Torture. Execution. Death. Listen as two die-hard fans chat about some of history's most gruesome death sentences. From famous queens and kings to the uncommon names in history, no conviction will be left untouched. Try not to lose your head over this comical approach to the shocking and disturbing stories of treason and crime (whether found guilty or not).
Our season finale concludes with the fate of the Pendle Witches. After months in prison, nine men and women accused of witchcraft following a series of strange events in their small town finally face trial in Lancaster, England. But what they didn’t anticipate was the arrival of a most unlikely witness, someone no one had foreseen, who holds all of their fates in her hands. Support the show...
In 1612, the rural landscape of Lancashire became the backdrop for one of England’s most notable witch trials. This episode explores how village rivalries, deep-rooted superstitions, and a shifting political climate all played a role in the events leading up to the Pendle Witch Trials. King James I's personal fears about witchcraft and his book Daemonologie helped shape a legal system eager to pursue accusations of magic, malice and maleficium. In part one of our season finale, we set the stage ...
One of the most controversial espionage cases in American history was the trial and execution of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg. Accused of passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War, the Rosenbergs became symbols of both patriotic betrayal and political scapegoating. Were they truly spies—or victims of a paranoid era? Listen to the evidence and decide for yourself! Support the show...
Princess Elisabeth of Hesse and by Rhine is a captivating yet often overlooked figure in European royal history. Born into an impressive lineage as the daughter of Grand Duke Louis IV of Hesse and by Rhine, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, and sister-in-law to the Romanov family, Elisabeth’s life was marked by both privilege and tragedy. Despite the personal challenges she faced, she became one of the most admired and sought-after socialites of early 20th-century Europe, celebrated for her charm...
Georg Honauer was a man of ambition and bold confidence, living during a time when alchemy was at the height of fascination. Seizing the opportunity, he sought to impress Friedrich I, Duke of Württemberg, with his grand claim: the ability to turn ordinary metal into gold. But in his overconfidence, Georg may have miscalculated the risks—leading to a dramatic and tragic downfall. In this episode, the punishment is as fitting as it is "iron"-ic, as we explore the dark consequences of a failed alch...
Meet Catherine of Alexandria — the brilliant, fearless, and slightly rebellious saint who gave 4th-century philosophers a run for their money. From outwitting emperors to holding her own in a debate with the greatest minds of her time, Catherine wasn’t just a pretty face (though, she probably had one of those too). One of her biggest legacies was actually having a torture device named after her. Tune in to find out why! Support the show...
Though Robert Aske, a well connected English barrister, attempted to keep to himself and live a quiet life of work and faith, the rebels of northern England had other ideas. Aske went from merely speaking ill of King Henry VIII’s religious reforms to captaining a full-on uprising, becoming the foremost leader of the Pilgrimage of Grace. Unfortunately for Aske, Henry VIII was not known for his patience or forgiveness. Tune in as we unravel the drama, the politics, and the tragic irony of a man wh...
The Roman's never missed the opportunity for a classic metaphorical (and gruesome) death sentence. Manius Aquillius was a Roman politician and military commander in about 100 BC. During an era of epic battles and rebellions, he wasn't short on enemies. As a symbolic measure for his thirst for wealth, Aquillius faced one of the most unique and grotesque executions we've shared on this podcast: death by having molten gold poured down his throat. If you, like us, are curious how this would even wor...
Edith Cavell was a British nurse and World War I hero. Known for her unwavering commitment to saving lives, Cavell played a pivotal role in helping over 200 Allied soldiers and civilians escape German-occupied Belgium through an underground network. In this episode, we discuss the rise of her nursing career and how she went above and beyond in her efforts to save lives. Unfortunately, her actions were not seen as acts of humanity from the German perspective, and they were prepared to subject Edi...
