Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities: "Gone, But Not Forgotten"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild
• Description: From the creator of the hit podcast Lore comes a new, bite-sized storytelling experience. Each twice-weekly episode features two short tales that take listeners on a guided tour of the unbelievable, the unsettling, and the bizarre.
• Episode: Gone, But Not Forgotten
• Release Date: November 7, 2024

1. The Enigmatic Relationship of Mary and Percy Shelley

Time Stamp: 00:41 – 05:26

Aaron Mahnke delves into the tumultuous and romantic story of Mary Shelley, renowned author of Frankenstein, and her husband, the influential Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Their relationship was marked by intense passion, societal scandal, personal tragedies, and enduring love that seemingly transcended death.

Key Points:

• Origins of the Affair: Mary Shelley, at 16, falls for Percy Shelley, a 21-year-old poet who is already married and has an unborn child. Despite the significant obstacles, their immediate and intense attraction leads to a secretive and passionate affair.

• Public Revelation and Scandal: The couple’s decision to make their relationship public results in harsh reactions from both families and ostracization from London society. They flee England, only to return with a premature child who tragically dies shortly after birth, deepening Mary’s grief and societal rejection.

• Tragic Losses and Infidelity: Two years into their affair, Percy’s wife Harriet takes her own life, a loss that leaves Mary burdened with guilt yet paves the way for their eventual marriage. Their life abroad is further marred by the death of two more children and Percy’s infidelity, including the birth of a child with another woman.

• Percy’s Mysterious Death and Legacy: On July 8, 1822, Percy drowns during a storm off the coast of Italy. His body, found ten days later, is cremated on the beach. Unexplainably, his heart remains intact, possibly due to calcification from a previous illness. Mary preserves his heart, wrapping it in his poetry and placing it in her desk—a macabre yet romantic gesture symbolizing their undying love.

Notable Quote:

• At [05:10], Mahnke reflects, “The strange fate of Percy’s heart is both an unsettling footnote to their torrid relationship and a romantic symbol of all they endured.”

Insights: Mahnke highlights the Gothic elements of Mary and Percy’s relationship, illustrating how their personal tragedies and societal challenges fueled Mary Shelley’s literary genius. The preservation of Percy’s heart serves as a haunting metaphor for their love’s persistence beyond mortal bounds.

2. The First Gravestone in America: Sir George Yeardley

Time Stamp: 06:36 – End

In the second tale, Mahnke uncovers the intriguing story of Sir George Yeardley, a significant yet controversial figure in early American history, whose grave holds the distinction of being the first in the country marked with a gravestone.

Key Points:

• Early Life and Journey to Jamestown: Born in 1587 in Surrey, England, George Yeardley diverges from his merchant tailor family to join the military. In 1609, he embarks on an expedition to Jamestown, America, which is delayed due to a shipwreck in Bermuda. After nearly a year, he finally reaches Virginia amidst a struggling colony plagued by disease, famine, and conflicts with indigenous tribes.

• Governorship and Achievements: By 1616, Yeardley becomes the deputy Governor of Virginia. His tenure is marked by several accomplishments, including:

  • Securing peace treaties with the Chickahominy Native Americans.
  • Establishing a local governing body.
  • Promoting agricultural development alongside other farmers.
  • Encouraging the construction of a new college.

• Controversial Legacy: Despite his administrative successes, Yeardley is also noted for overseeing the introduction of the slave trade to Virginia and owning enslaved individuals, reflecting the complex and often troubling aspects of colonial leadership.

• Family and Personal Life: He marries Temperance Flowerdew, with whom he has three children. Yeardley’s life is cut short in 1627 at around 40 years old.

• The Historic Gravestone: His burial site in Jamestown features a large polished black limestone gravestone adorned with carvings of a knight in armor, a curly symbol resembling a backward question mark, and a shield imprint. Initially covered with intricate brass overlays, the gravestone’s ownership was lost to history for four centuries.

• Rediscovery: In September 2024, researchers confirmed the gravestone belonged to Yeardley by analyzing 17th-century records and identifying the knightly symbol as representative of his knighthood. The stone itself is over 300 million years old, sourced from Ireland or Belgium, and signifies Yeardley’s wealth and status.

• Historical Significance: Sir George Yeardley’s grave stands as the first in America to feature a gravestone, marking a notable point in the country’s burial customs and colonial history.

Notable Quote:

• At [06:55], Mahnke states, “His grave is so old, it's believed to be the first in the country ever to be marked with a gravestone. And that fact, well, it kind of rocks.”

Insights: Mahnke presents Yeardley’s story as a window into the complexities of early American colonial leadership, juxtaposing his administrative achievements with his role in instituting slavery. The discovery and identification of his gravestone underscore the enduring mysteries of history and the ways in which artifacts can illuminate the past.

Conclusion

In "Gone, But Not Forgotten," Aaron Mahnke masterfully intertwines tales of love, loss, and historical mystery. From the passionate and tragic romance of Mary and Percy Shelley to the enigmatic legacy of Sir George Yeardley, each story invites listeners to ponder the depths of human emotion and the enduring marks left on history. Through meticulous storytelling and captivating narratives, Mahnke brings the cabinet of curiosities to life, ensuring that the forgotten tales of the past continue to resonate in the present.

Notable Quotes with Attribution:

• Mary and Percy Shelley Story:

  • “The strange fate of Percy’s heart is both an unsettling footnote to their torrid relationship and a romantic symbol of all they endured.” — Aaron Manke [05:10]

• Sir George Yeardley Story:

  • “His grave is so old, it's believed to be the first in the country ever to be marked with a gravestone. And that fact, well, it kind of rocks.” — Aaron Manke [06:55]

Explore More: Dive deeper into these captivating stories by subscribing to Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities on Apple Podcasts or visit the Cabinet of Curiosities website to learn more about the show and its exploration of the bizarre and unexplained.