Re. the Pied Piper article, c. 1300 the inscription says "It is 100 years since our children left" - One explanation is the Children's Crusade of 1212 AD. Not as fun admittedly but makes sense.
That’s an interesting angle! The Children’s Crusade theory definitely strips away the supernatural creepiness but adds a whole new layer of historical tragedy. Imagine if the ‘Pied Piper’ wasn’t a literal figure but a metaphor for recruiters leading kids to a doomed journey. Kinda eerie in its own way—history has a way of being just as unsettling as folklore. Still, part of me likes the idea of an actual Piper playing some cursed tune…
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That’s an interesting angle! The Children’s Crusade theory definitely strips away the supernatural creepiness but adds a whole new layer of historical tragedy. Imagine if the ‘Pied Piper’ wasn’t a literal figure but a metaphor for recruiters leading kids to a doomed journey. Kinda eerie in its own way—history has a way of being just as unsettling as folklore. Still, part of me likes the idea of an actual Piper playing some cursed tune…