Ruth is Stranger Than Fiction

The stage is set, but not for a fine production of Shakespeare or Greek tragedy… no, the stage is set for MURDER! Last time we met a rum assortment of ne'er-do-wells from the Regency underground, and this time one (or more) of them is about to meet a violent end. The whole sorry saga gives rise to media hysteria, public bloodlust, and an unexpected joke about pork.

Ahhh the Regency era, when everyone was obsessed with true crime entertainment, boxing, and illegal gambling. Those were the days! From the East End of London to the quiet rural towns of Norfolk, violence was brewing for a motley crew of fellows, but the roles of hero and villain are as yet unclear.

Folklore and religion collide as we journey to the fine county of Suffolk to hear about the misadventures of a slightly buffoonish devil. Let's find out why this diabolical fool hates Suffolk so much.

A giant named Moses Carter, farmer of cabbages and thrower of rocks! A psychical investigator called Tony Cornell, who will thoroughly examine your claims of supernatural occurrences and, quite probably, debunk them. What do these two seemingly disparate characters have in common? They were both residents of Cambridge-adjacent village of Histon, of course! And also, we're going to hear about them in this episode. We're joined by author and proud Histon-dweller Mike Rampton, who has some theories and also quite a lot of jam.

The Black Death continues its inevitable progress across the country, and East Anglia is next in line. What happens when the plague reaches Cambridge? Nothing good, that's for sure. It's pest houses and grave pits all the way, with a sprinkling of quarantine thrown in for good measure. Drinkswise, Rosie reveals her cocktail and it's quite something, plus we try some stouts from Eyam Brewery.

It's time for the last disease in our trilogy of maladies: the plague! In part 1 we explore the spread and of course the symptoms of the Great Plague aka the Great Mortality aka the Black Death. Are our schoolday recollections of buboes correct? How many plague pits did London have? And what has Bambi got to do with it? Let's find out.

A special live recording of our Hallowe'en event at the wonderful Museum of Cambridge on 30th October: stories of grey ladies, poltergeists, haunted pubs, and even a spectral penguin.

It's time for the next disease: get ready to reabsorb your extremities and fit yourself with a set of jingling bells as we discuss the scourge of the Middle Ages. It's leprosy! As it turns out, various versions of Robin Hood on TV and film are not a reliable source of information about this unpleasant illness. Amongst the hooded man talk, we also find time to discuss the Cambridge Leper Chapel and the origins of Stourbridge Fair.

Let the autumn of disease begin! For the next few episodes, we'll be exploring some of the sicknesses and ailments of old Cambridgeshire and East Anglia. We begin with marsh fever, aka the ague, aka the Bailiff of the Marshes, a disease that for many years was endemic across the fen regions. Come with us now and venture into the marsh miasmas and the peaty pools to hear all about the symptoms, treatments, and causes of this unfortunate malady.

Step this way for part two of the Overbury Affair. Things are really hotting up now! All the pieces begin to move into place for the scandal of the century. Public accusations of impotence? Check. A suspicious death in the Tower of London? By all means. Great spiders? Yes! And finally, let's all cheers with a bacon based drink.

The Overbury Affair has been described as one of the greatest court scandals of the Jacobean era: a web of intrigue and deception that captivated the nation. Even King James himself was implicated! But before we get to the details of the Affair itself, we must first hear about our cast of characters. This includes poet and statesman Sir Thomas Overbury, handsome favourite of the king Robert Carr, and Anne Turner, daughter of Cambridgeshire and purveyor of fashionable yellow ruffs. We drink ‘The Raven' (very blue) and a most delicious saffron martini!

The Great Blow - one of the most spectacular disasters that Norfolk has ever seen! Join us to hear about the events that precipitated this violent catastrophe, including a fateful meeting in a pub, an angry Royalist mob, and some careless use of weaponry. Plus, we finally answer the question that has been troubling everyone (yes, everyone) for centuries - did Oliver Cromwell really cancel Christmas?

