Brewer's: Wild Huntsman

The German tradition is that a spectral hunter with dogs frequents the Black Forest to chase the wild animals. (SirWalterScott: Wild Huntsman.)

The French story of Le Grand Veneur is laid in Fontainebleau Forest, and is considered to be “St. Hubert.” (Father Matthieu.)

The English name is “Herne the Hunter,” who was once a keeper in Windsor Forest. In winter time, at midnight, he walks about Herne's Oak, and blasts trees and cattle. He wears horns, and rattles a chain in a “most hideous manner” (Merry Wives of Windsor, iv. 4.)

Another legend is that a certain Jew would not suffer Jesus to drink out of a horse-trough, but pointed to some water in a hoof-print as good enough for “such an enemy of Moses,” and that this man is the “Wild Huntsman.” (Kuhn von Schwarz Nordd. Sagen, p. 499.)

Related Content Allusions Foreign Words and Phrases Latin and Greek Word Elements Names: Their Origins and Meanings Old Testament Names Mythology Ancient Greek Literature & Mythology The Bible (King James version) The Koran (translation by J. M. Rodwell) Shakespeare's Plays Tales from Shakespeare (Charles and Mary Lamb) Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language