Lore 270: On Display

Summary

Lore Episode 270: "On Display" - Detailed Summary

Introduction: Anthropodermic Books at the Mutter Museum

The episode opens with Aaron Mahnke delving into a macabre discovery at the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia. He introduces the eerie subject of anthropodermic books—volumes bound in human skin. Mahnke narrates:

Aaron Mahnke [01:10]: "...every good medical library needs books, after all, so it's surprising to learn that these three tomes are locked away rather than on display in the facility's museum."

These three medical books, dating back to the late 1600s and early 1700s, are bound in the preserved skin of Mary Lynch, a woman who died in 1869. The spine of each book is crafted from Lynch's thigh skin, a grisly act performed by Dr. John Stockton Huff, the physician who autopsied her. Mahnke emphasizes the ethical dilemma:

Aaron Mahnke [02:19]: "They are pieces of medical history, valuable for the text they contain, but they are also literally human remains."

The dual nature of these books—historical artifacts and remnants of a human body—highlights the complex relationship between medical advancement and ethical boundaries.

Historical Overview of London and the Tower of London

Transitioning from the macabre to the historical, Mahnke provides an extensive overview of London’s ancient origins. He traces the settlement back approximately 8,000 years, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Thames River:

Lore Narrator [03:20]: "A lot of people live there today, and that's always been the case... archaeologists are always digging and expanding what we know."

The narrative moves through significant historical periods, from the Iron Age builders who constructed bridges and forts to the Roman establishment of Londinium in 43 AD. Mahnke underscores the continuous evolution of London, culminating in the establishment of the seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms that eventually formed England.

The Tower of London: Fortress, Prison, and Execution Site

A central focus of the episode is the Tower of London, introduced as a pivotal structure in the city’s history. Mahnke describes its transformation from a royal fortress under William the Conqueror to a multifaceted institution:

Aaron Mahnke [05:03]: "He had a fortress built there... recognizing the importance of that spot of land along the river."

Over the centuries, the Tower expanded, with successive monarchs adding walls, towers, and defensive moats. Its role evolved to include serving as a prison and execution site, contributing to its notorious reputation. The episode details the harsh methods of medieval torture used within its walls:

Lore Narrator [06:30]: "In the Tower of London, torture was said to come in three delicious flavors... the rack, the scavenger's daughter, and the manacles."

Executions at the Tower were bifurcated between the secluded Tower Green for high-status victims and the public Tower Hill for commoners, amplifying its fearsome legacy.

Ghostly Legends: Henry III, Henry VI, and Anne Boleyn

Mahnke explores the rich tapestry of ghost stories associated with the Tower of London, beginning with King Henry III. Born in 1207 and known more for his architectural endeavors than martial prowess, Henry’s contributions to the Tower included significant expansions and the addition of Watergate:

Aaron Mahnke [10:06]: "According to Paris, on April 23rd of 1240... the real gate collapsed again to the ground."

These expansions are intertwined with supernatural occurrences, such as apparitions of St. Thomas Becket and hauntings related to subsequent monarchs like Henry VI and the infamous Anne Boleyn. The tragic tale of Anne Boleyn, executed in 1536, is particularly highlighted:

Lore Narrator [17:08]: "...Anne Boleyn has haunted the chapel and the tower ever since, making frequent appearances."

Notable ghost sightings include encounters with a headless Anne Boleyn and chilling experiences of spectral figures within the Tower’s chapels and halls, reinforcing the notion that the darker events of the past continue to linger.

The Armory and Touristic Exhibits

Shifting focus to the Tower’s armory, Mahnke discusses its transformation into a major tourist attraction. Visitors are treated to extensive displays of medieval weapons, armor, and reenactments that bring history to life:

Aaron Mahnke [14:11]: "The Tower of London delivers that in spades."

Highlights include the armor of King Henry VIII, which not only serves as a historical exhibit but also as a focal point for ghostly legends. Reports of oppressive feelings and apparitions within the armory add another layer of intrigue to the visitor experience.

The Tower Zoo: From Exotic Animals to Hauntings

One of the more unexpected facets of the Tower’s history is its past as a menagerie. Starting in the early 13th century, the Tower housed a variety of exotic animals gifted by monarchs, including leopards, polar bears, and even an African elephant:

Lore Narrator [27:03]: "Here’s just a sample from their notes... a grizzly bear, Bengal lions, a Barbary lioness..."

The zoological endeavors were fraught with challenges and tragedies, including animal cruelty and fatal accidents. Notably, zookeepers and visitors alike reported supernatural phenomena linked to the departed animals, such as the sounds of galloping horses and roaring lions. A particularly harrowing account from 1815 describes a guard witnessing a massive bear that seemingly passed through a wooden door:

Aaron Mahnke [30:03]: "He raised his rifle and drove the bayonet right through the huge beast. But the blade passed through the bear and instead embedded itself in the thick wooden door of the Tower."

These stories contribute to the Tower’s haunted reputation, blending historical fact with folkloric legend.

