Keeper of the Lost Lore

Rivers

You know the popular myths. But what about the ones that were almost forgotten? Keeper of the Lost Lore is a sanctuary for the stories that whisper from the edges of history. I’m your host, Rivers, and my mission is to share tales often absent from the popular canon of folklore and mythology. Each episode, we explore lesser-known pantheons, spirits, monsters, and traditions that have slipped through the cracks of recorded history. If you’ve ever felt that the most fascinating tales are the ones just off the beaten path—welcome. Let’s preserve the past and keep the lore alive.

  1. The Sorcerer Who Vanished from the Tower of London

    09/04/2025

    The Sorcerer Who Vanished from the Tower of London

    Is magic real?  The Elizabethans certainly thought so. In a world lit by candlelight and shadowed by mystery, belief in witches, spells, and omens was as real as the rising sun. From the royal court to the village square, magic and superstition shaped everyday life—guiding decisions, inspiring fear, and influencing even the greatest minds of the age. In 1561, a man named Hew Draper vanished from the Tower of London, leaving behind only a strange astrological carving on his cell wall. Was it magic? An escape? Or something darker? This is the mysterious story of Elizabethan England's lost sorcerer.  Dive into the facinating past of the Tower of London's Salt Tower and its most puzzling inmate. This video looks at the story of Hew Draper, the Bristol innkeeper who was accused of witchcraft and sorcery during Queen Elizabeth I's reign. We take a closer look at the detailed astrological sphere and planetary grid he etched into the wall of his prison cell—a silent message that still hasn't been solved. The video covers the history of Elizabethan occult practices, John Dee, astrological magic, the Witchcraft Act of 1563, and the influential figures Draper encountered, including Bess of Hardwick. Could this carving have served as a magical tool? A celestial chart? Or was it just a way for a condemned man to pass the time? did he become a victim of the Tudor justice system, or did he manage to escape his destiny through means we can't comprehend?

    12 min

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About

You know the popular myths. But what about the ones that were almost forgotten? Keeper of the Lost Lore is a sanctuary for the stories that whisper from the edges of history. I’m your host, Rivers, and my mission is to share tales often absent from the popular canon of folklore and mythology. Each episode, we explore lesser-known pantheons, spirits, monsters, and traditions that have slipped through the cracks of recorded history. If you’ve ever felt that the most fascinating tales are the ones just off the beaten path—welcome. Let’s preserve the past and keep the lore alive.