Noble Blood: Episode 1 | Cottingley Fairies

Release Date: August 4, 2025

Introduction

In the premiere episode of Noble Blood, hosted by Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan, listeners are transported to the quaint village of Cottingley in early 20th-century England. The episode delves into the intriguing story of the Cottingley Fairies—a historical hoax that captivated the world and even drew the attention of the renowned author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

The Birth of the Hoax

Dana Schwartz opens the discussion by setting the scene in 1917, amid the aftermath of Queen Victoria's reign and the early Edwardian era. In the small town of Cottingley near Bradford, two cousins, 16-year-old Elsie Wright and her 9-year-old sister Frances Griffiths, become the central figures of the fairy phenomenon.

Dana Schwartz [05:15]:
"The mom was like, they made a picnic lunch and went down to the beck."

The girls often played by a beck—a small stream—where Frances would return wet, leading to parental frustration. To appease their mother, Frances would claim, “It's not my fault, I was playing with the fairies” [06:13]. Elsie, leveraging her father's amateur photography skills, decides to prove Frances's claims by taking photographs of these elusive fairies.

Capturing the Fairies

Using a midge camera—smaller and more manageable than the cumbersome cameras of the era—Elsie captures what appears to be images of fairies alongside their cousin.

Lizzie Logan [07:23]:
"And it says Alice and the fairies. And it's dated July 1917."

The initial photographs depict Frances with whimsical figures resembling fairies, sparking both wonder and skepticism among the local community. Despite their efforts, the parents remain unconvinced, leading the girls to persist in their endeavor to legitimize their experiences.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Involvement

The narrative takes a significant turn when the enigmatic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, famed for creating Sherlock Holmes, becomes interested in the Cottingley Fairies.

Dana Schwartz [12:17]:
"He was, you know, it's the guy who wrote Sherlock Holmes."

Conan Doyle, an avid spiritualist, sees the photographs as potential evidence of an evolutionary leap towards a spiritual hierarchy, suggesting that the fairies could signify a new phase in human evolution. He enlists photography expert Harold Snelling to examine the negatives, who confirms that the images are authentic with no signs of manipulation [13:06].

Dana Schwartz [14:27]:
"So, the blurrier version is the one that was convincing these people."

Conan Doyle publishes articles and a book titled The Coming of the Fairies, presenting the photographs to a broader audience. Despite growing criticism and skepticism, especially from figures like Major John Hall Edwards, the hoax gains considerable traction within the spiritualist community.

The Unraveling of the Hoax

Decades later, investigative efforts by Jeffrey Crawley, editor of the British Journal of Photography, methodically debunk the hoax. Through meticulous analysis of the original cameras and photographic techniques, Crawley demonstrates that the fairies were fabricated using simple tools like hat pins and cardboard cutouts.

Lizzie Logan [51:46]:
"If you haven't looked these up yet, they look extremely two dimensional."

Despite Crawley’s thorough exposé, Frances maintains her belief in the authenticity of the final photograph until her death in 1986, while Elsie concedes that the photos were indeed faked [56:10].

Legacy and Reflections

The Cottingley Fairies hoax remains a fascinating study of belief, deception, and the impact of influential figures on public perception. The episode highlights how the hoax persisted not because of widespread gullibility, but due to the compelling intersection of credible advocates like Conan Doyle and the enchanting allure of the fairy mythos.

Dana Schwartz [57:22]:
"The reason that this hoax has lasted so long isn't because people believed it so much, but kind of for the opposite reason."

The hosts reflect on the motivations behind the hoax, emphasizing that it stemmed from a blend of youthful mischief and compassion towards Conan Doyle, rather than malicious intent.

Lizzie Logan [61:57]:
"They were trying to get out of trouble."

Conclusion

Noble Blood’s first episode masterfully navigates the intricate layers of the Cottingley Fairies story, blending historical context with personal anecdotes from Dana Schwartz and Lizzie Logan. The episode serves as a compelling exploration of how seemingly innocent actions can reverberate through time, leaving an enduring legacy on both personal relationships and broader cultural narratives.

Dana Schwartz [62:44]:
"But it's a lie. But it's like, isn't that what little girls do to their parents?"

By dissecting the Cottingley Fairies hoax, Noble Blood sets the tone for its exploration of historical intrigues, promising listeners a rich tapestry of stories where power, deception, and human folly intersect.

Notable Quotes:

• “It's not my fault, I was playing with the fairies.”
  — Frances Griffiths [06:13]

• “But if it is... as Arthur Conan Doyle, he is, I'm going to go get an expert opinion.”
  — Dana Schwartz [14:58]

• “She says that she took it.”
  — Dana Schwartz [56:11]

• “They were trying to get out of trouble.”
  — Lizzie Logan [61:57]

Additional Resources:

• National Science and Media Museum in Bradford: Houses original prints, cameras, and letters related to the Cottingley Fairies.
• Princess Mary's Gift Book: The children's book from which Elsie copied fairy illustrations for the hoax.

Stay tuned for more episodes of Noble Blood, where Dana Schwartz continues to unravel the captivating tales of history’s most intriguing royals.