Episode Summary: Lore 276 - "Heads Up"

Release Date: March 24, 2025

Introduction

In this particularly gruesome installment of Lore, host Aaron Mahnke delves deep into the dark history surrounding decapitation, the supernatural beliefs tied to severed heads, and the eerie experiments that sought to uncover the mysteries of the human soul post-mortem. As always, Mahnke combines historical accounts, folklore, and spine-chilling narratives to reveal that sometimes, the truth is more frightening than fiction.

The Ghost of Archbishop William Laud

Timestamp: [00:56] - [03:07]

Aaron Mahnke opens the episode with the tale of William Laud, the Archbishop of England, whose contentious reforms led to his downfall. Introduced by the strict Puritans for heresy, Laud was executed by beheading on January 10, 1645. However, his story didn't end there.

Notable Quote:

"Tales of headless ghosts are one of the most common kinds of hauntings we come across."
— Aaron Mahnke [02:48]

According to eyewitness accounts, Laud's spirit remains restless, particularly in St. John's College in Oxford. Witnesses describe his ghost as a man in old-fashioned attire, but the terror peaks when he raises his arms. At this moment, his head supposedly detaches and rolls towards the living, creating a horrifying spectacle that reinforces the belief in restless spirits tied to violent deaths.

Dr. Duncan MacDougall and the 21-Gram Soul

Timestamp: [03:37] - [07:15]

Mahnke transitions to the early 20th century, highlighting Dr. Duncan MacDougall's controversial experiments aimed at weighing the human soul. Published in 1907, MacDougall hypothesized that if the soul had physical substance, its departure from the body might result in a measurable weight loss.

Notable Quote:

"Death, he said, produces, and I quote, a loss of substance not accounted for by known channels of loss. Is it the soul's substance? It would seem to me to be so."
— Dr. Duncan MacDougall [06:48]

MacDougall's experiments involved placing dying patients on scales to detect any weight change at the moment of death. His results consistently showed a weight loss of approximately 21 grams, leading to the enduring myth that the human soul weighs 21 grams. Despite the intriguing findings, ethical concerns and technical limitations halted further research, leaving the question of the soul's weight unanswered.

The Guillotine: A Humane Execution or a Harbinger of Horror?

Timestamp: [09:32] - [23:31]

The episode delves into the history of the guillotine, introduced during the French Revolution as an egalitarian method of execution. Intended to provide a swift and humane death, the guillotine instead became a symbol of the Reign of Terror, where executions were carried out with alarming efficiency.

Notable Quote:

"There is no worse torture than decapitation with the machine invented by that sensitive deputy, Dr. Guillotin."
— Dr. Dassis de Lanier [22:10]

Mahnke recounts accounts suggesting that victims might have retained consciousness briefly after decapitation. Notable examples include Charlotte Corday's execution, where witnesses observed signs of life from her severed head, and Pierre Francois Lassonniere's attempted wink post-execution, which ultimately failed. These incidents fueled public fear and debate over the guillotine's humanity, leading to the eventual ban of public executions in France.

Dr. Jean Baptiste Vincent Laborde and the Quest to Reanimate Heads

Timestamp: [16:36] - [22:02]

One of the most macabre sections of the episode covers the experiments of Dr. Jean Baptiste Vincent Laborde. Driven by the desire to prove that the soul could survive decapitation, Laborde conducted repeated attempts to reanimate severed human heads using electrified needles and live blood circulation from dogs.

Notable Quote:

"Scientists remain enthralled by the idea that maybe, just maybe, the line between life and death could be hazier than we thought."
— Aaron Mahnke [15:50]

Laborde's experiments achieved limited success in moving facial muscles, but whether true consciousness persisted remained debatable. Contemporary accounts from Dr. Dassis de Lanier suggested fleeting moments of awareness, igniting public fascination and horror. These endeavors underscore humanity's enduring obsession with the soul and the afterlife, even at the expense of ethical boundaries.

Legends of the Headless: The Blemmies and Beyond

Timestamp: [29:49] - [35:06]

Expanding beyond Europe, Mahnke explores global folklore surrounding headless beings, particularly the Blemmies described by ancient Greek historian Herodotus. These mythical creatures were believed to inhabit regions like Libya and South America, characterized by their lack of heads and facial features situated on their torsos.

Notable Quote:

"Although most people today know him better for his work in the Lord of the Rings. That man, Saruman himself, Sir Christopher Lee."
— Narrator [25:58]

The episode traces the evolution of these legends, suggesting that explorers' encounters with different cultures and physical traits might have fueled these myths. The Blemmies became entrenched in medieval maps and stories, influencing literature and art long after the actual tribes faded from existence. Mahnke highlights the psychological and cultural factors that allow such legends to persist, captivating imaginations across centuries.

Influence on Literature: Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, incorporated elements of these headless legends into his works, most notably inspiring the character Humpty Dumpty in Through the Looking-Glass. This intersection of folklore and literature demonstrates the profound impact these myths have had on cultural narratives.

Conclusion

In "Heads Up," Aaron Mahnke masterfully intertwines historical events, scientific experiments, and folklore to explore humanity's enduring fascination with the soul, death, and the supernatural. From ghostly apparitions to the chilling efficiency of the guillotine, and the mythical Blemmies to the audacious experiments of reanimating heads, the episode underscores the thin veil between reality and legend. Mahnke leaves listeners pondering the mysteries of existence and the lengths to which humans will go to understand the unknown.

Notable Quotes Summary

1. Aaron Mahnke on Headless Ghosts:

   "Tales of headless ghosts are one of the most common kinds of hauntings we come across."
   [02:48]

2. Dr. Duncan MacDougall on Soul Weight:

   "Death, he said, produces, and I quote, a loss of substance not accounted for by known channels of loss. Is it the soul's substance? It would seem to me to be so."
   [06:48]

3. Dr. Dassis de Lanier on the Guillotine:

   "There is no worse torture than decapitation with the machine invented by that sensitive deputy, Dr. Guillotin."
   [22:10]

4. Aaron Mahnke on Scientific Fascination:

   "Scientists remain enthralled by the idea that maybe, just maybe, the line between life and death could be hazier than we thought."
   [15:50]

Final Thoughts

"Lore 276: Heads Up" serves as a compelling exploration into the macabre intersection of history, science, and legend. By dissecting tales of decapitation and the soul's journey, Aaron Mahnke invites listeners to reflect on the profound and often unsettling questions that have intrigued humanity for centuries. This episode is a testament to Lore's ability to uncover the eerie truths that lie beneath the surface of our past.