On this week's episode of Three Ravens we're off to Essex, exploring the history and folklore of a county that has everything. Apart from mountains...

We start off discussing April Fool's Day, which has a surprisingly long legacy, after which we embark for Essex!

We begin by talking about a bunch of strange historical quirks in the county, including lots of things to do with ponds - ones in which dead pirates have oak trees growing out of their chests, or where, for centuries, people have been drawn out into Epping Forest to end their own lives, or the one where Matthew Hopkins, Witch Finder General, began his reign of terror ducking witches. All before Martin gets salty, jammy, and slightly fishy in pursuit of this week's County Dish...

Next, we dig into some folklore, including six different dragon legends, a contender for the title of 'England's Most Haunted House,' Ralph of Coggeshall and more, all informed by some excerpts from Saturday's upcoming Local Legends interview with Ailsa Clarke and Bethan Briggs-Miller, hosts of the brilliant Eerie Essex podcast.

Then it's on to the main event: Martin's telling of "The Rage of Boudica." So, if you're even partway Roman, you'd best start running now!

We really hope you enjoy the episode, and we will be back on Thursday with a new Magic and Medicines bonus episode about Leech Books and Early Medical Texts, all before the full interview with Ailsa and Bethan comes out on Saturday!

The 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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