110 episodes

The Three Ravens is an English myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.
Each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more.
Then, and most importantly, we take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...
Our Bonus Episodes are then released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crimes from across history).
Plus, starting April 2024, we're launching a new Bonus Series: Local Legends. Released on Saturdays, each episode is an interview with an acclaimed folklorist, author, podcaster or historian, deepening discussions into that week's county.
We also release a range of exclusive content on Patreon, where supporters enjoy ad-free listening, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, and more.
So, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?
Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast
Get bonus content on Patreon
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Three Ravens Podcast Three Ravens

    • Fiction
    • 4.9 • 35 Ratings

The Three Ravens is an English myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.
Each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more.
Then, and most importantly, we take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...
Our Bonus Episodes are then released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crimes from across history).
Plus, starting April 2024, we're launching a new Bonus Series: Local Legends. Released on Saturdays, each episode is an interview with an acclaimed folklorist, author, podcaster or historian, deepening discussions into that week's county.
We also release a range of exclusive content on Patreon, where supporters enjoy ad-free listening, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, and more.
So, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?
Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast
Get bonus content on Patreon
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Series 4 Episode 2: Somerset

    Series 4 Episode 2: Somerset

    On this week's episode, we're headed back to Somerset, where Eleanor is telling the tale of "The Witch of Wookey Hole."
    We start off chatting about of Saint Endellion's Day - including her curious life of necromancy and milk drinking - after which we saunter back to Somerset!
    In addition to discussing the history of Bath, the Glastonbury Thorn, and the bizarre adventures of King Rud Hud Hudibras, we try not to 'do an Alfred The Great' and burn our Somerset Easter Cakes in County Dishes, and also chew over the delicious legacy of The Sally Lunn Bun.
    After some folkloric chat about topics like the dragon Blue Ben, Stanton Drew stone circle, and a bit of local folk medicine, plus some excerpts from this week's Local Legends interview with delightful podcaster and Somerset local Faerie Folk, it's onto the main event: Eleanor's telling of "The Witch of Wookey Hole."
    Speak to you again on Thursday for our new Three Ravens Bestiary bonus episode all about Dragons!
    The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.
    Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...
    Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crime from across history) plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.
    With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?
    Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast
    Get bonus content on Patreon
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 1 hr 7 min
    Local Legends #1: Kirsty Hartsiotis

    Local Legends #1: Kirsty Hartsiotis

    On this very first episode of Local Legends, Martin gathers round the campfire to chat about Suffolk and so much more with expert storyteller and author of Suffolk Folk Tales Kirsty Hartsiotis.
    A storyteller extraordinaire, described by Three Ravens hero Dr Ronald Hutton as “as good as it gets,” Kirsty is the author of several excellent books, including The Anthology of English Folk Tales, Suffolk Ghost Tales, and Ballad Tales: An Anthology of British Ballad Tales Retold. She has also been in the heritage industry for 30 years, dealing with diverse subjects including decorative and fine art, cemeteries, transport, local history and archaeology. Plus, as if these were not enough strings to her bow, she has degrees in the History of Art, Medieval Studies, and Museum Studies, writes regularly for periodicals and journals, and is the editor of the William Morris Society Journal with an expertise in the Arts & Crafts Movement.
    It's a fascinating conversation, ranging from York's overflowing cemeteries to the Green Children of Woolpit, the many Shucks of East Anglia to fairies, and takes in haunted airfields, drowned cities, and much, much more. We hope you enjoy!
    Learn more about Kirsty and her work here: https://www.kirstyhartsiotis.com/
    The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.
    Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...
    Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crime from across history) plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.
    With a range of exclusive content on Patreon too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?
    Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast
    Get bonus content on Patreon
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 1 hr 10 min
    Magic and Medicines #8: Crystals

    Magic and Medicines #8: Crystals

    Open your chakras, cleanse your biomagnetic sheath, and charge your treasures beneath the light of the moon, for in this Bonus Episode Eleanor offers an introduction to the history of crystal magic - while Martin expresses a bit of skepticism...
    Part of the "Magic and Medicines" series, they start by chatting through the earliest recorded uses of crystals in healing, worship, and for apotropaic purposes, which come to us all the way from Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt. Next they move onto discussions of Ancient Greek, Roman and Eastern systems of belief, discovering which gems and minerals were thought to offer different powers, including such diverse uses as defense in battle and immunity against hangovers!
    Via a range of shimmering treasures, including the Breastplate of Aaron, the diamond throne of Siddhartha, and a whole range of other glittering carbuncles, they explore how tensions in the early Christian church rubbed against these beliefs and were polished through the Medieval and Renaissance eras into very modern-sounding ideas like "Birth Stones" and "Crystal Healing."
    But when does a necklace become an amulet? Or a ring transform into a talisman? And are so-called 'New Age' concepts utterly divorced from scientific notions like computing, ultrasound scanners, and quantum mechanics?
    The answers might surprise you...
    The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.
    Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...
    Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crime from across history) plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.
    With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?
    Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast
    Get bonus content on Patreon
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 46 min
    Series 4 Episode 1: Suffolk