Conclusion: The Persistent Shadows of History

In wrapping up, Mahnke reflects on how the Tower of London embodies the enduring impact of historical events and the lingering presence of the past:

Aaron Mahnke [22:00]: "The darkest deeds of the past always have a way of haunting us here in the present."

The episode underscores the Tower’s role not just as a historical monument but as a vessel of memories and myths that continue to captivate and terrify visitors to this day.

Notable Quotes:

• Aaron Mahnke [02:19]: "They are pieces of medical history, valuable for the text they contain, but they are also literally human remains."
• Aaron Mahnke [05:03]: "He had a fortress built there... recognizing the importance of that spot of land along the river."
• Lore Narrator [06:30]: "In the Tower of London, torture was said to come in three delicious flavors... the rack, the scavenger's daughter, and the manacles."
• Aaron Mahnke [10:06]: "According to Paris, on April 23rd of 1240... the real gate collapsed again to the ground."
• Lore Narrator [17:08]: "...Anne Boleyn has haunted the chapel and the tower ever since, making frequent appearances."
• Aaron Mahnke [14:11]: "The Tower of London delivers that in spades."
• Aaron Mahnke [30:03]: "He raised his rifle and drove the bayonet right through the huge beast. But the blade passed through the bear and instead embedded itself in the thick wooden door of the Tower."
• Aaron Mahnke [22:00]: "The darkest deeds of the past always have a way of haunting us here in the present."

Final Thoughts

"Lore" Episode 270: "On Display" masterfully intertwines historical facts with gripping legends, particularly focusing on the eerie and often gruesome history of the Tower of London. Through detailed storytelling and chilling anecdotes, Aaron Mahnke brings to life the dark tales that make history both fascinating and frightening. Whether exploring the depths of anthropodermic books or the haunted halls of the Tower, the episode serves as a testament to how the past continues to influence and haunt the present.

Transcript

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[Aaron Manke]

In some ways, they.

[Lore Narrator]

Are exactly what you would expect to.

[Aaron Manke]

Find in a medical museum Three separate volumes on women's health, two from French publishers in the late 1600s and a third from London a century later. Every good medical library needs books, after.

[Lore Narrator]

All, so it's surprising to learn that these three tomes are locked away rather than on display in the facility's museum. Not because the topics they cover have.

[Aaron Manke]

Gone out of date, although there's no doubt they are far from current, and not because they had somehow been censored by the institution.

[Lore Narrator]

No, these three books are not on display at the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia.

[Aaron Manke]

Because they are bound in human skin.

[Lore Narrator]

To be more specific, their spines are bound in skin from the thigh of.

[Aaron Manke]

A woman named Mary lynch, who passed away in 1869. It seems that the physician who cared.

[Lore Narrator]

For her in the hospital, Dr. John Stockton Huff, also conducted her autopsy, and.

[Aaron Manke]

For some reason he removed some of.

[Lore Narrator]

Her skin and tanned it. Years later, he used that human leather to bind three of his favorite medical books, texts on women's health, bound in.

[Aaron Manke]

The skin of a woman. And that's why they aren't on display for just about every ethical reason you could imagine. What he did was very wrong. And yet, here they are. These three objects, known as anthropodermic books, exist in a duality. They are pieces of medical history, valuable for the text they contain, but they are also literally human remains.

[Lore Narrator]

You just can't tell at first glance. And in many ways, that's true of.

[Aaron Manke]

A lot of history.

[Lore Narrator]

The people, places and events we think.

[Aaron Manke]

We know often have another Dimension to them, yes.

[Lore Narrator]

Sometimes what you see is what you get.

[Aaron Manke]

But every now and then, there's more to the story, because history is never skin deep. I'm Aaron Manke, and this is is lore.

[Lore Narrator]

A lot of people live there today, and that's always been the case. It's hard to blame them, really. It's a spot of land on the shores of a massive river, roughly 50 miles from the sea, with plenty of space to spread out and turn it into a community. Today, we might call it London, but the settlement there is thousands of years.

[Aaron Manke]

Older than first glance might suggest.

[Lore Narrator]

Archaeologists are always digging and expanding what we know, but right now, it's believed that the London area was first settled.

[Aaron Manke]

Around 8,000 years ago.

[Lore Narrator]

These Iron Age folks built bridges and.

[Aaron Manke]

Forts to protect and navigate the marshy land north of the Thames, something that.

[Lore Narrator]

Later communities would repeat down through history. Then, as most people know, the romans.

[Aaron Manke]

Arrived in 43 AD and set up.

[Lore Narrator]

Their own town there, which they called Londinium.

[Aaron Manke]

They built a large stone wall around.

[Lore Narrator]

The community and then held on for a few hundred years after they left. Settlers from Europe, largely from Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, took their place and set up the seven Anglo Saxon kingdoms.

[Aaron Manke]

That eventually gave us England. That's the backstory.

[Lore Narrator]

It's an oversimplification of thousands of years of history that misses way too many details. But just hold onto one big idea.

[Aaron Manke]

That marshland on the north shore of.

[Lore Narrator]

The River Thames has always been important.

[Aaron Manke]

And it was about to become even More so.

