One of the many evil helpers of St. Nicholas, coming during the Christmas season to punish children, we find the story about Père Fouettard, or Father Whipper from Lorraine.
While Christmas is often associated with joy, kindness, and festive cheer, certain legends remind us that this season also harbors a darker side. One such legend is that of Père Fouettard, or Father Whipper, a fearsome figure who emerges from the folklore of Lorraine, France, to cast a sinister shadow over the holiday celebrations.
He is one of the many helpers of St. Nicholas to punish the bad children together with Krampus, Frau Perchta and Hans Trapp among others in areas that culturally used to be a part of the Holy Roman Empire. This particular helper is mostly known in the north and east in Franche, South in Belgium and in the French speaking part of Switzerland.
The Origins of Père Fouettard
The story of Père Fouettard dates back to 1252. The legend was particularly popular in the regions of Lorraine and Alsace, where he became an integral part of the Christmas traditions.
Père Fouettard is often depicted as a grim, bearded man dressed in dark, tattered robes, wielding a whip, switch, or rod. His face is sometimes shown as sinister and sooty, reflecting his role as a punisher of naughty children. The character is believed to have been inspired by various European tales of dark, punitive figures who accompanied benevolent gift-givers during the festive season.
The Dark Tale of Père Fouettard
One of the most chilling versions of Père Fouettard’s origin story involves a gruesome crime. According to the legend, Père Fouettard was once an innkeeper or butcher who, along with his wife, lured three wealthy boys into their home. The couple murdered the children, planning to rob them and in the darkest versions, cut them up to eat them.
However, their heinous act was discovered by Saint Nicholas, who revived the boys and condemned Père Fouettard to an eternity of penance, or just simply forces him.
In some versions of the story, the children were salted and left in barrels for around seven years until St. Nicholas came knocking on their door.
As punishment, Père Fouettard was forced to serve as Saint Nicholas’s dark companion, responsible for doling out punishments to naughty children. While Saint Nicholas would reward the good children with gifts and sweets, Père Fouettard would whip the misbehaving ones, leaving them with painful reminders of their misdeeds.
Père Fouettard in Christmas Traditions
In many parts of France and Belgium, Père Fouettard is still a prominent figure in Christmas celebrations. On December 6th, Saint Nicholas Day, he accompanies Saint Nicholas on his rounds, adding a touch of fear to the festive joy. The contrast between the kind, generous Saint Nicholas and the fearsome Père Fouettard serves as a moral lesson, reinforcing the importance of good behavior throughout the year.
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Children are often warned that if they do not behave, Père Fouettard will pay them a visit, armed with his whip or rod. This fearsome aspect of Christmas traditions acts as a cautionary tale, ensuring that children remain on their best behavior during the holiday season.
The Enduring Legacy of Père Fouettard
Despite his terrifying reputation, Père Fouettard remains an integral part of the Christmas folklore in many French-speaking regions. His story has been passed down through generations, evolving over time but retaining its core message of reward and punishment. The local twist on this story though, might come from when Charles V attacked Metz and the tanner’s guild came up with the story, making an effigy of the emperor with a whip to mock him. After the siege, it is said that the stories merged.
Modern interpretations of Père Fouettard often tone down his more gruesome aspects, portraying him as a stern but necessary figure who helps maintain the balance between good and bad. However, his presence in the festive season still serves as a reminder that Christmas, with all its joy and warmth, also has a darker side that must be acknowledged.
During the Christmas season, tales were told of Frau Perchta, who would visit people’s home and check if they had been good or bad. She would reward the good ones, but punish the bad ones by slicing their bellies open.
Christmas, a season synonymous with joy, love, and warmth, also harbors chilling legends that evoke a sense of fear and caution. Among these eerie tales is that of Frau Perchta, often known as the Alpine Goddess of Winter, The Belly Slitter and the Witch of Christmas, a figure from Alpine folklore whose story casts a dark shadow over the festive season. Known as the Christmas witch, Frau Perchta is a sinister counterpart to the more benign Christmas legends, embodying a blend of pagan and Christian traditions that make her one of the most terrifying characters of the holiday season.
Haunted Christmas Legend: Perechta and goat in the vicinity of Milevsko. Photographed by Štěpán Dvořák around 1910
The Origins of Frau Perchta
Frau Perchta’s legend is deeply rooted in the folklore of Austria, Germany, Slovenia and other Alpine regions. Her name, which varies in spelling and pronunciation, is believed to derive from the Old High German word “perht,” meaning “bright” or “shiny.” However, despite this seemingly benign name, Frau Perchta is far from a benevolent figure. She has been given many names, many being like Perchta, Bertha and sometimes she was known as Posterli,Quatemberca and Fronfastenweiber
Originally, Frau Perchta was a goddess of nature and fertility, associated with the cycles of life and the changing seasons probably stemming from Holda or Frija-Frigg. There are also connections to the women in white trope and belief from German pagan lore.
As Christianity spread through Europe, many pagan traditions and deities were transformed or demonized, and Frau Perchta’s image darkened significantly. Even Martin Luther mentioned her in a negative way. She became a figure of fear and moral retribution, known for her dual nature: rewarding the good and punishing the wicked.
Frigga Spinning the Clouds: Could the ugly witch of Christmas actually come from the legends about Frigga and or other fertility goddesses in pagan times? Many of the more monstrous and witch like characters in Christian folklore, often morphed goddesses like this to more evil and horrible characters.
The Dual Nature of Frau Perchta
Frau Perchta’s dual nature is central to her legend. On one hand, she is a kind and generous figure, rewarding those who have been good and industrious throughout the year, appearing beautiful and white as snow. On the twelfth night of Christmas, known as Epiphany or Perchtennacht, she would visit homes and leave a silver coin in the shoes of those who had completed their tasks and behaved well.
On the other hand, Frau Perchta is a fearsome and malevolent presence. She is often depicted as a haggard old woman with a beaked nose, dressed in rags and carrying a long knife hidden beneath her skirts. This darker aspect of her nature comes to the fore when she encounters those who have been lazy, disobedient, or dishonest.
