The Darkives

Leo Eaton and Jamie Tavenner
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  • HISTORY
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This isn't your typical history podcast, it's a little bit dark history with a splash of dark humor Host Jamie and co-host Leo delve into history's darkest archived stories. They shed a little light on some of the creepy, weird, dark and sometimes downright disturbing stories you won't find in history books (at least not the more nasty bits). From killer cults, forgotten voyages, true crime and generally dark moments in world history. We'll all go into the past to reveal the more obscure and take a lighthearted look at the macabre. Join our hosts as they pull bizarre history stories of from The Darkives. perfect for fans of: funny conversations about history, eerie historical tales, alternative history, grim historical stories, spooky history, offbeat history, banter podcasts, casual conversational history, laid-back history, weird facts about history

  1. The Weird History of: Elmer McCurdy

    6 DAYS AGO

    The Weird History of: Elmer McCurdy

    This week, a bit of a bizarre true crime story. The true story of Elmer McCurdy, the abandoned child, the outlaw, the mummy, roller skater, the corpse displayed in funhouse, the actor?.... Hey Jamie... this is the correct order right? Okay, I promise this the correct chain of events everybody. Come with us as we tell some outlaw history of Oklahoma and tell the tale of a strange museum exhibit. In this file of The Darkives, we find out how Elmer McCurdy became a mummy. Email us: thedarkivescommunity@gmail.com Follow us on- instagram Sources: https://www.history.com/articles/elmer-mccurdy-mummy-dead-outlawhttps://www.npr.org/2015/01/09/376097471/the-long-strange-60-year-trip-of-elmer-mccurdyhttps://www.broadway.com/buzz/205534/the-wild-weird-true-story-of-elmer-mccurdy-broadways-dead-outlaw/https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/strange-life-stranger-afterlife-elmer-mccurdy/ Theme music: Ways of the Wizard Composed by: geoffharvey Licensed through: Pixabay Used with permission, Thank you Geoff! Other music used licensed through Pixbay American Western Country-TunetankNightmarish Circus March-ikerregular123 (Freesound)Other sounds used through Pixbay used under the Pixabay Content License Keywords : Elmer McCurdy body, macabre historical stories, weird crime history, mummified outlaw carnival, sideshow mummy history, carnival oddities history, Wild West outlaw stories, Oklahoma train robbery history, early 1900s American crime, Western bandits history, historical bank robbers, weird historical events, bizarre stories from history, creepy true history, unbelievable history stories, outlaw body displayed for decades, strangest after-death story in history, Elmer McCurdy carnival attraction, what happened to Elmer McCurdy’s body

    24 min
  2. The Mysterious History of: The San José shipwreck

    30 JAN

    The Mysterious History of: The San José shipwreck

    This week we dive into a tale of an underwater treasure hunt and maritime archaeology. In the 18th century, during the War of the Spanish Succession, the British navy and Spanish galleons loaded with treasure would engage in naval battles off the coast of Colombia. One of the battles would lead to what might be the richest shipwreck in history and a bounty that would be lost to the world for around 300 years. Let's track down a missing vessel from the Spanish treasure fleet together. This tragic story has it all; a deep sea shipwreck discovery, controversies surrounding San José shipwreck, sailors lost at sea, and more as we sail the seas of history on this file pulled from The Darkives. Email us: thedarkivescommunity@gmail.com Follow us on- instagram Sources: https://www.history.com/articles/san-jose-shipwreck-battle-2https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/spanish-successionhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/san-jose-shipwreck-treasure-recovered-1708-colombia/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2kj0153zn0ohttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/san-jose-worlds-richest-shipwreck-claimTheme music: Ways of the Wizard Composed by: geoffharvey Licensed through: Pixabay Used with permission, Thank you Geoff! Other music used licensed through Pixbay Strings of Adventure - Dramatic Orchestral Loop-SonicanOther sounds used through Pixbay used under the Pixabay Content License Keywords: Spanish galleon San José, San Jose treasure ship, San José shipwreck Colombia, sunken treasure history, shipwreck treasure discovery, colonial maritime trade routes, Caribbean shipwreck history, underwater archaeology, deadly naval battles history, tragic shipwrecks in history, dark maritime history, historical treasure mysteries, shocking events in naval history, forgotten shipwrecks, true story of the San José shipwreck, what happened to the San José galleon, San José treasure worth billions, history behind the richest shipwreck, Spanish treasure ship sunk by the British, law of the sea,