[Lore Narrator]

In 1066, a guy named William of Normandy invaded Britain and defeated the ruling.

[Aaron Manke]

King Harold Godwinson, at the Battle of Hastings.

[Lore Narrator]

It's a touchy subject. For the folks that hated him, he.

[Aaron Manke]

Was William the Bastard.

[Lore Narrator]

For those who loved him, though, they.

[Aaron Manke]

Called him William the Conqueror.

[Lore Narrator]

History records him as King William I. And William knew how to make his.

[Aaron Manke]

Mark on a landscape, recognizing the importance of that spot of land along the river. He had a fortress built there.

[Lore Narrator]

And he did this in the style.

[Aaron Manke]

That he was used to back home in Normandy, with this massive, squarish tower jutting up nearly 100ft into the sky. He even had white limestone brought over.

[Lore Narrator]

From France to help it feel more like home. Creature comforts, I suppose. But this white structure did something else. It stood out on the London skyline like an alien artifact, reminding everyone who.

[Aaron Manke]

Looked upon it that they had a.

[Lore Narrator]

New king, and that king was powerful.

[Aaron Manke]

And ready to defend himself.

[Lore Narrator]

And as the years passed by, London.

[Aaron Manke]

Became synonymous with that tower. The Tower of London. Now, if you've ever Visited the place or seen documentaries about it. You know, it's not just a single tower anymore.

[Lore Narrator]

Over the centuries, more and more structures.

[Aaron Manke]

Were built around it, almost like satellites. William's son, William ii, surrounded the tower with a big wall and a defensive ditch. And other monarchs after him added buildings and towers inside that wall. Look at an aerial view of the place sometime. It's a glorious, orderly mess of lawns and structures.

[Lore Narrator]

But everyone uses their home in a unique way. And that central tower has been a chameleon over the years. Sure, it started out as a fortress home for the king himself, but it.

[Aaron Manke]

Also eventually became a prison. And whenever we think about medieval dungeons, it's easy to envision something. Torture.

[Lore Narrator]

In the Tower of London, torture was said to come in three delicious flavors. First and foremost was the rack, a tool designed to literally stretch a prisoner's body to the point that their limbs were dislocated from their torso, sometimes even.

[Aaron Manke]

Ripping them off completely.

[Lore Narrator]

A lot of the time, just being.

[Aaron Manke]

Shown the rack was enough to get prisoners talking. And honestly, can you blame them?

[Lore Narrator]

The second method of torture was a bit less frequently used. Known as the scavenger's daughter, it was a sort of reverse rack designed to.

[Aaron Manke]

Compress someone to death.

[Lore Narrator]

And the third option was the manacles.

[Aaron Manke]

Those old Hollywood favorites.

[Lore Narrator]

Using those iron bracelets and their connecting chains, a prisoner could be hung up.

[Aaron Manke]

In all sorts of positions, putting horrible strain on their feet and their hands.

[Lore Narrator]

And, of course, what discussion of a prison would be complete without mentioning the.

[Aaron Manke]

Many executions that took place there? Inside the walls of the tower itself, only 22 people are known to have been executed out on the Tower Green. That's where people of high status, like nobility or royalty, were killed. A private affair, if you will.

[Lore Narrator]

Most executions, though, took place outside the.

[Aaron Manke]

Walls and across the road on what is known as Tower Hill.

[Lore Narrator]

On that spot, over 100 people were killed in public, on full display for.

[Aaron Manke]

Anyone passing by, which, knowing how medieval monarchs worked, was often the point. All these ingredients have combined over the centuries to give the Tower of London a dark reputation.

[Lore Narrator]

A place of domination and protection, of stability and power, and of torture and death. And naturally, that reputation also involves ghosts.

[Aaron Manke]

Most ghost stories start with a real person, and for this one, we need to go back to the 13th century. Henry III was born in 1207 and inherited the throne when he was just nine years old.

[Lore Narrator]

The next time you wonder if your kid is spending too much time on Roblox, just be glad they aren't a.

[Aaron Manke]

Monarch of a massive kingdom. Now, if you've read enough history, you know, that not all kings and queens.

[Lore Narrator]

Were cut from the same cloth.

[Aaron Manke]

Some were warlords, like William the Conqueror.

[Lore Narrator]

And some, well, weren't. And Henry III was definitely not known.

[Aaron Manke]

For his prowess on the battlefield.

[Lore Narrator]

Heck, he wasn't even good at diplomacy. But when it came to building things.

[Aaron Manke]

He was one of the best. If William was the Conqueror, Henry was the architect.

[Lore Narrator]

He had 18 new chapels built across.

[Aaron Manke]

England, rebuilt Westminster palace, and made big improvements to Windsor Chapel. And we have him to thank for the Gothic style of Westminster Abbey, one of the city's most famous landmarks. But aside from all of that, Henry poured his penchant for remodeling into the Tower of London.

[Lore Narrator]

For instance, that outer wall that William II first built now has 19 little.

[Aaron Manke]

Castles on it known as mural towers. And Henry built nine of adding additional defensive capabilities and also a bit more residential space. He added a moat around the tower.