The Spooky Tale of Frau Perchta
Perchta: Peruchty in Hrdly, Kingdom of Bohem 1910
The most chilling aspect of Frau Perchta’s legend is her method of punishment. According to the tales, Frau Perchta would enter homes on the twelfth night of Christmas to check if children and servants had worked hard and behaved well throughout the year. If she found them wanting, she would do more than just leave a lump of coal or a switch.
In the darkest versions of the legend, Frau Perchta would slit open the bellies of the lazy and deceitful, remove their internal organs, and stuff the cavity with straw, pebbles, or other harsh materials. This gruesome punishment was meant to serve as a dire warning to children and adults alike, ensuring they adhered to societal norms and performed their duties diligently.
That is the main core legend about her today, but there are many stories. Like about when she crashed a wedding she wasn’t invited to and cursed them all and transformed them into wolves.
Traveling the Wild Hunt of Twelve Days of Christmas
She is said to be more of a witch now, flying in the sky, attending the Wild Hunt together with the rest of the demonic forces of Christmas on Rauhnächte, the darkest night of the season. She is followed by her crowd of minions known as Perchten, said to be unbaptised children who died.
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Today in some parts of Austria and Bavaria, there are processions called Perchtenlauft of Schönperchten and Schiachperchten, beautiful and ugly Perchtas during the twelve nights between Christmas and Epiphany. People are wearing masks, making noise and setting off fireworks.
Schiechperchten: Frau Perchta with her minions in her own parade known as Schiechperchten in St. Johann from 2017. // Source: Holger Uwe Schmitt/Wikimedia
You are supposed to leave her a little tribute as well and that varies from region to region. They gave her dumplings and herring in Central Germany’s Thuringia, a porridge of oats and herring called Perchtenmilch in parts of Austria, or eggs and more dumplings, left on the roof, in Tyrol.
So by Perctentag Eve on January the fifth, you better have your house in order and spinning done, if not, the christmas witch will come and get you.
The children of Alsace are often reminded to watch out for Hans Trapp, a cursed Baron now dressing as a scarecrow, waiting for passing by children. Today now also said to be one of Santa’s helpers, punishing the bad children.
When the festive season rolls around, most of us are filled with joy, anticipation, and warmth as we prepare for Christmas. However, lurking in the shadows of holiday cheer, some tales remind us of the darker side of this time of year. Among these is the chilling legend of Hans Trapp, a figure from Alsatian folklore whose story is steeped in terror and moral warning.
“Hans Trapp is coming for Christmas” parents in the Lorraine and Alsace regions on the German and French border can say. But he is not there to give presents, but beatings and is said to be a cannibal dressed up as a scarecrow, hungry for children.
The Christ child and Hans Trapp: The Christ Child is one of the good helpers to Santa Claus. Parts of Europea white-skinned, fresh-faced version of Jesus does the job of delivering presents. He often appears dressed in white—sometimes with wings. The Christ child can be anywhere from age two to twenty-two, and pretty much always blonde. Sometimes he’s not even the actual Jesus, but a young angel , heralding the arrival of Jesus. Here he is distributed gifts while Hans Trapp stuffed the naughties into a sack to eat later.
The Origins of Hans Trapp
The legend of Hans Trapp originates from the region of Alsace, which straddles the border between France and Germany. This area has a rich tapestry of folklore, where the lines between the real and the supernatural often blur. Hans Trapp is one such figure, deeply rooted in the region’s history and culture.
All the way north in the region you will find Wissembourg, now a border area, but back then, part of the Holy Roman Empire.
Hans Trapp, or Hans von Trotha, which was his actual name, was once a wealthy and powerful man, known for his insatiable greed and cruelty living at Berwartstein Castle, born in the mid 1400s. His riches were acquired through ruthless means, and he was feared and despised by those who lived in his dominion. According to legend, his malevolence grew so great that he dabbled in black magic and made a pact with the Devil to increase his wealth and power.
There are many stories, but what we do know is that he came into a fight with the Abbot of Wissembourg about land, and Hans Trapp decided to cut off their water supply in retaliation. He built a dam on top of the Wieslauter to stop its flow down to Wissembourg, flooding the abbot’s land.
When they demanded he stop though, he destroyed the dam, causing a flooding, gushing down the mountain, flooding the town.
Hans Trapp’s actions did not go unnoticed. But the Holy Roman Emperor did nothing to stop him. His heinous deeds and dark practices eventually drew the attention of the Church. The pope summoned him, but he refused. Instead he called the pope all sorts of immoral things. He was excommunicated by the church and banished from society, a punishment he hated. He was sent to French court instead during the Italian wars, dying in 1503 at his castle and his lineage died out around 40 years after his death.
TheBurg Berwartstein: Berwartstein is a castle in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, and where Hans von Trotha lived, the one that would mostly be remembered as Hans Trapp, scarecrow and child eater.
The Legacy of Hans Trapp
People started in the following years after his death to attribute horrible things to him, even changing his name to Tapp, where trappen is to make a noise while walking in order to chase away spirits. Soon he was turned into a devilish figure, a demon and a spook, always after revenge on those who wronged him.
In the legend he is mostly talked about as a hermit, excommunicated to the woods, not to court. They tell about him living in the forest and building a shelter on the mountain of Geisberg in Bavaria in Germany, turning less and less human, living by luring children into his lair to eat them. One story tells that God himself turned him into a scarecrow because he devoured a young shepherd.
Another version claimed it was Trapp who dressed up as a scarecrow to lure the children, stuffing his clothes with straw and hiding among the fields. As time went by after his exile, he turned mad, bitter and hungry for both revenge and flesh. With a grim visage and a sinister air, he would wait for his next victim.
