EP80 Mysteries of the Mari Lwyd: The Welsh ”Christmas Horse” goes from folk favourite to folk horror in Victorian Wales. Explore the lore and history on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast

Ghosts and Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees

Explore Wales’s weird and wonderful Christmastime tradition, the festive "bone horse" that is the Mari Lwyd!

The Mari Lwyd is a curious custom which sees a hobby horse-like like creature challenge people to a battle in verse - what some call a "rap battle" - and, if victorious, enters their home to eat their cakes and ale.

But what began as a good-natured folk tradition soon descended into one of chaotic folk horror, and as we discover on this episode, it got so out of hand that the Mari Lwyd was outlawed.

Join author Mark Rees (Ghosts of Wales) as he explores the mysteries of the Mari Lwyd on the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast... if you dare!

What is the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast?

In early 2020, Mark Rees launched the world’s first podcast dedicated to Welsh ghost stories, folklore, myths and legends.

By combining his unique research and insights from many books and articles with long-lost tales from dusty old tomes, this weird and wonderful podcast takes a fascinating look at the country's countless curious subjects.

New episodes are uploaded every Thursday and feature everything from real-life encounters with pesky poltergeists to fantastical beasts from the Mabinogi, to dark and Gothic Halloween/ Nos Calan Gaeaf traditions to the skulled-headed Christmas favourite herself, the Mari Lwyd.

Be sure to subscribe, and for more details and to get in touch with Mark Rees, please visit:

• Mark Rees homepage
• Mark Rees on social media
• Books by Mark Rees
• Ghosts of Wales podcast