    Series 4 Episode 1: Suffolk

    For the first episode of Series 4, we're headed back to Suffolk in East Anglia.
    We start off with some exciting news, including about Three Ravens Live at Chichester Festival, our new Ghost Story writing competition, and the all-new Three Ravens Book Club. Then it's onto a discussion of St George's Day (23rd April) which is also both Shakespeare's birthday and the day he died! After which, we sally forth, to Suffolk!
    Aside from talking about some fascinating bits of history, such as the impacts of the Normans and the Danes on Suffolk's identity, and some amazing sites and houses like the ruined Abbey of St Edmund, Leiston Abbey, and Helmingham Hall, we also introduce a new feature, County Dishes, and talk about the 11th century lunch snack, the Suffolk Kitchel!
    After some folkloric chat about topics like The Wizard of Ipswich, the Devil's Stone in the churchyard of St Mary's in Bungay, and Suffolk Punches, peppered with a couple of brief excerpts from this week's Local Legends interview with author of the excellent book Suffolk Folk Tales, the amazing Kirsty Hartsiotis, it's onto the main event: Martin's telling of "The Rat Piper of Beccles!"
    We're so excited to be back and are really looking forward to the weeks ahead. Speak to you again on Thursday for our new Magic and Medicines bonus episode about Crystals!
    The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.
    Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...
    Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crime from across history) plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.
    With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?
    Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast
    Get bonus content on Patreon
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 1 hr 31 min
    Series 4 Episode 0: Widdershins

    Series 4 Episode 0: Widdershins

    Eleanor and Martin are back round the campfire for a whole new series - and Year 2 of the podcast!
    In this short episode to introduce Series 4, they explain what Three Ravens is all about for new listeners, and offer a bit of a reflection on their first year. They also chat about some of the tweaks they're making to the Three Ravens formula for their second lap around England's 39 historic counties, and introduce a couple of the new things coming your way in the weeks ahead...
    The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.
    Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...
    Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crime from across history) plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.
    With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?
    Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast
    Get bonus content on Patreon
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 13 min
    Folky Flash Fiction Winners!

    Folky Flash Fiction Winners!

    On this very special episode of Three Ravens, Eleanor and Martin read the seven winning entries from our recent Folky Flash Fiction writing competition.
    Picked from dozens of pieces sent in from all over the world, the Winners are, in no particular order, Lissa with "Worth His Salt," Helen with "The Sleepers," Libby with "The Hatching of Mammy Slack," Dominic with "The Hare's Breath," Alicia with "The Selkie's Daughter," Germaine with "Tide Father" and Sophie with "The Rowan."
    Thank you so much to everyone who entered, we really hope you enjoy our readings of the stories, and well done to all seven of you!
    And next week, we'll be back with Series 4! Gronk gronk!
    The Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.
    Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...
    With Bonus Episodes released on Thursdays (Magic and Medicines about folk remedies and arcane spells, Three Ravens Bestiary about cryptids and mythical creatures, Dying Arts about endangered heritage crafts, and Something Wicked about folkloric true crime from across history) plus a range of exclusive content on Patreon, audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?
    Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast
    Get bonus content on Patreon
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 1 hr 13 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
35 Ratings

35 Ratings

Proffesor Kitty ,

“”Re: “I Am Mary Tudor’

Eleanor , have you read, “I Am Mary Tudor”, by Hilda Lewis? Its a much more nuanced look at Mary’s life and hardships. (I love her mother Katherine of Aragon as well!)
lol I am a Bloody Mariphile too! Let’s start a club! 😄🫶

maeganlane ,

So lovely!

I’m am so engrossed in this podcast! It’s so well structured and they are really artful storytellers.

soft_g ,

Enthralling !

This absolute jewel of a podcast came up as a recommendation in my feed just in time for the Yuletide, after which it was my undiluted pleasure to binge the voluminous back catalogue most of the way through a cross country drive. Martin and Eleanor’s shared enthusiasm for arcane history and lore shines, as do their talents for spinning yarns and captivating delivery of original writing spanning genres from folk and gothic horror to adaptations of traditional or mythic tales and beyond. I love how they generously invite listeners to join in what I imagine to be a lively and wide-ranging fireside conversation- one at which I hope to warm my spirits for many seasons to come! Hands down my favorite imaginary audio friends <3

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