DiscoverStrange PlacesS5E202 - Man Proposes, God Disposes
S5E202 - Man Proposes, God Disposes

S5E202 - Man Proposes, God Disposes

Update: 2025-09-07
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Description

In this episode, we explore the chilling legend of Sir Edwin Landseer’s ‘Man Proposes, God Disposes,’ a painting of polar bears scavenging the doomed Franklin expedition. Housed at Royal Holloway, University of London, students and staff believe it brings bad luck during exams, so it’s traditionally covered with a Union Jack. It has been responsible for multiple exam failures, feelings of intense fear and dread, as well as a purported suicide. We dive into the history, the folklore, and the eerie aura that keeps this painting shrouded in superstition. Superstition is one thing, but is it truly cursed?


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Head to the Strange Places home website, asylum817.com to keep up with all things Strange Places, as well as the host. Billie Dean Shoemate III is an author with over 40 novels published, a master-trained painter, and multi-instrumentalist musician with multiple albums released. To check out Billie's books, albums, paintings and other artistic ventures, head to asylum817.com. Official Strange Places merch is now available as well!


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This podcast can also be heard on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Pandora, and wherever you get your Podcast listening experience.


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https://www.fiverr.com/s/WEY9lex


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Shout-out to our top tier patrons, Summer Rain Zen, DILLIGAF and Old School!


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S5E202 - Man Proposes, God Disposes

S5E202 - Man Proposes, God Disposes

Billie Dean Shoemate III