One day, Hans Trapp set his sights on a young boy from a nearby village, only ten years old. He captured the child and took him back to his lair in the woods. As he prepared to cook and eat the boy, cooking him over the open fire, a divine intervention occurred. A bolt of lightning struck Hans Trapp down, killing him instantly and saving the child from a gruesome fate.
Le Hans Trapp: Man dressed up as the scarecrow man with the sack Christmas of 1953 in Wintzenheim (Alsace, France)
D’r Hans Trapp Schoi, do kummt d’r Hans Trapp. Ar het a scheni Zepfelkapp’ Un a Bart wiss wie a Schimmel. Ar kummt vum schena Starnehimmel Un bringt da Kinder a Ruada, Wu net dien singe un bata. Schoi, Hans Trapp, mir sin so klein Un brav un folje d’heim. Müesch net kumme mit dim Stacka, Denn mir kenne singe un oi bata.
English Translation
The Hans Trapp Look, there’s Hans Trapp. He’s got a nice pointed hood And a beard as white as a white horse. He comes from the starry sky He brings a rod to the children Who neither sing nor pray. Look, Hans Trapp, we are so small We are wise and we follow the house. You don’t need to come with your rod, For we know how to sing and pray.
The Haunting of Christmas
Though Hans Trapp was destroyed, his evil spirit was not at rest. According to legend, he continues to roam the region, especially during the Christmas season as he became the helper of St. Nicholas to punish children. Some claim that St. Nicholas happened to walk past as Trapp was struck by lightning. He came with him and has since tried to redeem himself for his sins. Another version for why he is involved in the Christmas season is, well… Misbehaving children need a story.
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Much like Krampus, Hans Trapp is said to visit misbehaving children, but his presence is far more sinister. It is said he is riding his black horse on the countryside of northern Alsace looking for vengeance. On St. Nicholas’ Eve he takes part in the parade of the holy man in the region. He embodies the fearsome consequences of moral corruption and the dangers that lurk in the darkness.
Parents in Alsace would tell their children the story of Hans Trapp to instill good behavior and to keep them from wandering too far from home. The tale serves as a chilling reminder that while Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, it also has its shadows.
By Santa’s side, you will sometimes find his evil companion, Krampus, finding children and punishing them if they have been bad. But who really is this monster, coming after you on Krampusnacht.
When we think of Christmas, images of jolly Santa Claus, reindeer, and brightly wrapped presents come to mind. Family gathers for meals by the Christmas tree and it is all around a jolly festivity. However, nestled within the festive cheer of December lies a darker, more sinister figure from Alpine folklore: Krampus. This half-goat, half-demon creature is said to haunt the Christmas season that starts early in December in some parts of Europe, offering a chilling contrast to the joyous celebrations.
Origins of Krampus from the European Alps
Krampus’ origins can be traced back to pre-Christian Alpine traditions, stretching through many European countries, where he was believed to be a pagan entity associated with winter and inspired by the mythological creature of Perchten or Straggele. The tradition of Krampus has often mostly been celebrated in Austria, Hungary and Germany, but there are also cases in the surrounding alpine countries.
Krampus is thought to come from either Bavarian: krampn, meaning “dead”, “rotten”, or from the German: kramp/krampen, meaning “claw”. Where does he come from? Some say that he is the son of Hel in Norse mythology, popularized by an American artist, and it also shares some things with satyrs and fauns from Greek mythology. Krampus is typically depicted with long, curved horns, a lolling tongue, and a body covered in fur. Chains and bells often hang from his body, symbolizing the binding of the Devil by the Christian Church.
As Christianity spread through Europe, Krampus was incorporated into Christian traditions, specifically as a counterpart to Saint Nicholas and this is really where his popularity and lore took off. Perhaps losing a bit of his pagan touch like a pan-like creature, morphing into something more devilish.
While Saint Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with gifts, Krampus punishes those who have been naughty, beating them with a stick, stuffing them in a sack and taking them away. A sort of St. Nicholas helper. This duality embodies the balance between reward and punishment, good and evil, that pervades much of folklore.
The Night of Krampus: Krampusnacht
On the night of December 5th, known as Krampusnacht, or Krampus Night, the demon emerges to roam the streets. In towns across Austria, Germany, and other parts of Europe, men dress up as Krampus and participate in parades known as Krampuslauf, or Krampus Run. During these events, the costumed figures terrorize onlookers with their ghastly appearances and playful, yet alarming antics.
This is based on the old legend of how the young men with their cow bells and sticks disperse the winter’s ghosts.
According to legend, Krampus carries a bundle of birch sticks to swat naughty children and a sack or basket on his back to cart off those he deems particularly bad. The threat of being caught by Krampus is meant to encourage good behavior among children, serving as a dark reminder of the consequences of misdeeds.
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Although the tradition has started to pick up again, it wasn’t always like it. After the first world war they started to ban Krampus traditions and for a time, they almost disappeared entirely.
Krampuslauf: From the Krampus run in 2010 where around 300 scary, dark figures strolled around the Grazer Krampuslauf and were accompanied by a heavy snowfall and numerous visitors through the Grazer Herrengasse.
The Modern Krampus
In recent years, Krampus has experienced a resurgence in popularity, crossing over into mainstream culture. Why? Is it how Europeans are connecting more with their pagan roots? Perhaps because of how modern society is diverting more and more from its classic christian and religious connotations? Perhaps throughout the years he has turned more devil-like than goat-like, especially in popular culture.
Horror films, books, and television shows have introduced Krampus to new audiences, solidifying his role as a dark counterbalance to the merriment of Christmas. While many still celebrate Krampusnacht with traditional parades and festivities, the legend of Krampus has also sparked a fascination with the more macabre aspects of the holiday season.
Krampus Postcards: For a time it was very popular to send Christmas cards of Krampus, in his usual habitat where he was punishing children. There were also many grown up themes with having Krampus as a boyfriend and the likes.
A Throwback to Ancient Christmas Times
Krampus stands as a stark reminder that Christmas is not solely a time of joy and generosity. His haunting presence and the eerie stories that surround him add a layer of complexity to the festive season, blending ancient folklore with modern traditions.
