This 2022 episode covers Giordano Bruno, a mathematician, philosopher, astronomer, occultist, and according to the Catholic church of 16th-century Italy, a heretic. He met a bad end because of his views, but he started out as a friar.

This 2022 episode covers Giordano Bruno, a mathematician, philosopher, astronomer, occultist, and according to the Catholic church of 16th-century Italy, a heretic. He met a bad end because of his views, but he started out as a friar.

Join Holly and Tracy as they bring you the greatest and strangest Stuff You Missed In History Class in this podcast by iHeartRadio.

Stuff You Missed in History Class

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts. 

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts.&nbsp;

Podcasts from iHeartRadio

SYMHC Classics: Giordano Bruno

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f3950813-f366-4acd-b9ca-b4dd010920c3/transcript

In the spring of 1828, a news story broke in Suffolk, England about the horrific murder of Maria Marten. Her paramour was the only suspect, but he evaded authorities for some time before he was captured and put on trial.

Research:
Curtis, J. “AN AUTHENTIC AND FAITHFUL HISTORY OF THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER OF MARIA MARTEN, WITH A FULL DEVELOPMENT OF ALL THE EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF HER BODY IN TO WHICH IS ADDED, THE TRIAL OF WILLIAM CORDER, TAKEN AT LARGE IN SHORT HAND SPECIALLY FOR THIS WORK, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF HIS EXECUTION, DISSECTION, &c. AND MANY INTERESTING PARTICULARS RELATIVE TO THE VILLAGE OF POLSTEAD AND ITS VICINITY; THE PRISON CORRESPONDENCE OF CORDER, AND FIFTY-THREE LETTERS, IN ANSWER TO HIS ADVERTISEMENT FOR A WIFE.” London. Thomas Keity. 1828. https://archive.org/details/b20443237
Devlin, Laura. “Who was the murderer whose skin binds a book?” BBC. April 22, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn0wrdleer2o
Harding, J. “Celebrated Trials of All Countries, and Remarkable Cases of Criminal Jurisprudence.” 1847. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=pj3FyXaS91YC&rdid=book-pj3FyXaS91YC&rdot=1
“Horrible Murder.” Bristol Mirror. April 19, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/970366046/?match=1&terms=%22Maria%20Marten%22&search-id=6e26d629-68a9-4c86-a81d-4164828d99b9&search-rank=1
“Horrible Murder.” The Morning Chronicle. April 24, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/392094838/?search-id=6e26d629-68a9-4c86-a81d-4164828d99b9&search-rank=3
“Horrid Murder. North Wales Chronicle. May 1, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1367388437/?match=1&terms=William%20Corder&search-id=15f8324b-4277-49e4-ade3-f37de505ca71&search-rank=4
Langbein, John H. “THE PROSECUTORIAL ORIGINS OF DEFENCE COUNSEL IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY: THE APPEARANCE OF SOLICITORS.” Cambridge Law Journal. 58(2), July 1999, pp.314-365. https://law.yale.edu/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/Faculty/Langbein_Prosecutorial_Origins_of_Defence_Counsel.pdf
“Murder in Suffolk.” Cambridge Chronicle and University Journal, Isle of Ely Herald and Huntingdonshire Gazette. May 2, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/785569973/?match=20&terms=William%20Corder&search-id=15f8324b-4277-49e4-ade3-f37de505ca71&search-rank=2
“Murder in Suffolk.” Birmingham Journal. May 3, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/784498364/?match=1&terms=%22William%20Corder%22&search-id=9a769e68-25cc-42f4-b01d-1bca08e64ac6&search-rank=38
“The Red Barn Murder.” St. Edmundbury Chronicle. http://www.stedmundsburychronicle.co.uk/rbpeople.htm
“Sanguinary and Atrocious Murder.” Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic. May 1, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/786265260/?match=3&terms=William%20Corder&search-id=15f8324b-4277-49e4-ade3-f37de505ca71&search-rank=1
“William Corder.” Lancaster Gazette. May 24, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/395993259/?match=1&terms=William%20Corder&search-id=a5f1199d-5191-413d-943a-1cbabcb0a368&search-rank=16