    20 min
  3. The Dark History of: Elizabeth Báthory

    23 JAN

    The Dark History of: Elizabeth Báthory

    This week the blood countess, Elizabeth Báthory. Tales of medieval torture, murder, and one of the meanest female serial killers in history. In 16th century Europe the Elizabeth Báthory murders have a healthy mix of documented facts, myths, and legends. Jamie separates the facts from the fiction and brings to light some newer theories that may wash away all we know of this historical murder mystery. Time to get medieval again in this installment of The Darkives. Email us: thedarkivescommunity@gmail.com Follow us on- instagram Sources: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/december-29/bathorys-torturous-escapades-are-exposedhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-serial-killers-2026519https://www.biography.com/crime/elizabeth-bathoryhttps://www.historyhit.com/the-blood-countess-facts-about-elizabeth-bathory/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/the-bloody-legend-of-hungarys-serial-killer-countesshttps://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/elizabeth-bathoryhttps://www.czechcenter.org/blog/2024/2/3/elizabeth-bthory-the-hungarian-countess Theme music: Ways of the Wizard Composed by: geoffharvey Licensed through: Pixabay Used with permission, Thank you Geoff! Other music used licensed through Pixbay Horror Music Box-ViraMillerOther sounds used through Pixbay used under the Pixabay Content License Keywords: aristocratic crimes, blood bathing myth, dark European legends, macabre history stories, shocking historical crimes, eerie true history, who was Elizabeth Báthory, true story of the Blood Countess, Elizabeth Báthory myth vs reality, how many victims did Elizabeth Báthory kill, Elizabeth Báthory crimes explained, dark secrets of Elizabeth Báthory, historical serial killer

    28 min
  4. The Dark History of: The Arctic Balloon Expedition

    16 JAN

    The Dark History of: The Arctic Balloon Expedition

    Forgotten tragedies, 19th century balloon flight exploration, and polar bears! This week we go over the highs and lows of Andrée’s Arctic expedition. In 1897, balloon enthusiast Salomon Andrée set out to explore the north pole by air. This tragic exploration attempt seemed to be doomed from the start. Lets take flight and fly on the winds of early aviation and arctic scientific exploration in this installment of The Darkives. Email us: thedarkivescommunity@gmail.com Follow us on socials: Just search user name- darkivespodcast Sources: 12345 Theme music: Ways of the Wizard Composed by: geoffharvey Licensed through: Pixabay Used with permission, Thank you Geoff! Other music used licensed through Pixbay Upbeat Adventure Journey Loop 1-Cyberwave-OrchestraOther sounds used through Pixbay used under the Pixabay Content License Keywords: polar exploration history, survival in the Arctic, extreme exploration history, dark history of Arctic exploration, deadly Arctic expeditions, explorers lost in the Arctic, Swedish polar explorers, dark history podcast episode, bizarre historical expeditions, historical mystery, true story of the Arctic Balloon Expedition, what happened to Andrée’s Arctic expedition, why the Arctic balloon expedition failed, Salomon Andrée death, lost Arctic expedition, darkest moments in polar exploration

    22 min
  5. The Dark History of: The Harrying of The North

    9 JAN

    The Dark History of: The Harrying of The North

    This week we cover the Norman Conquest of England and the atrocities of William the Conqueror. William I of England was faced with Anglo-Saxon resistance during his reign so he clapped back with some medieval war crimes leading to mass starvation in England. Before population devastation and the destruction of northern England, William seized the throne through a series of scorched earth warfare and brutal medieval campaigns. The most notable battle on his way to the throne being the Battle of Hastings. Join us for a king sized true story in grim medieval history with an 'explosive' ending in this case of The Darkives. Email us: thedarkivescommunity@gmail.com Follow us on socials: just search user name- darkivespodcast Sources: 123456789Theme music: Ways of the Wizard Composed by: geoffharvey Licensed through: Pixabay Used with permission, Thank you Geoff! Other sounds used licensed through Pixbay Medieval Castle Loop- EbunnyCoins Drop 1- u_xg7ssi08yrAHHHH- random_intruder (Freesound)used under the Pixabay Content License Keywords: Norman Conquest brutality, 1069, Norman rule in England, medieval England history, medieval famine England, long-term effects of Norman conquest, forgotten atrocities in history, what was the Harrying of the North, true history of the Harrying of the North, why William the Conqueror destroyed the North, Harrying of the North death toll.

