The Folklore Podcast

Story: The Unlooked for Prince

Reader: Melissa Daw

Source: Slavonic fairy tale, of Polish origin

Episode produced by Tracy Nicholas

Music composed by Al Seeger

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Fire can be a powerful and sometimes all consuming force. Helpful and dangerous in equal measure, the ability to use fire sets man apart from the animals. It should not be too surprising then that fire features heavily in our folklore and traditions.

This episode looks at aspects of fire within our folklore from around the world, from calendar customs to mythical creatures; old gods to modern practices. Gather round your hearth and learn about the folklore of fire with The Folklore Podcast.

An e-zine supplement for this episode is available to download from our website, where you can also sign up for our free newsletter, listen to past shows and subscribe to the podcast.

Guest reviewer for The Folklore Podcast Book Club, Hilary Wilson, interviews author David Castleton about his book 'Church Curiosities'.

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David's book is available from the publisher at https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/church-...

David's blog can be found at https://www.davidcastleton.net/

Watch the video of this interview at https://youtu.be/tsGqrgDym-A

The stories in our culture are vital to our identity. But, what happens when our history and the stories associated with it are rewritten? How has folklore been used in the past to convey hidden meaning, or weaponised in a power struggle?

Discussing these important cultural points in this episode of the Folklore Podcast is journalist and broadcaster Jane Thynne, author (under the pen-name C.J. Carey) of the novels Widowland and Queen High.

You can visit Jane's website at https://janethynne.com/

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Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman is joined by buildings archaeologist James Wright to explore the different ways in which both high status and the more common buildings were protected from harm by both their builders and their occupants, through the use of ritual marking. The discussion also takes in medieval graffiti along the way.

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon for extra audio and other content, and help to keep the show free to listen to. Visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast