The Murder Network That Terrified Versailles

The Tragic Execution of a Victorian Murderess

Jul 6, 202647 minSummary

In this episode of After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal, the host sits down with Professor Rose Wallace to explore the tragic 1856 case of Martha Brown. Martha, a Victorian woman from Dorset, was executed for the murder of her husband, John, following a trial that remains a poignant example of the era’s flawed justice system. The discussion centers on the stark contrast between the public narrative of the time and the reality of Martha’s domestic life. While initial reports painted a picture of a cold-blooded killer, Professor Wallace highlights newly unearthed evidence and solicitor testimonies that reveal a history of extreme domestic abuse. By re-examining the primary source material, the episode uncovers how community members attempted to manage the volatile violence occurring behind closed doors, long before modern legal protections existed. The conversation delves into why the Victorian judicial process failed Martha, focusing on the lack of a proper defense, the social anxieties of the time, and the impossible constraints placed on women. This episode offers a haunting, nuanced look at the dark side of history, humanizing a figure who was tragically reduced to a mythic villain.

The Witch Men of Iceland

Jul 2, 202645 minSummary

In this episode of After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal, the host explores the fascinating and often overlooked history of seventeenth-century Icelandic witch trials. Challenging the common perception that witch hunts were primarily aimed at women, the discussion highlights that ninety-three percent of those executed in Iceland were men. The conversation examines how a blend of ancient Norse magic, Lutheran paranoia, and the harsh, isolated landscape of the Westfjords created a unique environment for these persecutions to flourish. The episode delves into the transition from traditional folk magic—which was deeply ingrained in Icelandic culture through the use of protective runes—to state-sanctioned criminalization. The guests discuss the influence of the Malleus Maleficarum and local versions of such manuals, which fueled paranoia and encouraged neighbors to turn on one another. Through the lens of specific cases, such as the infamous Kirkjuból trials, the podcast illustrates how personal vendettas, combined with legal loopholes and religious fervor, led to tragic outcomes. It is a compelling look at how fear and societal tension can transform long-standing cultural customs into targets for state-sanctioned violence.

The Secret Lesbian Affair under Mary Queen of Scots

Jun 29, 202654 minSummary

In this episode of After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal, host Anthony explores the life and clandestine work of Marie Maitland, a 16th-century Scottish woman who defied the rigid social constraints of the Reformation. The discussion features author Ashley Douglas, who examines how Maitland’s life was fundamentally reshaped when her father, a prominent judge and advisor to Mary Queen of Scots, went blind in 1561. This misfortune allowed Marie to become his primary scribe and secretary, granting her a unique, albeit secret, degree of independence. The conversation highlights the intense misogyny of the era, particularly the influence of reformer John Knox, who advocated for an austere society where women were expected to be demure, obedient, and subservient. Douglas introduces a rare, historical record of a 1625 conviction for female sodomy, illustrating how the Scottish Kirk actively policed and punished non-conforming women. Amidst this oppressive climate, Maitland is believed to have authored some of the earliest expressions of same-sex love in British history, concealed within her father’s manuscripts. The episode paints a compelling portrait of a woman operating at the heart of political power while navigating the perilous risks of expressing her true self.