Ever since pagan times, lycanthropes have been a part of European culture and the Medievals were just as fascinated with them as we are today. We think of them as cursed humans, fated to transform into a bloodthirsty monster with every full moon. A supernatural being that stalks their human prey, with vicious claws and ferocious teeth whose only vulnerability is silver weapons.
But this is not the medieval werewolf. So, let’s travel back to the Middle Ages and find out how these shapeshifters
0:00 Introduction
0:57 Hungry Like the Wolf
03:37 Of Wolf and Man
04:51 The White Devil
08:48 A Viking In Wolves Clothing
11:11 Baron Wolf
SOURCES:
Beresford, M. (2013) The White Devil: The Werewolf in European Culture, Reaktion Books, London.
Cambrensis, Giraldus (1172) The History and Topography of Ireland, Penguin Books, London.
Hopkins, A. Dr. (Nov 2014) The Medieval Werewolf, Centre for the study of Renaissance, University of Warwick Website.
Lecouteux, C. (2003) Witches, werewolves and fairies: shapeshifters and astral doubles in the Middle Ages, Inner Traditions, Rochester, Vt.
Lindahl, C. et al ed. (2002) Medieval Folklore: a guide to myths, legends, tales, beliefs and customs, Oxford University Press, New York.
Medieval Histories, (Feb 2023) Why was the Medieval Wolf Hunted to Extinction? Nature History Heritage, Medieval Histories Website.
SENTENTIAEANTIQUAE (Oct 2015) Don’t Let A Wolf See You First, Pliny the Elder on Superstition and Lycanthropy, SENTENTIAE ANTIQUAE Website.
Su, M. (Oct 2019) Medieval Werewolves, Medievalists.net.
Watts, P. (2022-2026) Werewolves in Medieval Europe, Medieval History Website.
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