Show notes
SHOW NOTES — for — EPISODE 15 (Season Six)(August 16, 2026) ———— Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of early-Victorian London! This show cycles through four themes over a month-long cycle, one show per week. As today is the first Sunday of the month, this is the HA’PENNY HORRIDS theme show, featuring a few chapters of SWEENEY TODD, a true-crime story or two from the Penny Dreadful era, and various other grisly tidbits. Next week, the theme changes:Next Sunday will be a “Twopenny Torrids” theme episode — as always on the fourth Sunday of the month;The “Sixpenny Spookies” theme episode comes out on the first Sunday of next month; and finally—The “Graanum-gold Gothics” theme episode is scheduled for the second Sunday of next month. Then we’ll be right back around to the “Ha’penny Horrids” again, for the third Sunday! ———— For COMPLETE SHOW NOTES, including art and links to resources, see pennydread.com/discord. ———— IN TODAY'S "HA’PENNY HORRORS" EPISODE:01:50: HANGED TODAY IN HISTORY (August 16): It was 206 years ago today that Rebecca Worlock was hanged for having solved her abusive-husband problem by putting arsenic in his beer. (You can read Mrs. Worlock's confession here.)07:42: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapters 112-113: We now learn how Mrs. Lovett fared after Sweeney Todd knocked her out of the boat. The current sucked her under, and then spat her back to the surface behind a barge, so Todd did not see her. — After recovering, she returns to her shop in a hackney coach. There she finds Mrs. Stag happily guzzling from a bottle of gin and prattling about what a nice man Sweeney Todd is. You can imagine how that goes over with Mrs. Lovett! — Meanwhile, over at Todd’s place, another customer comes in to be shaved …and, of course, polished off … 40:15: HORRID BROADSIDE: “The Execution of FRED GEO. MANNING and MARIA, His WIFE.” (1849) Narrative of execution and some very doggerelly poetry about the case that became infamous as “The Bermondsey Horror,” in which a husband-and-wife murder team ganged up on a wealthy moneylender to murder and rob him.48:10: MURDERERS’ ROOST: Bigamist Louis Houssart was in a tight spot. He already had a wife, whom he had deserted; but his new wife had heard the rumours and demanded an explanation. What could he do … but visit his first wife, razor in pocket, and coldly murder his way out of this fix? (1724) GLOSSARY OF EARLY-VICTORIAN SLANG USED IN THIS EPISODE:HIGH GLOAKS: (from intro patter) Mounted highwaymen — “high” in the saddle of their horses.HOISTER MOTS: (ibid) Shoplifterettes.KNIGHTS OF THE BLADE: (ibid) Swaggering companions who are boastful of their prowess and may also claim a military rank — Captain, Major, Colonel — that they don’t really have a right to. NIPPERKIN: (ibid) Half a pint.EYE-WATER: (ibid) Gin.COLLEGIATES: (from outro patter) Inmates of a goal or prison.COLLECTORS: (ibid) Robbers.CAPTAIN LUSHINGTONS: (ibid) Habitual drunks.SLIP COVER: (ibid) Run away as fast as possible.GRABS: Law enforcement personnel.TWIG: To figure out or identify, or to “get wise” to something or someone.VIRTUE REWARDED: Arrested and/or prosecuted.HELL CATS: Dangerous ladies who frequent the “hells” (gambling dens).BLACKLEGS: Professional gamblers who cheat to win.SPICE ISLANDERS: Swindlers. A double pun: Mace is a spice; a mace-man is a swindler; so a Spice Islander is, as it were, a resident of Swindle Island.SPEELING-CRIB: A “hell” (gambling den).FOOTNOTE: The Barony of Dunwich is located in a deep forest glade west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.
