Twelfth Night traditions, also touching on Wassailing, which we will be going into much more depth on during Thursday's Forgotten Melodies bonus episode.After which we wander the Cheshire Plain and dig into the county's rich mines of folklore!We chat through all sorts, not least the county's traditional teapot-shaped outline (and w...2025-01-061h 27
The Heartless KnavesChapter 39: All Good ThingsThe final chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Grand Father Nikodemus finally arrives back at the Sunken Abbey to find that quite a few things have changed... Expect Christopher to have a new station in life, Brunhilda to return to The Kitty's Whiskers, lots of different people and animals to be missing Sally, Rooks to finally go home, prophecies to come true across the Whale Road, Diesirae - now "The Scarred Queen" - to go and see a man about her heart, and for Silkin to drown his sorrows a dangerously long way away from his...2024-12-2926 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 5 Episode 10: SurreyThis week we're off to Surrey, one of the Home Counties - and a place that is being gobbled up by London year by year!We start by discussing, much to Martin's chagrin, that the 23rd December is actually a Saints Day for about 30 obscure martyrs, recounting just a fraction of who they were and why they mattered. And after that, we dig into the history and folklore of Surrey.We discuss all sorts, including the tiny house where John Donne and his wife lived and had many, many babies, an extremely tall tower built...2024-12-231h 21
The Heartless KnavesChapter 38: The Heart Of The MatterThe penultimate chapter of The Pale Princess, in which The Other attacks Lludden, Christopher makes a mad dash to reunite with Diesirae, and Silkin and Rooks speed home just in time to get involved... Expect zombie bears, a goodly number of explosions, mass-scale slaughter, for almost every major character in the narrative to finally end up in the same place at the same time, the goodies to kick some butt, and the baddies to get their just desserts!Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of...2024-12-2254 min
The Three Ravens PodcastMagic and Medicines #14: The ZodiacMagic and Medicines is BACK for it's second series, and in this episode Eleanor talks us through the ancient origins and subsequent history and major developments of the Zodiac.We start by chatting through how the Zodiac is divided, including what the 'Celestial Sphere' is, and how the Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians used Sidereal Time to inform their agrarian calendar systems.After that, we're off to the races, exploring how Ancient Greek's like Ptolemy and the wise astronomers of the Islamic Golden Age developed and refined the Zodiac and the associations with its signs. This...2024-12-1952 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 37: Raking Over The CoalsThe thirty-seventh chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Father Nikodemus makes it back to Prydain, Silkin and Rooks leave Brygof, and Christopher departs from Lludden to go home. Expect massage oil, sneaky plotting, for Brian to have fallen in love, and for a villain who had seemingly disappeared for a while to make a triumphant return, seeking something vital from Archbishop Daevas...Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks, who may be dead, their hearts stolen by the church, their...2024-12-1536 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 36: If Wishes Were HorsesThe thirty-sixth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Rooks continues to defend Southgate from anyone seeking to flee Laugborg, and Silkin drags his heels about leaving it himself.Expect Herild and Gillian to make their way to The Auric's stables and for high drama to ensue, for Sally and Silkin to exchange a particularly meaningful kiss, Ruby and the other fine ladies of Bongle's House of Clunge to ride out like the vigilantes they are, and for two very old friends to make two new ones the morning after a long night of hideous violence and...2024-12-0833 min
The Three Ravens PodcastPatreon Exclusive: Snow QueensAlas, this week plague has struck the House of Raven (well, the flu has, at least) and Eleanor is laid-up feeling decidedly unwell. So, we have dipped our beaks into the vault, and pecked out a seasonally-appropriate Patreon Exclusive episode to plug the gap!Originally released last December, we start the episode off with a chat about the common characteristics of 'Snow Queens' or 'Snow Witches', including lots of examples, from Babushka and La Befana to Mother Holda and Gryla, as well as Snow Goddesses like Skadi and Chione.After drawing some common threads together...2024-12-021h 11
The Heartless KnavesChapter 35: To Crown It AllThe thirty-fifth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Diesirae is escorted to The Alabastrine in the middle of the night, while in Laugborg Vestran's masquerade is in full swing...Expect Sir Felix Sable to give Umbrago some grief, the big reveal about those red outfits and all of Herild's paper flowers, extraordinary violence, lashings of death, exploding lobsters, and for the Crown of Prydain to change hands - in more ways than one!Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks...2024-12-0156 min
