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the secret history of fairytales

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Illustration by Winslow Hollow

Illustration by Winslow Hollow

Bluebeard

May 12, 2016 by Clare Testoni

"Be bold, be bold, but not too bold."

Bluebeard is one of the most gruesome and dark stories of the fairy tale cannon. Before true crime or horror stories people told the story of the serial killer with the un-naturally blue beard, and the many wives he murdered.

Before we had the term serial killer we called repeat killers Bluebeards', and the real men from history who inspired the tale are considered some of the most vicious in history. In this episode we look at Bluebeard and it's cousin stories of Mr. Fox, and The Devil Who Married Three sisters, and examine the histories of the three men thought to have inspired the story. One a king of France, another a King of England, and Barron who was a companion to Joan of Arc.

Harp music by OMNIA

Other music from the Opera "Bluebeard's Castle" by Béla Bartók

Read Bluebeard and similar tales
Bluebeard Gallery
May 12, 2016 /Clare Testoni
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