For our first episode of the Three Ravens Bestiary for 2026, we're talking all about Centaurs and Pegasus!

We begin in Dark Age Greece, way back before Homer, when horse-riding cavalry suddenly became a factor in human life. Representations in art leave us in no doubt - the combination of a horse with a man makes for a terrifying foe, though that's only the start of the story.

Starting with Homer, developed by Hesiod, expanded upon by Pindar, then reinterpreted by Ovid, Centaurs graduate from fearful, lusty, xenophobic savages to become something else - a version of human beings, though unable to restrain their animalistic urges.

From Cheiron, the wise and noble mentor to many an Ancient Greek hero, on through to C.S. Lewis and J.K. Rowling, we are left in a place where now we have to wonder what ought a Centaur be a symbol for, if anything at all?

Then we switch our focus to the primal flying wonder-horse and father of horsekind, Pegasus, who is born out of his mother's neck, has a non-identical twin brother we don't talk about, and who perhaps got a bit carried away himself during escapades with Bellerophon, Prince of Corinth.

As always, expect lots of nerdy references to dead people and things, a few digressions to talk about, for example, whether horses are innately shifty, and plenty more besides - so bring your Golden Bridle and let's giddyup!

Speak to you again on Saturday for Eleanor's Local Legends interview about Glamorganshire with author, folklorist and storyteller Cath Little!

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 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

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For today's episode, we're venturing to the south of Wales to historic Glamorganshire.

We talk about the county's very ancient life, including the discovery of the oldest bones in Western Europe, and its development into industrial glory, and later, industrial depression.

Glamorganshire is a real treasure trove of folklore, from extremely stabby fairies to helpful ghosts and suspiciously nice snakes. We dabble in a bit of local love magic, and go hunting with Mallt y Nos and her pack of hellhounds.

Trundling in our rickety mine cart down into the copper works of the past, we stop off for Eleanor's story, "A Peculiar Thirst," a tale of a trip which takes an unexpected turn.

We hope that you enjoy the episode, and will speak to you again on Thursday with a brand new episode of the Three Ravens Bestiary all about Centaurs!

Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.

Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, 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...

Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays 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

REGISTER FOR THE TALES OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND TOUR

Visit our website

Join our Patreon

Social media channels and sponsors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Valentine's Day, so it's the perfect time to try out a little love magic!

That's why we invited Dr Icy Sedgwick, author of Bring Me Love: Finding and Keeping Love Using Divination and Folk Magic, to come and chat to us all about love spells, cunning folk and ways to dream about your destined lover.

It's a great chat, involving magical subscription services, cheese-based romantic decision making, and the surprisingly shocking practice of gathering kale to predict the kind of relationship you might have.

Icy is a writer, folklorist and host of the Fabulous Folklore podcast, and Bring Me Love is the latest in a series of great books including Rebel Folklore and Ghostlore.

We're running a giveaway until the end of February to win a copy of the book, so don't forget to enter on social media!

We will speak to you again on Monday, for a new episode all about the history and folklore of Glamorganshire!

The Three Ravens is a Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.

Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on a historic county, exploring the heritage, 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 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

REGISTER FOR THE TALES OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND TOUR

Visit our website

Join our Patreon

Social media channels and sponsors

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.