The Wild Hunt is a myth that originates in European folklore. It tells of a ghostly horde of riders and hounds and hunters - led by a mythological figurehead - galloping across the stormy midwinter skies, gathering up any unfortunate who happens to have found themselves outside in the icy winter solstice.
The Wild Hunt was seen as a portent of doom and castastrophe, and would appear before wars, famines, plagues and the death of those who witnessed it. Or, those witnesses might be dragged to the fairy realms, or forced to join the hunt themselves. The lucky survivors would find themselves dumped hundreds of miles from their homes.
The myth is primarily associated with Germany and Scandinavia, thanks to Jacob Grimm (Yes, that Grimm) who popularised the term Wild Hunt. He took a nationalistic view of the myth, and associated it solely with Germanic tradition, but versions of it exist all throughout Europe, including Slavic states, and Britain.
With such widespread telling, the details of the Wild Hunt lore are vast and varied. The ghostly riders range from elves, to fairies, Valkyrie, carrion birds, and the dead. German tales often included werewolfs in the mix, though they would not attack bystanders, but rather steal their beer and food as the hunt passed by.
The leader of the hunt is often said to be Odin, the Norse god, though he is sometimes replaced with similar female deities in the telling. In other regions the leader's identity is vastly different. There is the unfortunate Count Hans Von Hackleberg who, after dying when he was pierced by a boar's tusk, refused to go to heaven, saying he wished to continue his favourite pastime - hunting. He got his wish, forced to ride at the head of the hunt for eternity.
Charlemagne, King Authur, and even a 12th Century Holy Roman Emperor, have been made the leaders of the Wild Hunt in various tales.
In Wales, the lord of the dead, Gwynn ap Nudd, was its leader. In Northern France, Mesnee d'Hellequin, the Goddess of death, rode at the head of the supernatural pack.
In England the mythical King Herla is associated with the Wild Hunt. He is the namesake for the leader of the Wild Hunt in my book - The Herlequin - book six in my historical fantasy series - The Diabolus Chronicles.
We are familiar with the word 'harlequin' - referring to a pantomine type jester in Italian plays. But the origins of the word are perhaps not so familiar. It was originally Old French, and spelt in various different ways -halequin, herlequin, hellequin, and harlicken - and its meaning was 'malignant spirit'. Etymologists now believe that the Herla King (or King Herla) is the birthpoint of the word, harlequin.
So, what does any of that have to do with the Wild Hunt? Read on...
King Herla was a legendary king of the Britons. One day he is visited by a small man (or dwarf) with a friendy manner who tells Herla that he is a king too, 'a king of many other kings', and suggested they visit one another in their respective kingdoms. "I will attend your wedding, and you will attend mine."
King Herla accepts the invitation. He is first to marry. The small man attends King Herla's wedding with servants and a large entourage. Then it is Herla's turn to travel to the small man's kingdom for a wedding there.
Herla and his men must enter the kingdom through a clifface, and wind their way through long tunnels lit only by flickering torches. Finally they reach daylight again where the most wonderful wedding is taking place. For three days Herla and his men feast and celebrate. They are given many gifts but King Herla is singled out with one in particular. He is given a bloodhound, but told that he must not dismount his horse until the hound does so first.
King Herla, with the bloodhound seated with him, rides off with his men.
They return to their kingdom, only to find that it is now ruled by the Saxons and two hundred years have passed, since King Herla was seen riding off in the company of a Fairie King.
In shock at the news, some of Herla's riders dismount. The men instantly turn to dust because the bloodhound is still seated on the horse with Herla. Realising what has happened, the king commands his men not to dismount until the hound obliges them by leaping down.
The bloodhound never leaves the king's horse. King Herla and his men are condemned to a life of endless galloping through the night sky.
Curious to read about the Wild Hunt, and many other mythologies in my dark fantasy series, The Diabolus Chronicles?
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Image Credit: BryanFRosadoArt
Sources:
- etymologynerd.com
- mythologysource.com
- thewarriorlodge.com (blog)