Whether viewed as a cautionary figure or a symbol of the darker side of human nature, Krampus continues to captivate and terrify, ensuring that the spirit of Christmas is never taken for granted. To appease him, it is said you should offer him some Schnapps. As the night of Krampusnacht approaches, remember to be on your best behavior, for you never know when the demon of Christmas might pay you a visit.
Deep under the Wawel Castle in Kraków, in the caves known as the Dragon’s Den, a royal gathering is said to happen every Christmas Eve. All former Kings that once ruled Poland come together in a ghostly reunion to discuss how their country is going.
Beneath the historic Wawel Castle in Kraków, the former capital of Poland, lies a labyrinthine cave known as the Dragon’s Den, or Smocza Jama. This legendary limestone cave leading to the bank of the Vistula, steeped in myth and history, is said to be the haunt of the fearsome Wawel Dragon.
However, a more spectral tale weaves through the stone corridors of this eerie underworld stretching 276 meters: the ghosts of Poland’s kings are rumored to gather here on Christmas Eve, shrouded in an ethereal glow and cloaked in mystery.
Wawel Castle: In the winter time, it is said that the old King’s of Poland gathers under the castle on Christmas Eve.
Wawel Royal Castle
The castle Zamek Królewski na Wawelu on the limestone outcrop Wawel Hill is a fortified place established by the orders of King Casimir III the Great who reigned in the 1300s, although some of the oldest buildings can be traced back to 970. Over the centuries the building grew and today it has some representation of almost all European styles stretching from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque period.
The castle used to be the residence of the Polish kings for centuries and at its peak, the seat of one of Europe’s most important states and is today the 20th most visited art museum in the world. Now, there are no more kings in Poland except those from history and said to be haunting the Dragon’s Den, said to be where a legendary dragon lived centuries ago.
The Legend of the Wawel Dragon
Statue made as remembrance of the Wawel Dragon
The legend of the Wawel Dragon, Smok Wawelski, dates back to the early Middle Ages when King Krak established Krakow, when the beast was said to terrorize the local populace, demanding tribute in the form of livestock and maidens. The king’s son managed to stop the dragon when he fed it sheep filled with sulfur.
However, the younger prince wanted the credit for it, and killed his brother. He was banished though and Princess Wanda got the kingdom. The oldest written telling of the story came in a 12th century work in Wincenty Kadłubek’s Chronica Polonorum, but the legend got many adaptations.
Throughout the years, the legends changed, sometimes it was the king himself who freed them. But the most retold legend tells about how the dragon met its demise at the hands of a clever shoemaker or cobbler named Krak, who fed it a sheep filled with sulfur. It had to drink gallons of water from the River Vistula until it exploded. Krak then married the princess and became king. He built his castle on top of the hill and former dragon’s lair. The creature’s fiery end marked the beginning of the Dragon’s Den’s sinister reputation, a reputation that would only grow with time.
The Wawel Dragon: in Sebastian Münster’s Cosmographie Universalis (1544)
The Royal Ghosts of Wawel
The Wawel Castle has long been the seat of Polish royalty, hosting kings and queens, their courts, and their secrets. It is said that the spirits of these monarchs, unable to rest peacefully in their royal tombs, are drawn to the Dragon’s Den on the holiest night of the year. The Dragon’s Den’s entrance can be found next to the Thieves Tower at the southwestern end of the castle grounds.
There are many strange talks about what really is inside of these caves. King Kazimir in the 11th claims that when he was a child, he went into one of the tunnels and found a glowing stone that contained magical energy that protects Krakow from invasion and harm.
It is also worth noting that there were both taverns and brothels inside of the cave systems that kings frequented through hidden corridors. So what the kings really return to inside of the cave, who really knows.
But the strangest haunted rumor is definitely the annual Christmas tradition that the ghost of the former kings have started, as they all gather here on Christmas Eve
Ghostly Gathering for Christmas in the Dragon’s Den
Christmas Eve, a time when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is believed to be thinnest, sees the cavern come alive with ghostly activity. As the clock strikes midnight, the spectral forms of Poland’s past rulers emerge from the shadows, gathering in the cave for a macabre reunion. Cloaked in regal attire, these phantoms carry with them the weight of centuries of history, their translucent forms shimmering in the dim light of the cave.
As the bell tolls, the ringing wakes a pair of enchanted knights who leave the cave and rides to the castle. They knock on the door of the chamber under the castle itself to wake King Bolesław Chrobry the Brave who was the first crowned king of Poland. He then takes the throne for one night only and leads the council of the dead kings that have gathered.
Among the spectral assembly, the imposing figure of King Casimir III the Great is often recognized. Known for his extensive contributions to Polish law and infrastructure, his ghostly presence commands respect even in death. Another frequent apparition is that of King Sigismund III Vasa, whose reign saw the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth reach its zenith. Their spirits, along with those of other monarchs, gather to recount their deeds, their triumphs, and their regrets.
The ghosts of Poland’s kings, gathering in the Dragon’s Den on Christmas Eve, provide a haunting reminder of the country’s rich and turbulent history. Their spectral assembly, shrouded in mystery and bathed in the glow of the supernatural, continues to captivate the imaginations of those who hear the tale. Over the Wawel Cathedral where the burial site of at least 16 different kings is, there has been hanging Dragon bones next to the entrance since the 16th century. The legend is, if they ever break or fall, Krakow will go under.
A cruel and rebel knight is said to have cursed all of his properties he was robbed off. Now, it is said that the ghost of Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville is appearing on Christmas Eve together with his headless dogs on his former estates.
In the chilly stillness of Christmas Eve 1932, a small group of curious people gathered at a bridge over Pymms Brook in Oak Hill Park in East Barnet in the North London Suburb. Midnight approached, and with it came the echo of “uncanny sounds” that beckoned them southwards. They followed these spectral noises through the cold night until they reached Monks Frith, where they were met with an eerie sight they had long anticipated: the apparition of a headless hound. Moments later, the shimmering figure of a knight clad in silver armor and a flowing red cloak appeared, completing the haunting tableau.
