In a special episode of the Wyrd Wessex podcast, hosts Andy and Craig, along with guest Pat Robinson, embark on a sprawling journey from an ancient burial mound to the bizarre corners of the modern world. Recorded at the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne, this episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in Tolkien, Anglo-Saxon mythology, paranormal folklore, and the ever-evolving nature of "wyrd." If you're searching for a podcast that connects historical sagas with modern ghost stories and cutting-edge technology, you've found it.
Tolkien's Barrows and the Wessex Landscape
The conversation kicks off by exploring the profound influence of the Wessex landscape on one of the greatest fantasy writers of all time, J.R.R. Tolkien. The hosts delve into how Tolkien, a scholar of ancient tales, drew on the very real burial mounds of Southern England to create the haunting Barrow-downs and their ghoulish inhabitants, the Barrow-wights, in The Lord of the Rings.
They specifically connect the episode's themes to landmarks like Wayland's Smithy , a Neolithic long barrow that likely inspired the desolate, stone-lined paths of Middle-earth. The discussion extends to other real-world locations such as Cheddar Gorge, which Tolkien based his descriptions of the Glittering Caves upon, demonstrating how the ancient, rolling hills of Wessex are inextricably linked to the fantastic world of elves, hobbits, and orcs.
Barrows in Ancient Mythology and Folklore
The podcast then ventures into the heart of ancient mythology. As guest Pat Robinson was dressed for the part in his "bottle cap armour," it was Craig who performed a captivating reading of the Anglo-Saxon tale of Weyland the Smith'svengeance.
As the story goes, Weyland was a master smith and a formidable warrior. But his fortune turned when he was captured by the cruel King Nithud. To ensure he could never escape, the King's men severed the tendons in his knees, leaving him imprisoned on an island where he was forced to serve as the King's personal smith. While there, the King's wife stole a ring from Weyland's wife and gave it to their daughter, Beadohild, and the King's son was given Weyland's own powerful sword.
But Weyland's vengeance would be far more terrible than his punishment. When the King's two young sons came to visit his forge, he murdered them, hiding their bodies and fashioning their skulls into beautiful silver-chased drinking cups, their eyes into jewels, and their teeth into brooches. He then seduced Beadohild when she came to him to repair a ring, leaving her pregnant. As his final act, Weyland crafted a pair of mechanical wings and flew away, shouting down to the despairing king that he had taken his revenge.
This incredible story of a blacksmith's gruesome revenge and escape is etched into historical artifacts like the Franks Casket. The episode also explores the role of barrows in Norse sagas, with the story of the shieldmaiden Hervor, who must brave a barrow to retrieve the cursed sword Tyrfing from her dead father's ghost.
The hosts also touch on Welsh mythology, recounting the tale of Pwyll, the prince who, by sitting on an ancient mound, is led into the underworld of Annwn. This reinforces the idea that barrows were not just tombs but powerful portals to other worlds. The theme continues with the legend of Reverend Robert Kirk, a 17th-century Scottish folklorist known as the "Fairy Minister" who, after documenting beliefs about the Fae, was said to have been taken by them from Dune Hill.
Modern Mysteries and Ghostly Encounters
The weirdness isn't confined to ancient tales. The episode brings the paranormal into the modern day with a discussion of ghost stories from the famous West Kennet Long Barrow. The hosts recount the enduring local legend of a ghostly man and his red-eared dog who are said to disappear into the barrow at sunrise. This is followed by a chilling, modern account from a couple who visited the site, where the woman felt an unseen force try to drag her into the deepest part of the tomb.
The podcast also introduces a new "Listener Stories" segment, sharing a vivid account of a terrifying sleep paralysis encounter and a heartwarming but eerie story about a grandfather's ghost who returned to watch over his family.
From Chinese Aliens to AI Horrors: The "Weird News" Rundown
The episode concludes with a round of "Wyrd News" that proves the world is still full of mysteries. The hosts debate baffling footage of glowing dots in China that some feared were aliens, discuss the strange discovery of an alligator snapping turtle named "Fluffy" in a Cumbrian tarn, and end with an unsettling look at the future. Pat raises alarms about OpenAI's Sora, an advanced AI video generator that can create hyper-realistic footage from text, questioning the future of filmmaking and the nature of reality itself.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone who loves folklore, history, and a good ghost story. Find the podcast on all major platforms and follow Wyrd Wessex on social media to join the discussion.