Digest

This episode of "Lore Legends" delves into the grim realities of two historically significant but often overlooked professions: night-soilmen and executioners. The episode begins by introducing the concept of "Lore Legends," a series exploring strange tales that may not be historically verifiable but are whispered in the dark. The episode then dives into the unpleasant and dangerous job of night-soilmen, who collected and disposed of human waste before indoor plumbing. The episode highlights the challenges they faced, including exposure to disease, foul odors, and the risk of drowning in waste pits. Next, the episode introduces the terrifying profession of executioners, highlighting the brutality and social stigma associated with the role. The episode explores the social ostracization faced by executioners, who were considered dishonorable and shunned by society despite providing necessary services. The episode then focuses on Jan Midlar, a famous executioner in Prague, known for his skill and brutality in executing 27 Protestant rebels in a single day. The episode also explores the loneliness and social isolation experienced by executioners, who were often forced into the role and rarely appreciated for their work. The episode then introduces Jack Ketch, a notorious executioner in London known for his sadistic methods and incompetence, including botched executions of Lord William Russell and the Duke of Monmouth. The episode then discusses the development and adoption of the guillotine in France as a more humane method of execution, replacing the messy and often brutal methods used previously. The episode then focuses on Charles Henri Sonson, a skilled executioner who became a symbol of the French Revolution, executing thousands of people, including King Louis XVI. The episode reflects on the difficult and often emotionally draining nature of the executioner's job, highlighting the toll it took on Sonson and other executioners. Finally, the episode tells the story of Elizabeth Segru, a woman who became Ireland's first female executioner after volunteering to hang her fellow inmates when the official executioner failed to appear.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Dark History of Night-Soilmen and Executioners

This episode explores the grim realities of two historically significant but often overlooked professions: night-soilmen and executioners, highlighting the social stigma, brutality, and psychological toll associated with these professions.

00:00:20

The Gruesome Reality of Night-Soilmen and Executioners

The episode discusses the unpleasant and dangerous job of night-soilmen, who collected and disposed of human waste before indoor plumbing, and the social ostracization faced by executioners, who were considered dishonorable and shunned by society despite providing necessary services.

00:01:36

Famous Executioners and the Rise of the Guillotine

The episode focuses on Jan Midlar, a famous executioner in Prague, known for his skill and brutality in executing 27 Protestant rebels in a single day, and discusses the development and adoption of the guillotine in France as a more humane method of execution.

00:24:35

The Burden of Executioners and Lady Betty

The episode reflects on the difficult and often emotionally draining nature of the executioner's job, highlighting the toll it took on Sonson and other executioners, and tells the story of Elizabeth Segru, a woman who became Ireland's first female executioner after volunteering to hang her fellow inmates when the official executioner failed to appear.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the main challenges faced by night-soilmen?

  Night-soilmen faced dangerous and unpleasant working conditions, including exposure to disease, foul odors, and the risk of drowning in waste pits.

• Why were executioners so ostracized by society?

  Executioners were considered dishonorable because of the nature of their work, which involved taking human lives. They were often shunned by society and denied access to basic services.

• How did the guillotine change the practice of execution in France?

  The guillotine provided a faster and more humane method of execution than previous methods, which were often messy and brutal. It became the official method of execution in France during the French Revolution.

• What was the impact of the French Revolution on Charles Henri Sonson?

  Sonson, a skilled executioner, was thrust into the center of the French Revolution, executing thousands of people, including King Louis XVI. The experience deeply affected him, leading to his eventual retirement.

• What made Jack Ketch such a notorious executioner?

  Ketch was known for his sadistic methods, including boiling corpses in pitch and mocking the dead. He was also incompetent, botching the executions of Lord William Russell and the Duke of Monmouth.

• What was unique about Lady Betty's story?

  Lady Betty was Ireland's first and only female executioner. She gained notoriety for her passion for the job and her gruesome methods, including hanging her fellow inmates when the official executioner failed to appear.

Show Notes