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Prince Sado of Korea – The Coffin King
There have been many stories of insanity in European royal families. Some even, unfairly or not, have gotten the sobriquet of “the Mad”. However, European royalty did not corner the market on insane family members. This example comes to us from the Korea’s Cho’son dynasty, which had ruled Korea since 1392. Prince Sado was the crown prince, who was born February 13, 1735, as the second son of King Yeongjo with his favorite concubine. Sado was the second son of King Yeongjo and only surviving male heir as his older brother tragically died at age 9. There was great rejoicing at the birth of a healthy son. However, Sado’s…
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Locusta the Poisoner
Rome was a rough and tumble place. Even in the golden years of the Pax Romana where everyone was supposed to gather around and celebrate being in the glory of the Roman Empire. Political intrigue was rife and there was more drama than Days of Our Lives even when Marlena was possessed by the devil. So what did you do if you have a political enemy that was really getting under your skin? You looked up Locusta of Gaul or as she was known, Locusta the Poisoner. Tacitus describes her in his Annals, “This was the famous Locusta; a woman lately condemned as a dealer in clandestine practices, but reserved…
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Elizabeth Naramore
During a random google search, I stumbled across this tragic story and decided to write it because of the similarities, it feels close to home. I live near a small rural town called Oakham, in the county of Rutland, which you may be becoming familiar with through Phoebe’s series on historic towns and villages and a few local articles I have added myself. The sad event takes place in a small village near Oakham, Massachusetts; the next along is called Rutland. Ironically, the village of Coldbrook Springs no longer exists, as with much of my own neighbourhood, it was sunk during the making of a reservoir. From St Andrews, New…
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Gruesome Murder in Kimberworth Park
It was November 15th, 1912 and Amy Collinson (Nicholson) aged 10 and her cousin Frances Nicholson aged 7 had spent the evening rehearsing for the Christmas Nativity presentation at the Chapel in Kimberworth, Rotherham. As the rehearsal drew to a close, Amy and Frances prepared for a substantial walk home in the dark. Accompanied by several of their friends who lived along the route, they set off after 8pm in the dark. Their number shrunk until the last friend, Doris Stainrod, bade them goodbye in the vicinity of the Sir Colin Campbell Public House, now called simply ‘The Colin’. The two girls were now on their own for the next…
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The Black Dinner- Fact or Fiction
The Bible says, “Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child”, and Scotland was no exception in the 15th century. James I had been murdered leaving the young James II as the king. His mother, Queen Joan Beaufort, and Governor of Scotland, Archibald, 5th Earl of Douglas, we’re co-regents. In 1439, Earl Douglas died and the situation descended further. The Earl’s young son, William, takes his place as the 6th Earl. However, many other nobles think the time of the Douglas’ influence should come to an end. Two nobles decided to take the opportunity to gain more power and abducted Queen Joan and the young king. Sir…