The Three Ravens PodcastLocal Legends #25: Dr Maureen JamesOn this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin is joined by the rather amazing Dr Maureen James, who is a folklorist, historian, and author of both Cambridgeshire Folk Tales and Lincolnshire Folk Tales.Maureen has been passionate about Social History for over 40 years. Though, as we discuss in this conversation, she did not start her career in academia – she began adult life as a wife and mother, pivoting into history later on. This led her to undertake her BA at Cambridge, then an MA in Museums and Galleries in Education with the Institute of Education, Un...2024-11-301h 18
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 5 Episode 8: HuntingdonshireThis week Martin is leading us back into marshy bogs which no longer exist to talk all about the history and folklore of the half-forgotten county of Huntingdonshire!We start by discussing St Catherine's Day traditions, including Cathern Bowls, Cathern Queens, and Catherine Wheels, as well as Catherine's grisly demise. After which, it's time to visit another county which no long exists - Huntingdonshire, the historic seat of the Cromwell family.We chat about subjects including the Three Wonders of Huntingdonshire, the Robin Hood and Little John stone, the county's Roman remnants, its legacy of...2024-11-251h 36
The Heartless KnavesChapter 34: Dig Your Own GraveThe thirty-fourth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Sally and Silkin team up, Rooks becomes a one man wrecking crew, and the good ladies of Bongle's House of Clunge enjoy a night in the big city...Expect subterfuge, guards getting shot with crossbows, Silkin to knock himself unconscious, a little palace intrigue, pear brandy, and some very, very large explosions.Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks, who may be dead, their hearts stolen by the church, their severed heads...2024-11-2453 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 5 Episode 7: DevonOn this week's episode Eleanor is taking us on a pixie-led journey down to Devonshire in England's South West and telling us her take on the legend of "Kitty Jay's Grave."We start off chatting about St Cecilia and her death-defying life of chastity and angel-seeing, and after that we're bombing down the A303 to Devon, one of Martin's favourite counties and one cream-and-then-jam-packed with folklore!We chew over topics such as the wild and mysterious landscape of Dartmoor, the wolf-taming wanderer St Petroc, the 16-sided grotto of A La Ronde, and much more, all...2024-11-181h 30
The Heartless KnavesChapter 33: The Calm Before The StormThe thirty-third chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Daevas and Isfrid reconnect with the High Council, Rooks completes the final steps of his plans, Diesirae learns who Sister Signe really is, and Silkin and Sally have a day out in Laugborg.Expect icy deaths, a bit of welding, some playing of chess, dirty water to be spilled, a very pretty dress, things to not be quite as they appear, and to visit a secret underground shrine were more than a few story threads knit themselves together...Set in a twisted version of the English...2024-11-171h 01
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 5 Episode 6: WorcestershireOn this week's episode Martin is whisking us up to Worcestershire in England's West Midlands and telling us his take on the legend of "The Malvern Ogre."We start off chatting about what Martin calls 'a proper saint' - his namesake, St Martin - including his life as a goose-bothering wandering necromancer and the strange part-bloody, part-weather related traditions associated with today's festival of Martinmas. After that we set off for Worcestershire, a sometimes overlooked county with extraordinarily rich history and folklore to be found in just about every corner.We discuss topics...2024-11-111h 45
The Heartless KnavesChapter 32: Under The SkinThe thirty-second chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Diesirae wakes up in The Alabastrine's dormitory, her heart now sealed into a Ventricular Sphere.Expect Mother Bodril to be well meaning, for Cordelia to arrive with a 'Sister Signe', and to finally catch up with Sally. She, once settled into a very grand hotel in Laugborg, finally gets some space from Herild and reconnects with Silkin - all before we catch back up with Diesirae, who finds herself nursing two hearts instead of one...Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story...2024-11-1059 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 31: A Tangled WebThe thirty-first chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Rooks acquaints himself with some friendly sewer rats.Expect a boat trip into a very dark cave, an excessive number of spiders, for Silkin to be Silkin, and for Rooks to be reunited with an old friend from school who is more than happy to help...Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks, who may be dead, their hearts stolen by the church, their severed heads mounted on the royal battlements, but...2024-11-0342 min
