Perhaps the most famous story of a headless horseman, is Washington Irving’s 1820 short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Despite the famed novel, other tales of headless horsemen have weaved their way into folklore throughout history. Celtic folklore gives us the story of the Dullahan (“dark man”), a headlessRead More →
The original Skaill house was built in 1620, by Bishop Graham of Orkney (1615-1638). Over time, it’s evolved into the structure that can be seen today, by the commitment and developments carried out by successive owners. The Skaill house is situated close to the neolithic village of Skara Brae, whichRead More →
Sherborne Old Castle now stands as a 12th century ruin in Dorset, England. It was originally built by the Bishop of Salisbury, Roger de Caen, as a fortified palace, and belonged to the Church of England until the 16th century. Though the 12th century site belonged to the church, thereRead More →
Hidden away in the landscapes of Romania, Banffy castle is one of the country’s most iconic historic places. Banffy Castle is located in Bontida, Transylvania, and is the largest castle in the region. Though the castle isn’t the most attractive from the outside, as large parts of the structure areRead More →
Marie Anne Lenormand also referred to as Sybil of the Faubourg Saint Germain, was a French fortune teller of great fame in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Even though she was born into a humble background, Marie is considered the greatest cartomancer of all time in France. SheRead More →
Japan is renowned as a country steeped in mythology and folklore. It has been passed down throughout the generations and has given us some truly amazing, and creepy stories. However, many of these stories are unknown to westerners. One of the most famous Japanese stories, is of Kiyohime, the JapaneseRead More →
On January 4th 1838, Charles Dickens went to the University College Hospital in Gower Street, with his friend and artist, George Cruikshank. When they arrived, they witnessed Professor John Elliotson mesmerizing the then 17-year-old Elizabeth Okey. Professor John Elliotson was renowned for his medical knowledge, but also his daring attitudeRead More →
In the middle ages, death was never far away. Lands were often ravaged by famine and war, towns and villages riddled with disease and the lack of medicine led to high rates of mortality. People in the middle ages led strict religious lives, and it was religion that crafted theirRead More →
There are few creatures in Native American folklore that are feared more than the Skinwalker. That said, what are Skinwalkers? Skinwalkers are one of the mainstays in Navajo tradition and legend. They are a class of outcast criminals that practice black magic, and are said to have the ability toRead More →
Salem, Massachusetts began as a small trading settlement in 1626 after being founded by Roger Conant, and a group of immigrants arriving from Cape Ann. Upon its founding, the town was originally named Naumkeag, but settlers renamed it Salem, adapted from the Hebrew word for peace. As the Massachusetts BayRead More →
