While we all know the tale of the Yeoman archer who defied Prince John, did he actually exist? From Sherwood Forest to Robin Hood’s Bay, the North of England is full of claims to his story but with so many places claiming Robin as their own, how can we be sure who the real ‘man in tights’ was?

The earliest mentions appear in 1377 but the details don’t always match the legend. Did he rob the rich to give to the poor? Maybe not! Was he King Richard’s contemporary? That may not be the case.

Listen to our latest episode and let us know what you think. Was Robin a real crusading archer? Or simply a story told one night around a campfire?

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Ok, Folktales XXX delivereth unto us some of the best gd folktales we’ve heard this season!

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Story 1: Little Saddle S|ut

Yes. This is the name of this story. Here it is AS PROMISED!

This Greek version of Cinderella is unlike ANY Cinderella story you’ve ever heard, we promise. From murder, a little dash of cannibalism, an unobservant male love interest, and absent parents (for the most part) this fairy tale has it alllllll!

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Story 2: The Lenape Tribe Creation Myth

Listen. We LOVE an indigenous creation tale, and the Lenape people have a BEAUTIFUL one! Thank you SO MUCH to listener @ky_elizabeth23 for this absolutely beautiful recommendation!

Also, PLEASE go easy on us, we had absolutely no clue that muskrats were Phelpian-level athletes….

Did you??!

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Please please please don’t eat your mothers, but DO leave us a 5 star review if you’re enjoying the pod!

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Hey HoneyBees, quick question: have you ever found a rock in nature and you just HAVE to take it home with you? Yep, us too. This is a story about repeated stone snatching throughout the past 1500 years. And not just any stone, THE STONE OF DESTINY. Are you ready for this one? It’s a wild ride.

Listen to find out the incredible history of the coronation stone, a cultural icon whose origins are rooted in legend, and a relic continually used for crowning Scottish and British royals since the year 498…

Stay with us for a FreshCup with Betsy, featuring a girl who is doing SO MUCH BETTER right now, and we hope she's lsitening!

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Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

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Alright HoneyBees, prepare 2 vessels of beer (no we will NOT elaborate on that) and get ready for this ghostly episode!

Did you know that there is an ancient Babylonian tablet laying out step-by-step instructions on how to exorcise a ghost?! You're about to learn all about it! The tablet included a 5 step process on how to get a ghost out of your home and on to where they belong, and just wait until you hear step 5....

THAT'S NOT ALL! In this episode we also read you Pliny the Elder's letters to a trusted friend in which he begs him to answer one simple question: do you think ghosts are real? Pliny goes on to describe, what historians believe to be, the first documented haunted house, as well as other ancient Roman ghost encounters he had heard of. So yes. we may leave you thinking about the Roman Empire with this one, but someone should really check on Coco and her haunted rock situation...

Stay tuned for a special FreshCup where Betsy tells us a PERSONAL GHOST STORY!

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Well... we promise spooky folktales, and good lord do we deliver. Proceed with caution, honeybees!

Story 1: The Baba Yaga: VOICE ACTING ALERT! Gabby shows UP for you with the voices in this episode. You'll hear her voice various humans with varying intentions, as well as at least 2 animals... and a door? The Baba Yaga is a witch-type character in Slavic folklore who likes to eat her nieces, not pay her staff, and neglect her pets. So sit at your loom and turn up the volume for this one.

Story 2: The Juniper Tree: TRIGGER WARNING!!!! Oh wow. This is the most messed up thing we've ever read on this podcast. Proceed with caution; trigger warnings for child abuse, general violence, cannibalism, and horrific singing. Here is a sickening tale of an ill-fated "red and white boy" (WHAT DOES THAT MEAANNN?!?!?) his EVIL stepmother, his absent yet caring father, and his traumatized little half-sister. This story rambles on and on... and I guess there's a juniper tree in there somewhere too. Grimm's can do the rest of the story telling for this one, we're tapping out.

Lonely Orphan Girl, Snark Queen | Nellie Bly

In this episode, you'll get to know Pinky-Pie Nellie Bly – a BOSS BITCH investigative journalist, kicking ass and taking names all over the world. Listen in terror with us as we discuss Nellie's stay in a Victorian-Era mental asylum. Marvel at her record-breaking circumnavigation of the globe. Wonder at her ability to PACK LIGHT (understatement of the year). Listen in general disbelief as this woman's life story unfolds like a fantasy novel - almost too crazy to be true! We've got all that juicy gossip, AND MORE!

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In our Fresh Cup we'll hear some creative one-liner insults that made us wonder... What is YOUR best go-to insult? Tell us in the comments on our social media!

Minda ya business, this is New Orleans baby. In this highly anticipated episode, we get some POV action and take you to 1800's New Orleans to visit Marie Laveau in her home.

While we learn about this absolutely incredible woman, we also get a survey of the atmosphere of New Orleans at this time, learn the actual ins and outs of the religion of Vodou, and explore Congo Square.

The legends and truths of this inspirational woman very much live on today, because much like the city of New Orleans, Marie Laveau isn't going ANYWHERE. Vive la Reine!

Who ordered 3 piping hot folktales?!?!

Tale 1: The Leopard Woman - First of all, "specist" IS a word... so. There's that. In this episode, a man clammers up a tree, which is SO embarrassing, but on the flip side, his wife can do a pretty cool party trick.

Tale 2: The Three Billy Goats Gruff - Did you guys know this was Viking tale?!? Please brace yourselves for the absolute professional voice acting in this one. And we will tell you, the moral is this: know your bridges, and know their trolls.

Tale 3: "Should he bite me?" - There's not really a short answer to that question. BUT, if you liked the voices in the last story, then just know: that was merely a warmup. This is a story that comes full circle. Just like, literally 360 degrees.

Enjoy.

Join our Patreon for extra content!

You can purchase Spill the Mead merchandise https://www.etsy.com/shop/SpilltheMeadPodcast/

Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com

Find us on Instagram, and Facebook @spillthemeadpodcast

Find Madi @myladygervais on Instagram

Find Gabby @so_dym_gabulous on Instagram and @pokemonhoe on TikTok