The Three Ravens PodcastHaunting Season 2024 Episode #4What lives in the dark? For each of us, the sun, waning as it is through days of autumn rain, weakening, becoming paler, more obscure – the sun is a lifeline. Yet, each night, that lifeline vanishes. The hours of darkness grow longer, the cold dominion of night stretching out, growing larger, growing stronger.And each of us has an opposite. A dark-craving beast of shade. We know they’re there, though don’t care to acknowledge them.As the veil between this world grows thin enough to disappear, and the night world claims equal...2024-10-282h 19
The Heartless KnavesChapter 30: The Mills Of The GodsThe thirtieth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which, after quite while, we catch up with Father Nikodemus...Expect plenty a bit of surgery, to meet a crafty old bishop and a Valladrian who has been having visions, an audience with the Queen of Gallia, and for the forging of an agreement which might just shape the fate of Prydain for several generations...Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks, who may be dead, their hearts stolen by the church, their...2024-10-2742 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 29: The Value Of NothingThe twenty-ninth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Silkin and Rooks set about infiltrating the Blue Keep...Expect plenty of Gothic decay, some arcane mystery, rain, thunder, lightning, for Rooks to get bored and set about improving things, Silkin to kidnap a dog, and for things to not go quite as well as either of them expected them to. Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks, who may be dead, their hearts stolen by the church, their severed heads mounted...2024-10-2057 min
The Three Ravens PodcastHaunting Season 2024 Episode #2The nights are drawing in, and the veil is lifting. In the chill, spiders cling to windowpanes, seeking the warmth within. Bats roost in chimney pots, foxes, rats and badgers settle down for their winter’s rest, while jackdaws pick at barren earth, pining for spring.When the wind blows, it bites, and on the breeze you think you hear the whispering of a song. Was that a voice you ask, or just a memory? And was that melody singing to you?You know what this all means: Three Ravens Haunting Season is in f...2024-10-141h 32
The Heartless KnavesChapter 28: Playing With FireThe twenty-eighth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which the Hands make good on their threats, Grubenholm is burned, and Nanny makes a stand at the Sunken Abbey.Expect Colin the goat to rampage, flocks of rampaging murder chickens, Ned the horse to wake up slightly confused, and for Nanny to both bury the hatchet with Griselda and make her last stand in an inferno of rage, and love, towering flame and immutable style.Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks...2024-10-1330 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 27: Who Pays The PiperThe twenty-seventh chapter of The Pale Princess, in which we meet Jorund, The Speaker of Truths, as Umbrago and Brunhilda parade through Lludden.Expect to catch up with Cordelia and her shadowy working in The Alabastrine, Aggie, Foxglove, and Diesirae, as she is made ready to have her heart sealed in glass in preparation for her upcoming marriage...Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks, who may be dead, their hearts stolen by the church, their severed heads mounted on the...2024-10-0651 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 5 Episode 4: WestmorelandBecause this is our last "County Episode" for a while, what with next Monday seeing the start of our month-long Haunting Season of spooky content, for this week's episode we've pulled out all the stops, going a bit bonkers for the half-forgotten history and folklore of Westmoreland!We start off chatting about various Harvest Fair traditions, including beliefs about Michaelmas, "Lawless Hours" and the delightfully anarchic Kidderminster Fray - after which we wend our way to Westmoreland.Aside from chatting about some of the county's history, including its flooded Corpse Road, the Romantic 'Lake Poets...2024-09-302h 13
The Heartless KnavesChapter 26: The Price of EverythingThe twenty-sixth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Rooks organises the fencing of goods, Silkin helps, and Ruby hangs around until he's ready to play pirates...Expect to meet a quite particular witch with an owl familiar, a man called Teddy who might not quite be all there, to encounter the Akkurok, some fun new weapons, and for Silkin to eventually say "Gyargh!"Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks, who may be dead, their hearts stolen by the church...2024-09-2944 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 25: One Good TurnThe twenty-fifth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Nanny is forced to address the problem of the King's Hands who have been bothering the Sunken Abbey, and The Other brings the residents of Grubenholm to church...Expect Christopher to use some of his new training, Nanny to finally let loose a little bit, Marco to make himself useful, blood to spill, tea to be made as guided by a cat, and for Colin and the chickens to prepare for war!Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the...2024-09-221h 02