    31 min
  6. The Dark History of: The Man-Eaters of Tsavo

    2 JAN

    The Dark History of: The Man-Eaters of Tsavo

    This week we travel back to late 19th century Africa to learn this true horror story in history. A case of real-life man-eating lions! In British East Africa (now Kenya) during the construction of the Uganda Railway in the Tsavo river region, we find two African lions more terrifying than your average animal predators. Full of deadly animal attacks and railway construction disasters, we learn what happened during one of the deadliest animal attacks in African history. Get ready to sink your teeth into this shocking historical event from The Darkives. The main source for this episode: Patterson, John Henry. The Man-Eaters of Tsavo and Other East African Adventures. link to book: https://amzn.to/4aEQYU6 *As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases* Other Sources: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/blog/tsavo-lionshttps://wildlifecollege.org.za/the-man-eaters-of-tsavo/https://www.livescience.com/58735-man-eating-lions-analyzed.htmlhttps://tsavotrust.org/why-are-tsavos-male-lions-maneless/Theme music: Ways of the Wizard Composed by: geoffharvey Licensed through: Pixabay Used with permission, Thank you Geoff! Other sounds used licensed through Pixbay African Tribal Music- BackgroundMusicForVideosCrunching Bones- spookymodem (Freesound)Horror Trailer- SimpleSoundLion Roaring Sound Effect- Engyclickused under the Pixabay Content License Keywords: Tsavo lions, Tsavo lion attacks, lions that ate people, dark history of the Man-Eaters of Tsavo, colonial Africa tragedies, Tsavo National Park history, Kenya wildlife history, Kenya dark history, dark history podcast episode, bizarre tragedies in history

    36 min
  7. The Dark History of: Madame LaLaurie

    26/12/2025

    The Dark History of: Madame LaLaurie

    This week we uncover the LaLaurie Mansion horrors. The tale of Delphine LaLaurie is hidden away in the French Quarter buried deep in New Orleans true crime history. Here we expose historical serial abuse and brutal crimes so disturbing that the LaLaurie house is now known as one of the most haunted places in New Orleans. Let's band together and break down the door hiding the true story of the LaLaurie Mansion in this episode of The Darkives. Sources: Retrospect of Western Travel, Volume II, Harriet Martineau- https://amzn.to/4pcrd1d*As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases*23456Theme music: Ways of the Wizard Composed by: geoffharvey Licensed through: Pixabay Used with permission, Thank you Geoff! Other sounds used licensed through PixbaySpooky-NikitaKondrashevWood Break-BOAAY (Freesound)Gasplaft2k-(Freesound)Locked door being forced open-Talitha5 (Freesound)used under the Pixabay Content License Keywords: Madame LaLaurie history, Madame LaLaurie, Delphine LaLaurie mansion LaLaurie House New Orleans, brutal crimes in history, haunted New Orleans, French Quarter history, Royal Street New Orleans, Louisiana dark history ,LaLaurie Mansion ghosts, haunted LaLaurie House, who was Madame Delphine LaLaurie, what happened at the LaLaurie House, LaLaurie Mansion slave abuse, dark secrets of Madame LaLaurie, Madame LaLaurie crimes explained

    29 min
  8. The History of: Saint Nicholas

    19/12/2025

    The History of: Saint Nicholas

    This week, the history of Christmas traditions. We time travel back to the 4th century to learn of an early Christian Saint that serves as the origins of Santa Claus. Beginning with the true history of Saint Nicholas we follow his path to becoming the Bishop of Myra. After the verifiable tales we'll get into Saint Nicholas' folklore and legends. Finally we end with the evolution of Santa Claus and bridge the gap between ol' Saint Nick and Santa Claus. Deck the heretic, halls, whatever! in this Holiday special of The Darkives. Sources: 1234567Theme music: Ways of the Wizard Composed by: geoffharvey Licensed through: Pixabay Used with permission, Thank you Geoff! Other sounds used licensed through Pixbay real_punches_and_slaps (Freesound)Chopping wood with a hatchet (Freesound)Magic 03 UniversfieldHarp Glissando Ascending Short Serge Quadrado MusicAncient Histroy BackgroundMusicMasterJail Door Closing (Heavy Door) TanwerAmanPain/Anger Scream 2 TheLlywellynSnow Lantern Waltz BFCMUSICused under the Pixabay Content License Keywords: Saint Nicholas facts, miracles, myths, Christmas folklore

    25 min
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About

This isn't your typical history podcast, it's a little bit dark history with a splash of dark humor Host Jamie and co-host Leo delve into history's darkest archived stories. They shed a little light on some of the creepy, weird, dark and sometimes downright disturbing stories you won't find in history books (at least not the more nasty bits). From killer cults, forgotten voyages, true crime and generally dark moments in world history. We'll all go into the past to reveal the more obscure and take a lighthearted look at the macabre. Join our hosts as they pull bizarre history stories of from The Darkives. perfect for fans of: funny conversations about history, eerie historical tales, alternative history, grim historical stories, spooky history, offbeat history, banter podcasts, casual conversational history, laid-back history, weird facts about history

Information

  • Creator
    Leo Eaton and Jamie Tavenner
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jamie Tavenner 2025
  • Show Website
    The Darkives

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