Poison in the Tower of London

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

History Hit

Myths, Folklore, Mystery, History, Ghosts, Society & Culture, Murder, Ufos, True Crime, Paranormal, Supernatural, Serial Killers

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 26 June 2025

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today’s story is one that takes us to a very familiar setting - the Tower of London - but shows it in a new light. Edward Francis was an enslaved man who lived in the Lion Tower. In 1691 he decided to poison his enslavers. Maddy and Anthony are joined by (friend of the pod) Dr Misha Ewen who helped bring this history to light. Misha is the author of "The Virginia Venture: American Colonization and English Society, 1580-1660".

Edited by Tomos Delargy. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.

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All music from Epidemic Sounds.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, we're your host's Anthony Delaney and Maddie Pelling.
0:03.7	And if you would like After Dark myths, misdeeds and the paranormal, ad free and get early access, sign up to History Hit.
0:11.1	With a History Hit subscription, you can also watch hundreds of hours of original documentaries with top history presenters and enjoy a new release every week.
0:20.7	Sign up now by visiting historyhit.com forward slash subscribe. top history presenters and enjoy a new release every week.
0:24.8	Sign up now by visiting historyhit.com forward slash subscribe.
0:36.7	To mix a perfect mojita this summer, all you need is some ice, some rum, and then top up with zesty, refreshing
0:38.0	Fevertree Mojito mixer.
0:41.5	Finish with a splash of sunshine
0:43.6	and some good friends and enjoy.
0:48.2	Mmm, maybe you don't need the sunshine.
0:51.8	Fevertree mojito mixer, Mix with the best. Please enjoy responsibly.
0:59.4	Hello and welcome to After Dark. I'm Anthony. And I'm Maddie. And today's story is one that takes
1:05.3	us to a very, very familiar location. It is the Tower of London, but highlights a history
1:10.2	that you might not be so well acquainted
1:12.6	with. To tell us a little bit more, here's Maddie.
1:15.6	1691. Inside the Tower of London, their alliance. They prowled and padded around their dens.
1:31.3	The keeper of the lions was a man called Thomas Dimmock, and the building he lived in was aptly called the Lion Tower.
1:39.3	Inside the kitchens of Lion Tower were ale, oats and milk.
1:45.7	Standing over these, rat poison in his hand, was Edward Francis.
1:53.6	Edward was an enslaved man, owned by Thomas Dimmock, the keeper of the lions.
1:58.9	Edward was black, almost certainly born in Africa, before being
2:02.7	captured and brought to London. While the lions roared outside the window, Edward tipped the powdered
	...

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