Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
My guest today is Diane Purkiss, Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford and author of many books, including 'Fairies and Fairy Stories', 'The Witch in History', and 'English Food: A People's History.'
We spoke about witches and fairies in British folklore, and in particular why these stories are so often associated with childbirth, children, and motherhood. We also spoke about the psychological and practical functions of these stories, and why they are so culturally sticky.
02:57 What is a fairy?
06:06 Are fairies ancient Britons?
08:40 Connection between fairy stories and Pagan stories
11:32 How does the church respond?
13:22 Who believes in fairies and ghosts?
16:02 How enchanted stories can help us manage human feelings
18:10 Child demons
24:02 Changelings, autism and motherhood
30:25 Can fairy stories slot in with religion?
32:13 Witch trials
36:12 Why is fairyland matriarchal?
42:46 What is the relationship between a witch and a fairy?
MMM is sponsored by 321 - a new online introduction to Christianity, presented by former MMM guest Glen Scrivener. Check it out for free at 321course.com/MMM. Just enter your email, choose a password and you’re in — there’s no spam and no fee
The MMM podcast can also be found on Apple, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms: https://linktr.ee/maidenmothermatriarch
Follow Maiden Mother Matriarch on social media:
Twitter: twitter.com/maiden_podcast
Instagram: instagram.com/maiden_mother_matriarch
TikTok: tiktok.com/@maiden_podcast
#LouisePerry #DianePurkiss #MaidenMotherMatriarch
My guest today is Diane Purkiss, Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford and author of many books, including 'Fairies and Fairy Stories', 'The Witch in History', and 'English Food: A People's History.'
We spoke about witches and fairies in British folklore, and in particular why these stories are so often associated with childbirth, children, and motherhood. We also spoke about the psychological and practical functions of these stories, and why they are so culturally sticky.
02:57 What is a fairy?
06:06 Are fairies ancient Britons?
08:40 Connection between fairy stories and Pagan stories
11:32 How does the church respond?
13:22 Who believes in fairies and ghosts?
16:02 How enchanted stories can help us manage human feelings
18:10 Child demons
24:02 Changelings, autism and motherhood
30:25 Can fairy stories slot in with religion?
32:13 Witch trials
36:12 Why is fairyland matriarchal?
42:46 What is the relationship between a witch and a fairy?
MMM is sponsored by 321 - a new online introduction to Christianity, presented by former MMM guest Glen Scrivener. Check it out for free at 321course.com/MMM. Just enter your email, choose a password and you’re in — there’s no spam and no fee
The MMM podcast can also be found on Apple, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms: https://linktr.ee/maidenmothermatriarch
Follow Maiden Mother Matriarch on social media:
Twitter: twitter.com/maiden_podcast
Instagram: instagram.com/maiden_mother_matriarch
TikTok: tiktok.com/@maiden_podcast
#LouisePerry #DianePurkiss #MaidenMotherMatriarch
