

The Three Ravens Podcast
Three Ravens
Three Ravens is an English myth and folklore podcast hosted by Eleanor Conlon and Martin Vaux.In each weekly episode, released on Mondays, we explore a historic county, digging into the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Across our first six series we ventured around England's 39 historic counties twice, taking turns to tell a new version of a legend from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it may 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, Forgotten Melodies about folk song types with original performances from us, and Magus, which is about the lives of the most famous witches and wizards in history).On Saturdays, we then release episodes of our interview series Local Legends, with each episode featuring a chat between us and an acclaimed folklorist, author, podcaster or historian, deepening discussions about that week's county.In between series, since March 2025 we have also launched our Lang Fairy Tale Project, for which we are recording and releasing the 700+ stories collected by English academics and authors Nora and Andrew Lang, published in over a dozen volumes from the end of the 19th century and changing children's literature forever.With entire other Bonus Series to enjoy, including our comic retelling of the legend of Gawain and the Green Knight, original narratives such as our upcoming series Dog Days about the supernatural adventures of young playwright Christopher Marlowe in Elizabethan London, and our annual Haunting Season every October, there's tonnes of fun to be had in our back catalogue of over 300 episodes. In addition to which, we also release a range of exclusive content on Patreon, where supporters also enjoy ad-free listening, including monthly 'One Off' episodes covering a range of folky topics, editions of the Three Ravens Newsletter, and over two-dozen episodes of the Three Ravens Film Club, through which we discuss folk horror films from across the decades, and more.For a guide of where to start, click here - but our advice is to just pick an episode that sounds interesting, then hit 'Play' and join us around the campfire to listen in...Three Ravens Series 7 will launch in September 2025, and will be all about the heritage and legends of the 13 historic counties of Wales. For press or collaboration inquiries or learn more about our book, published in hardback by The History Press, and the podcast in general, visit our website. Join our Patreon here, and find links to our social media channels and sponsor Three Spirit Drinks here. Use Voucher Code THREERAVENS for a 15% discount. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 24, 2023 • 18min
Dying Arts #2: Vellum and Parchment Making
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingIn this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin talk about the dying art of vellum making.Part of the "Dying Arts" series, they discuss the differences between vellum and parchment, describe the processes involved in turning animal skin into stationery, and show a little love to a critically endangered craft with only two professionals practitioners currently active in the UK today - despite it historically being the most reliable way of retaining writing, outside of carving words into stone...Learn more about The Three Ravens Podcast at www.threeravenspodcast.com and join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/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.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 21, 2023 • 52min
Series 2 Episode 7: Devon
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingOn this week's episode, Martin and Eleanor decamp to Devon and tell the tale of "The Hairy Hands of Dartmoor."After a nod to Grasmere's traditional Sports Festival and St Philibert's Day, they bomb down the Atlantic Highway to Devon and explore its history and folklore - from Kents Cavern and the Ottery St Mary Tar Barrel celebrations to tales of Old Crockern, pony-riding faeries, the legends of Crazywell Pool, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Martin's telling of "The Hairy Hands of Dartmoor."Learn more about The Three Ravens Podcast at www.threeravenspodcast.com and join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/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.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 17, 2023 • 23min
Three Ravens Bestiary #2: Banshees
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingIn this Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor discuss the uncanny history and folklore of Banshees.Part of the "Three Ravens Bestiary" bonus series, they leaf through historical sources, including the 12th century Triumph of Turlough and The Book of the Dun Cow, before chatting about the links between banshees and Irish national folk traditions, including keening, the banshee's links to the Morrigan, accounts of her tortured wail, and offer advice to avoid getting a cursed comb chucked through your window...Learn more about The Three Ravens Podcast at www.threeravenspodcast.com and join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/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.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 14, 2023 • 48min
Series 2 Episode 6: Westmoreland