[Lore Narrator]

Complex and painted the original central tower white.

[Aaron Manke]

One key addition was Henry's Watergate.

[Lore Narrator]

No, this wasn't a political controversy involving a medieval tape recorder.

[Aaron Manke]

It's an entrance on the side of.

[Lore Narrator]

The wall facing the river, just to.

[Aaron Manke]

The right of the Traitor's Gate.

[Lore Narrator]

And it comes with a frightening bit of folklore attached to it, recorded by a monk named Matthew Paris sometime in the 1240s or 50s.

[Historical Figure]

It.

[Aaron Manke]

It's a story about the construction of that gate.

[Lore Narrator]

According to Paris, on April 23rd of 1240, the water gate collapsed, taking down.

[Aaron Manke]

Parts of the surrounding walls with it. Henry was livid and instructed his workers to rebuild it stronger and better than before.

[Lore Narrator]

So they stuck in and started over. Fast forward to April 23rd of the following year.

[Aaron Manke]

And that night, an old priest had a dream.

[Lore Narrator]

In it, the martyr Thomas Becket was seen approaching the new gate, where he.

[Aaron Manke]

Pounded a cross against it. In that moment, Paris tells us, the real gate collapsed again to the ground.

[Lore Narrator]

And when Henry III learned of this priest's dream, he saw a solution. He called for a small chapel to be built nearby, dedicated to St. Thomas. And once this was finished, the water.

[Aaron Manke]

Gate stood strong and never collapsed again.

[Lore Narrator]

Which gives new texture to a report by a yeoman warder who lived in.

[Aaron Manke]

That tower in the 1970s.

[Lore Narrator]

He claimed that on more than one occasion, he watched as one of the.

[Aaron Manke]

Doors in that space silently opened on.

[Lore Narrator]

Its own, paused for a moment, and.

[Aaron Manke]

Then closed again, all without any visible person to cause it.

[Lore Narrator]

And others there have reported seeing the.

[Aaron Manke]

Figure of a monk, as well as the sounds of leather sandals on the floor.

[Lore Narrator]

So maybe St. Thomas liked the new tower so much.

[Aaron Manke]

That he moved in and never really left. Near the Watergate Tower is another tower with its own dark reputation, known as Wakefield Tower. Its story has a connection to a.

[Lore Narrator]

Later Henry, Henry VI, who ruled during.

[Aaron Manke]

Most of the 15th century.

[Lore Narrator]

Henry is best remembered for being king.

[Aaron Manke]

During the War of the Roses, which was a struggle between two major houses.

[Lore Narrator]

The Yorks and the Lancasters. During the War of the Roses, Henry found himself captured and imprisoned inside the.

[Aaron Manke]

Tower of London multiple times.

[Lore Narrator]

Inside, according to tradition, the Wakefield Tower. Well, in the spring of 1741, Henry.

[Aaron Manke]

Henry was captured for a third and final time and taken back to the.

[Lore Narrator]

Tower on May 21st of that year, the same day that Edward IV rode.

[Aaron Manke]

Into London as King Henry VI died in the Tower. And right away, foul play was suspected.

[Lore Narrator]

And still time moves on.

[Aaron Manke]

Henry was buried at a chapel outside of London for a while, but about a decade later, his remains were moved to Windsor Castle.

[Lore Narrator]

They used a lead chest to transport his body, but because it didn't fit.

[Aaron Manke]

Properly, they dismembered it and piled the pieces inside. The perfect bit of chaos to hide a crime, you see.

[Lore Narrator]

In 1910, over 400 years later, Henry's.

[Aaron Manke]

Remains were exhumed for study, and a shocking surprise was uncovered.

[Lore Narrator]

It seems that one of Henry's arms had been stolen back in 1484 and replaced with the leg of a pig. During the examination, it was determined that.

[Aaron Manke]

Henry's skull had been shattered, leading experts.

[Lore Narrator]

To assume that, yes, he had been.

[Aaron Manke]

Murdered in the Wakefield Tower. His missing arm, though, has never been found.

[Lore Narrator]

It's been reported that every year on the anniversary of his death, Henry's ghost is spotted in Wakefield Tower just as the clock begins to strike. Twelve witnesses have claimed to see Henry's.

[Aaron Manke]

Pale form materialize and then pace around the room. And finally, as the last of the.

[Lore Narrator]

12 chimes rings out, his ghost apparently.

[Aaron Manke]

Stops and begins to fade, melting back into the stones of the tower that once held him.

[Lore Narrator]

It's one of the most popular exhibits.

[Aaron Manke]

To see for anyone who has ever had the privilege to visit the Tower of London firsthand. They always walk away with strong memories of the armory now on sun level.

[Lore Narrator]

This is sort of a, well, duh moment, right?

[Aaron Manke]

England, in many people's minds, is the.

[Lore Narrator]

Place where medieval stuff happens, right down.

[Aaron Manke]

To swords and armor and jousting contests.

[Lore Narrator]

Tourists expect a little bit of a.

[Aaron Manke]

Knight'S tale when they visit the place, and truth be told, the Tower of London delivers that in spades.

