In this Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor discuss the immortal fire-bird of legend, the phoenix!

Part of the "Three Ravens Bestiary" bonus series, they start by unpacking the earliest known references to the phoenix via Hesiod, Herodotus and Pliny The Elder, then start to draw connections between those early works and the Phoenicians, Christian writing, Victorian fantasy fiction, and similar creatures from other cultures including the Ancient Egyptian god Bennu, the Chinese Fenghuang, and the Konrul of Mongol myth.

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On this week's episode, Eleanor and Martin sojourn in Surrey, a county whose borders have changed in every direction over time.

After discussing Saint Felix and St Regula and the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, they raise their blue and gold banners and charge into the history and folklore of Surrey - from Hampton Court and Reigate's Barons' Caves to the Silent Pool, the Buckland Shag, Mother Ludlum and the Devil's Jumps, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Eleanor's telling of "The Tale of Blanche Heriot."

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In this Bonus Episode, Eleanor and Martin offer solutions to try if you've been hexed!

Part of the "Magic and Medicines" series, they briefly discuss the history and logic of curses and offer examples from tablet fragments excavated from the hot springs at the Roman shrine to Sulis in Bath, then dig into a set of case studies: what do you do if you've been hexed with prickling pains, or are a fisherman who can't net a catch, or you have been 'overlooked' by a witch and can't catch a break? Between the prudent use of black salt, the art of capturing shadows, unsavoury acts involving toads, and more, fear not: Eleanor's got your back!

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On this week's episode, Martin and Eleanor bustle to Berkshire, the "Royal County," and tell the tale of "Herne the Hunter."

After chatting through a raft of folk festivals taking place this week, including Nutting Day, the Hop Hoodening, and Colchester's Barnet Fair, they cut to the chase and explore the history and folklore of Berkshire - from Windsor Castle and the Headless Ghost of Hampden Pye to the tale of the Vicar of Bray, the Blind Woodcutter of Bruelle, the origins of the Order of the Garter, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Martin's telling of "Herne the Hunter."

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In this Bonus Episode, Martin and Eleanor explore the dark life of Elizabeth Bathory, the "Blood Countess."

Part of the "Something Wicked" series, they discuss the 16th century penchant for stories of witches, magicians and the occult, the context in which Bathory lived in Renaissance Hungary, her "Black Knight" husband, and the litany of crimes which earned Bathory the title of "Most Prolific Female Serial Killer in History..."

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On this week's episode of The Three Ravens Podcast, Eleanor and Martin head to Huntingdonshire, a historic county latterly absorbed into Cambridgeshire.

With the episode released on both Apple Pie Day and St Augustine of Hippo's Day, they discuss the duties of an Apple Pie Princess and commiserate over the lack of hippo saints, then light their lamps and illuminate the history and folklore of Huntingdonshire - from The Witch of Warboys and the ghosts of Hinchingbrooke House to George Walpole's deeply eccentric pleasure cruise of 1774, the ancient Straw Bear festival, legends of the Fen Tiger, and much more besides. Then it's time for the main event: Eleanor's telling of "The Lantern Men."

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In 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...

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On 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."

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In 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...

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On 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."

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