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingOn this week's episode of The Three Ravens Podcast, Eleanor and Martin gallop to Westmoreland, a western part of Cumbria.With the episode released on St Arnulf's Day, they discuss his wolf-hampered hermitude and life of drink, then hop onto horseback to explore the history and folklore of Westmoreland - from Kendal Mint Cake and the curse of Calgarth Hall to the malicious fairies of the Old Man of Coniston, the secret lake of Podnet Tarn, the mythic tragedy of Aira Force Fells, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Eleanor's telling of "The Witch of Westmoreland."Learn more about The Three Ravens Podcast at www.threeravenspodcast.com and join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/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.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 10, 2023 • 24min
Magic and Medicines #2: Love Spells
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingIn this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin discuss the morally and... well, literally sticky tradition of Love Spells.Part of the "Magic and Medicines" series, they chat about the morality of love spells, how people view love magic today versus how they saw it in the past, and explore a series of examples from Ancient Greece and Egypt right through the Middle Ages to today - including some cutting edge science dedicated to creating synthetic love potions in modern laboratories!Learn more about The Three Ravens Podcast at www.threeravenspodcast.com and join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/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.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 7, 2023 • 56min
Series 2 Episode 5: Cambridgeshire
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingOn this week's episode of The Three Ravens Podcast, Martin and Eleanor journey to Cambridgeshire - and make a fuss about Peterborough for once!After a brief chat about Dog Days and the portentous movements of the heavens, they dig into the flooded fenlands of Cambridgeshire and explore its history and folklore - from Flag Fen and The Round Church to tales of the Shug Monkey, The Lantern Men, Tom Hickathrift, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Martin's telling of "Hereward The Wake."Learn more about The Three Ravens Podcast at www.threeravenspodcast.com and join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/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.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 3, 2023 • 21min
Something Wicked #1: The Werewolf of Bedburg
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingIn this Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor discuss the ghastly crimes of Peter Stumpp.Part of the new "Something Wicked" series, they discuss the centuries-long period known as The European Werewolf Panic, the horrific means whereby Peter Stumpp was executed, the even more horrific things he did to deserve such a grisly end, and chew over other tidbits including succubi, cannibalism and transformative magic garments.Learn more about The Three Ravens Podcast at www.threeravenspodcast.com and join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/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.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 31, 2023 • 54min
Series 2 Episode 4: Worcestershire
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingOn this week's episode of The Three Ravens Podcast, Eleanor and Martin wend their way to Worcestershire, home of the famous sauce which, turns out, is made from fermented fish!With the episode released on St Neot's Day, they discuss his life of crow conversion and fox frustration, chat about Lughnasa, then paddle down the River Severn to explore the history and folklore of Worcestershire - from black pears and haunted priest holes to the Witch of Pebworth, the faeries of Osebury Rock, the Curse of Raggedstone Hill, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Eleanor's telling of "The Legend of the Swan."Learn more about The Three Ravens Podcast at www.threeravenspodcast.com and join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/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.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 27, 2023 • 23min
Dying Arts #1: Weaving
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingIn this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin talk about the ancient craft of weaving...Part of the new "Dying Arts" series, they discuss the Radcliffe Red List, what weaving is, find surprising links between goddesses like Athena and Frigg and Artificial Intelligence, and explore the 28,000-year history of a craft we all take for granted.Learn more about The Three Ravens Podcast at www.threeravenspodcast.com and join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/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.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 24, 2023 • 59min
Series 2 Episode 3: Northamptonshire
VOTE FOR THE THREE RAVENS PODCAST IN THE BRITISH PODCAST AWARDS HERE: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingOn this week's episode of The Three Ravens Podcast, Martin and Eleanor explore Northamptonshire, the "county of squires and spires."With the episode released the day before both St Christopher's Day and St James' Day, they talk dog-headed warrior monks and fortuitous oyster shucking before catching a canal boat to Northamptonshire to explore its history and folklore - from the Great Fire of Northampton and Rushton Triangular Lodge to tales of drumming wells, witches flying on pigs, and lots of ghosts! Then it's time for the main event: Martin's telling of "The Hexham Heads."Learn more about The Three Ravens Podcast at www.threeravenspodcast.com and join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/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.Visit our website Join our Patreon Social media channels and sponsors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.