In the spring of 1828, a news story broke in Suffolk, England about the horrific murder of Maria Marten. Her paramour was the only suspect, but he evaded authorities for some time before he was captured and put on trial.
Research:
<ul>
<li>Curtis, J. &ldquo;AN AUTHENTIC AND FAITHFUL HISTORY OF THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER OF MARIA MARTEN, WITH A FULL DEVELOPMENT OF ALL THE EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF HER BODY IN TO WHICH IS ADDED, THE TRIAL OF WILLIAM CORDER, TAKEN AT LARGE IN SHORT HAND SPECIALLY FOR THIS WORK, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF HIS EXECUTION, DISSECTION, &amp;c.&nbsp;AND MANY INTERESTING PARTICULARS RELATIVE TO THE VILLAGE OF POLSTEAD AND ITS VICINITY; THE PRISON CORRESPONDENCE OF CORDER, AND FIFTY-THREE LETTERS, IN ANSWER TO HIS&nbsp;ADVERTISEMENT FOR A WIFE.&rdquo; London. Thomas Keity. 1828. https://archive.org/details/b20443237</li>
<li>Devlin, Laura. &ldquo;Who was the murderer whose skin binds a book?&rdquo; BBC. April 22, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn0wrdleer2o</li>
<li>Harding, J. &ldquo;Celebrated Trials of All Countries, and Remarkable Cases of Criminal Jurisprudence.&rdquo; 1847. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=pj3FyXaS91YC&amp;rdid=book-pj3FyXaS91YC&amp;rdot=1</li>
<li>&ldquo;Horrible Murder.&rdquo; Bristol Mirror. April 19, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/970366046/?match=1&amp;terms=%22Maria%20Marten%22&amp;search-id=6e26d629-68a9-4c86-a81d-4164828d99b9&amp;search-rank=1</li>
<li>&ldquo;Horrible Murder.&rdquo; The Morning Chronicle. April 24, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/392094838/?search-id=6e26d629-68a9-4c86-a81d-4164828d99b9&amp;search-rank=3</li>
<li>&ldquo;Horrid Murder. North Wales Chronicle. May 1, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1367388437/?match=1&amp;terms=William%20Corder&amp;search-id=15f8324b-4277-49e4-ade3-f37de505ca71&amp;search-rank=4</li>
<li>Langbein, John H. &ldquo;THE PROSECUTORIAL ORIGINS OF DEFENCE COUNSEL IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY: THE APPEARANCE OF SOLICITORS.&rdquo; Cambridge Law Journal. 58(2), July 1999, pp.314-365. https://law.yale.edu/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/Faculty/Langbein_Prosecutorial_Origins_of_Defence_Counsel.pdf</li>
<li>&ldquo;Murder in Suffolk.&rdquo; Cambridge Chronicle and University Journal, Isle of Ely Herald and Huntingdonshire Gazette. May 2, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/785569973/?match=20&amp;terms=William%20Corder&amp;search-id=15f8324b-4277-49e4-ade3-f37de505ca71&amp;search-rank=2</li>
<li>&ldquo;Murder in Suffolk.&rdquo; Birmingham Journal. May 3, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/784498364/?match=1&amp;terms=%22William%20Corder%22&amp;search-id=9a769e68-25cc-42f4-b01d-1bca08e64ac6&amp;search-rank=38</li>
<li>&ldquo;The Red Barn Murder.&rdquo; St. Edmundbury Chronicle. http://www.stedmundsburychronicle.co.uk/rbpeople.htm</li>
<li>&ldquo;Sanguinary and Atrocious Murder.&rdquo; Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic. May 1, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/786265260/?match=3&amp;terms=William%20Corder&amp;search-id=15f8324b-4277-49e4-ade3-f37de505ca71&amp;search-rank=1</li>
<li>&ldquo;William Corder.&rdquo; Lancaster Gazette. May 24, 1828. https://www.newspapers.com/image/395993259/?match=1&amp;terms=William%20Corder&amp;search-id=a5f1199d-5191-413d-943a-1cbabcb0a368&amp;search-rank=16</li>
</ul>

In the spring of 1828, a news story broke in Suffolk, England about the horrific murder of Maria Marten. Her paramour was the only suspect, but he evaded authorities for some time before he was captured and put on trial.

Red Barn Murder

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4585cce8-d3f5-4c92-b93c-b4dd010976ff/transcript

Tracy ponders how Sara Weiss knew some of the things she knew and whether her husband characterized her as less informed than she was. Holly talks about a possible relative of Theophilus Brome.

Tracy ponders how Sara Weiss knew some of the things she knew and whether her husband characterized her as less informed than she was. Holly talks about a possible relative of Theophilus Brome.

Behind the Scenes Minis: Martian Skulls

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0757f1bf-02dd-4bba-ad97-b4dd0108c4bf/transcript

Screaming skull lore is something that is unique to Britain, though specific skull lore varies. The first episode has roots in the English Civil war, and the second is tied to colonialism in the Caribbean and the slave trade. 

Research:
Berry, Helen. “Exclusion Crisis: Challenging James II’s Right to Rule.” History Today. May 5, 2026. https://www.historytoday.com/archive/feature/exclusion-crisis-challenging-james-iis-right-rule
“The Bettiscombe Skull – Pinney Family.” Bridport and Lyme Regis News. March 25, 1904. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1325106358/?match=18&terms=Azariah%20Pinney%20&search-id=f74cfd16-6d86-49a4-a9db-d190c38e3250&search-rank=1
Collinson, John. “The history and antiquities of the county of Somerset, collected from authentick records, and an actual survey made by the late Mr. Edmund Rack. Adorned with a map of the county and engravings of Roman and other reliques, town seals, baths, churches and gentlemen’s seats.” Vo. II. Bath. R. Crutwell. 1791. https://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_the-history-and-antiquit_collinson-john_1791_2/page/n1/mode/2up?q=horrid
Cooper, W.J. “Bridport’s Most Exciting Day 280 Years Ago.” Bridport and Lyme Regis News. June 11, 1965. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1325206100/?match=2&terms=Azariah%20Pinney%20&search-id=f74cfd16-6d86-49a4-a9db-d190c38e3250&search-rank=2
Davey, Tim. “A Slave to History.” Evening Post. Sept. 28, 1999. https://www.newspapers.com/image/909493603/?match=7&terms=Azariah%20Pinney%20&search-id=f74cfd16-6d86-49a4-a9db-d190c38e3250&search-rank=10
Frere, Sheppard Sunderland, et al. "United Kingdom". Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Sep. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom
“Higher Farmhouse.” Historic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1296177?section=official-list-entry
Hubbard, Vincent K. “Swords, Ships & Sugar: History of Nevis to 1900.” Premiere Editions. 1996. 
Ingram, John H. “The Haunted Homes and Family Traditions of Great Britain.” London.Gibbings. 1901. https://archive.org/details/hauntedhomesand01ingrgoog
Kelly’s Directory of Liverpool & Birkenhead, 1894. [Part 2: Birkenhead and Trade & Court Directories]. Kelly & Co. Ltd, 1894. JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.30135909
Prickett, Katy. “The Macabre Tale of Oliver Cromwell’s Head.” BBC. Nov. 17, 2024. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0j8vn2ne70o
“Screaming Skull of Bettiscombe.” Dorset Echo. Aug. 14, 1963. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1325267462/?match=1&terms=Bettiscombe%20skull&search-id=0ee431ba-ab8d-4d60-a29c-7ac53b535399&search-rank=1
Thiselton-Dyer, T. F. “Strange Pages from Family Papers.” LONDON. SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & COMPANY. 1895. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/17050/pg17050-images.html#CHAPTER_II
Underwood, Peter. “Ghosts of Somerset.” Bossiness Books. 2011.
Weaver, Frederic William, M.A., ed. “Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset. Vol. II.” Sherbourne. J.C. and A.T. Sawtell. 1891. https://archive.org/details/notesqueriesfors02brid/page/n3/mode/2up
“A West Dorset Legend.” Dorset Echo. July 24, 1953. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1194417076/?match=7&terms=Bettiscombe%20Skull&search-id=f5da8122-4471-4f76-bbb5-a9d54fce9cc6&search-rank=11
West, John. “Britain’s Haunted Skulls.” Psychic News. October 2021. https://pocketmags.com/us/psychic-news-magazine/october-2021/articles/britain-s-haunted-skulls?srsltid=AU7gw4XzpYKPL3Gr5erHXG9udfTa62VhFURg_DaM9wBGEqMGPwm4YI-G