[Lore Narrator]

Now, of course, the tower started right off as a fortress, so it was.

[Aaron Manke]

A military site from the beginning.

[Lore Narrator]

By the 15th century, it was even home to the Office of Armory and.

[Aaron Manke]

The Office of Ordinance, who were officially in charge of making the stuff. And the more they made, the more.

[Lore Narrator]

They had to store.

[Aaron Manke]

By the end of the 16th century.

[Lore Narrator]

People were reportedly starting to pay for a tour of it all.

[Aaron Manke]

After the Civil War and the restoration of King Charles ii, the collection was.

[Lore Narrator]

Reorganized to be more tourist friendly and.

[Aaron Manke]

Also to put some positive spin on the monarchy.

[Lore Narrator]

Wooden figures were carved to wear the.

[Aaron Manke]

Armor and displays were created. And this includes the armor of King Henry viii.

[Lore Narrator]

Now, most of us know Henry VIII from his creation of the Church of England in response to the Catholic Pope refusing to allow him to get divorced. He's usually depicted as an overweight, round faced guy with a red beard and.

[Aaron Manke]

A lot of wives, but he started.

[Lore Narrator]

Off as a fit young ruler who loved to joust.

[Aaron Manke]

And you can see this in his slender armor on display there.

[Lore Narrator]

You also, incidentally, get to see his 1540 Greenwich armor, which was made for.

[Aaron Manke]

Him when he was 49.

[Lore Narrator]

If you've toured the Armory, you will remember set because it features a, shall we say, generously sized codpiece seen by most historians as propaganda.

[Aaron Manke]

It's clearly proof of Henry's tendency to overcompensate. And you can't blame the guy either.

[Lore Narrator]

His father, Henry vii, named his oldest son Arthur because he was obsessed with the legend of King Arthur and wanted a real King Arthur in the family tree. All hope and energy was poured into.

[Aaron Manke]

Young Arthur, and when he died at.

[Lore Narrator]

The age of 15, young Henry became a sort of afterthought turned backup plan.

[Aaron Manke]

Not the best way to build confidence.

[Lore Narrator]

Thus, perhaps the enormous codpiece. Anyway, it seems that Henry VIII's armor is also haunted. Over the years, many guards and other staff have reported a suffocating sensation when.

[Aaron Manke]

They enter the room where it's on display.

[Lore Narrator]

Some say it feels like strong hands trying to strangle them, while others just.

[Aaron Manke]

Feel it's an overall oppression.

[Lore Narrator]

In one story, a guard patrolling the.

[Aaron Manke]

Tower in the middle of the night.

[Lore Narrator]

Claimed that he was attacked by a ghost wearing a real physical cloak. This ghost apparently wrapped the cloak around.

[Aaron Manke]

The guard's throat and began to strangle him with it.

[Lore Narrator]

He managed to break free, but back in the guard room, he pulled the cloak off and discovered livid red marks.

[Aaron Manke]

All around his neck.

[Lore Narrator]

Oh, and one other thing.

[Aaron Manke]

Henry's armor has been moved around over the years from one room to another, and every time this happens, the reports of hauntings and feelings of oppression have followed it.

[Lore Narrator]

But no discussion of Henry VIII can.

[Aaron Manke]

Be complete without mentioning his second wife, Anne Boleyn.

[Lore Narrator]

She is famous for being the reason.

[Aaron Manke]

He sought that divorce from his first.

[Lore Narrator]

Wife, and, of course, for being falsely accused of plotting against Henry a few years later, leading to her imprisonment and death by execution. On May 15 of 1536, Anne was declared guilty of high treason and sentenced.

[Aaron Manke]

To death by execution.

[Lore Narrator]

Three days later, she was taken outside.

[Aaron Manke]

The White Tower and beheaded by sword. One legend says that when Anne learned about the Frenchman who had been hired.

[Lore Narrator]

To swing that blade, she jokingly told the constable, I heard say the executioner.

[Aaron Manke]

Was very good and I have a.

[Lore Narrator]

Little neck, suggesting that her short neck required a skilled swordsman. After she was dead, her body was.

[Aaron Manke]

Placed in a chest and buried inside the Chapel of St. Peter right there beside the Tower Green. But it wasn't the last time poor Anne Boleyn has been seen. If the stories are true, she has haunted the chapel and the tower ever since, making frequent appearances.

[Lore Narrator]

Her headless ghost has been seen wandering.

[Aaron Manke]

Through the Tower Green, sometimes with her head tucked neatly under one arm.

[Lore Narrator]

But it's One incident from 1864 that truly paints the darkest picture. According to the report, a soldier from the King's Royal Rifle Corps was on duty at the Queen's house near the Tower Green when he saw the ghost.

[Aaron Manke]

Of Anne Boleyn appear inside the room.

[Lore Narrator]

Frightened out of his mind, he stabbed.

[Aaron Manke]

At the figure with his bayonet. But the blade passed right through her.

[Lore Narrator]

After that, the sentry fainted from the.

[Aaron Manke]

Terror of the experience. And when he was discovered by his.