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 5 Episode 2: DorsetFor this week's episode we're venturing to the Westcountry and exploring the history and folklore of Dorset!We start off chatting about St Edith's Day, including Edith's incorruptible magic thumb, her love of holy wells, and her penchant for snazzy dressing - after which we delve deep into Dorset.After discussing some of the county's most famous features, including Durdle Door, Maiden Castle, its "sunken lanes" and many often forgotten megaliths, Martin dons his pinafore and serves up a range of Dorsetshire delights for this week's County Dish, including Dorset Knobs, Slug Water, and Jugged...2024-09-161h 45
The Heartless KnavesChapter 24: A Problem SharedThe twenty-fourth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which we follow Diesirae through a night in The Pit, a day in the Grey Keep, and an adventure through Lludden's streets...Expect fighting, disfiguration, and for the solution to the off-hand problem, to catch up with Gironde and Eris during a session of portraiture, for Umbrago to poke his nose in, and to then head out into the city with Mathias on a little adventure.Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks...2024-09-1538 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 23: Steeds Of Another ColourThe twenty-third chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Silkin gets fed up of camping, Grouseboller meets a sticky end, and we arrive at a home from home: Bongle's House of Clunge.Expect a little light breaking and entering, some torture, a series of delightful sex worker sisters, and to meet Luca, The Speaker of Lies, better known to his friends as "The Apple Cutter..."Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks, who may be dead, their hearts stolen by the...2024-09-0856 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 22: Catch More Flies With HoneyThe twenty-second chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Nanny begins training Christopher, Marco regains consciousness, and Gavriel welcomes a new visitor to the Grey Keep.Expect punches, kicks, a bit of bowmanship, Eris having none of Gironde's nonsense, and The Other feeling a little bit possessive about his new best friend...Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks, who may be dead, their hearts stolen by the church, their severed heads mounted on the royal battlements, but there’s no re...2024-09-0135 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 21: A Bird In The HandThe twenty-first chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Vestran and his assistant unearth the treasure they have been looking for and Daevas frees a half-mad warrior nun who is justifiably hungry for revenge.Expect giant spiders, wyvern bones, Silkin trying to be friendly with Sally, a spot of ice magic, and for Archbishop Salles to finally get what was coming to him...Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks, who may be dead, their hearts stolen by the church, their...2024-08-2555 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 20: Death and TaxesThe twentieth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Silkin and Rooks finally hit the road - and Silkin lets off some steam by fighting an entire tavern worth of people...Expect to also catch up with Beni, Diesirae, and Brunhilda - who is once again conscious - and to meet a very annoying highwayman called Lesley Fortinbras...Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and Rooks, who may be dead, their hearts stolen by the church, their severed heads mounted on the...2024-08-1848 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 19: Ships In The NightThe nineteenth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Patrick encounters the sea, Thorsten and Marco find themselves some lodgings, and Nanny refuses to say goodbye.Expect Silkin being both sweet and a little bit annoying, Jarn getting some horns to the testicles, Sally learning how to shoot a crossbow round corners, and Rooks not only getting tooled up, but finally being equipped with clothes that make him look as he wants to be seen...Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the macabre adventures of assassins Silkin and...2024-08-1139 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 18: Cut Your Cloth AccordinglyThe eighteenth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Mildri, Jarn and Old Slag deliver the results of their labour...Expect Silkin being both sweet and a little bit annoying, Jarn getting some horns to the testicles, Sally learning how to shoot a crossbow round corners, and Rooks not only getting tooled up, but finally being equipped with clothes that make him look as he wants to be seen...