It's time to finish the story of Howard Carter. When we left him at the end of Part 1, Carter had just made the acquaintance of the Earl of Carnarvon: a fateful meeting that was to lead to one of the most astonishing archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. In Part 2, we hear about the unearthing of the final great tomb of the Valley of the Kings, drink a future explorer's drink, and discuss the question of the curse of the pharaohs.

We're back! This episode begins the story of the most famous Egyptologist there has ever been. His name? Of course it's Mr Howard Carter, the discoverer of the glorious tomb of Ancient pharaoh Tutankhamun. In part one we cover his childhood and early career. How did this son of an artist from Swaffham, Norfolk, end up in the necropolises of Egypt? Along the way we hear about the lost treasures of Didlington Hall, Egyptomania, and the rather suspect phenomenon of mummy unwrapping parties.

It's Christmas Eve and time for the last advent episode - a spooky tale of a remote and isolated farmstead with a murky past. Happy Christmas to all our listeners, see you in 2024!

It's time for the third advent episode, and in some ways it's a cautionary tale about the perils of day drinking. One morning in the village of Doddington, farm workers were surprised to come across a man, naked and bloody among their ploughs. A strange find indeed. But the story that the man had to tell was stranger still…

It's Advent Sunday no. 2 and time for one of the titans of East Anglian folklore - Black Shuck himself! The phantom devil hound bounds about the countryside, terrifying all who see him with his slavering jaws and blazing eyes. And what of Shuck's smaller and more mournful relative, the Shug Monkey? We shall hear about him too.

The first of our Sunday advent episodes is here! And what better way to count down to Christmas than to hear about a grisly explosion that happened in the middle of the summer. In July 1943, the town of Rayleigh in Essex was shocked when a loud kaboom! broke the peace of the day. At the source of the explosion, all that could be seen was a mangled pile of metal and flesh. What on earth had happened?

27th October heralded our third live show at the Museum of Cambridge. The topic was a short history of Cambridge Castle, Castle Mound, and the Cambridge gaol that stood on the site for many years. Discussion ranged all over the place: Cromwell, pease pudding, long drop vs short drop hangings, masonry, and much more. We also covered the stories of some of the most notorious criminals to be incarcerated in the old and new prisons, so expect the usual servings of arsenic, arson, and arseing about.

A ghost that is also a witch? It must be Hallowe'en! October 1944 brought a cluster of strange goings on to the Essex village of Great Leighs. Clocks losing time, rabbits with eggs, and all sorts of troublesome behaviour in the guest bedroom of the St Anne's Castle pub. Locals blame the disturbance of a large boulder on nearby Scrapfaggot Green. It's a media frenzy, and even Time Magazine is running the story! Image credit: Courtesy Bryce Canyon National Park, Photographer Maurice Cope, Museum Catalog Number BRCA 532/001-#439

Burnham Market, 1835. The folk of this North Norfolk village were shocked by a series of mysterious deaths as one by one, the residents of a row of a trio of cottages began to sicken and perish. Was it cholera, or something more sinister? Spoiler: it wasn't cholera. But in that case, what had brought these people to their untimely ends? And was there any connection between these deaths and a murder trial that had taken place in nearby Wighton three years earlier?

What happens when a Norfolk doctor of coarse manner and peculiar habits ends up hobnobbing with the society types of 18th century London? Find out in this mini episode as we hear the story of Dr Messenger Monsey.

blahIt's part 2 of our smuggling double! Listen up for the story of a most ill-fated smuggling operation involving a muck heap, an incriminating beer bung, and a whole bunch of inns and drunken dragoons. We also address the decline of the free trade which does, I'm afraid, necessitate some further talk of UK tax systems.

How do you enjoy your tea, gin, and tobacco? In 18th century England the answer was simple: smuggled into the country without paying due taxes please! Yes, it's time for the Ruth is Stranger team to tackle the topic of smuggling. It's part customs and excise, part noses getting snipped off, and part wondering whether your favourite podcasters will be poisoned by an unpleasant and potentially toxic cocktail.

