Tales of Britain and Ireland

More little videos - if you want more about Peak district mermaids episode 56 of the podcast is all about them...

I'm adding it to the quotations on the posters right now. "Totally fine" will not be added.

If it helps I feel crumpled inside.

..though unsure if shoe psychopomp exists outside of that source. Mostly its implied you get shoes and trousers if you've given them away.

However I've found it localised to that specific Whinmor in a couple of sources - the most expanded in the WIT, CHARACTER, FOLKLORE
AND CUSTOMS
OF THE
NORTH RIDING OF YORKSHIRE, 1898. I suspect locals did connect the two as I think the dirge was pretty well known..

Thank you, tbh thats mostly it for this one.. the origins are a bit odd. In the Yorkshire funeral song the Lyke-wake Dirge (corpse watch) whinnymoor is mentioned but its probable this was a generic metaphorical whinny (gorse) moor was meant

Oh no! I hate to think!

Somewhat surprising start to the after life in English folklore...

(Always a bit unsure if I should post videos here)

There are many other good reasons to live in Sheffield but this is definitely up there!

WRiting day in local pagan shop/cafe/wonderland @airyfairysheffield.bsky.social
Inside with a fire and a hot drink as the rain falls outside.

First part of Guy nearly done - a story I only intended to do a tiny sliver off but have got so invested I'm doing the whole thing over multiple episodes..

Really enjoyed seeing the Angel of the North up close.

Nice place get an ice cream, briefly discuss who would win in a fight - Statue of Liberty (bigger, fire) or the Angel of the North (can fly, is Northern), and generally reflect on mortality, nostalgia and remembering.

I do enjoy the dissonance in the illustrations of medieval romances and their contents.

The story this is illustrating for instance (spoilers for my upcoming episode) is about war, rape, mass murder, has women forced to eat their husbands and lots more ultra-violence. But it's a happy picture!

this post for people who know both know the owl impression trend and like the Mabinogion. it's a niche audience

#folklore #mythology #mabinogion #owl #owlimpression🦉

Just made a little noise of delight in finding an in story justification as to why one person alone has to fight the dragon in this 17th c version of Guy of Warwick.

Feel a kinship with the author who was clearly just as bothered as I usually am by the question "why don't they just send an army?"

Honestly this is the kind of stuff I tell these stories for.

A great bit in this legend is when the hero enters a tournament to win the hand of the emperor's daughter

He viciously slaughters every single other entrant

Having won her hand tells her and her dad he can't possibly take it cos he's loyal to his true love in England

Leaves.

What a dick. Love it

Working on the next episode today. Here's a hint.

A picture of some Guy in armour rudely interrupting a tender moment between a lion and dragon. What a jerk.

(This is from Twenty years' experience as a ghost hunter, 1917)

When researching Elliot O'Donnell I came across this picture which I particularly enjoy. This is a Canadian ghost, and seems to have been the kind of thing O'Donnell encountered regularly, or was at least told about by others.

His world was absolutely chock full of supernatural horrors it seems.

Oh aoa <3

Also I know someone will have already done this I'm just choosing not to Google it

Brit pop demon hunters where the barrier that prevents the demons coming through is called the wonderwall.

And one of the Gallaghers and Damon Albarn fall in love.

Is this a thing?

Episode 57: The Ghosts of Donaldgowerie House - Tales of Britain and Ireland My retelling of a Ghost Story by Elliot O'Donnell, featuring Scotland, Pipers and a little dash of murder

The festive season is pretty much over so with trademark promptness it's time for my Christmas bonus episode. From the pen of Ghost Hunter Elliott O'Donnell my telling of the very definitely true: The Ghosts of Donaldgowerie house.

Find wherever you get podcasts or on my website.

This spelling mistake cracked me up somewhat.

Talk about one foot in the grave..

(New bonus Christmas episode coming this week)

Appreciated this George and the dragon woodcut at Chester cathedral.

So often the dragon in religious depictions is a poor tiny little iguana size thing I feel sorry for it. Here while not exactly huge it's a decent size and looks helluva fierce. Also appreciate the skull detail in its lair.

One of the things I love about England is how you can stop in a little town and discover something like this.

Not just a greasy pole that people used shin up to win a prize as part of the annual crab fair (decorated for Christmas) but also a notice board explaining it.

Perfect

(Egremont Cumbria)

Stunning sunset at the fort of Mediobogdum.

Deep in the mountains at Hardknott pass it is here the Cumbrian faery King Eveling holds his court.

Standard English day out

Oddly no! The peaks is much more full of them - I've only come across the Derwentwater one and not even sure how old that is. There is the odd lake monster though!

I'm sure I will! Thanks for writing it!

In the Lakes for a holiday and picked up this little wonder by @stephengrae.bsky.social at the lovely @samreadbookseller.bsky.social in Grasmere.

Really looking forward to reading some local tales on a wet December night.