The name ‘Boudica’ conjures up a range of associations, but most often we perhaps think of a flame-haired warrior standing up to the might of Rome. Freedom fighter, warrior queen, Celtic icon—she’s perhaps all of these things and more. But the length of time between her lifetime and the general lack of primary evidence about…

New Year’s Day has long been a time associated with gift-giving, visiting friends, and attempting to predict the fortunes of the year ahead. Unsurprisingly, it’s also been a time of rituals and superstitions designed to influence the coming year.  Let’s learn about old rituals to improve your luck and prospects in this week’s episode of…

In this second interview-based episode of Fabulous Folklore, I chat to folklorist Mark Norman, host of The Folklore Podcast and author of Dark Folklore! We talk about what may lie behind the resurgence of interest in folklore, why it’s important to preserve folklore, and how can you get involved in collecting folklore yourself. Find Mark’s…

The Grey Man of Ben Macdui appears to haunt the summit of Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms—Scotland’s second-highest mountain. Climbers have reported strange sounds, feelings of dread, and even glimpses of a tall figure in the mist. Who is the Grey Man of Ben Macdui? Is he a yeti, a ghost, an alien…or something else?…

The Will O’ The Wisp appears in a range of tales across the world. With varied names like corpse candles, fox fire, Jenny of the Lantern, and ignis fatuus, it also has a variety of origin stories!  Learn about the range of Will O’ The Wisp types in northern Europe in this week’s episode of…

Spectral black dogs, or Black Shuck, haunt the English countryside. But the stories vary as you travel around. Some dogs are premonitions of disaster, others are linked with the Devil, while some even perform guardian roles. Learn about the range of Black Dog stories in this week’s episode of Fabulous Folklore! Find the images, videos…