The Devil WithinThe Castle of the Damned — Episode One: The Necromancer’s Bargain Episode Overview In 1987, an archaeological team investigating Hermitage Castle in the Scottish Borders made a discovery that would disturb historians, archaeologists, and paranormal investigators alike. Hidden beneath the castle’s great hall was a sealed chamber, untouched for centuries. Inside they found ritual symbols carved into the stone, shelves of forbidden texts, and a lead coffin covered in Latin inscriptions. Something inside had been trying to claw its way out. And according to medieval records… it once belonged to William de Soulis. This episode investigates the dark legend of William de Soulis — a fourteenth-century nobleman whose obsession with forbidden knowledge transformed his castle into what historians now believe may have been a ritual laboratory for necromantic experiments. We explore: The strange library of occult texts inherited by the de Soulis family William’s documented experiments attempting to communicate with supernatural entities His alleged bargain with an entity known only as “The Teacher” The gradual transformation of both the man and the castle itself Reports of supernatural architecture within Hermitage Castle — rooms and corridors behaving impossibly The violent events surrounding William’s death in 1320 The extraordinary measures taken by monks to seal his body in lead and stone But the story does not end with his death. Because when archaeologists reopened the hidden chamber in 1987… the coffin was no longer sealed. Themes in This Episode: The dangers of knowledge pursued without wisdom Medieval occult traditions hidden within historical records The intersection of ambition, scholarship, and supernatural belief Whether evil is invited… or discovered The excavation of Hermitage Castle revealed far more than medieval artifacts. It may have reawakened something. And the people who studied the discovery would soon begin to pay a terrible price. 💼 SPONSORS 🛋️ RULA Online therapy that takes your insurance. Get matched with a licensed therapist today: 👉 http://www.rula.com/IDES  🧥 QUINCE Luxury essentials at affordable prices. Free shipping + 365-day returns: 👉 http://www.quince.com/MISCHIEF 📱 MINT MOBILE Premium wireless for just $15/month. Switch and get free shipping: 👉 www.mintmobile.com/DEVILWITHIN 🛰️ EXPRESSVPN Protect your data anywhere. Get up to 4 months free: 👉 http://www.expressvpn.com/DEVILWITHIN 🌿 MOOD CBD and THC gummies shipped nationwide. 20% off with code DEVILWITHIN: 👉 http://www.mood.com/DEVILWITHIN 🐶 OLLIE DOG FOOD Real, fresh, human-grade meals for your dog. 60% off your first box: 👉 http://www.ollie.com/IDES 💰 MONARCH The only finance app you’ll ever need. 50% off your first year: 👉 www.monarchmoney.com/IDES Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices