Dark Histories

By: Ben Cutmore
  • Summary

  • Fortnightly narratives on the unsolved and the unexplained, mysteries, historical true crime, touches of the paranormal and cultural peculiarities.
    Copyright © Ben Cutmore . All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Summer Holiday 2024 - Algernon Blackwood
    Aug 26 2024

    This week I'm off on my Summer holiday for a trip in the woods, so what better episode to do than read a few stories from Algernon Blackwood, all about weird woods. What was I thinking...

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    For almost anything, head over to the podcasts hub at darkhistories.com

    Support the show by using our link when you sign up to Audible: http://audibletrial.com/darkhistories or visit our Patreon for bonus episodes and Early Access: https://www.patreon.com/darkhistories

    The Dark Histories books are available to buy here: http://author.to/darkhistories

    Dark Histories merch is available here: https://bit.ly/3GChjk9

    Connect with us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/darkhistoriespodcast

    Or find us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/darkhistories

    & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dark_histories/

    Or you can contact us directly via email at contact@darkhistories.com

    or join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/cmGcBFf

    The Dark Histories Butterfly was drawn by Courtney, who you can find on Instagram @bewildereye

    Music was recorded by me © Ben Cutmore 2017

    Other Outro music was Paul Whiteman & his orchestra with Mildred Bailey - All of me (1931). It's out of copyright now, but if you're interested, that was that.

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    54 mins
  • The Spectacular Life of Donald Omand, Exorcist Extraordinaire
    Aug 11 2024

    When one thinks of exorcisms, it’s hard to get past the infamous imagery published to the world in 1973, of a young girl, floating above a bed, flanked by two priests, flinging holy water and yelling about the power of Christ. At the same time as the Exorcist movie was hitting the cinemas, however, there was one, real life exorcist doing very different work. With several decades of banishing evil under his belt, he was taking on far bigger tasks, with vampires, the Loch Ness Monster and even the Bermuda Triangle all within his sights.

    SOURCES

    Ewing, William (1914) Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843-1900. T&T Clark, Edinburgh, UK.

    Omand, Donald (1970) Experiences of a Present Day Exorcist. Harper Collins, London, UK.

    Alexander, Marc (1981) The Devil Hunter: The Incredible Account of the Work of a Modern Day Exorcist. Sphere, London, UK.

    Alexander, Marc (1980) The Man Who Exorcised the Bermuda Triangle. A.S Barnes, New York, USA.

    Young, Francis (2018) A History of Anglican Exorcism: Deliverance & Demonology in Church Ritual. I.B. Taurus & Co., London, UK.

    Underwood, Peter (1990) Exorcism! Robert Hale Ltd, London, UK.

    The Sunday Mirror (1977) The Devil Hunter. The Sunday Mirror, Sun 20 Nov 1977, p10, London, UK.

    BBC Archive (2024) 1973: EXORCISING the LOCH NESS MONSTER | Nationwide | Weird and Wonderful | BBC Archive. Youtube, https://youtu.be/BNZ1dNWMh7c?si=FB6dipQ_oWTU3CeJ

    Miami Herald (1950) Sea's Puzzles Still Baffle Men In Pushbutton Age. The Miami Herald, Sun 17 Sep 1950, p6, Miami, USA.

    -------

    For almost anything, head over to the podcasts hub at darkhistories.com

    Support the show by using our link when you sign up to Audible: http://audibletrial.com/darkhistories or visit our Patreon for bonus episodes and Early Access: https://www.patreon.com/darkhistories

    The Dark Histories books are available to buy here: http://author.to/darkhistories

    Dark Histories merch is available here: https://bit.ly/3GChjk9

    Connect with us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/darkhistoriespodcast

    Or find us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/darkhistories

    & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dark_histories/

    Or you can contact us directly via email at contact@darkhistories.com

    or join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/cmGcBFf

    The Dark Histories Butterfly was drawn by Courtney, who you can find on Instagram @bewildereye

    Music was recorded by me © Ben Cutmore 2017

    Other Outro music was Paul Whiteman & his orchestra with Mildred Bailey - All of me (1931). It's out of copyright now, but if you're interested, that was that.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Smuggling, Riots & The Sampford Peverell Ghost
    Jul 28 2024

    In the heart of Devon, in the quaint village of Sampford Peverell, an information board refers the curious tourist to a now demolished building that had once been known as “The Ghost House.” The scene of an early 19th century haunting that had shook the walls for several months, before falling to a curious silence, the history of the ghost house told the story of a terrifying haunting. Or did it? It seemed the house had more history to it than the new owners liked to admit.

