Catherine Hayes, born in 1690 to a poor family, was an English woman who married a carpenter named John whom she met in her time as a servant to his family. After marrying she and her husband moved to London and opened a small wares store and also rented out rooms to those who could afford the stay.
In 1725 Catherine became involved in a bizarre love affair with two men boarding in the Haye’s home. At some point, be it through seduction or threat, Catherine coerced her two lovers to aid in a plot to get rid of her husband.
A tale of deceit, murder, a disassembled corpse, weeks of investigation, and shocking revelation, this uncanny case of patricide is one for the books. Shakespeare’s “Catherine” even drew inspiration from this historical happening.

I am looking for two - maybe three - people to partake in an RP amid the events of this historical case. Though I would prefer this to be a small group, I will happily settle for one person if that is all to be garnered.

I have done research on this case and outside of the victim and the three perpetrators, very few others names are ever mentioned. This gives room for player created characters such as investigating constables, close friends, or relatives who have become apart of the investigation and ensuing “drama”. Or have other ties that can be discussed.
Honestly this RP will be rather free reign in regards to characters. Players can as I stated above create their own or role as one of the mentioned historical figures and add their own constructive lore to the personas of said figures. A boon to there being so little on those involved aside from basic personal history.

This will be first come first serve. There will be a discord for discussion and chat booted up once we are capped out or have all those who are interested. Please convey interest here and do not PM me solely in regards to requesting a spot.

Feel free to ask any questions about Catherine Hayes, me as a writer, or character roles and impact on the plot itself here or later in the discord!

RESERVED

Interested, but I have a question. If this is an historical event, how far can we veer off course? Is this sort of like a Telltale story where we make some choices but in the end we end up in much the same place? If so I'm still down for that.

Interested, but I have a question. If this is an historical event, how far can we veer off course? Is this sort of like a Telltale story where we make some choices but in the end we end up in much the same place? If so I'm still down for that.

Pretty much, yes. Not everyone’s cup of tea, I’m aware, but I’m glad your still up for it! Most of the lore building/storytelling will be around those that surround the events themselves.

Un... depending on the interest for this, I'll jump in.
I'm interested in playing Ms. Springate, the sweet, oblivious upstairs renter who hears Mr. John scream in protest of his murder.

I'm considering playing around with the idea that the young woman was somewhat being courted by Thomas Billings before he moved in. She, in fact, was the reason why he decided to inquire about lodging there. It was a good coupling, but the seductive ways Catherine held against him easily forced his eyes away from Ms. Springate, and before she knew it - he was no longer courting her. In fact, she rarely saw him except on short occasions between leaving and entering the homestead. She had no idea he was having a dual affair with Catherine. Catherine herself informed her that Thomas Billings was her son, which cleared Springate's suspicions that she had stolen her man. She figured the two had reconnected with each other and he was just managing his duties as her son to aid in his family's affairs. Of course, she's chit-chatted with Catherine countless times, believing barely anything that falls from that woman's spoiled mouth; so she would have her doubts about a lot of things going on under the floorboards of her apartment. But this... THIS is nowhere near to what she'd thought was going on.

The reason I would choose to go this route is that it's stated in the histories that Springate was also arrested for John's murder but later cleared. Having a connection with the family, more than being a renter there seems more of a legit reason for them to suspect her. This would also allow for more character interaction, story building, and conflict - cause really, Thomas B was courting her and suddenly decides to take his illegitimate mother instead? Yeah, that's a story there! I can make Springate more of a nosey neighbor who suspected that Catherine was stealing her man - only to find out that they're related... and THEN see that they were having relations! She can become the catalyst to suspicion before the murder happens - almost becoming a victim herself as she tries to get the Constable to realize that she's not going crazy, and she's not a jealous loser; something's not right in that household! Her snooping puts her in danger.

So, brainstorming aside, if this becomes a thing, then I'm in! Let me know, and I'll create my sweet, damsel Springate.