Dark History Episode 147: "Mail Order Brides, Lesbian Romance Novels, and Ancient Zombies? The Dark History of Vampires"

Release Date: October 16, 2024

Bailey Sarian, the mastermind behind "Murder, Mystery & Makeup," dives deep into the enigmatic and chilling world of vampires in Episode 147 of her acclaimed podcast, Dark History. This episode masterfully intertwines historical events, literary evolution, and cultural impacts to uncover the true origins and transformations of vampire lore.

1. The Origins of Vampire Hysteria: Petter Blagojovic’s Tale (00:00 - 20:00)

Bailey opens the episode with a gripping story from 1725 in a Serbian village. Petter Blagojovic's untimely death sets the stage for one of the earliest recorded instances of vampire hysteria.

• Encounter with the Undead Husband: Two months post his funeral, Petter’s widow experiences a terrifying encounter when Petter seemingly returns from the grave seeking his shoes. As Bailey narrates, “He needed something from her, I guess. He needed it desperately” (04:35).

• Community Panic and Investigation: After attacking nine more villagers, Petter’s body is exhumed. A health and safety official notes the corpse’s unnaturally fresh state, leading to the villagers' desperate measures: driving a steak through Petter to confirm his undead status.

• The Birth of Vampire Hysteria: This bizarre event, widely reported in contemporary newspapers, marks the beginning of documented vampire hysteria, where misunderstandings of disease perpetuated fear and superstition.

2. Lord Byron and the Literary Birth of Modern Vampires (20:01 - 50:00)

Transitioning from folklore to literary influence, Bailey delves into the life of George Gordon, Lord Byron, and his inadvertent role in shaping modern vampire mythology.

• Lord Byron’s Turbulent Life: Born with a club foot, Byron's tumultuous personal life, including numerous affairs and a scandalous relationship with his half-sister, paints him as the archetypal charismatic yet toxic figure. Bailey remarks, “Lord Byron lost his virginity to his maid. Well, at least it wasn't his cousin” (25:10).

• 1816: The Year Without a Summer: Financial woes push Byron to Lake Geneva, where a group of writers, including Mary Shelley and Percy Shelley, gather. Their infamous "writer’s retreat" leads to collaborative ghostwriting sessions after challenging each other with scary stories.

• John Polidori’s Contribution: Byron’s fleeting attempt at a vampire story inspires his physician, John Polidori, to pen “The Vampyre.” An accidental misattribution to Byron grants Polidori’s work unintended fame, embedding the seductive vampire archetype into Western literature. Bailey highlights, “John combines stories from folklore about monsters who sucked blood or sapped energy, but wrote those monsters as charming rich guys” (38:45).

3. Mail Order Brides and Vampire Myths in Louisiana (50:01 - 80:00)

Bailey shifts focus to 18th-century Louisiana, exploring the dark practice of importing female settlers to bolster the colony’s population.

• The Fila Cassette Scheme: To address the scarcity of women, France orchestrates the transport of young, virginal women, known as fila cassette or "casket girls," from France to Louisiana. Bailey notes, “They were being sold a pack of lies... the girls didn't know that Louisiana was a struggling colony” (55:20).

• Harsh Conditions and Superstitions: The arduous two-month voyage, plagued by disease and superstition, results in the women arriving in deplorable conditions—pale, malnourished, and carrying wooden caskets, which fueled local vampire legends.

• The Ursuline Convent Mystery: In 1727, nuns establish the Ursuline Academy of New Orleans to care for these women. However, mysterious illnesses and disappearances around the convent give rise to rumors that the casket girls were actual vampires. Bailey muses, “They think like, the actual worst, they thought the caskets were filled with vampires from Eastern Europe” (70:10).

4. Mercy Brown and the Dracula Connection (80:01 - 110:00)

Bailey connects historical vampire fears to literary creations, particularly focusing on the infamous Mercy Brown case in Rhode Island.

• The Mercy Brown Case: In 1892, after multiple family members succumb to tuberculosis, Mercy Brown’s preserved body exhibits unusual signs of freshness. Despite a doctor's findings attributing it to cold temperatures, the community perceives her as a vampire, leading to her heart and liver being burned and fed to her brother, Edwin, who subsequently dies.

• Inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula: This case, among others, influences Bram Stoker to conceptualize Dracula—a charismatic, aristocratic vampire with a manipulative nature. Bailey explains, “Dracula was like a walking, talking symbol of what happened. If you gave into your sexual urges, you'd be like this guy” (100:55).

• Carmilla’s Seductive Vampire: Bailey also references Carmilla, a female vampire from literature who embodies seduction and manipulation, further sexualizing the vampire trope. She quotes Laura from Carmilla: “You are mine. You shall be mine. You and I are once, forever...” (105:30).

5. Vampires in Pop Culture and Contemporary Perceptions (110:01 - 140:00)

Exploring the enduring legacy of vampires, Bailey examines their portrayal in media and their symbolic representation of human fears.

• From Literature to Film: Vampires transition seamlessly into film and television, with iconic portrayals like Bela Lugosi’s Dracula shaping public perception. Bailey notes, “From that point on in pop culture, we think of all vampires as being delicious, horny little, just like Lord Byron” (130:15).

• Symbolism of Vampires: Vampires encapsulate humanity’s deepest fears—sex and death. Bailey astutely observes, “Vampires represent some of humans greatest fears, sex and death” (135:40).

• Cultural Impact: The episode underscores how vampires, initially born from misunderstood diseases and literary creativity, have become a staple in modern storytelling, reflecting evolving societal anxieties and fascinations.

Conclusion and Teasers for Next Episode

Bailey wraps up the episode by teasing the next installment, which promises a deeper dive into ancient torture practices and the dark histories behind them. Her engaging narration leaves listeners eager for more, blending spooky tales with historical insights seamlessly.

Notable Quotes

• Bailey Sarian: “Vampires represent some of humans greatest fears, sex and death” (135:40).

• Bailey Sarian: “John combines stories from folklore about monsters who sucked blood or sapped energy, but wrote those monsters as charming rich guys” (38:45).

• Bailey Sarian: “Vampires are like toxic relationships; they’re asking for consent, but once they’re in, they’re in” (125:30).

Final Thoughts

In this episode of Dark History, Bailey Sarian skillfully weaves together folklore, historical events, and literary evolution to reveal the true dark history behind vampires. From Petter Blagojovic's eerie tale to the sophisticated myths crafted by literary giants like Lord Byron and Bram Stoker, the episode illuminates how vampires evolved from feared revenants to romanticized figures in pop culture.

Whether you're a true crime aficionado or a history enthusiast, Bailey's captivating storytelling ensures that history is anything but boring. Tune in to Dark History to explore more untold stories that have shaped our understanding of the dark and mysterious past.

For those intrigued by the dark allure of vampires and eager to uncover more spine-chilling histories, Dark History is a must-listen. Subscribe to stay updated with Bailey Sarian's latest explorations into the shadows of our past.