The Lion, the Priest and the Parlourmaids: A 1930s Sex Scandal

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Tom and Dominic delve into the scandalous life of Harold Davidson, the Rector of Stiffkey, during the interwar period in Britain. They discuss Davidson's unconventional ministry of "rescuing" girls, his financial troubles, and his eventual trial for immoral acts. The hosts explore the public's fascination with the case, Davidson's theatrical personality, and the various colorful characters involved. They detail his defrocking and subsequent career as a fairground attraction, culminating in his tragic death by a lion in Skegness. The episode concludes with a discussion of the afterlife of the scandal, including the commercialization of his story and the individuals who stepped in to fill the void he left behind in the public eye.