Real Fantastic Beasts cover art

Real Fantastic Beasts

Real Fantastic Beasts

By: Alexa Sand & Ian MacInnes
Listen for free

Alexa Sand and Ian MacInnes explore the world of medieval and Renaissance animals, real, fantastic, and fantastically real.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian MacInnes Art Literary History & Criticism World
Episodes
  • Harvesting the Salamander Wool

    Harvesting the Salamander Wool
    Jun 27 2026
    What does it mean for a cold, damp, thoroughly amphibious creature to become the defining symbol of elemental fire? In this episode, we explore the salamander, the fire-resistant (allegedly), asbestos-covered, love-poetry-inspiring, hellfire-embodying little amphibian that confused natural philosophers from Aristotle to Linnaeus.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Proud as a Peacock

    Proud as a Peacock
    Jun 14 2026
    From Hildegard to the Habsburgs, we explore the European perspective on the most spectacular bird.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • Pharoah's mouse

    Pharoah's mouse
    Jun 1 2026
    We discuss the curious lore of the Egyptian mongoose or ichneumon and its habit of disemboweling crocodiles – from the inside.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_t1
No reviews yet