Oak Hill Park: A bridge in the Oak Hill Park in East Barnet.
Oak Hill Park and The Ghost Promenade
The group gathered at Oak Hill Park was not there by mere chance. They had come to witness a haunting that has been whispered about for centuries, a spectral procession that recurs every six years during the Christmas season. The place where he was seen was even called The Ghost Promenade.
In 1926 there was also a watchman at work in Church Hill Road. According to Mr. Gibson saw the ghost as a skeleton, still wearing a metal breast plate and a black cape. When there was a group trying to stay at the night-watchman’s hut they didn’t see anything, but heard it all. According to them, just past midnight, a rumbling of many hoofs came through and the ground shook.
It is said that in the early 1930s on a clear summer’s day, there was an ancient oak tree by Church Hill Road that, without any reason, burst into flames. Although it was much speculated about, no one really found the reason behind it and it just turned into the many strange things said to happen in the park. It was also said that it was under this tree, the religious self described prophet Joanna Southcott sat under when she got her visions left in her box.
The ghostly knight and his headless canine companion are said to roam the southern Hertfordshire and northern Middlesex regions, a chilling reminder of a turbulent past. This spectral knight is none other than Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville.
Church Hill Road: Entrance to the Oak Hill Park from Church Hill Road. This is the place where the cursed knight is said to have made an appearance. // Source: David Howard
The Anarchy and Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville’s Curse
Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville lived through one of England’s most chaotic periods, known as the Anarchy. This civil war, characterized by brutal power struggles between King Stephen and Empress Matilda for the English throne, saw many noblemen shifting allegiances over the two decades it lasted.
Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville, the Earl of Essex, was a significant figure during this time as the first constable of the Tower of London, with manors in Barnet, South Mimms, and Monken Hadley. He was from an old family with his Grandfather appointed an earl by William the Conqueror. He was known as a cunning man though and his life was marked by betrayal to both sides, rebellion, and excommunication and is said to have been the worst of the cruel and lawless barons during this era.
In 1143, after being arrested and stripped of his lands by King Stephen, Geoffrey launched a rebellion, seizing and fortifying Ramsey Abbey. He retreated as a rebel and bandit in the fen-country east in England. There he used the Isle of Ely and the Ramsey Abbey as his headquarters and the legends around him grew.
His desecration of the abbey led to his excommunication by the Pope, and chronicler Henry of Huntingdon wrote that during Geoffrey’s occupation, “blood exuded from the walls of the church and cloister adjoining, witnessing the divine indignation.”
Geoffrey died in battle in 1144 after being shot by an arrow when he was laying siege to Burwell Castle, still under excommunication, and was denied a Christian burial. His body was placed in a lead coffin by the Knights Templars; he was finally accepted a burial within the Temple Church in London. Before this though, his body was left in the Old Temple in Holborn for 20 years. Some say that it was hung from a tree in the casket.
The Grave of the Knight: His grave was found in the Templers church in London. After many years, he was finally put to rest and his exile was lifted years after his death.
The Haunting of The Granges
So where were the estates he owned? It is said that it was around ten. One is around East Barnet, where the sighting of him can be seen in Oak Park. On top of Mandeville’s old fortress in East Barnet they built an old house on top of the Grange. When they dug into the foundations, disturbing it, a haunting started. They saw stamping of footsteps and clanking of spurs.
As with Oak Park, people also claimed to have seen the same sight of a man on horse, dressed for battle.
Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville Haunting Hertfordshire Enfield Chase
Despite Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville’s tumultuous life largely unfolding away from Hertfordshire, his spirit is said to patrol the lands around Enfield Chase, an area that straddles Hertfordshire and Middlesex. These lands were once part of his power base, and his titles included Sheriff of Hertfordshire and was in the family for hundreds of years.
The exact reason for his spectral presence in these areas is unclear, but it may be linked to a curse he allegedly laid upon the foundation of Walden Abbey and other properties he owned.
He said if you took away his endowments to it they would: “feel the curse of Almighty God, of St Mary, of blessed James the Apostle and of all the saints in this present life; and that in life to come may he receive everlasting torment with the traitor Judas, unless he repents and makes amends.”
This curse seemingly came to pass during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, potentially binding Geoffrey’s spirit to these lands in eternal indignation and making him return every 6 years to his former estates.
The Red-Cloaked Knight’s Return
Legend has it that Sir Geoffrey’s ghost, accompanied by his headless dog, appears every six years around Christmas Eve. Where the dog comes from though is uncertain. Witnesses have described the headless hound as a chilling prelude to the knight himself, who follows closely behind in his spectral armor and blood-red cloak, or black. This haunting presence serves as a stark reminder of the violence and curses of the past.
The next anticipated sighting of the Red-Cloaked Knight and his ghostly companion is said to be in 2028. Those who find themselves on the old lands of Sir Geoffrey de Mandeville on Christmas Eve might just encounter the eerie figures that have haunted this area for centuries.
It is not Santa Claus with his reindeer sleigh that comes to Roos Hall for Christmas. According to legend, there is a headless horseman pulling a carriage that takes their annual visit for Christmas Eve.
In the countryside of Suffolk, just outside the quaint town of Beccles, stands Roos Hall—a red brick mansion among the green woodlands, shrouded in mystery and dark tales. This Grade I listed Tudor manor, built in 1583, has earned its reputation as one of the most haunted places in England and it is said that the site used to be a place for executions.
It was built by the De Roos family, a Baron family. With its original fireplaces, paneling, and medieval parkland setting, Roos Hall is not only a historical gem but also a hotspot for paranormal activity, especially during the Christmas season.