Screaming skull lore is something that is unique to Britain, though specific skull lore varies. The first episode has roots in the English Civil war, and the second is tied to colonialism in the Caribbean and the slave trade.&nbsp;
Research:
<ul>
<li>Berry, Helen. &ldquo;Exclusion Crisis: Challenging James II&rsquo;s Right to Rule.&rdquo; History Today. May 5, 2026. https://www.historytoday.com/archive/feature/exclusion-crisis-challenging-james-iis-right-rule</li>
<li>&ldquo;The Bettiscombe Skull &ndash; Pinney Family.&rdquo; Bridport and Lyme Regis News. March 25, 1904. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1325106358/?match=18&amp;terms=Azariah%20Pinney%20&amp;search-id=f74cfd16-6d86-49a4-a9db-d190c38e3250&amp;search-rank=1</li>
<li>Collinson, John. &ldquo;The history and antiquities of the county of Somerset, collected from authentick records, and an actual survey made by the late Mr. Edmund Rack. Adorned with a map of the county and engravings of Roman and other reliques, town seals, baths, churches and gentlemen&rsquo;s seats.&rdquo; Vo. II. Bath. R. Crutwell. 1791. https://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_the-history-and-antiquit_collinson-john_1791_2/page/n1/mode/2up?q=horrid</li>
<li>Cooper, W.J. &ldquo;Bridport&rsquo;s Most Exciting Day 280 Years Ago.&rdquo; Bridport and Lyme Regis News. June 11, 1965. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1325206100/?match=2&amp;terms=Azariah%20Pinney%20&amp;search-id=f74cfd16-6d86-49a4-a9db-d190c38e3250&amp;search-rank=2</li>
<li>Davey, Tim. &ldquo;A Slave to History.&rdquo; Evening Post. Sept. 28, 1999. https://www.newspapers.com/image/909493603/?match=7&amp;terms=Azariah%20Pinney%20&amp;search-id=f74cfd16-6d86-49a4-a9db-d190c38e3250&amp;search-rank=10</li>
<li>Frere, Sheppard Sunderland, et al. "United Kingdom". Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 Sep. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom</li>
<li>&ldquo;Higher Farmhouse.&rdquo; Historic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1296177?section=official-list-entry</li>
<li>Hubbard, Vincent K. &ldquo;Swords, Ships &amp; Sugar: History of Nevis to 1900.&rdquo; Premiere Editions. 1996.&nbsp;</li>
<li>Ingram, John H. &ldquo;The Haunted Homes and Family Traditions of Great Britain.&rdquo; London.Gibbings. 1901. https://archive.org/details/hauntedhomesand01ingrgoog</li>
<li>Kelly&rsquo;s Directory of Liverpool &amp; Birkenhead, 1894. [Part 2: Birkenhead and Trade &amp; Court Directories]. Kelly &amp; Co. Ltd, 1894. JSTOR, https://jstor.org/stable/community.30135909</li>
<li>Prickett, Katy. &ldquo;The Macabre Tale of Oliver Cromwell&rsquo;s Head.&rdquo; BBC. Nov. 17, 2024. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0j8vn2ne70o</li>
<li>&ldquo;Screaming Skull of Bettiscombe.&rdquo; Dorset Echo. Aug. 14, 1963. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1325267462/?match=1&amp;terms=Bettiscombe%20skull&amp;search-id=0ee431ba-ab8d-4d60-a29c-7ac53b535399&amp;search-rank=1</li>
<li>Thiselton-Dyer, T. F. &ldquo;Strange Pages from Family Papers.&rdquo; LONDON. SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON &amp; COMPANY. 1895. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/17050/pg17050-images.html#CHAPTER_II</li>
<li>Underwood, Peter. &ldquo;Ghosts of Somerset.&rdquo; Bossiness Books. 2011.</li>
<li>Weaver, Frederic William, M.A., ed. &ldquo;Notes and Queries for Somerset and Dorset. Vol. II.&rdquo; Sherbourne. J.C. and A.T. Sawtell. 1891. https://archive.org/details/notesqueriesfors02brid/page/n3/mode/2up</li>
<li>&ldquo;A West Dorset Legend.&rdquo; Dorset Echo. July 24, 1953. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1194417076/?match=7&amp;terms=Bettiscombe%20Skull&amp;search-id=f5da8122-4471-4f76-bbb5-a9d54fce9cc6&amp;search-rank=11</li>
<li>West, John. &ldquo;Britain&rsquo;s Haunted Skulls.&rdquo; Psychic News. October 2021. https://pocketmags.com/us/psychic-news-magazine/october-2021/articles/britain-s-haunted-skulls?srsltid=AU7gw4XzpYKPL3Gr5erHXG9udfTa62VhFURg_DaM9wBGEqMGPwm4YI-G</li>
</ul>

Screaming skull lore is something that is unique to Britain, though specific skull lore varies. The first episode has roots in the English Civil war, and the second is tied to colonialism in the Caribbean and the slave trade. 

Two Screaming Skulls

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/908e7815-ae47-466e-a77d-b4d8017ea7f4/transcript

SYMHC Classics: Giordano Bruno

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