Mystery Files

Michel de Nostradame, a 16th century astrology and seer, lived in Provence, Southern France. He wrote one of the most popular astrological books of all time, “The Prophecies”. This book contains 942 strange prophecies which foretell of bizarre events running far into the future. Since Nostradamus’ death, many people have attributed his predictions to major world events like the Great Fire of London, Hitler, Napoleon, the Atomic Bomb and the assassination of American President John F Kennedy. Such is the belief in Nostradamus’ popularity, he was even turned to soon after the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on 11th September 2001. Mystery Files undertakes to investigate the man behind these prophecies, to test his astrological skills and to reveal the secret of his prophetic powers. We call on leading experts like Ian Wilson - Nostradamus biographer, Peter Lemesurier - translator of his prophecies and historical investigator, Monica Azzolini – Renaissance Historian and Paul Wade – professional astrologer.

Robin Hood is one of the first super heroes. Stories of robbing the rich and giving to the poor are legend. Now evidence has been discovered to prove that Robin was a real person. Unpicking the folklore to separate fact from fiction, historians are exposing the man behind the myth. With new evidence culled from ancient manuscripts and historic sites this mysterious figure finally steps out of the shadows.

On December 16th 1916, Grigory Rasputin, self-styled faith healer and confident to the Tsar was fatally shot in the back of the head. His enemies fear that his hold over the Romanov family has gone too far. This is the story of how a simple peasant rose through the ranks of Russian aristocracy to win the ear of the Tsar and Tsarina and essentially become one of the most powerful men in Russia. Unfortunately for him, his influence over the family would attract the attention of many enemies, ensure his fall from grace and ultimately lead to his grisly death. Rasputin’s demise, according to history, centres around a group of Russian nobles, Vladimir Purishkevich, Felix Yusupov and Dmitri Pavlovich, who, in later years, all admitted to being involved in his assassination.

King Arthur- myth, legend or did he actually exist? According to the tales he reputedly led the defence of Britain from Saxon invaders in the early 6th century and throughout the ages, he has been recognised as the ultimate British hero, but whether or not he ever existed has always been hotly debated. Modern day perceptions conjure up Romantic images of Arthur and see him reign from his castle at Camelot over a mighty court. As King of the Britons, he and his knights of the round table are the ultimate symbol of chivalry and honour bringing enlightenment to the dark ages. A legend that spans over centuries, not surprisingly Arthur has assumed many identities. The most definitive collection, Morte D’Arthur, was forged in the tower of London prison by Sir Thomas Mallory. A man awaiting trial for rape, murder and extortion. Mallory’s, ‘Morte D’Arthur,’ is the culmination of hundreds of years of storytelling about the famous king. It tells of Arthurs utopian empire, his brave knights in shining armour and of course the betrayal by his most valiant knight Sir Lancelot and his beautiful Queen Guinevere who have an illicit affair. The story concludes with Arthur being mortally wounded in battle by his scheming nephew Mordred before being taken off to the magical Isle of Avalon, where he rests in an eternal sleep until his country needs a saviour.

Abraham Lincoln. The man who rises from obscurity to become the 16th American President and arguably it’s finest. But on April 15th 1865 he becomes the first US President to be assassinated, leading to the creation of a legend that obscures his true personality. Experts Michael Burlingame, James McPherson and Harold Holzer investigate Lincoln, exploring his less well-known early life and how it drives his later actions. He grows up on the American frontier and has a poor rural upbringing - a far cry from the glory of the White House. Our experts reveal Lincoln’s strong dislike of this agricultural lifestyle and his overwhelming ambition to get out, to move up and escape his father’s legacy. At every spare opportunity Lincoln read books - he was one of the greatest autodidacts of his age, for he had greater ambitions than those of his father. He became a Politician and soon after a lawyer as well.

In 17th century France, King Louis XIV is perhaps the most powerful man on earth. Known as the Sun King, his court at Versailles is magnificent – the heart of Europe’s wealthiest nation. However, he is in constant fear of the threat to his throne posed by his twin brother. Louis orders for an iron mask to be cast and placed on his brothers’ head. His brother is threatened with death if he dares to remove the mask. Ever since, historians have argued over the truth behind the story of this unfortunate individual. For two hundred and fifty years, the questions have remained unanswered. In this episode of Mystery Files, a team of investigators try to find the truth. Visiting the darkest dungeons of imperial France, using modern scientific experiments, and researching long forgotten document, they build a compelling and scandalous account of true story behind the myth of the Man in the Iron Mask.

Joan of Arc is one of the patron saints of France and a national and international icon; a young girl who lived in the earl 1400s in rural north eastern France. Her legend states that she hears the voice of God and embarks on a holy crusade to free France from English oppression. These actions finally lead to her downfall as she is captured, tried and burned alive as a heretic in 1431, aged just 19. Through modern psychological and historical investigation, Mystery Files reveals how such a young girl managed to overcome the hardships and obstacles to achieve so much. Joan grows up in a rural peasant household but her life changes dramatically when she claims at the age of 13 to hear voices inside her head. Psychologist Miguel Farias studies the historical accounts of Joan’s life and believes the voices could be thoughts buried deep in her unconscious mind. Joan’s belief in these voices is so strong that she undertakes an extraordinary mission.