The Book of Were-Wolves by Sabine Baring-Gould
By Sabine Baring-Gould
Sabine Baring-Gould's 1865 work on lycanthropy and the legends of the werewolves is probably the most detailed on the market. He goes back deep into the history, tries to share knowledge on the evolution of the legends and expresses his views on modern-day werewolves' talks.
The Book of Were-Wolves
The Book of Were-Wolves is a work of non-fiction by Sabine Baring-Gould, originally published in 1865. It’s a comprehensive study of werewolf mythology and legends, drawing on sources from a variety of cultures and periods.
Baring-Gould examines the concept of the werewolf as it appears in folklore and literature, as well as its supposed connection to witchcraft and demonic possession. He discusses the various beliefs and practices associated with werewolves, including the idea of transformation, the use of magic, and the relationship between werewolves and the moon.
The book also includes a number of stories and accounts of supposed werewolf sightings and encounters, as well as detailed descriptions of werewolf trials and executions.
The Book of Were-Wolves has since become a classic work in the field of cryptozoology and continues to be studied by scholars and enthusiasts alike.
Sabine Baring-Gould
Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) was a British author, folklorist, and Anglican priest. He was born in Exeter, Devon, and educated at Clare College, Cambridge. After completing his studies, he was ordained as a deacon in 1864 and became a priest in 1867.
Baring-Gould is known for his wide-ranging interests and prolific writing. He wrote numerous books on subjects such as folklore, mythology, and hagiography, as well as novels and collections of poetry. He is also famous for having written the hymn “Onward, Christian Soldiers.”
Baring-Gould was a prominent figure in the Victorian era and known for an unconventional approach to religion and sympathy for the working class. He was involved in various social and political causes and known for his advocacy of women’s suffrage and animal rights.
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Below is a list of all of the chapters in the book.
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 01: Introductory
The Book of Were-Wolves explores the history and habits of werewolves. The author describes his first encounter with the idea of werewolves in a small French village and his subsequent investigation.
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 02: Lycanthropy among the ancients
Definition of Lycanthropy Marcellus Sidetes Virgil Herodotus Ovid Pliny Agriopas Story from Petronius Arcadian Legends Explanation offered
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 03: The were-wolf in the north
Norse Traditions Manner in which the Change was effected Vœlundar Kvœda Instances from the Völsung Saga Hrolf’s Saga Kraka Faroëse Poem Helga Kvida Vatnsdæla Saga Eyrbyggja Saga
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 04: The origin of the Scandinavian were-wolf
Advantage of the Study of Norse Literature Bear and Wolf-skin Dresses The Berserkir Their Rage The Story of Thorir Passages from the Aigla The Evening Wolf Skallagrim and his Son Derivation of the Words Hamr and Vargr Laws affecting Outlaws “To become a Boar” Recapitulation.
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 05: The were-wolf in the Middle-Ages
Stories from Olaus Magnus of Livonian Were-wolves Story from Bishop Majolus Story of Albertus Pericofcius Similar occurrence at Prague Saint Patrick Strange incident related by John of Nüremberg Bisclaveret Courland Were-wolves Pierre Vidal Pavian Lycanthropist Bodin’s Stories Forestus’ Account of a Lycanthropist Neapolitan Were-wolf
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 06: A chamber of horrors
Pierre Bourgot and Michel Verdung ‘Me Hermit of S. Bonnot The Gandillon Family Thievenne Paget The Tailor of Châlons Roulet.
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 07: Jean Grenier
On the Sand-dunes A Wolf attacks Marguerite Poirier Jean Grenier brought to Trial His Confessions Charges of Cannibalism proved His Sentence Behaviour in the Monastery Visit of Del’ancre.
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 08: Folk-lore relating to were-wolves
Barrenness of English Folk-lore Devonshire Traditions Derivation of Were-wolf Cannibalism in Scotland The Angus Robber The Carle of Perth French Superstitions Norwegian Traditions Danish Tales of Were-wolves Holstein Stories The Werewolf in the Netherlands Among the Greeks; the Serbs; the White Russians; the Poles; the Russians A Russian Receipt for becoming a Were-wolf The Bohemian…
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The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 09: Natural causes of lycanthropy
Innate Cruelty Its Three Forms Dumollard Andreas Bichel A Dutch Priest Other instances of Inherent Cruelty Cruelty united to Refinement A Hungarian Bather in Blood Suddenness with which the Passion is developed Cannibalism; in pregnant Women; in Maniacs Hallucination; how Produced Salves The Story of Lucius Self-deception
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 10: Mythological origin of the were-wolf myth
Metempsychosis Sympathy between Men and Beasts Finnbog and the Bear Osage and the Beaver The Connexion of Soul and Body Buddism Case of Mr. Holloway Popular ideas concerning the Body The derivation of the German Leichnam Feather Dresses Transmigration of Souls A Basque Story Story from the Pantschatantra Savage ideas regarding Natural Phenomena Thunder, Lightning,…
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 11: The Maréchal de Retz.-I. The investigation of charges
Introduction History of Gilles de Laval The Castle of Machecoul Surrender of the Marshal Examination of Witnesses Letter of De Retz The Duke of Brittany reluctant to move The Bishop of Nantes
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 12: The Maréchal de Retz II. The trial
The Appearance of the Marshal Pierre de l’Hospital The Requisition The Trial adjourned Meeting of the Marshal and his Servants The Confession of Henriet Pontou persuaded to confess all The adjourned Trial not hurried on The hesitation of the Duke of Brittany.
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 13: Maréchal de retz. III. The sentence and execution
The adjourned Trial The Marshal Confesses The Case handed over to the Ecclesiastical Tribunal Prompt steps taken by the Bishop The Sentence Ratified by the Secular Court The Execution.
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 14: A Galician were-wolf
The Inhabitants of Austrian Galicia The Hamlet of Polomyja Summer Evening in the Forest The Beggar Swiatek A Girl disappears A School-boy vanishes A Servant-girl lost Another Boy carried of The Discovery made by the Publican of Polomyja Swiatek locked up Brought to Dabkow Commits suicide
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 15: Anomalous case. The human hyæna
Ghouls Story from Fornari Quotation from Apuleius Incident mentioned by Marcassus Cemeteries of Paris violated Discovery of Violator Confession of M. Bertrand.
The Book of Were-Wolves Chapter 16: A sermon on were-wolves
The discourses of Dr. Johann Geiler The Sermon Remarks
