Just in time for Halloween, we explore the humble bat, whose wings suddenly became the standard for all demonic flying creatures. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We explore the lore of the hippocampus, from its classical roots to its Celtic legends. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beth Morrison, senior curator of manuscripts at the J. Paul Getty Museum, talks about medieval bestiaries, her favorite imaginary animal, and a new exhibition at the Getty Museum. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Sarah M. Guérin explains Medieval Europe's fascination with ivory and the differences between the early ivory trade and the savagery of modern Elephant poaching. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We explore the Albatross, unknown until just before the modern era... or was it? Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Alixe Bovey regales us with the perplexing history of the goose barnacle and the barnacle goose.  Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In which we explore this beautiful and ancient non-binary creature.  Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We explore the lore of cocks and hens from manuscript illustrations to the classic weathervane. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Brigitte Buettner explains how stones had living agency in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We trace the evolution of the werewolf from deliberate transformation to mental illness. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Karen Raber takes us through our paces as we explore horses and horse training in the European Renaissance. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest animal archaeologist Alan Outram lays out the evidence for the size and appearance of medieval horses. Join the conversation or subscribe at realfantasticbeasts.com #horses #knights Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We explore the troubled history of the Lamia, from bloodsucking monster to romance heroine to corporate logo. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest Laura Gelfand explains the pre-modern origins of our conflicted relationship with wolves. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guests Dr. Sara Petrosillo and falconer Kelly Martello of the Michigan Hawking Club join us in exploring these fantastic birds in the Middle Ages. Kelly's hawk Vesper joins us. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From loveable companion for monks to toxic witch's familiar, we trace the fantastic history of the cat from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two expert guests, Jane Buckingham and Samayita Banerjee, help us understand the pre-modern tiger in India, with special attention to Bengal. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The European Middle Ages witnessed the birth of an entirely new bird: the pelican. This is not the "water pelican" we all know but an entirely fantastic beast. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest experts Keith Botelho and Joe Campana regale us with fantastic tales of bees in the Renaissance. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We investigate the most fantastic bugs of all: kermes and cochineal. These little creatures not only gave us many of our words for red but also famous symbols from British redcoats to the U.S. flag. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In honor of International Unicorn Day, here's a chance to explore the search for the real unicorn, from the mystery in Middle Ages to its ultimate discovery in the seventeenth century. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We investigate worms and caterpillars and discover them everywhere. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest experts Asa Mitman and Holly Dugan explore two fantastic beast manuscripts, one from the Middle Ages, one from the Renaissance. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We continue our exploration of dragons by learning about Chinese dragons from guest Winston Kyan, a historian of medieval Chinese art at the University of Utah. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From charismatic megafauna, like dragons, we descend to the small and distinctly uncharismatic. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We extend our dragon-lore by chatting with Laura K. Nuffer from Colby College about dragons in medieval and early modern Japan. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we begin the Year of the Rabbit in the East, we explore the fantastical history of the rabbit in the West, from jousting rabbits in manuscript illustrations to the Rabbit Woman of Godalming. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This our first of several planned episodes on the most famous of all fantastic creatures. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We examine the Halcyon, which nests at the winter solstice with magical effect. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet the English mastiff, the creature who made "dog" into the generic English term for all domestic canines. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest expert Caitlin Mahaffy talks to us about Bearbaiting in Elizabethan London. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apes and Monkeys were present in households throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance as well as being represented in literature and art. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our first look at a truly fantastical hybrid creature as it moves from bestiary to natural history to art and literature. Become a member of the Manticores club https://plus.acast.com/s/real-fantastic-beasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.