    SOURCES

    Colton, C. (1810) Sampford Ghost, A Plain & Authentic Narrative. T. Smith, Tiverton, UK.

    Colton, C. (1810) Sampford Ghost, Stubborn Facts Against Vague Assertions. T. Smith, Tiverton, UK.

    Marriott, John (1810) Sampford Ghost!!! I, Norris, Taunton, UK.

    York Herald (1810) Sampford Ghost. York Herald, Sat 01 Sep 1810, p2. York, UK.

    The Morning Chronicle (1810) Tale of Mystery. The Morning Chronicle, Thur 2 Aug 1810, p2. London, UK.

    Law, Susan C. (2023) The Dark Side of the Cut. The History Press, Gloucestershire, UK.

    Bristol Times & Mirror (1811) Alarming Riot at Sampford Peverell. Bristol Times & Mirror, p2, Bristol, UK.

    Salisbury & Winchester Journal (1811) Salisbury. Salisbury & Winchester Journal, Mon 6 May 1811, p4. Salisbury, UK.

    Harding, William (1845) The HIstory of Tiverton Vol. I. UK.

    Dent, Susie (2012) Brewers Dictionary of Phrase & Fable 19th Edition. Chambers Harrap Publishers. UK

    Davies, Owen (2007) The Haunted: A Social History of Ghosts. Palgrave Macmillan, Hampshire, UK.

    -------

    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, check out betterhelp.com/darkhistories to get 10% off your first month. -------

    For almost anything, head over to the podcasts hub at darkhistories.com

    Support the show by using our link when you sign up to Audible: http://audibletrial.com/darkhistories or visit our Patreon for bonus episodes and Early Access: https://www.patreon.com/darkhistories

    The Dark Histories books are available to buy here: http://author.to/darkhistories

    Dark Histories merch is available here: https://bit.ly/3GChjk9

    Connect with us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/darkhistoriespodcast

    Or find us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/darkhistories

    & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dark_histories/

    Or you can contact us directly via email at contact@darkhistories.com

    or join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/cmGcBFf

    The Dark Histories Butterfly was drawn by Courtney, who you can find on Instagram @bewildereye

    Music was recorded by me © Ben Cutmore 2017

    Other Outro music was Paul Whiteman & his orchestra with Mildred Bailey - All of me (1931). It's out of copyright now, but if you're interested, that was that.

    Show More Show Less
    47 mins

What listeners say about Dark Histories

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Love it!!

Really love this podcast. Ben is really engaging and all the stories are well researched. Great listening!

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love this podcast

Great podcast, been listening for more than a year. Fascinating, creepy tales all told so well

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Wonderfully researched

Ben is a first class researcher, always passionate and excited about the subjects he's covering. the detail in building the story and setting the scene is always very done and whilst some people might not appreciate this, I love that he provides context and background to the stories. To some that find the narration a little flat, I would say give it time. When the podcast started out the narration did seem a little unnatural to me but as with everything, you learn as you progress and Ben's narration grows with him as the years have progressed. A five star listen, with some weird and wonderful tales, some familiar to me, others brand new and very intriguing.

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Really Enjoy this one.

Excellent podcast. Well written and researched. Interesting and creepy topics chosen each week most of which I have not heard of before and if the ones that I have heard of are presented in a fresh way. Really like the skeptic stance Ben takes so ot never falls into sully speculation.

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I adore this podcast

I love these well-researched stories. Narrator clearly loves what he's doing and it shows.

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Love your work Ben.

I really like the way you spin the tale, and it shows that you've done your homework.
Me and the missus really appreciate your hard work mate.
All the best for your future episodes.

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Wow, how have I never heard of this?

This is the best thing I've heard on audible. well researched, well delivered, I lost time listening to this story. A sleazy murder, illegal abortions, the press and cops in competition, and the police losing, under resourced and under funded. the press ruled and the headlines dominated as readership wars lost truth, but discovered clues.
if you can find a better pod cast, I'll be surprised.

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Hooked!

A while ago I'd bookmarked a few history podcasts for a rainy day, and I'm glad I did!
Ben is a very passionate and personable storyteller, who meticulously researches all of his subjects. I enjoy all the dark, twisted and spooky stories and also the calmness of his voice. Keep up the great work, Ben!

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awesome

Absolutely love listening to the stories. Been looking for ages for a good dark history podcast.. with all mysteries supernatural and not. Thank you Ben!

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Ugh

I struggled to understand this stutterring fella so much I quit after 2min.one big oof

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