The Foyster family are about to arrive at the infamous Borley Rectory and encounter for themselves the disruptions and peculiarities of this creaking old pile. Marianne receives messages from beyond the grave (or does she?), family intrigues abound, and Harry Price continues to investigate. We also drink a new cocktail: Pebbles Down the Stairs. It's Borley part 2!

It's time for the most haunted house not just in East Anglia, but in all of England! Welcome to the first of our two part series about Borley Rectory. This creaking old Victorian pile became infamous for multiple ghost sightings, poltergeist activity, and bad plumbing. In Part 1 we explore the early years of the rectory under the stewardship of the credulous Bull family. We are also reunited with psychical investigator Harry Price, who played a central role in cementing the legends of Borley for years to come.

This episode the story begins, as it so often does, with a gruesome East Anglian murder and a sentence of death by hanging. But who will carry out that sentence? Whose shoulders must carry the fullest and harshest weight of the British law? That's where the Pierrepoints come in. Henry, Thomas, and Albert, executioners all! Their paths were to cross with those of some of the most notorious criminals of the 20th century, and some of those unfortunate enough to suffer the most terrible miscarriages of justice.

Curses! Lice! Urine! Witch balls! A special episode recorded at our second live event, held at the Museum of Cambridge on 28th October 2022. Using examples from the Museum's wonderful collection of artefacts from historical Cambridge and the surrounding lands (along with a few homemade props), we explore beliefs about witchcraft and the kinds of protective magic that the people of East Anglia used to guard against curses and the evil eye. If your podcast client supports chapter art you can see the slides from the night along with this episode, otherwise head over to our blog to see all. Episode photograph: corp chreadh, © Museum of Cambridge

Happy new year my lovely eggs! Join us again for the first Mini Stranger of 2023 - the story of a strange spirit who haunted Dagworth Hall in Suffolk many years ago. ‘Play again! Play again!' cries the tiny voice of little Malekin. Is he a run of the mill ghost? A changeling infant from the fairy realm? Or Britain's first recorded poltergeist?

Part 2 of our enquiry into the Peasenhall mystery brings us to the trial of alleged smooth caramel man (and alleged murderer!), William Gardiner. But was it William who killed Rose Harsent on that stormy, fateful night? We recap the evidence and hear all about the trial, with some small tangents including: could Jeeves and Wooster ever be remade with a new duo? And what would your crisp name be (I'm Ruth Wotsit, apparently)?

May 31st, 1902 in the small village of Peasenhall, Suffolk. A dark and very stormy night was about to unfold, and by the end of it servant girl Rose Harsent would be dead in a pool of blood on her kitchen floor. Suspicion immediately turned to local foreman, religious enthusiast, and proud beard-wearer William Gardiner - but were the accusations based in firm evidence, or unfounded local gossip? Katy and Jo join Ruth as they try to piece together the clues, including a broken medicine bottle, a bundle of correspondence, and some shocking autopsy results. We drink a smorgasbord of concoctions involving peas, caramel, and Lidl's finest ‘Bitterol.' Peasenhall village sign photograph copyright Adrian Cable.

The golden hare has been discovered and the story of Masquerade seems to be over - but is it? No! There are more twists and turns to come. First up, we hear about the legacy of Masquerade and the rise in popularity of armchair treasure hunts. Then, scandal unfolds after the precious hare comes to light at a Sotheby's auction in 1988… we also drink a surprisingly tasty (aren't they always?) herby concoction. Delicious!

In 1979 a storybook was published that took the UK by storm. But this was no ordinary children's tale! The pages of Masquerade by Kit Williams gave clues to the secret location of a hidden treasure: a beautiful bejewelled hare crafted from gold. It's a world of mystery and wonder in Part 1 as we explore the origins and artwork of this unique book. Would anyone unravel the fiendish puzzles and locate the prize?

Geldeston, Norfolk! One of the more haunted villages in the region. For this mini episode we're revisiting M.H. James's book, Bogie Tales of East Anglia, to hear of three new bogies. Tune in and listen for supernatural scares with the Bigod Barons (aka ghosts on wheels), the skeleton of the horse pond, and the horribly named the Hateful Thing. If there is one lesson we've learned it's this: don't go down that lover's lane!