[Lore Narrator]

Superior officers a while later, the man.

[Aaron Manke]

Assumed the soldier had simply fallen asleep on the job.

[Lore Narrator]

Just before the poor soldier was set to be tried for dereliction of duty.

[Aaron Manke]

A pair of witnesses came forward to back up his supernatural claims. They had seen the dead queen as well. Over the years, sightings of the beheaded queen have continued.

[Lore Narrator]

But whether true or not, their persistence.

[Aaron Manke]

Makes one thing abundantly clear. The darkest deeds of the past always have a way of haunting us here in the present. There are few places like it on earth. The Tower of London is a relic from another age, and you can tell that from the moment you set foot inside.

[Lore Narrator]

In fact, it's widely considered to be.

[Aaron Manke]

The best preserved 11th century fortress in all of Europe. But it's so much more than that. The Tower of London, spanning all of.

[Lore Narrator]

Its many buildings and smaller towers, has become home to much of what we.

[Aaron Manke]

Associate with medieval England. It holds the crown jewels.

[Lore Narrator]

It served as a prison for traitors.

[Aaron Manke]

And maintains that massive collection of weapons and Armor. And of course, there are the ghosts. I've skipped over some of the better known ghost stories on this journey into the past because they have been discussed in previous episodes.

[Lore Narrator]

Tales like the Two Princes feel right.

[Aaron Manke]

At home alongside stories of beheaded Queensland, which might explain the enduring nature of those legends and the persistence of the sightings.

[Lore Narrator]

Back in 1876, due to a sinking floor and crumbling columns, Queen Victoria ordered.

[Aaron Manke]

The Chapel of St. Peter be restored and remodeled. In the process, the pavement over the.

[Lore Narrator]

Site marked as Anne Boleyn's grave was peeled back.

[Aaron Manke]

And then they began to dig down.

[Lore Narrator]

At a depth of just two feet.

[Aaron Manke]

They found a collection of bones, exactly.

[Lore Narrator]

What you would expect to find after a wooden box containing a naked corpse.

[Aaron Manke]

Was given nearly three and a half centuries to decompose.

[Lore Narrator]

The bones were identified as those of an adult female in good health, and when put back together, they clearly belonged to someone with a short, petite neck. Anne's remains were eventually reinterred in the.

[Aaron Manke]

Restored chapel, but it's much more difficult to rebury the past, you see. Years later, another guard was keeping watch one night, patrolling the grounds around the Tower Green, when he spotted something alarming.

[Lore Narrator]

It was a flickering light coming from.

[Aaron Manke]

Inside the Chapel of St. Peter. Curious to see who might have entered the chapel without permission, this guard quickly made his way over to the outer wall of the building and lifted himself up to peer through one of the windows. And there, visible through the old glass, was a scene that he never expected to witness.

[Lore Narrator]

It was a full procession of figures.

[Aaron Manke]

All clearly lords and ladies, with some even dressed in armor as if they were knights.

[Lore Narrator]

They were slowly walking from the entrance of the church toward the altar, giving.

[Aaron Manke]

The scene a somber appearance. And there, at the head of the procession, was a small, youthful woman dressed in the clothing of royalty. It was Anne Boleyn. After watching the group walk up the aisle for a few moments, they finally reached their destination.

[Lore Narrator]

As Anne came near the altar, near.

[Aaron Manke]

In fact, where her body is now.

[Lore Narrator]

Buried, she and the others began to.

[Aaron Manke]

Slowly fade away, the lights of their procession vanishing with them. The past, as I've already said, is very persistent.

[Lore Narrator]

And it seems that the darker the.

[Aaron Manke]

Event, the louder and further it echoes down through the ages.

[Lore Narrator]

Yes, we can remodel and rebuild and.

[Aaron Manke]

Give old places a fresh coat of paint, but for those who know where.

[Lore Narrator]

To look, the shadows of those darker.

[Aaron Manke]

Days are still right there on display.

[Lore Narrator]

I truly hope you've enjoyed this visit.

[Aaron Manke]

To the historic and haunted Tower of London, whether or not you've had a.

[Lore Narrator]

Chance to tour its ancient halls in person. I think these stories do a great.

[Aaron Manke]

Job of covering the horrible deeds of some historic personalities.

[Lore Narrator]

After all, where there are people, there is often darkness.

[Aaron Manke]

But the stories that haunt the Tower aren't limited to humans.

[Lore Narrator]

In fact, we've set aside one last bit of folklore for you that sits.

[Aaron Manke]

Outside the normal history of the Tower. Stick around through this brief sponsor break to hear all about it.

[Lore Narrator]

This episode was made possible by Mint Mobile. You know when you discover a new binge worthy show or a song that you bump on repeat and you have to share it with your friends so that they can experience just how awesome it is? That's kind of what it feels like when you discover that Mint Mobile offers Premium Wireless for $15 a month when you purchase a three month plan. It's such an awesome deal, there's no way that you can keep it to yourself. One of our senior producers over here at Grim and Mild set up her Mint Mobile account all by herself and by skipping all of that in store stuff, she was able to take advantage.

