Bournemouth: Shelley's Heart and the Smuggler King

Did you know that Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, kept a calcified human heart wrapped in poetry in her desk drawer for decades?In this episode of Wyrd Wessex, we uncover the dark, gothic, and completely unexpected history of the South Coast. Far from just being a seaside resort, this area was the playground of the "Smuggler King" Isaac Gulliver—a man so brazen he faked his own death to fool the authorities—and is now the final resting place of literary giants.From the chilling ghost of a Headless Maharaja to the tragic lovers of Poole Harbour, we explore the strange folklore and history buried beneath the sand.In this episode:The Gothic Secret: The true story of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s heart, snatched from a funeral pyre and hidden by the author of Frankenstein.The Smuggler King: How Isaac Gulliver built a criminal empire, used secret tunnels, and staged his own funeral to escape the law.Haunted History: The World War I ghosts of the Town Hall and the bizarre tale of the Headless Moaning Maharaja.The Ghosts of Poole: The tragic suicide pact at the King Charles Inn and the phantom who vanishes in a hotel toilet.Wyrd Wildlife: The legend of the Portland "Merchicken" and the Boscombe Whale. Stay Wyrd.www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.