Hello, I'm Matt Lewis.

And I'm Dr. Eleanor Yonaga.

And we're just popping up here to tell you some insider info.

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Hello, I'm Dr. Eleanorianaga and welcome to Gone Medieval from History Hit, the podcast that delves into the greatest millennium in human history.

We uncover the greatest mysteries, the gobsmacking details, and the latest groundbreaking research from the Vikings to the Normans, from kings to popes, to the Crusades.

We delve into the rebellions, plots, and murders that tell us who we really were,

and how we got here.

These days, the chilling ghost stories of M.R. James are as much a part of our Christmas television viewing as the King's speech, the sound of music, or Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchett.

But why? I hear you ask. Would I be talking about M.R. James and his ghost stories on Gone Medieval?

Well, dear listener, I reply, because M.R. James led a double life.

He was both a master of supernatural fiction and a distinguished medieval scholar.

In fact, his deep knowledge of medieval texts and artifacts and his academic career

profoundly shaped his literary output, infusing his tales with an authenticity and depth that set them apart from other works in the genre.

But before we dive deep into this seasonal subject, let's have a reminder of the master at work, in an extract from his story, Canon Albrecht's scrapbook.

If you are of a nervous disposition,

you might want to remove your earbuds for a couple of minutes.

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