On May 23rd 2022 we were honoured to present a special live event at the Museum of Cambridge. Listen now for an introduction to the Society of Psychical Research, founded in 1888 to use scientific methods to investigate such strange goings on as telepathy, ghostly occurrences, spiritualism, and ectoplasmic manifestations. Meet founding members Henry Sidgwick, Frederic Myers, and Edmund Gurney, and hear about the seances of Italian medium Eusapia Palladino, held at Leckhampton House in Cambridge. Thanks to everyone who joined us for a wonderful evening! To see the slides shared on the evening, including the impressive facial hair of the SPR's founding members, please go to https://www.ruthisstranger.co.uk/blog/the-society-of-psychical-research

It's time for Part 2 of our investigation into the rotters Hopkins and Sterne. Heady from their victory at Manningtree, the witchfinding duo turn their sights on the rest of East Anglia. Oh, poor East Anglia! In this concluding part, we hear about an unusual burning, the persecution of clergyman John Lowes, and the ultimate demise of horrible Hopkins.

Puritanical, God-fearing zealot or manipulative, money-grabbing hypocrit? Who cares, we hate him either way! The time has come to hear about the rotter Matthew Hopkins, self-styled ‘Witchfinder General' and all round total bastard. We must also hear about John Stearne, Hopkins' partner in crime who has somehow escaped the notoriety of his more bombastic pal. Rotters both! We explore the witch hunts in Manningtree, discuss the 1968 folk horror film which has done so much to shape Hopkins in the popular consciousness, and drink a selection of appropriately (mostly) named ales. And, of course, much more.

On a grassy hillside near the village of Bures on the Suffolk/Essex border you will find a mighty beast - the white dragon of Bures! While this one is made from chalk, behind it lies the story of a fearsome creature that terrorised the land many centuries ago. We're joined by one-time Bures resident and finger-knitting legend Rosie O'Donovan to hear about the tale of the Bures Dragon. Cocktails this time around are tequila-heavy (perhaps unwisely so) - a White Dragon and a Dragon's Heart.

Let's return to Yarmouth! This mysterious tale takes us back to the churchyard of St Nicholas in Great Yarmouth, last known as the site of the heinous bodysnatchers of Episodes 13 & 14 (catch up why don't you?). But today we aren't concerned with snatchers, though we are concerned with bodies. Most particularly, the body of an Egyptian mummy, secreted away in a Yarmouth school. But with the onset of an unusual stench, what horrors are about to unfold?

The year is 1838 and all around Britain people are preparing to celebrate the coronation of Queen Victoria. In Cambridge, this meant an enormous dinner on Parker's Piece in the centre of the town, followed by what else but Rustic Sports! Listen in to discover who got to attend this fancy dinner, what they feasted on (HOW MANY loaves of bread and gallons of beer?!), and what manner of Rustic Sports took place. Spoiler - there are eels involved.

The second part of our exploration of the Panacea Society is here! In part 1 we learned about the lives of Mabel Barltrop and Joanna Southcott, and now it's time to hear all about the lives of the Panaceans in their community in Albany Road, Bedford. Their somewhat unorthodox beliefs included the conviction that Mabel's breath could cure all disease, that their gardens were in fact the location of the original Garden of Eden, and that it was very important to use the correct crockery and cutlery for each social occasion. And the cry goes up - open the box!

Have you heard about the Panacea Society, the end of days and the transformation of society? No? Well my friends, now is your chance. Part 1 introduces two rather unusual women: Mabel Barltrop, middle class and middle aged, with a life marred by tragedy, and Joanna Southcott, stout visionary and proud owner of both a fine bonnet and a mysterious box of prophecies. Listen to discover what connects them, and hear how their fervent beliefs gave rise to the unorthodox credo of the Panaceans.

