EXCLUSIVE: Stranger Things 5 is now ready to watch on Netflix. While the Hellfire Club and co fight Vecna, the truth behind the real group is a lot more terrifying than telekinesis
The much-anticipated first volume of Stranger Things season 5 has finally been released on Netflix overnight – with fans of the show eager to find out the fate of Eleven and her nerdy friends.
It comes after a very emotional season four with fan favourite Eddie Munson (played by Joseph Quinn) meeting his very ‘metal’ ending thanks to some Demobats, while Max Mayfield (Sadie Sink) was left worse for wear by Vecna. It follows after Millie Bobbie Brown, who stars as Eleven, slammed a photographer at the premiere.
Fans saw citizens of Hawkins feel the wrath of the Upside Down – although the DnD (Dungeons & Dragons) Hellfire Club faced the blame for the devilish mayhem conjured by 001 and the Mind Flayer.
We all know that the Hellfire Club in Stranger Things is not actually some satanic cult. However, the real club – based here in the UK – might have been…
Here, we take a look at the ‘dar’k truth behind the real Hellfire Club that once operated under the feet of us Brits back in the day – and speak to those who dare to work there today.
What was the Hellfire Club?
It turns out the Hellfire Club was a very real organisation – and it’s nothing to do with DnD. The club was founded in 1746 by Sir Francis Dashwood II, who was a Conservative politician and the former Chancellor of the Exchequer.
There was a brief ‘Hellfire Club’ that operated in 1719, but quickly disbanded in 1721. Inspired, Dashwood decided to form his own club – formally known as ‘The Order of the Knights of Sir Francis’ – that was formed with the purpose of socialisation and networking for upper-class men.
These men were thought to have ‘anti-establishment’ views and would often mock the religious institutions that were highly regarded in the 18th century. This included dressing prostitutes up as nuns….
However, the meetings at the Hellfire Club – that were predominantly held in man-made tunnels in High Wycombe – quickly transformed into something a lot ‘darker’.
Willow, a spokesperson for the High Wycombe Hellfire Caves, exclusively told Daily Star: “The club originally was just for social gatherings for people – mainly upper-class men – of which it naturally progressed to its dark and debaucherous happenings later on.
“The name ‘Hellfire’ was coined a lot later in the modern age as a blanket term for clubs of those times who took part in ‘socially immoral acts’.
“It is rumoured that the Hellfire Club took part in group sexual activity regardless of gender or class.”
It’s believed that the elite and influential men of the Hellfire Club were notorious for holding orgies. They met together to live out their hedonistic ‘ideals’, away from the supposed ‘straight’ lifestyle of aristocracy and religion.
Who was part of the Hellfire Club?
So, who were these high society folk using their spare time and wads of cash on excessive eating, drinking, gambling and bonking?
Well, Willow informed us that the number of members is not “truly known”. However, among the elite, there was an even more exclusive “inner circle” of 12 men who were deemed to be the “highest regard within the club.”
And you might recognise some of the names from your school history books…
Some of the most notable members of the club:
- Sir Francis Dashwood ll – founder of Hellfire Club and once Chancellor of the Exchequer
- The Earl of Sandwich – thought to have invented the sandwich (sometimes referred to as Satan Sandwich)
- Paul Whitehead – satirist and secretary of the Hellfire Club
- Benjamin Franklin – American scientist (membership has been long debated)
- John Wilkes – politician and journalist
The membership of Benjamin Franklin has long been a talking point for historians, with many claiming he was just a guest at the sex-fuelled parties in the deep caves of High Wycombe.
Either way, the scientist was notorious for his outlandish behaviour – so it would come as no surprise if he was one of Dashwood’s chosen few.
Was the Hellfire Club really a satanic cult?
Since the formation of the Hellfire Club in the 18th century, rumours have swirled for years on whether members were practising satanists or not.
This could have come from the backlash the men received from those who opposed their boozy, raunchy lifestyle – which was seen as blasphemous in an overwhelmingly Protestant Britain at the time.
The claims also were not helped by the elite men dressing in robes, referring to each other as ‘Brother’ and Dashwood as ‘Abbot’. Their ‘secret’ meetings proved to be ritualistic mockeries of religious ceremonies, with the leader wearing red during meetings.
However, was the club – that closed in 1774 – satirical or satanic?
Hellfire Cave’s Willow shared: “It’s rumoured that they practised Satanism, but unfortunately, we cannot truly confirm or deny these statements as not much is confirmed.
“The reason we cannot confirm or deny these rumours is because one of the notable members, Paul Whitehead, who was Dashwood’s second hand man and the steward of the Hellfire Club, burnt all of the records of the club just before his death in 1774.
“Because of this, not much is known about the club itself.”
Are the Hellfire Caves haunted?
A lot happened within the man-made tunnels of what is now known as the ‘Hellfire Caves’.
Between the tales of orgies and satanic cults are ghost stories that keep the ‘darkness’ of the tunnels alive today.
Apparently, the Hellfire Caves are one of the “most haunted sites in the UK,” according to Willow.
Some say that the tunnels are haunted by Suki, also known as the ‘White Lady’. It’s said that she didn’t have a connection to the club, but was instead killed by some local boys who led her to the cave.
Willow said: “The Caves also have a very large reputation in the world of the paranormal, with countless events of paranormal activity happening throughout the year.
“One of our most infamous spirits is the White Lady Suki. Legend says that she was killed by a few local boys from the village as they tricked her into coming to the caves.
“She was said to be wearing a wedding dress and now many people say they see a woman in white roaming the tunnels of the caves.”
However, Willow has had her own terrifying experience, having manned the tunnels all by herself, and heard something that kept her up at night.
With the caves steeped in history, possibly of Satanic roots, it’s no surprise that the caves are “haunted.”
Willow revealed: “There are many other paranormal or unexplained events that occur on the site – too many to put it down to just one being the ‘spookiest’ experience.
“But one thing that really sends shivers down my spine is when you’re in the caves alone, knowing there is not possibly anyone else in there with you, and you hear bloodcurdling screams as loud as day…that’s enough to keep you up at night.”
Impact of Stranger Things
Many people might not know the vast history of the Hellfire Club – and probably don’t realise it was a genuine organisation away from the fictional group in Stranger Things.
Those working at the Hellfire Caves – that the public can visit – noted the “massive impact” the show has had on getting the Hellfire Club name out there.
Willow concluded: “The impact of Stranger Things and its infamous DnD club has been massive, the response on social media and the sheer number of customers in Hellfire shirts and other pieces of merchandise has been so incredible to see!”
The caves are often decorated and hold events for both Christmas and Halloween – and even turned the tunnels into the ‘Upside Down’ to pay homage to the show.
But, you’ve been warned, you might experience some company from another realm – although it won’t be Vecna.
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