Prompt Cast
The Real Tragedy Behind the Pied Piper of Hamlin
TLDR The fairy tale of the Pied Piper of Hamlin may have been based on a real historic event that occurred in the town of Hamlin in 1284, where 130 children mysteriously disappeared. Evidence such as stained glass windows and manuscripts support this theory, suggesting that the story may be a cover-up for a tragic event.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The episode is about the fairy tale of the Pied Piper of Hamlin and how it may have been based on a real historic tragedy.
04:38
The episode discusses the possibility that the fairy tale of the Pied Piper of Hamlin may be based on a real historic event, supported by evidence found in the town of Hamlin.
09:10
The Pied Piper agrees to get rid of the rats for 50,000 Florence, and he leads them to the river where they drown, even though rats are actually good swimmers.
13:32
The townspeople refuse to pay the Pied Piper the agreed-upon 50,000 Florence for getting rid of the rats and instead offer him only 50 Florence.
17:44
The Pied Piper leads 130 children out of town and into a cave, where they are never heard from again, except for two children who survive.
22:20
There is evidence of a stained glass window and various manuscripts that support the idea that the Pied Piper story is based on a real event that happened in the town of Hamlin in 1284.
27:14
Theories about the Pied Piper story include a disease killing the children, the introduction of rats in 1565, and the possibility of the children leaving on their own as part of a crusade.
31:53
One theory is that the Pied Piper story is part of a migration eastward from Germany to Transylvania, where an adult convinced young adults to come with him to populate Eastern Europe.
36:34
The vague and poetic language used in the Pied Piper story suggests that the town of Hamlin may be covering up a guilt or a tragic event, possibly the loss of 130 children in 1284.
40:58
The hosts wrap up the episode by mentioning that listeners can find more information about the Pied Piper and other topics on the HowStuffWorks website, and then they transition into listener mail where they discuss quinceañeras and the pronunciation of "Latinx."
Categories:
Society & Culture
