Though Robert Aske, a well connected English barrister, attempted to keep to himself and live a quiet life of work and faith, the rebels of northern England had other ideas. Aske went from merely speaking ill of King Henry VIII’s religious reforms to captaining a full-on uprising, becoming the foremost leader of the Pilgrimage of Grace. Unfortunately for Aske, Henry VIII was not known for his patience or forgiveness. Tune in as we unravel the drama, the politics, and the tragic irony of a man who fought for faith and tradition... only to find himself on the wrong side of the executioner’s scaffold.

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The Romans never missed the opportunity for a classic metaphorical (and gruesome) death sentence. Manius Aquillius was a Roman politician and military commander in circa 100 BC. During an era of epic battles and rebellions, he wasn't short on enemies. As a symbolic measure for his thirst for wealth, Aquillius faced one of the most unique and grotesque executions we've shared on this podcast: death by having molten gold poured down his throat. If you, like us, are curious how this would even work, then you're going to want to listen to this episode.

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Edith Cavell was a British nurse and World War I hero. Known for her unwavering commitment to saving lives, Cavell played a pivotal role in helping over 200 Allied soldiers and civilians escape German-occupied Belgium through an underground network. In this episode, we discuss the rise of her nursing career and how she went above and beyond in her efforts to save lives. Unfortunately, her actions were not seen as acts of humanity from the German perspective, and they were prepared to subject Edith to the full punishment for being labeled a traitor.

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