Notes and Queries, Number 205, October 1, 1853

A spirited foray into one of the most peculiar entertainments of Restoration‑era London, this essay recounts the legend of the “groaning‑board”—an elm plank that, when touched with a hot iron, emitted eerie, human‑like moans. Drawing on hand‑bills, contemporary broadsides and the witty observations of period writers, it paints a vivid picture of a city caught between curiosity and credulity, where tavern patrons and even the king himself gathered to hear the timber’s lament.

The narrative blends scholarly detail with a playful tone, highlighting how the board became a canvas for political satire, prophetic speculation and outright comedy. Listeners will be drawn into the bustling streets of 1680s London, hearing the clamor of vendors, the murmurs of skeptics, and the delighted gasps of crowds as they encounter this odd relic of early modern superstition.