[Aaron Manke]

Of a much better price compared to other wireless providers.

[Lore Narrator]

All of their plans come with unlimited Talk and text + high speed data.

[Aaron Manke]

Delivered on the nation's largest 5G network.

[Lore Narrator]

And you can even use your own phone with any Mint Mobile plan and bring your phone number along with all.

[Aaron Manke]

Your existing contacts to get this new.

[Lore Narrator]

Customer offer and your new 3 month premium wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month go to mintmobile.com lore that's mintmobile.com lore cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com lore $45 upfront payment required equivalent to $15 per month. New customers on first 3 month plan only speed slower above 40gb on unlimited plan. Additional taxes, fees and restrictions apply. See Mint Mobile for details.

[Live Nation Announcer]

Hey music fans, there are some great concerts headed this way. Don't miss out on all the shows in your favorite venues like Deftones at Madison Square Garden, Eagles at the Sphere and Foster the people at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets are going fast, so don't wait. Head to livenation.com to get your tickets. Now that's livenation.com.

[T-Mobile Representative]

After investing billions to light up our network. T Mobile is America's largest 5G network. Plus right now you can switch. Keep your phone and we'll pay it off up to $800. See how you can save on every plan versus Verizon and at&t@t mobile.com KeepAndSwitch.

[T-Mobile Legal Disclaimer Voice]

Up to four lines via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days qualifying unlock device credit service ported 90 plus days with device, ineligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months.

[Aaron Manke]

Everyone has heard about the ravens. One of the first things you see.

[Lore Narrator]

When you enter the interior grounds of.

[Aaron Manke]

The Tower of London is a caged area that contains a number of black birds.

[Lore Narrator]

And they are clear proof of just.

[Aaron Manke]

How powerful folklore can be. As the legend goes, the Tower of London will continue to stand as long as the six ravens who call it home never fly away.

[Lore Narrator]

There's some very detailed story to go.

[Aaron Manke]

Along with that, explaining why the ravens are important.

[Lore Narrator]

But let's just say that the modern presence of those beautiful black birds has nothing to do with loyalty to the Tower. No, their wings have been clipped and they're treated like royalty, with twice daily meals and their very own raven master.

[Aaron Manke]

To look after them.

[Lore Narrator]

So, sure, the ravens haven't flown away.

[Aaron Manke]

And the Tower still stands.

[Lore Narrator]

And those two details really just have.

[Aaron Manke]

Nothing to do with each other. But something that is rooted in fact is the Tower's long history as an actual zoo. And to understand why that happened, we need to step back into the days of William the Conqueror. It seems that his son Henry kept a collection of exotic animals at his palace at Woodstock.

[Lore Narrator]

Maybe that was just part of normal.

[Aaron Manke]

Behavior for European royalty. Or maybe it was a new and.

[Lore Narrator]

Unique seed that was about to take root. The proof, I suppose, arrived a century later. In 1204, during the reign of John I, a collection of animals was brought.

[Aaron Manke]

To the Tower of London, and they.

[Lore Narrator]

Would end up staying there for good. The first payment on record for a zookeeper there at the tower was in 1210.

[Aaron Manke]

And as the years went by, the.

[Lore Narrator]

Different types of animals there just kept.

[Aaron Manke]

Growing, often through gifts received from other monarchs.

[Lore Narrator]

For example, in 1235, Henry III, our builder king, was given three live leopards.

[Aaron Manke]

By the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II.

[Lore Narrator]

A few years later, the King of Norway sent him a polar bear.

[Aaron Manke]

And right after that, the King of France sent a full grown African elephant.

[Lore Narrator]

Although, sadly, that gift didn't live too long. It seems the zookeepers believed that it could subsist on a diet of raw meat and wine, despite being an herbivore.

[Aaron Manke]

Who needed fresh drinking water.

[Lore Narrator]

By the time Queen Elizabeth I was in power, even the public could come.

[Aaron Manke]

See the menagerie there at the Tower.

[Lore Narrator]

For a fee, of course. And her successor, James I, also received.

[Aaron Manke]

An elephant as a gift, this time.

[Lore Narrator]

From the King of Spain, although it too sadly died after being given too.

[Aaron Manke]

Much wine to drink.

[Lore Narrator]

And then, in 1822, the zoo there really took Off.

[Aaron Manke]

That was the year that the Tower.

[Lore Narrator]

Hired a new zookeeper by the name of Alfred Copps.

[Aaron Manke]

And during his tenure there, he managed.

[Lore Narrator]

To bring in over 300 new specimens. And true to form, my research team gave me a really long list of.

[Aaron Manke]

All the different kinds of animals. So here's just a sample from their notes.

[Lore Narrator]

A grizzly bear, Bengal lions, a Barbary lioness, African bloodhounds, a jackal mongoose, kangaroo, various monkeys, an elk, a zebra, a porcupine, an alligator, and a boa constrictor. But with all of these wild animals.

[Aaron Manke]

Came risk and responsibility.

[Lore Narrator]

Aside from the elephants that were killed by what was essentially alcohol poisoning, there.

