Step into the fascinating world of ancient and historical wills.

From their earliest known origins in Egypt centuries before Europe and their development in Greece and Rome, trace the history of testamentary dispositions through Anglo-Saxon and English law. Discover the diverse and sometimes bizarre final wishes of individuals across the ages, revealing their customs, laws, and personal eccentricities.

This episode explores quaint and curious provisions found in historical testaments, including bequests for animals like horses and cats, detailed and unusual burial instructions, generous charitable trusts for travelers or the poor, and legacies ranging from coats of mail to gold girdles.

We'll also look at the wills of famous testators, such as Sennacherib, Plato, Aristotle, John of Gaunt, William Shakespeare, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and William Penn. Hear about the legal history, including the role of the church in probate and the introduction of concepts like executors. Even explore wills written entirely in poetry.

Join us for an insightful look at how the instinctive sentiment to dispose of property after death has manifested throughout human history, offering a unique window into the lives and final thoughts of those who came before us.