Support the show
The infamous feast that later became known as the Black Dinner represents a dark chapter in Scottish history. Set in 15th-century Scotland, during an era of crusades and violence, our story details how the young brothers of the Douglas clan were betrayed during a celebratory dinner, marked by the ominous presentation of a bull's head. We explore the political motives and repercussions of a banquet that turned into a bloodbath and later inspired the Red Wedding in Game of Thrones. Support the sho...
The story of Agnes Bernauer is a haunting blend of love and tragedy that has been passed down for generations. Born in the early 1400's Bavaria, Agnes ascended from the working class to the Munich court by capturing the heart of a duke’s son. Duke Ernest of Bavaria, however, had other plans for his son. With accusations of witchcraft looming, her lover’s father took drastic measures to ensure Agnes would not be in his son's life for long. Support the show...
In this episode, we delve into the life and legacy of Jeremiah Brandreth, a key figure in the Luddite rebellion. Known as 'The Nottingham Captain,' Brandreth led a desperate uprising of workers against the mechanization that threatened their jobs and livelihoods in early 19th-century England. We take a look at the impact of the Industrial Revolution who the Luddites were, as well as the harsh punshment they received for rebelling against the government. Support the show...
In this episode, we take you back to the court of Versailles to share the story of Madame du Barry—the last mistress of King Louis XV. Was she truly the frivolous scandal history remembers? Or a woman of surprising wit, charm, and ambition? Pour yourself a glass of something French and let’s dive into the life of this infamous enchantress who found herself both beloved and betrayed by the world’s most glittering court. Support the show...
In part two of our season finale, we share the tragic ending of Elisabeth de France and how she stood by her brother, King Louis VXI, throughout the bloody French Revolution. While Elisabeth was notorious for her cheeky and even stubborn behavior as a child, she blossomed into a virtuous young adult who held firm to her devotion to the monarchy. While her sentence was controversial, unfortunately, Elisabeth's piousness could not save her from the sharp edge of the guillotine. Support the show...
While Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI were dealing with revolutionists in France, there was one person behind the scenes who has received very little recognition: Elisabeth de France, King Louis' youngest sister. Elisabeth grew up in the royal court of Versailles as a French Princess. While her education and upbringing was standard for the times, nothing could prepare her for the French Revolution that was to come. In this two part finale, we start off with the early life of young Elisabeth ...
Sikhism is the 5th largest religion in world and was founded in India in the late 15th century. It emphasizes the worship of one God, equality of all people, selfless service, and devotion to the teachings of the Sikh Gurus. While these Gurus had a mission to live peaceful lives, they couldn't avoid a pattern of violence and death throughout their generations. In this episode, we share the story of three generations of Guru's who all faced persecution and even execution for their beliefs and exp...
Our story begins with Tsar Peter III of Russia being overthrown by his own wife, the infamous Catherine the Great, only to be declared deceased soon after for vague medical reasons. Years later, Yemelyan Pugachev, a peasant who claimed to be the late Peter III, emerges. Pugachev's Rebellion, also known as the Cossack Rebellion, gained support from various social groups, including peasants and some nobles who opposed Catherine's rule. Their goal was to dethrone her and reinstate "Peter III," desp...
Life in 1800’s Liverpool, England was rough. It was a port city with a high population of hard-working immigrants all trying to make ends meet. However, some were more desperate than others to ensure their living was made. Catherine and Margaret Flannagn, two Irish sisters who owned a boarding house, found themselves in the middle of a dark network of women who took advantage of insurance organizations after the death of a loved one. This network, which became known as the “Black Widows of Liver...
The Tudor Dynasty was notorious for creating religious tension across England as they swayed between Protestantism and Catholicism, depending on who wore the crown. With Elizabeth I on the throne, Catholics were forced to practice their beliefs in hiding. Margaret Ward was empathetic towards the Catholic priests being imprisoned and went so far as to help one of them escape. Known as the 'Pearl of Tyburn', she paid the highest price for another man's freedom. Support the show...
