After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

Join Russ Williams, author and expert in Welsh folklore, as he unravels the enchanting yet eerie tales of Wales. Discover the mythical origins of the Red Dragon on the national flag and the haunting legends of the Cŵn Annwn, the hounds of the otherworld. Explore the quirky tradition of the Mari Lwyd, a festive horse’s skull bringing cheer at Christmas. Learn how Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks intersects with Welsh myth, making this a captivating journey through history, culture, and the darker corners of Welsh storytelling.

Cecily Gilligan, an expert on Irish folk remedies and author of 'Cures of Ireland', delves deep into the eerie tales of changelings and their chilling impact on families in 19th century Ireland. She discusses the haunting story of Bridget Cleary, who fell victim to these dark beliefs. The conversation also explores cursing stones and the revival of traditional Irish cures, showcasing how folklore intertwines with cultural identity and the healing practices still alive today. Unearth the shadows lurking behind folklore and its profound significance.

Alice Arden wanted her husband Thomas dead. So did the rest of the village of Faversham. What followed was a twisted dance of passion, poison, insane plots and dastardly assassins. A tale so macabre that it became a true crime sensation in its own day.Returning to help tell the story is Dr Blessin Adams whose new book Thou Savage Woman: Female Killers in Early Modern Britain is out now.Edited by Tomos Delargy. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

Donald Smith, founding director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre and an expert in folklore, takes listeners on a thrilling dive into Scotland's dark myths. He brings to life the enigmatic Cailleach, the dangerous Kelpies, and the poignant tales of Selkies caught between worlds. Smith reveals the deep-rooted connections between these stories and nature, stressing their moral lessons on respect and redemption. He also uncovers the fate of Janet Boyman, a healer unjustly accused of witchcraft, highlighting the cultural clash of ancient wisdom against oppressive laws.

In this discussion, Dr. Conor Mulvagh, a Lecturer in Irish History at University College Dublin, dives into the Easter Rising of 1916, a pivotal moment that ignited Irish nationalism. He explores the audacious strategies of the rebels and their desperate fight against British forces. The conversation reveals the profound impact on civilians and highlights the often-overlooked roles of women in the movement. Additionally, Mulvagh connects Ireland's struggle for independence to global revolutionary movements, emphasizing its lasting legacy in contemporary discussions on imperialism.

Join historian Joshua Teplitsky from the University of Pennsylvania as he dives into the dark legacy of the Black Death. He uncovers how this devastating plague led to the horrific scapegoating of Jewish communities, particularly the violent accusations in Strasbourg. Teplitsky reveals the dangerous intersection of fear and authority, where institutionalized anti-Semitism thrived. The discussion not only highlights the tragic consequences of these events but also emphasizes themes of resilience and communal support during times of crisis.

Dr. Conor Mulvagh, a lecturer in Irish History at University College Dublin, dives into the fascinating build-up to the 1916 Easter Rising. He discusses how the turmoil of World War I created a ripe opportunity for revolution. Key figures like Patrick Pearse and Constance Markievicz emerge as pivotal players, with women’s contributions highlighted in this struggle for independence. Mulvagh unpacks the secretive strategies of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and the political tensions that set the stage for this historic rebellion.

It was a plague like no other. It provoked strange cures like no other. Anthony Delaney takes Maddy Pelling in search of the oddest cures concocted in the face of the Black Death, busting a few myth along the way (sorry Plague Doctor, but you're in the wrong century).Edited by Max Carrey. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

(Part 2/2) Joan of Arc, mystic leader of a French army, was captured and sold to the English who tried her as a witch. What do the final days of this iconic figure tell us? With so much myth swirling around her, how can we get at the real Joan d'Arc?Produced by Stuart Beckwith. Edited by Tomos Delargy. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

Around 50% of everyone in Europe died during the Black Death. It's very hard to make sense of that. What did it look and feel like to live through this calamity?Today Maddy Pelling and Anthony Delaney are joined by historian Helen Carr whose new book Sceptred Isle: A New History of the Fourteenth Century is out in May.Produced by Freddy Chick. Edited by Tomos Delargy. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.