The Headless Horseman Haunting Roos Hall
Among the myriad of ghost stories associated with Roos Hall, the legend of the headless horseman stands out as particularly chilling. This spectral figure is said to ride down the driveway of the mansion on Christmas Eve, clattering through the night with his phantom coach and two or four horses. This was coincidentally the day the family was appointed a Baron in 1264, although nothing strange is said to have happened on that day Robert De Roos was appointed.
Witnesses have reported seeing the terrifying sight of a man on horseback, only to realize in horror that he has no head. The headless horseman is dragging a carriage behind him, barreling up in the driveway before disappearing right when they reach the door.
When they arrive at the door, a woman is said to get out of the carriage, looking to be of flesh and blood, and according to legend, if you meet her gaze, it will turn you mad.
The Headless Horseman: Painted by John Quidor – The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane .
The apparition’s sudden appearance and eerie silence send shivers down the spines of those who encounter it, cementing its place in local folklore.
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This story was first read about in the Eastern Daily Press from January 26th in 1909. The story came from two workers of F.W.D Robinson who owned the Hall then after years of changing hands throughout the times. They claimed they saw the carriage and the woman. In this version of the story though the worker Benjamin Benns saw it four times that year, and Robert Elvin saw it a week before Christmas and again before Christmas Eve. When the legend started to only happen on Christmas Eve though is uncertain.
The Devil’s Footprints in Roos Hall
Inside Roos Hall, the haunting tales continue. Among the most disturbing are the mysterious markings known as the devil’s footprints. These strange indentations have been found in various parts of the mansion, sparking fear and speculation.
One of these marks are said to be found on the wall of a cupboard or in a wardrobe inside one of the bedrooms. And when saying the devil’s mark, people mostly refer to it as a hoof branded into the solid brick.
Some believe that these are the remnants of a sinister presence that once roamed the halls, leaving behind physical evidence of its malevolent visits. The origins of these footprints remain unexplained, adding to the eerie atmosphere that envelops Roos Hall.
The Gibbet on the Oak Tree
It is also said that there is the ghost of a woman in white circling the big oak tree on the front of the property. The tree is on the lawn around 100 ft from the driveway. Who she is is uncertain, but it is said she is circling the oak tree six times in order to summon the devil. This particular oak, today with a wooden fence around it, is said to be a tree where criminals were sentenced to death.
The De Roos’ job as landowners was also to punish criminals. For this, they used a gibbet, looking almost like a gallow where they hung criminals as a way to deter people to follow in their footsteps and show what would happen to them. They were usually dead, but sometimes, hung there for many days as they were just awaiting death.
Later they planted the three known as Nelson’s tree there instead to hang people from. In addition to the woman, there was also a man wearing torn trousers and a brown jacket. People believe that it has to be people that once were executed here.
The Ghostly Girl in the Window
Roos Hall’s spectral residents are not limited to headless horsemen and devilish imprints. Visitors and residents alike have reported sightings of a pale young girl peering out from the windows of the mansion on the first-floor.
This ghostly figure is often seen observing from a distance, waving at you, her expression forlorn and her presence unsettling. The identity of this apparition is unknown, but her frequent appearances suggest a tragic past tied to the history of Roos Hall.
The haunting of Roos Hall is deeply woven into the fabric of its history. Built in the 16th century, the manor has seen centuries of human joy, sorrow, and strife, each leaving its mark on the building. Over time, these emotions have seemingly manifested into the ghostly phenomena that now define Roos Hall.
Christmas, a time of warmth and family gatherings, takes on a different tone within these haunted walls. The festive season’s contrast with the mansion’s dark history makes the haunting experiences all the more jarring for those who witness them.
In the stillness of a Suffolk night, as the Christmas lights flicker and the winter wind whispers through the ancient trees, the spirits of Roos Hall are arriving in the carriage pulled by the headless horseman, ready for its annual haunting.
The Vallecas Case and the Death of Estefania Gutierrez Lazaro was a case that left the Madrid police puzzled and the case was left unsolved. Just before and after the death of their daughter the family experienced strange things happening that they believed happened because her interest in the occult and that Estefania might have been possessed.
It’s a story that has captivated the world for decades- the terrifying tale of the Haunted Vallecas case in Spain and the death of Estefania Gutierrez Lazaro. In 1991, a family in the Vallecas district of Madrid claimed that their apartment was haunted by a malevolent spirit. Over the course of several weeks, they experienced a series of chilling incidents, including unexplained noises, objects moving on their own, and even physical attacks that ended in the death of one of their daughters.
Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain
The Vallecas case attracted widespread attention from paranormal experts, skeptics, and the media alike, with many attempting to uncover the truth behind the haunting. But even now, more than 30 years later, the Haunted Vallecas case remains shrouded in mystery, with many questions left unanswered.
Background of the Haunted Vallecas House
The Haunted Vallecas case took place in a modest apartment building located in the Vallecas district of Madrid, Spain. The specific place the hauntings happened was in an apartment on Calle Luis Marin No. 8.
The people living there had a teenage daughter called Estefania Gutierrez Lazaro that lived in the apartment together with her siblings and parents. She was 18 years old and had started to get into spiritualism in the time leading up to the hauntings, and she was especially into ouija boards.
Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories set in Haunted Houses from around the world.
Estefania Gutierrez Lazaro used to organize some of her own sessions as well. Once she was playing the game with her friends at school when a teacher found them. They had been trying to contact the boyfriend of one of her friends that had died in a motorcycle accident. The teacher tore the Ouija board apart and the girls claimed to see smoke coming from the glass they had played with, and the friends claimed that Estefania inhaled it.
The Start of Strange Happenings After the Ouija Board Session
The haunting of the Vallecas apartment began after this incident. Estefania started to suffer from insomnia and she had hallucinations and epileptic seizures no one could explain. Her parents tried to bring her to different hospitals, but nothing seems to work.
The Haunted Vallecas Case: The tragic death of the teenager Estefania Gutierrez Lazaro from Madrid turned into a paranormal mystery.
