This week on Local Legends Martin is chatting with author, historian and globally-renowned fairy expert Dr Simon Young.

After training as a Medieval Historian, Simon gradually became a 'Supernaturalist' - someone who spends a lot of time collecting and comparing data, often from historical sources, detailing interactions between human beings and the supernatural.

From boggarts to fairies, Simon's research and several wonderful books have identified a number of changes in beliefs over time - not least the point at which fairies suddenly grew wings.

Fairytales meanwhile are a whole other thing, and not something Simon has spent much time with since his own childhood.

So, what does the fairy expert recognise and respond to in the stories of the Red Fairy Book of Nora and Andrew Lang?

Which are his favourite stories from the set, and why?

Moreover, what else might these 'tales' be doing, as distinct from 'legends' about similar subjects?

We very much hope that you enjoy the conversation, and will speak to you again on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday this coming week - as per usual!

Read Simon's British Mythology Substack: https://britishmythology.substack.com/

Complete the Fairy Census: https://www.fairyist.com/survey/

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?

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