After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal Spring-Heeled Jack: Terror of Victorian London
May 1, 2025
Join Ceri Houlbrook, a lecturer in history and folklore and author of 'Folklore: A Journey Through the Past and Present', as she unravels the mystery of Spring-Heeled Jack—Victorian London's bizarre urban legend. They explore terrifying encounters, his supernatural powers, and how this figure embodied societal fears amid radical change. The discussion connects folklore with class struggles, reflecting on how legends like Jack mirror the anxieties of their time and evolve with society's landscape.
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Jane Allsop's Terrifying Encounter
- Jane Allsop encountered Spring-Heeled Jack on February 20, 1838, who appeared with red eyes and blue flames coming from his mouth.
- He attacked her by clawing and tearing at her, but she escaped with help from her sisters who pulled her inside.
Defining Urban Legends
- Urban legends are a subset of folklore that circulate as true stories set in real places with recent events.
- They are often transmitted via a 'friend of a friend' narrative to seem believable.
Victorian Culture Fueled Legend
- Spring-Heeled Jack thrived during Victorian times due to increasing literacy and the popularity of penny dreadfuls.
- These cheap publications fueled public fascination with horror and macabre tales among working-class readers.