It can be said that the ancient Egyptians were quite materialistic. The pyramids housed more than just the mummies and dust of pharaohs and queens, but also the lifetime of riches of the nobility to ensure they could bring them with them to the afterlife. In modern-day currency, these tombs were filled to the brim with hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of gold, jewels, and other valuables. While local Egyptians were haunted by the thought of not having a peaceful afterlife, it didn't stop m...
In the early 1700's, Jean Baptiste Baudreau II had a unique mixed heritage that enabled him to forge connections with both the French colonists of the American south and the Native American tribes. He was a rebel without a cause.... no really, we aren't quite sure what his cause was.... but he was found untrustworthy amongst the white colonists because of his strong ties to the indigenous people. After spending years in prison for crimes we, again, aren't quite sure of, the local officials decid...
While King Henry VIII wasn't particularly known for being afraid of witches, he was certainly paranoid about assassination... even if it was only through a prophetic attempt. Mabel Brigge claimed she was a devout Catholic who used fasting as a method to pray for those in need, whether it meant finding lost money or potentially praying for the death of the King of England! In this episode of Beheaded, we discuss how the Tudor dynasty viewed witches and the Dark Arts, and what happened to the wome...
Jack Rackham, known as Calico Jack, was a true pirate of the Caribbean. With his Jolly Roger hoisted high and his bonny lass by his side, Jack and his crew sailed the seas during the Golden Age of Piracy. Jack stood apart from other pirates, though, as he had not one, but two notorious female pirates on his ship: Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Like most pirates of the age, Jack and much of his crew did not live to see a ripe old age, but instead met their demise at the end of a short drop and a sudde...
Ruth Ellis, a young and alluring nightclub manager in 1950s England, came from a rough background. She was introduced early on in life to the consenquences of untrustworthy men, alcohol, and the unsavory underworld of London's nightlife. Things only got worst when she found herself in a jelous rage aiming a revolver directly at her lover. At the young age of 28, Ruth Ellis left a lasting mark in history as not only the last woman to be hanged in Britain, but also as a catalyst for the United Kin...
We've all heard of people being accused of witchcraft, sorcery, and engaging in the dark arts. However, have you ever come across a case where someone was found guilty of being a werewolf? During the 1500s in Germany, a man named Peter Stumpp (given the nickname due to his left hand being a stump) was accused of being the perpetrator behind a series of mysterious murders in his village, but under rather peculiar circumstances. In an era where folklore and reality intertwined, his fellow villager...
For any poor soul standing in front of a judge awaiting their sentence, the last thing they want to hear is that they would be hanged, drawn, and quartered. This heinous act was reserved for traitors or those who have committed an extreme crime, such being a spy during war. Our dear friend Francois Henry de la Motte, a French spy from the 1780s, was unfortunate enough to receive no mercy from the benevolent English. He went down in history for having a crowd of eighty thousand people witness his...
Beheaded is back with our 5th season, and we are starting off with the well-known story of the Princes in the Tower. This is the legacy of the two innocent boys who went mysteriously missing while staying at the Tower of London. For centuries, people have assumed their uncle, King Richard III, had them both murdered. But the story does not end there. Shortly after their disappearance, there were rumbles that the younger of the two brothers survived - and he wants his crown back. Perkin Warbeck s...
In this very special episode, we have the opportunity to speak with author and former professor Dr. Leah Redmond Chang to discuss her latest book, Young Queens: Three Renaissance Women and the Price of Power . This narrative history looks at the intertwined lives of Catherine de’ Medici (the Queen of France from 1547 to 1559), Elisabeth de Valois (Queen of Spain from 1559 through 1568) and Mary, Queen of Scots (Queen of Scotland from 1542 through 1567). Leah's extensive research showcases how th...
Thomas Cromwell quickly and unapologetically became one of King Henry VIII's closest advisors. As he continued to give the King whatever he asked for, Cromwell was rewarded with titles and wealth, making him one of the most powerful men in the Tudor court. Very rarely, though, do we see someone rise to power so quickly without a quick downfall. Inevitably, Cromwell found himself with fewer and fewer alliances in court. For a man who was known for hating traitors, he suddenly found the tables tur...
