The Wanderer Anglo Saxon History, mythology, Folklore and religion

The Wanderer Anglo Saxon History, mythology, Folklore and religion

Author: Frank Docherty Language: English Episodes: 87
Frank Docherty hosts The Wanderer, a podcast that moves through the deep forests and mead halls of early medieval England. This isn't a dry recitation of dates, but an exploration of how people thought, believed, and told stories. You’ll hear discussions on the foundational myths and local spirits that populated the Anglo-Saxon world, understanding how folklore was woven into daily life. The conversation naturally extends to the complex religious landscape, from the old gods to the coming of Christianity, and how these forces collided and merged. History provides the anchor, examining the society and events that formed the backdrop for everything else. Listening to this podcast feels like uncovering layers of a rich tapestry, where a heroic poem, a pagan ritual, and a historical king might all be connected. Each episode aims to make the distant past feel tangible and relevant, exploring the wisdom and the weirdness of a foundational era. The goal is to provide a thoughtful, nuanced perspective that goes beyond the stereotypes, all while appreciating the haunting beauty of the language and ideas left behind. It’s for anyone curious about the roots of stories and the echoes of a world that still subtly shapes our own.
Episodes
Mallorca [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:16
Medieval Mallorca1346Jaume Ferrer, Mallorcan navigator set sail on 10th August to sail along the coast of Africa to Senegal and, perhaps, even to Niger. His journey is depicted in the Catalan Atlas.1348 Palma was devasta…
Mythology of the Anglo Saxons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:48
The Anglo-Saxons believed in supernatural creatures such as Elves and Dwarves and giants ("Etins") who often brought harm to men. It is likely that they believed in Wyrd (German "werden"), usually translated as "fate," a…
Eadric Streona (Traitor) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:39
Eadric Streona, (“The Acquisitor”) Eadric also spelled Edric, (died 1017), ealdorman of the Mercians, who, though a man of ignoble birth, was advanced to the revived office of ealdorman by the English king Ethelred II wh…
Hel and her Kingdom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:23
Hel and her kingdom In Germanic mythology, Hel is a figure associated with the realm of the dead, also known as Helheim. Hel is the daughter of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angrboda. She is described as having…
Loki, Yggdrasil and the Fenris wolf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:26
I realise tat Loki isnt part of the Anglo Saxon Pantheon, but I felt is is only right to remember him when we can. The Fenris wolf is also a good subject to talk about, as ihe is one of the most destructive beings in the…
Heathenry and Wyrd [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:14
Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, also known as Anglo-Saxon paganism or Anglo-Saxon polytheism, is a modern reconstructionist pagan religion that seeks to revive and reconstruct the pre-Christian spiritual beliefs and practices of…
Heathenry and Weregild [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:14
Anglo-Saxon Heathenry and the future Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, also known as Anglo-Saxon paganism, is a modern revivalist movement that seeks to reconstruct the religious and cultural practices of the pre-Christian Anglo-Sa…
The Anglo Saxon Sword and Shield [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:35
The most famous Old English battle poem, The Battle of Maldon, commemorates a very different sort of conflict: a battle that took place in 991 during which the ealdorman of Essex, Byrhtnoth, allowed his ofermod (‘pride’…
Fire Giants and a reading list [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:49
Muspelheim is a realm in Norse and Germanic mythology and is one of the Nine Worlds that make up the universe. It is located in the south and is often described as the world of fire. The name Muspelheim comes from the Ol…
Warriors and Valhalla [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:30
In Anglo-Saxon mythology, Valhalla is a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard, one of the Nine Realms. It is ruled over by the god Woden, and is the destination of the souls of warriors who die in battle, known as ei…