This time we're tackling one of the big boys of East Anglian lore - perhaps the biggest boy there is! It's the legend of Tom Hickathrift, the giant of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Known for his amazing feats of strength and bravery (and possibly his drinking ability), Tom has stomped his way through the oral history and folklore of the region for many a year. Katy brings a giant sized breakfast drink (surprisingly meaty) and new guest Rob Levy creates our punniest cocktail yet. Can we muddle our way through the stories and booze to find the truth behind the legend?

This episode introduces us to mysterious Victorian writer M.H. James, author of Bogie Tales of East Anglia. A bit of background about this early tome of folklore is followed by one of it's most unusual stories - that of Mary Chegriff, witch's daughter. It features charms and potions, imps and mischief, and a rogueish fiddler called Lucky Chance. Plus, more unpleasantly, Mick Hucknall's Pink Pancakes (with thanks to Charlie Brooker).

The town of Dunwich on the Suffolk coast is predominantly known, I'm afraid to say, for going in the sea. The sad and inexorable fate of this lost city of England has inspired cultural icons from H.P. Lovecraft to Brian Eno; W.G. Sebald to Lovejoy. Ruth and Chris explore how Dunwich went from a thriving and prosperous harbour town to a mournful collection of masonry beneath the cold waves of the North Sea. Farmland and fields? IN THE SEA. Several lovely churches? IN THE SEA. A Masonic temple? Well, the Dissolution of the Monasteries actually… and then, inevitably, IN THE SEA. We also drink some courgette martinis!

What a story we have for you this time! Our new episode recounts the life of Margaret Catchpole - farm girl, heroine, criminal, and pioneer. Born in Suffolk in 1762, Margaret's life was a rollercoaster of dramatic events, encompassing daring rescues, even more daring escapes, and an ill fated love affair with a smuggler named William Laud. Her story offers a rare insight into the life of an unorthodox woman living in the late 18th/early 19th century. Along the way we also meet brewing tsar ‘Big John' Cobbold and his young wife Elizabeth, a pioneer of scientific endeavour in her own right.

Wrestingworth, Bedfordshire. 1841. Something is amiss in the Dazley household! Join us for the tale of Sarah and William Dazley, and some mysterious goings on involving past husbands and a dead pig. As the story twists and turns we learn about the Marsh Test and developments in forensic toxicology, plus, perhaps surprisingly, the embalming of Abraham Lincoln. Delightful!

Tune in for a special Mini Stranger exploring some of the May Day traditions of Cambridgeshire and East Anglia. First, Ruth and Chris drink a locally sourced sloe gin fizz while learning about the significance of hawthorn, blackthorn, elder, and nettles in the old customs of Waterbeach. Then, a romp about the villages with Jack in the Green and the May Ladies. And finally, hear the rules of the strange old children's game Honey Pots - sinister or fun?

The county of Norfolk has its fair share of glacial erratics: rocks deposited by the movements of ice many thousands of years ago. These stones now stand, aliens to the landscape around them, and magnets for mysterious legends and strange folklore. In this mini episode, we hear about three such boulders and their sometimes surprising stories: the great stone of Lyng (St Edmund!), the Stockton standing stone (cursed!), and the Merton stone (orgies! Armageddon!).

We're going to Essex! Not in real life of course, but via the medium of podcasting (with a little help from Google Street View). It's time for a visit to Boote House in Felsted to see the rather unusual carving that adorns its walls - it's the Felsted hag! But who or what does this grotesque figure represent? In our quest to find out, we come across shipyards and witch trials, and cast aspersions on the acting skills of both Jude Law and Sean Pertwee.

It's 27th July, 1921, and King Street in the centre of Cambridge is bustling with the crowds of the Wednesday market. But something terrible is about to unfold at Alice Lawn's general store… join Ruth and Chris for the story of one of the most violent and shocking murders in the history of the city. Where will the investigations of Constable Alfred Flint lead? What is the significance of a morning pint at the Rose and Crown pub? And will an unreliable young bicycle thief ultimately be found guilty of the crime? Let's find out.