MAP89: British Myths & Legends with Amy Jeffs

MAP89: British Myths & Legends with Amy Jeffs

Author: The Archivist February 28, 2024 Duration: 37:31

Medievalist and Art Historian Dr. Amy Jeffs joins the show to discuss her books  Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain and Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain

In Amy’s first book, Storyland she examines the origins of Britain from Noah’s flood to the Norman invasion. And there are some good stories to tell, including the incredible story of Albina, who ruled Britain, was seduced by demons and gave birth to a race of giants.

In her second book titled Wild takes you on a journey from desolation to hope. Through seven chapters of insightful reflection she is able to retell stories from medieval texts with vivid descriptions and unique perspectives.

One of the standout elements of both books are the illustrations which Amy created. Listen to the episode to find out how she created them and how the creation process helped her through the lock-down, quarantine we all dealt with.

You can find Amy Jeffs online at: Twitter/X & Instagram

You can buy Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain and Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain on Amazon.

  • (00:08) - Welcome to another episode
  • (01:35) - Amy Jeffs Interview
  • (01:56) - Amy's start into medieval history
  • (05:55) - The origins of Storyland
  • (13:33) - Favorite origin Story?
  • (14:50) - Albina, demons and the brith of giants
  • (17:57) - Let's get Wild
  • (25:54) - Creating the illustrations.
  • (29:34) - Bonus content in the audio books
  • (33:09) - New Book? Stay Tuned!
  • (34:42) - Amy's contact information and social media accounts
  • (35:09) - Thank you Amy for a great talk!
  • (35:33) - Support the podcast! Share with your friends and donate now.
  • (36:18) - Thanks for listening
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Intro music provided by Tim Rayburn. It is available at Magnatune.com


Step into the world of Medieval Archives, where host The Archivist guides you through the sprawling, complex landscape of a thousand-year era. This isn't just a parade of dates and famous names. Instead, each episode is a deep exploration, peeling back the layers of popular legend to examine the tangible realities of medieval life. You'll hear about the strategic calculations behind what we call epic battles, the fragile alliances within courtly intrigue, and the quiet rhythms of survival in villages far from castle walls. The podcast is built on a foundation of historical evidence, carefully separating enduring fact from compelling fiction. By focusing on the people-from monarchs and saints to merchants and peasants-and the beliefs that guided them, the narrative connects these distant events to our understanding of today. Whether discussing the rise of a kingdom, the fall of a dynasty, or the evolution of a simple tool, the aim is to provide context and clarity. Tune in for a thoughtful, accessible journey that treats history not as a static record but as a continuous, human story. The medieval world was one of profound transformation, and this series seeks to illuminate how it was truly lived, felt, and shaped by those who were there.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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