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old...2024-08-0451 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 17: Clear As MudThe seventeenth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Nanny goes to Lludden for the day, The Other is reunited with his body, and Umbrago has his much-needed bath.Expect a chance meeting on a very old road, some revelations about an old optician, a frosty conversation between Nanny and her sister, a plague pit filled with blood, and some musings on what it would be like to transform into a bird...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys...2024-07-2856 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 16: One Good TurnThe sixteenth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which the Master of Revels is roused in the night, the gang reunite at the Sunken Abbey, and Umbrago stays up well past his bed time.Expect to meet Beni's wife, Silkin showing off his new sword, Sally losing her patience, Christopher to find an outlet of sorts, and a jolly nice shindig with Sudwork's finest, Brunhilda and Foxglove included...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy...2024-07-2139 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 15: He Who Fails To PrepareThe fifteenth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which an Archbishop tries to exercise his perversion, Sally and Silkin wend their way home, and Diesirae has a training session with a difference...Expect lamb chops getting short shrift, The Other being seen from a distance (then wisely fled from), and the introduction of a very cool sword...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Se...2024-07-1439 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 14: Strange BedfellowsThe fourteenth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Umbrago is a creep, Diesirae has some alone time, and the good folk of Sudwork once again encounter The Other...Expect a queen mother being terrorized, a bit of body horror blended with some smut, and Brunhilda seizing the moment just as things get a bit out of hand...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer....2024-07-0756 min
The Three Ravens PodcastLocal Legends #11: The LoremenOn this week's episode of Local Legends, Martin gathers round the campfire to talk about the folklore of Middlesex with the hosts of The Loremen Podcast James Shakeshaft and Alasdair Beckett-King.Over seven years ago, when they were fairly early in their careers as stand-up comedians, James and Alasdair found themselves chatting about folklore on a road trip to the South West. After amusing one another in the car, they wondered if the world might like to be in on the joke. So The Loremen was born. Ever since, and across five series...2024-07-061h 17
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 4 Episode 11: MiddlesexOn this week's episode we're headed back to Middlesex, the historic county better known as London, and Martin is telling a whopper of a story, all about the horrors unearthed during the digging of the city's underground... We start off chatting about St Serf and his wild and crazy life, dragon slaying and all, after which we move on to Middlesex!In addition to talking about the Palace of Westminster, the London Stone, and the Temple of Mithras underneath the Bloomberg building, we consider the relative merits of a few options in this week's County...2024-07-011h 54
The Heartless KnavesChapter 13: Preaching To The ConvertedThe thirteenth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Sally and Silkin go to spy on Vestran's carriages, Rooks sends a letter, and Herild welcomes the gang to Formhall.Expect stories of Silkin's childhood, Mooncaller showing reluctance, Nikodemus preaching, Rooks trying to speak to hares, and Sally eating deeply questionable street foods...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Set in a twisted version of...2024-06-301h 04
The Heartless KnavesChapter 12: Without Fear Or FavourThe twelfth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Marco wakes up in a sewer in an unenviable situation, and The Order of the Fens gets down to business.Expect some sinister internal voices, rain, delicious stew, some poop jokes, a bit of Ventricular Sphere action, and Silkin voicing his opinion on his new living arrangements...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Set in...2024-06-2350 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 4 Episode 9: KentOn this week's episode we're headed back to Kent, and Martin is telling a spooky story based on the life of a sinister historic Archbishop of Canterbury... We start off discussing St Nectan, his errant cows, and headless commute back home, after which we venture to Kent!In addition to chatting about Dover Castle, the oldest boat in the world, and the eerie landscape of Romney Marsh, we chew over a tonne of delicious Kent foodstuffs before assembling a tasty-sounding "Dredgerman's Breakfast!"After some folkloric chat about topics including the lost heir to t...2024-06-171h 39
