Lore Episode 273: "A Royal Pain" Summary

Released on February 10, 2025 by Aaron Mahnke

1. The Hidden Vault of Lord Francis Lovell

The episode opens with an intriguing historical discovery made in 1708 at Minster Lovell Hall, an old English manor. During renovations, construction workers stumbled upon a secret panel revealing a concealed vault. Inside lay a chilling scene: a human skeleton seated upright at a small table, accompanied by the remains of a dog. Remarkably, these remains disintegrated upon exposure to fresh air, leaving only fleeting evidence of their presence.

Aaron Mahnke narrates, "The discovery was completely unexpected... [00:13]" This macabre finding sparked rumors that Lord Francis Lovell, a prominent English noble who vanished after the Battle of Stoke Field in 1487, had returned to hide within his own manor. Legends suggest he suffered a slow, agonizing death of starvation after his servant died, though historians largely dispute this, proposing he likely fled to Scotland or perished crossing the River Trent.

The true fate of Lord Lovell remains a mystery, with the vault's bones never identified and no additional traces of the lord found. Mahnke reflects on how powerful figures like Lovell become the subjects of folklore, setting the stage for exploring even more illustrious royal legends.

2. The Divine Right of Kings

Transitioning from Lord Lovell's tale, Mahnke introduces a profound concept with a notable quote from Ursula K. Le Guin's 2014 National Book Awards speech:

"We live in capitalism... So did the divine right of kings... [02:34]"

He delves into the historical intertwining of political power with divine authority, tracing its origins back to early civilizations where leaders were seen as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realms. This divine association granted rulers an unassailable authority, as challenging their rule was tantamount to defying the gods themselves.

Mahnke highlights various cultural manifestations of this belief:

• Ancient Egypt: Pharaohs were deified, often associated with gods like Horus.
• Zoroastrian Iran: Kings were viewed as direct descendants of the sky god, Ahura Mazda.
• Greco-Roman Empire: Rulers acted as high priests and were deified posthumously.
• East Asian Cultures: Concepts like China's "Mandate of Heaven" and Japan's divine emperors under Amaterasu reinforced rulers' sacred right to govern.

This divine endorsement effectively stifled political opposition, allowing monarchies to maintain control through spiritual legitimacy.

3. The Evolution to the Divine Right of Kings

Mahnke explores how the divine right of kings evolved, especially during significant historical periods like the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. This ideology shifted the perception of kingship from being chosen by deities post-birth to a belief that rulers were divinely preselected at birth, untouched by earthly authorities.

For instance, under this doctrine, a newborn destined to be king, such as Charles II, was believed to have a divinely sanctioned spirit from the moment of conception. This irrevocable divine approval made any attempt to dethrone the monarch not just a political rebellion but a sacrilegious act against God Himself. Mahnke underscores the potency of this belief system in maintaining monarchical power through generations.

4. Kensington Palace: The Haunting Beginnings

The narrative shifts to Kensington Palace, focusing on William III and Mary II, who in 1689 purchased Nottingham House near Kensington Gardens. Their renovations transformed the modest villa into the grand Kensington Palace, a residence befitting their status as co-rulers of England.

Mahnke provides personal insights into Mary II's tragic life, noting her painful loss of two pregnancies. He quotes Mary's poignant letter:

"If one could hinder oneself, setting one's heart too much upon those we love, we should be the readier to die... [21:15]"

Mary's untimely death from smallpox in 1694 at age 32 left William as a solitary monarch. According to legends, her spirit remains in Kensington Palace, eternally mourning the children she never had. Mahnke describes Mary's ghost as:

"weeping through the cavernous halls for the children she never had and for her short, brutal life... [25:42]"

This haunting narrative sets the precedent for the myriad of ghost stories associated with Kensington Palace.

5. Ghosts of Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace, with its rich royal history, is said to be home to several spectral inhabitants:

• King George II: Ascended to the throne in 1727 and met an abrupt end by an aortic dissection in 1760. His ghost is often seen at his former window, haunting the palace grounds and lamenting, "Why don't they come?" in his German accent. Mahnke recounts a sighting:

  "a phantom spear, leaving Forkbeard writhing in pain until twilight arrived [42:30]"

• Princess Sophia: Born in 1777 to King George III, Sophia led a secluded life, marred by an affair and eventual blindness. Witnesses have reported the eerie sounds of her spinning wheel long after its removal from the palace, symbolizing her unfulfilled life.

These apparitions reflect the lingering presence of royals who faced personal tragedies, transforming Kensington Palace into a vessel of unresolved grief and eternal remembrance.

6. The Legend of King Forkbeard and St. Edmund's Ghost

Mahnke delves into the tale of Sven Forkbeard, a formidable Viking king in 987 Denmark. Forkbeard's relentless campaigns against England culminated in personal tragedy when his sister, Gunnhilde, fell victim to the infamous St. Brice's Day Massacre orchestrated by King Aethelred II. Fuelled by revenge, Forkbeard's aggressive invasions intensified.

The legend takes a supernatural turn on February 3, 1014, when Forkbeard reportedly died in his sleep amidst claims of encountering the vengeful spirit of St. Edmund. Mahnke narrates:

"St. Edmund's Spirit visited a monk named Aelwyn and delivered a very clear... [58:12]"

According to folklore, Edmund, a martyred king from 145 years prior, avenged his wrongful death by killing Forkbeard with a phantom spear. This spectral intervention is debated among historians, with theories suggesting the ghost story served to glorify Edmund or provide an alibi for Forkbeard's actual murder by political rivals.

7. Windsor Castle's Spectral Inhabitants

Windsor Castle, renowned as the largest and oldest continuously inhabited castle globally, is steeped in ghostly lore. Mahnke highlights the apparitions of several British monarchs:

• King Henry VIII: Known for his tumultuous reign and personal excesses, Henry is believed to be tormented by the injuries from a jousting accident in 1536. Legends describe his ghostly figure pacing the castle corridors, perpetually wincing from his festering wounds. Witnesses report the haunting sound of his injured leg dragging behind him.

• Queen Elizabeth I: A patron of the arts and a formidable ruler, Elizabeth's ghost is frequently spotted in the Royal Library, engrossed in books or walking unseen corridors. A notable 1897 account describes a lieutenant chasing her spectral form, only to find her vanished without a trace.

• King George III: Suffering from severe mental illness, George III's ghost is said to haunt his former chambers, playing the harp and longing for release from his troubled existence. An early example of his haunting includes his apparition saluting his guards posthumously.

Mahnke muses on the possibility of these royal spirits finding camaraderie in their afterlife, bound together by their shared experiences and eternal residence within Windsor Castle.

8. Conclusion: Eternal Monarchs and Their Haunting Legacies

"A Royal Pain" weaves together historical facts with supernatural folklore, illustrating how the grandeur and tragedies of royal lives transcend mortality. The persistent apparitions within regal residences like Kensington and Windsor Castles serve as reminders of the human emotions and unresolved conflicts that linger beyond death. Through these ghostly tales, the episode underscores the enduring fascination with monarchy and the spectral echoes of power, loss, and legacy.

Notable Quotes:

• "The discovery was completely unexpected..." — Aaron Mahnke [00:13]

• "Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings..." — Ursula K. Le Guin [05:20]

• "If one could hinder oneself, setting one's heart too much upon those we love, we should be the readier to die..." — Queen Mary II [21:15]

• "St. Edmund comes to kill me. No matter how?" — King Forkbeard [37:45]

Attributions:

• Host: Aaron Mahnke
• Writing: Jenna Rose Nethercott
• Research: Jamie Vargas
• Music: Chad Lawson

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