Churchyard grims, stacked graves and Judgement Day. How did English graveyards changed in England between the medieval and Victorian eras? Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyandfolklorepodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/historyandfolklore Twitter: @HistoryFolklore Facebook: www.facebook.com/historyandfolklorepodcast Transcript There pass, wi…

Cosmic reindeer, giants, goats and child-eating cats. Listen to some tales about the creatures that stalk the night over the Yule and Christmas period, and learn a few techniques to protect yourself from them.By Holly Medland

This month we look into the history of alchemy and the worldview and aims of early alchemists. Find out how metal gets married, why poisons are good and how humans reflect the entire universe. Transcript: ‘From a man and a woman make a circle, then a square, then a triangle, finally a circle, and you will obtain the philosopher’s stone.’ Hello, wel…

This month we look into the history and folklore of fog including the four (or five) elements, dragons, gods and the dangers that lurk in the mist. For more history and folklore content: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyandfolklorepodcast Instagram: www.instagram.com/historyandfolklore Twitter: @HistoryFolklore Facebook: www.facebook.com/his…

The Wild Hunt is a band of ghost warriors, witches or demons that stalk through the dark nights skies. But where do these tales originate? The answer might be more varied than you expect. This is a bonus episode for the Aloreing Podcast's Hallowe'en playlist. This playlist that will be updated through October with lots of Hallowe'en themed lore fro…

In this episode we look into the origins of vampire mythology, learn how to properly accomplish the art of dying, discover why you should not answer strange voices in the night and find out what happens when you are buried alive with a reanimated corpse. For more history and folklore content: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyandfolklorepodca…

This month's episode is all about oak trees. There are tales of black doves and thunder gods, superstitions to protect you from aging and lightning and an exploration into how oak trees can help give us a sense of belonging. For more history and folklore content: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/historyandfolklorepodcast Instagram: www.instagram.co…

In this episode we will be looking at the history, folklore and mythology surrounding spinning and weaving. Hear about Valkyries weaving bloody tapestries, how the sun is linked to spinning , why it is advisable to rest sometimes and what terrible things may befall you if you don't. Sources: Christopher Dyer, 'Making a Living in the Middle Ages: Th…

For thousands of years people have watched the Aurora Borealis with awe, fear and wonder and told stories to explain what created them. In this episode we look into the tales of whales and frozen swans, fires and lamps, valkyries and the spirits of the dead to see how people in the past understood the Northern Lights. Sources Aurora Zone, 'Mytholog…

Maps from Medieval Europe are littered with strange lands, monsters and mythical races. On them you can find the Tower of Babel, the Minotaur's Labyrinth, unicorns and men with the heads of dogs. Find out what these maps can tell us about how medieval European's saw the world in the latest episode of the History and Folklore Podcast. Sources: B.L G…

Learn about the mysterious subterranean world of the mines. Why are birds bad luck? What should you do when you forget your lunch? And what is that mysterious knocking noise? Sources: Anastasia Bogdonova, 'The Strange Rituals and Superstitions of Russian Miners' https://www.minexforum.com/en/the-strangest-rituals-and-superstitions-of-russian-miners…

Discover the folklore that surrounds yew trees on the British Isles. Why are so many yew trees found in churchyards, why do the yews at Nevern bleed and why should you not visit Llangernyw churchyard on Haloween? Sources Ali Isaac, 'Tree Lore in Irish Mythology' https://www.aliisaacstoryteller.com/post/tree-lore-in-irish-mythology-guardians-of-the-…

We all know trolls from Frozen, the Lord of the Rings and those strange troll dolls we had as kids, but what were the original trolls like? What do they look like? What do they do? And would you ever want to meet one? Find out by discovering the history and folklore of trolls. Sources 'Beast and Man: Realism and the Occult in Egils Saga' by Armann …

A look at European changeling myths including what changelings are, the folklore surrounding them and the historic cases behind the tales. This episode includes a story by the brilliant DD Storyteller. Go to ww.ddstoryteller.co.uk for more of her work. For more history and folklore facts and stories, please follow me on: Instagram: www.instagram.co…

Part 2 of Folk-a-pa-lore-za! You've heard the stories now discover the winning tale! Apologies for my audio in this episode. It was recorded via zoom and I haven't yet purchased a microphone. It doesn't affect it too much as everyone else's is great. Links to the podcasts taking part: House of Legends: https://www.houseoflegends.me/podcast Tales of…

A slightly different episode this week as I joined eleven other folklore podcasters to the battle of our favourite piece of folklore. We have parrots and vampires, ghosts and devils and so much more. In this episode we listen to the stories and next week we discuss and the participating podcasters vote for their favourite. Who do you think will win…

The history, stories and folklore of seaweed in the British Isles. Apologies for the sound quality at the end. I recorded the last few points on a separate day and had a cold. Sources Asala, J., Celtic Folklore Cooking (1998). Bane, T., Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology (2010). Daniels, C.L. and Stevens, C.M., Encyclopaedia of Superstitions, Folklo…

In this episode we will be looking at the changing perceptions of colour in medieval England. What significance did colour have in the middle ages? Did they see colour in the same way as we do today and what evidence can we use to find out? Sources used in this episode: Barley, N. F., 'Old English Colour Classifications: Where Do Matters Stand?' An…

What are house spirits? How do you get one, how do you look after it and why does nobody seem to have one anymore? Find out in this episode of the History and Folklore Podcast. Sources: Aveela, Ronesa, 'A Study of Household Spirits of Eastern Europe' (2018). The Fearie Folk Podcast: The Helpful Hob and the Mysterious Merman of the North Yorkshire M…

In this episode we are joined by Mark Norman, folklore researcher and writer, host and creator of the Folklore Podcast and author of 'Telling the Bees and Other Customs: The Folklore of Rural Crafts.' In this interview we will be discussing his new book, rock painting, syrup and mills that mysteriously turn round. If you would like to buy your own …

In this episode of the podcast we will be looking at the mythology and origin of selkies. This episode includes a selkie story by the marvellous DD Storyteller. To find more of her work, please visit her website: www.ddstoryteller.co.uk For more information about upcoming episodes and odd history and folklore facts please follow me on: Facebook: ww…

Twitter: twitter.com/historyfolklore Instagram: instagram.com/historyandfolklore Patreon: patreon.com/historyandfolklorepodcast Discover the folklore behind hawthorn trees in early medieval Europe. How are hawthorns connected to the dead? Why is it dangerous to bring them inside? Can I say thrimethylamine? (no). I had a bit of an issue with the sou…

Big Al at the Winchester says wolves can't look backwards. Discover other strange medieval folk beliefs and attitudes towards wolves based on folk tales, fables and medieval bestiaries. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/historyandfolklorepodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyandfolklore/ Transcript: The Wolf and the Lamb A wolf saw …

The first episode of History and Folklore Podcast looking at how Anglo-Saxons viewed elves and how to heal a disease caused by elf-shot. Transcript: For a sudden stitch:They were loud, yes loud when they rode over the land, THey were fierce when they rode over the land. Shield yourself now, that you may escape this evil. Out, little spear, if herei…