The Heartless KnavesChapter 11: A Change Of HeartThe eleventh chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Diesirae faces up to some uncomfortable truths and Sally undertakes her Second Vow.Expect angry urination, conspiratorial men in hoods, plenty of blood, more than a little magic, and revelation or two about Nanny...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hinges on the ma...2024-06-1651 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 10: Eye Of The BeholderThe tenth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Father Nikodemus acquires a new mount, Brian gets jealous, and Silkin and Rooks head into town.Expect Sally to be annoyed, Griselda the cat to get a bit sarcastic, a creepy executioner and his rather put-upon dolly girlfriend, and a visit to a rather mysterious optician...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Set in a...2024-06-0948 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 4 Episode 7: NottinghamshireOn this week's episode we're headed back to Nottinghamshire, and Martin is telling his take on the legend of Robin Hood!We start off discussing St Elmo, witchfire, and his three rather unpleasant deaths, after which we head to Nottinghamshire.In addition to chatting about Southwell Minster, Newark Castle ruins, and a pretty epic story associated with St Catherine's Well, we then chew over 'Nottinghamshire Pudding' in County Dishes, while also recounting the tangy history of Houses of Parliament Sauce.After some folkloric chat about topics including The Fair Maid of Clifton, The...2024-06-031h 26
The Heartless KnavesChapter 9: In A Velvet GloveThe ninth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Diesirae has a riding lesson, King Umbrago throws his weight around, and Marco's day goes from already very bad to much, much worse...Expect a handsome horse handler, a High Council full of not very nice people, some pears, an unfortunate prison guard, and perhaps the grimmest form of indigestion ever described in fiction.The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no...2024-06-0239 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 8: Hell For LeatherThe eighth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Mildri tans some leather, Rooks acquires some rudimentary footwear, and Silkin gets a snazzy new outfit...Expect a slightly mellower chapter this week, including some stamping in urine, a bit of anxiety, Nanny being mysterious, some corsetry, high heels, and vows for bloody revenge!The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Set in a twisted ve...2024-05-2627 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 4 Episode 5: WarwickshireOn this week's episode we're headed back to Warwickshire, and Martin is telling his take on the legend of Lady Godiva!We start off chatting about St Ethelbert, and the rather severe haircut he received from King Offa of Mercia, after which we wander to Warwickshire!In addition to discussing some parts of Warwickshire that are no longer considered part of the county, including Coventry and Birmingham, along with the likes of Warwick Castle and Stratford Upon Avon, we then debate the merits of a couple of possible County Dishes - Warwickshire Stew and the...2024-05-201h 27
The Heartless KnavesChapter 7: Irons In The FireThe seventh chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Nanny drinks a cup of tea, Rooks explains how he communicates, and Sally feels sidelined...Expect a conversation with a goat, Christopher in fresh trousers, the introduction of several feathered friends, some time at a forge, and Silkin making a new, vicious, rather pointy friend...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Set in a tw...2024-05-1943 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 6: Paint The TownThe sixth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which we reconnect with Marco, guard at the Grey Keep, who's been given the night off...Expect some detective work, several sex workers, pie, gravy, and a little bit of smut.Plus, a rather gribbly monster...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, the story hi...2024-05-1242 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 4 Episode 3: CornwallOn this week's episode, we're headed back to Cornwall, where Martin is telling his take on The Sword in the Stone!We start off chatting about Rogationtide, the ancient festival of 'Beating the Bounds' and appeasing gods to ensure a good harvest. After which we caper to Cornwall!In addition to discussing St Michael's Mount, a whole bunch of paleolithic monuments, and some of the dastardly doings of Aleister Crowley, we talk about Cornish Pasties in County Dishes, and, of course, nod with respect at Stagazey Pie.After some folkloric chat about topics...2024-05-061h 31