Believers of the supernatural came to believe that the young girl was possessed after messing with the occult, something of a satanic panic that were common in the 80s and 90s. One of the theories was that the grandfather of the family wanted to take revenge on his daughter as they didn’t end things on good terms.
She claimed she saw shadows of strange human forms in the night. They had no face and asked her to come with them. To where they were taking her she was unsure of.
The strange things continued to escalate to July 13th in 1991 when she attacked her sister Magdalena. The next day, Estefania had a seizure and was taken to the Gregorio Maraño Hospital in Madrid when she was already in a coma. She died the very same night, although the autopsy remained inconclusive and claimed it was a sudden and suspicious death.
The Haunting of the Family of Estefania Gutierrez Lazaro
But the strange things in the apartment didn’t stop after Estefanias death. On the contrary, it escalated until it drove the family from their home.
Soon after, the family claimed to hear strange noises coming from inside the walls of their apartment. They heard knocking, scratching, and even whispers. According to Juan Pedro, the sounds were so loud that they could be heard throughout the building. The family also claimed to see strange shadows moving around their home, and objects began to move on their own.
The mother climbed to hear the screaming voice of Estefania that called for her, as well as what sounded like an old man laughing.
Glass would break, doors would open and close and objects would move, all without anyone touching it. The daughters would wake up with their wrists slammed against the wall. In 1992 Gutierrez called the police and a team led by inspector Jose Negri arrived on November 27th. The parents and children had run out of the building, even though it was pouring rain, they were terrified. They claimed that a huge shadow was watching them from the hallway and their crucifixes in the house moved.
The Investigation of the Vallecas Case Begins
The police went into the apartment and started the investigation. It is this report that has caught the attention of occultists ever since. The police claimed that the wardrobe door opened by itself, even though it was locked, and almost hit the face of one of the agents.
Loud noises came from the balcony, even though there was no one there. Strangest was the brown slime that hung on a bedside table no one knew where it came from.
A crucifix that hung on the wall kept falling down to the ground. The police officers left the scene soon after, knowing that they couldn’t do anything about it.
Two years after Estefania Gutierrez Lazaro death, on the 1st of November in 1993, a picture of her that hung on the wall in the living room caught fire. Only her face. The frame or other objects weren’t burned. The family soon sold the apartment and moved away. The people that took over are said to never have experienced something similar.
Haunting After her Death: After Estefanía’s death, paranormal phenomena intensified in the Vallecas apartment. Concepción claimed to have seen upside-down crucifixes , glass shattering for no apparent reason, and heard her deceased daughter’s voice. Doors opening and closing on their own were common occurrences.
What Really Happened in the Vallecas Apartment?
Although the Vallecas case is one of the more famous cases to explore paranormal phenomena in Spain, there have also been put forward other theories to explain it all. As one of the taxi drivers in the neighborhood said once: They often talked about the case and agreed that there was something wrong with the family.
The first thing is the psychological factors that were at play within the family. Her mother was examined and she was found emotionally unstable and anxious with a need for attention. Could she have something to do with the hauntings that happened? Could she have exaggerated their experiences, or at worst, even constructed some of them?
An interesting thing is that when they interviewed Ricardo and Maximiliano Gutierres, two of Estefanas brothers, they rejected the idea that she was possessed by the devil. They spoke out about what happened and their sister together with the police inspector in 2018. They said that she had epilepsy, as well as their mother and that there was nothing supernatural about her.
Crime Scene: Photo from the crime scene at EEstefania Gutierrez Lazaro’s home after her death and the events that occurred there. The medical report only indicated “sudden and suspicious death,” as coroner Pedro Cabezas put it.
Although she wasn’t diagnosed, she was taking medication for it. There were things the brothers were unable to explain, but even the thing about the burned picture they didn’t rule out the possibility that some of their family could be behind.
Her sister Manuela claims that what they told back then was the real deal and that something more than just an illness had taken hold of their sister and apartment.
The strange thing is the police investigation who knew nothing of the house before they entered and relayed a lot of what the family had experienced over the years in their official police report.
The Legacy of the Haunted Vallecas Case
The Haunted Vallecas case has had a lasting impact on paranormal research and investigation. It has become one of the most well-known and studied cases in the field of parapsychology, with many experts using it as a reference point in their work.
The Vallecas case has also inspired countless books, movies, and television shows, with the story of the haunted apartment captivating audiences around the world.
Despite the passage of time, the mystery of the Haunted Vallecas case remains unsolved. It serves as a reminder of the power of the unknown and the enduring fascination that the paranormal holds for so many people.
The Netflix Movie Veronica
The events of the Vallecas Case and the death of Estefania Gutierrez Lazaro inspired the movie Veronica from 2017 from Netflix. It was made by Paco Plaza and gained huge popularity and renewed interest in the strange case.
Veronica the Movie: Vallecas case was also the inspiration for the Netflix movie from 2017 with Sandra Escacenaplaying Estefania Gutierrez Lazaro.
The events detailed in the movie are based on the case, but of course have taken different liberties to tell a different kind of story.
Conclusion of the Vallecas Case
The Haunted Vallecas case is a chilling and mysterious story that has captivated the world for decades. The strange occurrences that took place in that small apartment in Madrid continue to baffle investigators and skeptics alike, with no clear explanation for the haunting. The case serves as a reminder of the enduring fascination that the paranormal holds for so many people. It also highlights the importance of rigorous scientific investigation when it comes to studying the unknown.
Despite the passage of time, the mystery of the Haunted Vallecas case remains unsolved. It is a chilling reminder of the power of the unknown and the enduring fascination that the paranormal holds for so many people around the world.
In Druid Lane in the old part of Galway, there once used to be a number of nunneries. After The Mick Lally Theatre moved into the street, reports started coming about people seeing the ghost of a faceless nun wandering outside.
The Mick Lally Theatre, home to the renowned Druid Theatre Company, is a hub of artistic and cultural significance in Galway, Ireland. While the Mick Lally Theatre is celebrated for its performances and contributions to the arts, it also harbors a mysterious and eerie history, with stories of ghostly apparitions and unexplained phenomena.
Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland
In 1979, the Druid Theatre Company found its new residence in a former tea storehouse on Courthouse Lane, tucked away off Quay Street in one of the oldest parts of Galway City. At that time, the building was one of several in the area that had remained abandoned for years. Little did they know that their new home would soon become a cornerstone of the city’s cultural landscape.
The theater’s name pays homage to one of its founding members, Mick Lally, a beloved figure in Irish theater known for his remarkable contributions as an actor and director.
Druid Lane Transformed Around Mick Lally Theatre
The Druid Theatre Company in its new location was a success and the Courthouse Lane itself underwent a transformation as the Mick Lally Theatre did well and people started to flock to the area. In 1996, as a tribute to the company’s 21st anniversary and its vital role in the city’s cultural scene, Courthouse Lane was officially renamed “Druid Lane.” Today, it stands as a bustling thoroughfare and a vibrant cultural center in the heart of Galway.
However, in the shadows of the once abandoned building that is now Mick Lally Theatre, the ghost of the past sometimes made an appearance as well.
The Haunting of a Faceless Nun
The surrounding area of the Mick Lally Theatre was once inhabited by nuns in the numerous convents and nunneries in the area. This is the backstory that has given rise to chilling tales of ghostly encounters. Among these stories is the haunting apparition of a faceless nun who is said to silently wander along Druid Lane, just outside the theater’s doors.
In the 1980s, the theater’s reputation for the supernatural was bolstered by an unsettling incident involving a well-known actor, Sean McGinley. Late one night, as McGinley toiled away in the Mick Lally Theatre, he reported hearing strange and unexplained noises emanating from within the building itself that made him flee the place before seeing anything else.
The Killakee Dower House in Dublin at the foot of the hill that would be known for its dark masses and hauntings, was for a long time affected by it. After the notorious Hellfire Club started to hold their meetings there, dark and mysterious things started to happen.
The origins of Killakee House date back to the late 18th century when it was built as a hunting lodge by the prominent Connolly family. The Connolly’s, known for their connection to Castletown House in County Kildare, created this charming lodge on the estate that would later bear the name Killakee. The grand house was demolished in 1941, but the Dower House is still standing.
Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland
The house itself is a two-story building, perched along the Military Road, offering a view of the surrounding countryside. Over the years, it has played multiple roles, from serving as a dower house to providing a residence for the estate’s manager.
The Sinister Beginnings: The Hellfire Club
The grounds around Killakee House are shrouded in dark history, notably due to the presence of the infamous Hellfire Club. In the mid-1700s, Richard Parsons established this sinister branch of the Hellfire Club, an English-based secret society known for its debauched and often disturbing gatherings.
First, the club rented another hunting lodge on top of the hill, but they would soon find their way into the Dower House as well.
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Here, among the ruins of the Hellfire Club on Montpelier Hill, members partook in activities that included devil worship, ritualistic animal sacrifice, and even witch burnings. One gruesome account tells of the ritualistic killing of a black cat, which was doused in whisky and set ablaze. This eerie connection to the supernatural would later come back to haunt Killakee Dower House.
After the hunting lodge they originally held their meeting in was damaged in a fire they started to hold the meetings at Killakee Dower House. After they left this place, the Dower House was left with a tainted reputation and believed to be haunted.
The Arrival of Margaret and Nicholas O’Brien
In 1968, Margaret and Nicholas O’Brien breathed new life into the dilapidated Dower House, with dreams of transforming it into an arts center. Little did they know that their restoration efforts would awaken something otherworldly.
The Dowers House: The House has been called Killakee House Rathfarnham or the Stewards House among other thing and was the place were the Hellfire Club went to when their original meeting place was damaged in a fire.
The workmen began reporting strange occurrences as they were working at Killakee Dower House. Eerie sounds filled the air, and odd happenings became commonplace. But the most unsettling phenomenon was the appearance of a large black cat with piercing red eyes.
The Haunting of the Black Cat
The most notorious apparition associated with Killakee Dower House is undoubtedly the spectral black cat. Witnessed by several individuals, including artist Tom McAssey, this mysterious feline was no ordinary house pet. Described as being as large as a Dalmatian, it emitted an ominous presence.
One night, Tom McAssey confronted the phantom presence outside the front door, believing it to be a prank by one of the workers. However, he soon realized that the figure was not human, and a menacing snarl was followed by the sight of a growling black cat with eerie red eyes. A shadowy figure growled “You cannot see me. You don’t even know who I am”. This terrifying encounter sent McAssey and the other workers fleeing in sheer terror.
The Seance at the Dower House
Beyond the spectral cat, Killakee Dower House harbored deeper mysteries. In October 1969, a group of actors decided to hold a séance within the house, unwittingly reawakening it’s supernatural energies. The disturbances resumed with renewed intensity.
In the following year, an astonishing discovery was made beneath the kitchen floor: the skeleton of a deformed dwarf, or perhaps a child, accompanied by a brass figurine of a demon. Who this person was, no one knows, but rumor was that it was one of the human sacrifices from the time the house was used by the Hellfire Club. The presence of this eerie artifact, along with the skeletal remains, further fueled the belief that malevolent forces had left their mark on Killakee House.
The Power of Exorcism at Killakee Dower House
In an effort to quell the unsettling occurrences, Margaret O’Brien enlisted the help of a priest to perform an exorcism on Killakee Dower House. Although this initial ritual provided some respite, the disturbances returned when a séance was conducted.
Ultimately, it wasn’t until the dwarf’s skeleton and the demonic figurine were properly buried that the hauntings ceased. This marked the end of a chapter of terror in the history of Killakee House.
The Killakee Dower House was used as a restaurant in the 1990s, but closed down in 2001. Today it is merely a private residence, and perhaps also, it is rid of its dark past and lingering ghosts.
An online magazine about the paranormal, haunted and macabre. We collect the ghost stories from all around the world as well as review horror and gothic media.
