Fairy history, folklore, and belief across two thousand years of European culture: that is what we are diving into today with historian of religion and belief Dr. Francis Young, author of the new book Fairies: A History

Dr. Young holds a doctorate in History from Cambridge University, is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a folklorist, a Balticist, a lay canon of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, and a series editor for Cambridge University Press. He teaches for Oxford University's Department for Continuing Education and broadcasts regularly for BBC Radio on history, religion, and folklore. He is the author, editor, or co-author of over two dozen books.

Fairies: A History is a complete survey of fairy belief from prehistoric animism through the Middle Ages, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and into the present day. In this episode, Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack ask Dr. Young the big questions: What are fairies? Where do they come from? How do fairy beliefs vary across Europe? What is the relationship between fairy folklore and witch trial testimony? And why is fairy belief still very much alive today?

In this episode you will learn:

What exactly is a fairy?
What do fairies want from humans?
How is a fairy different from a ghost, a witch, or an angel?
Why should you never eat food in fairy land?
Where did the fairy godmother really come from?
Have fairies always had wings?
Why do children seem more attuned to fairy belief than adults?
Could fairies be a feature of human consciousness itself?
Are people still seeing fairies today?

Links:

drfrancisyoung.com

Fairies: A History is available for pre-order in our online bookstore

Learn more about witchcraft accusations past and present at endwitchhunts.org and aboutwitchhunts.com

The Thing About Witch Hunts is hosted by Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack.

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Fairy History, Folklore, and Belief with Dr. Francis Young