The Heartless KnavesChapter 5: The Hand That's DealtThe fifth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Nanny provides lunch, Nikodemus lays down some groundrules, and Silkin and Rooks get a little bit of clarity.Expect Christopher being afraid, Sally taking things in her stride (and doing a bit more stabbing), religious people being shifty, and irreligious people being shiftier still. And, of course, some mutilation...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an an...2024-05-0535 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 4: A Thousand WordsThe fourth chapter of The Pale Princess, in which a painting from a foreign court makes its way to the Grey Keep, enabling Diesirae, the Pale Princess herself, to finally lay eyes on her betrothed.Expect a seedy painter, a silly king, a whole host of new maybe goodies, maybe baddies, and the introduction of the novel's title character...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer....2024-04-2820 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 3: Cheat The WormsThe third chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Christopher, Sally and Father Nikodemus join Nanny, a Grand Mother Superior, to do a spot of make do and mend.Expect a few toots, a little self-flagellation, top-drawer needlework, lots of bewitched leeches, and the resurrection of a pair of our key players...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Set in a twisted version of...2024-04-2141 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 2: A Woman's WorkThe second chapter of The Pale Princess, in which we meet Sally, who, dressed as a washerwoman, sneaks into a very important castle to get up to some well-planned mischief.Cue a little bit of magic, some tip-top larceny, several guards having the wool pulled over their eyes, and a touch of light-to-moderate murder...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Set in a tw...2024-04-1430 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 1: No Rest For The WickedThe first chapter of The Pale Princess, in which Christopher, a young grave-robber, does the midnight bidding of Father Nikodemus, a hoary old priest with a penchant for alchemy, trickery, and long-planned insurrection.Expect lashing rain, thunder, lightning, a flooded plague pit full of corpses, and the inner thoughts of a grumpy horse.The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Set in a twisted ve...2024-04-0725 min
The Heartless KnavesChapter 0: Introducing The Heartless KnavesA warm welcome to the world of The Heartless Knaves, a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast and novel from Martin Vaux.In this short introductory episode, discover the purpose and nature of the project, then sharpen your daggers, prime your crossbow, and prepare to take vengeance.And maybe do some kissing, if there's time...The Heartless Knaves is a new dark fantasy audiobook podcast featuring clever heists, gory scraps, sad bits, saucy bits, murderous nuns, talking donkeys, and an 8-year-old boy king who won’t take no for an answer.Set in...2024-04-0706 min
The Heartless KnavesThe Heartless Knaves TrailerIf you have ever been betrayed, and wanted revenge.If you have ever had your heart cut out, and wanted it back.If you have ever known something was sickeningly wrong, and wanted to wreak havoc in reply, you are one of us.For we are The Heartless Knaves.A new dark fantasy audiobook podcast set in a twisted version of the English Renaissance, Book I, The Pale Princess, launches with Chapter 1: No Rest For The Wicked on Sunday 7th April 2024. So tell your friends. And your enemies. Especially if it's...2024-03-2401 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 3 Episode 12: HertfordshireOn this week's episode, Martin and Eleanor hurry to Hertfordshire, a county of outlaws, ghosts, and really old stuff!After a brief chat about the pagan god Walborga and her regrettable shift into St Walburga, they proceed upstream and dabble in the history and folklore of Hertfordshire. They talk about sites like Hertford Castle, St Alban's Cathedral, and the ancient town of Ware, legends and heroes such as The Wicked Lady, Jack O'Legs, Piers Shonks, the haunted chapel ruins at Minsden, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Martin's telling of "The Blind...2024-02-2659 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 3 Episode 10: LincolnshireIn 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 Woodwose, the river god "Old Muddyface," a Selkie called Jenny Hurn, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main...2024-02-121h 08
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 3 Episode 8: DerbyshireOn 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. Then it's time for the main event: Martin's telling of "The Boggarts of...2024-01-291h 14
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 3 Episode 6: RutlandOn 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 Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning...2024-01-151h 06
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 3 Episode 4: LeicestershireOn 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 telling of "Black Annis."The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore...2024-01-0152 min
The Three Ravens PodcastThe Three Ravens Christmas SpecialDeck 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 tradition, chatting through Anglo Saxon, Tudor, and Stuart ideas of Christmas, and how the festive season was forever...2023-12-251h 06
The Three Ravens PodcastThe Thirteenth StepAs 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 podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin...2023-12-241h 08
