Series 4 Episode 8: Oxfordshire

On this week's episode we're headed back to Oxfordshire, and Eleanor is telling a tale drawn from a ghastly 18th century true crime! 

We start off discussing St Olivia of Palermo, who was apparently resistant to boiling oil - if not axe-blows - after which we head to Oxfordshire.

In addition to chatting about Oxford's Civil War heritage, Henry VIII's favourite bathing spot at Ewelme, and the peculiar tradition of 'Christmas Princes,' we then bake ourselves some Banbury Cakes in County Dishes, and debate how practical it really is to wear bells on your toes...

After some folkloric chat about topics including oppressive ghostly clouds near Burford, the Towersey Headless Horsemen, and Martha Warman's deeply unfortunate demise, plus some excerpts from this week's Local Legends interview with Oxfordshire local and host of The History of England Podcast David Crowther, it's onto the main event: Eleanor's story "The Taste of Lightning" which is based on the infamous crimes of Mary Blandy.

Speak to you again on Thursday for our new Something Wicked bonus episode all about murderer and sorceress La Voisin - and, if you're a supporter, our Patreon Exclusive episode for June, which is all about The Folklore of Plants!

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

Three Ravens is a myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.

In each Monday episode we explore a historic county, digging into heritage, folklore and traditions, then we tell a new version of a legend from that county. Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays and Saturdays.

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