Once celebrated as a hero of France, Gilles de Rais fought alongside Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years’ War, rising to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful noblemen of medieval Europe. But behind his reputation as a decorated knight and Marshal of France, a far darker story was beginning to emerge. In 1440, Gilles de Rais was arrested and accused of abducting, torturing, and murdering children, alongside allegations of occult rituals, alchemy, and dealings with demons. His sensational trial would transform a national hero into one of history’s most notorious alleged serial killers. Yet centuries later, questions remain about the reliability of his confessions, the political motivations of his accusers, and the true extent of his crimes. In this episode of The House of Strange, we explore the disturbing history of Gilles de Rais, his connection to Joan of Arc, the accusations that destroyed him, and the enduring mystery of whether he was a monster concealed beneath the armor of a knight or a man whose legacy was shaped by the ambitions of those who condemned him.

Few rulers in history have inspired as much terror as Vlad the Impaler, the fifteenth-century prince of Wallachia whose brutality helped inspire the legend of Dracula. But behind the monstrous reputation was a ruler caught between powerful empires, political betrayal, and a desperate struggle to maintain control. In this episode of The House of Strange, we explore the true history of Vlad III, from his childhood as an Ottoman hostage to his ruthless punishments, his daring nighttime attack against Sultan Mehmed II, and the infamous Forest of the Impaled, where thousands were reportedly displayed as a warning to an invading army. We examine the chilling legends surrounding his reign, the propaganda that amplified his cruelty, and the historical evidence that challenges some of his most notorious stories. Was Vlad Dracula a sadistic tyrant, a ruthless defender of Wallachia, or something far more complicated? Discover how fear became his greatest weapon, and how the real Vlad the Impaler became one of history's most enduring monsters.

In 18th-century Europe, a mysterious figure emerged from obscurity and captivated the royal courts with claims of ancient wisdom, miraculous healing, and supernatural knowledge. Known as Count Alessandro di Cagliostro, he presented himself as an alchemist, mystic, and master of Egyptian Freemasonry, but behind his extraordinary reputation may have stood Giuseppe Balsamo, a Sicilian adventurer with a carefully concealed past. As his influence spread, Cagliostro became entangled in the infamous Affair of the Diamond Necklace, a scandal involving Marie Antoinette that shook the French monarchy, before eventually facing the Roman Inquisition and imprisonment. In The Stranger Who Knew Too Much, we explore the mysterious life of Count Cagliostro, his connections to occultism and secret societies, and the competing stories that transformed him into one of history's most enigmatic figures. Was he a gifted healer and misunderstood visionary, a masterful con artist, or something far more complicated? And how did a man whose entire identity was shrouded in uncertainty create a legend that would survive long after his death?