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: A Partridge In A Pear TreeIn 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 not just 'part of a juniper tree' but the whole folktale The Juniper Tree...2023-12-2315 min
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: Two Turtle DovesIn 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 reflections about what doves are meant to symbolize...The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast...2023-12-2221 min
The Three Ravens PodcastDying Arts #5: Christmas CraftsIn 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. Let's get crafting!The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning...2023-12-2136 min
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: Three French HensIn 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 off unwanted visitors including the Devil...The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux...2023-12-2118 min
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: Four Colley BirdsIn 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 which culminates in a magical fox begging to be executed!2023-12-2014 min
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: Five Gold RingsFor 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 summon Princes of Hell to do the day job if you fancied going on holiday...2023-12-1912 min
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: Six Geese A-LayingIn 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 podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.Released on...2023-12-1814 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 3 Episode 3: BuckinghamshireOn 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 for the main event: Eleanor's telling of a tale of friendship enduring beyond...2023-12-181h 02
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: Seven Swans A-SwimmingIn 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 line in The Twelve Days of Christmas song...The Three Ravens is an E...2023-12-1716 min
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: Eight Maids A-MilkingIn 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 of Milk" and the Brothers Grimm story "Lean Liza" - all before a brief chat about leaving...2023-12-1613 min
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: Nine Drummers DrummingIn 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 Drummer Boys to The Great War and Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker. Quick march!The...2023-12-1512 min
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: Ten Pipers PipingIn 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 Tale of Marsyas the Faun." The Three Ravens is an English Myth...2023-12-1413 min
The Three Ravens PodcastThree Ravens Bestiary #5: KrampusIn 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 mostly helpful, festive figure.The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers...2023-12-1424 min
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: Eleven Ladies DancingFor 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, and courtly 'processional' dances as favoured by the likes of Elizabeth I, such as the galliard...2023-12-1317 min
The Three Ravens PodcastAdvent 2023: Twelve Lords A-LeapingFor 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 Europe dancing 'til they dropped - literally!The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by...2023-12-1213 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 3 Episode 2: GloucestershireOn 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: Martin's telling of "The Torbarrow Guardian."The Three Ravens is an English Myth...2023-12-111h 11
The Three Ravens PodcastMagic and Medicines #5: DruidsIn 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? The Ogham alphabet? Human sacrifice? The power to summon storms? Eleanor has the answers...2023-12-0748 min
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 3 Episode 1: BedfordshireEleanor 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 time for the main event: Eleanor's telling of "The Bottled Curse."2023-12-041h 13
The Three Ravens PodcastSeries 3 Episode 0: We Wander On...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 Eleanor Conlon.Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one...2023-12-0413 min
The Three Ravens PodcastThe Super Samhain Halloween Special!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 III's edicts about All Saints and All Souls, and much more besides - all before they tell their take on the old...2023-10-3153 min
The Three Ravens PodcastHaunting Season 2023 Episode #4Is 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 Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore...2023-10-301h 15
The Three Ravens PodcastSomething Wicked #4: The Candy ManIn 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 and murderer whose grisly acts on a rainy Halloween night saw him christened both 'The Candy...2023-10-2631 min
The Three Ravens PodcastHaunting Season 2023 Episode #3These 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 Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon. 2023-10-231h 19