[Aaron Manke]

Were several incidents of animal cruelty.

[Lore Narrator]

James I once ordered his zookeeper to.

[Aaron Manke]

Experiment with the violent nature of the.

[Lore Narrator]

Lion by sending mastiffs, these large hunting dogs, into the enclosure to see who.

[Aaron Manke]

Would win in a fight.

[Lore Narrator]

Two mastiffs died and a third was.

[Aaron Manke]

Wounded before they called it off.

[Lore Narrator]

On another occasion, the wife of a zookeeper reached into the lion's cage with.

[Aaron Manke]

The hope of patting its gigantic paw, only to get her arm so viciously.

[Lore Narrator]

Clawed that she bled to death before.

[Aaron Manke]

Anyone could help her.

[Lore Narrator]

Oh, and that 1822 zookeeper, Alfred Copps.

[Aaron Manke]

You know, the one who brought in.

[Lore Narrator]

Over 300 animals, was attacked by one.

[Aaron Manke]

Of his own additions, the boa constrictor that nearly broke his spine. His assistants only managed to save the.

[Lore Narrator]

Man by breaking the snake's fangs. Thankfully, after concerns over the welfare of.

[Aaron Manke]

The animals at the Tower Zoo, the.

[Lore Narrator]

Duke of Wellington managed to get it.

[Aaron Manke]

Shut down in 1835, shipping most of.

[Lore Narrator]

Them to the region's Park Zoo. But while the animals themselves might be gone, their spirits live on at the Tower. And quite literally, according to some, visitors and staff over the years have heard.

[Aaron Manke]

The sounds of invisible horses galloping on the cobblestones.

[Lore Narrator]

Others have heard the roar of lions.

[Aaron Manke]

That no longer live there, shattering the night with their terrifying call.

[Lore Narrator]

And in 1815, one of the guards of the Jewel House spotted something that.

[Aaron Manke]

Should not have been possible.

[Lore Narrator]

The man was standing just outside the.

[Aaron Manke]

Martin Tower when he heard the clock strike midnight. And as it did, a massive bear.

[Lore Narrator]

Seemed to emerge from the shadow filled.

[Aaron Manke]

Archway leading into the tower.

[Lore Narrator]

Terrified for his own safety, the guard.

[Aaron Manke]

Raised his rifle and drove the bayonet right through the huge beast.

[Lore Narrator]

Only it passed through the bear and instead embedded itself in the thick wooden.

[Aaron Manke]

Door of the Tower.

[Lore Narrator]

When his fellow guards heard the noise.

[Aaron Manke]

And shouting, they ran to help.

[Lore Narrator]

But when they arrived, they found the.

[Aaron Manke]

Guard passed out cold on the ground.

[Lore Narrator]

The next day, the guard was described by his superior officer as haunted by fear, a man changed beyond recognition, and.

[Aaron Manke]

The day after that, he was dead.

[Lore Narrator]

Supposedly frightened to death by what he saw. Strange. You better believe it. But considering the location and its long, dark history, I'm honestly not surprised. It's a miracle that things like that.

[Aaron Manke]

Don'T happen more often at the Tower of London.

[Lore Narrator]

For a structure built to keep a city safe and secure, it seems to have played host to far too many dangerous moments for any one person to bear.

[Aaron Manke]

This episode of Lore was written and produced by me, Aaron Manke, with research by Jamie Vargas and music by Chad Lawson. I have a confession to make. Just like you, I do not like ads in podcasts.

[Lore Narrator]

But thankfully we create an ad free.

[Aaron Manke]

Version of this show.

[Lore Narrator]

It's available on Apple Podcasts and patreon.

[Aaron Manke]

And it's 100% ad free.

[Lore Narrator]

Pick your platform, sign up for the community and once you're in, not only do you get ad free episodes, but you'll also get weekly mini episodes called Lore Bytes.

[Aaron Manke]

It is a bargain for for all.

[Lore Narrator]

Of that ad free storytelling and a great way to support the show and.

[Aaron Manke]

The team behind it. And you can learn more about the.

[Lore Narrator]

Pricing and the features all [e-mail] support and of course, Lore is much more.

[Aaron Manke]

Than just a podcast.

[Lore Narrator]

There's the book series available in bookstores.

[Aaron Manke]

And online, and the television show on Amazon Prime. Learn more [e-mail] and you can also.

[Lore Narrator]

Follow this show on threads, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube to search for Lore podcast all one word and then click that follow button. And when you do, say hi.

[Aaron Manke]

I like it when people say hi. And as always, thanks for listening.

[Live Nation Announcer]

Hey music fans, there are some great concerts headed this way. Don't miss out on all the shows in your favorite venues like Deftones at Madison Square Garden, Eagles at the Sphere and Foster the people at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets are going fast, so don't wait. Head to livenation.com to get your tickets. Now that's livenation.com.

[T-Mobile Representative]

After investing billions to light up our network, T Mobile is America's largest 5G network. Plus right now you can switch keep your phone and we'll pay it off up to $800. See how you can save on every plan versus Verizon and at and t@t mobile.com keepandswitch up to four lines via.

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