The humble honey bee has, from the earliest annals of recorded time, had a close, symbiotic relationship with humanity. Brittany possesses a rich tradition of beliefs and superstitions surrounding bees and beekeeping.
Category Archives: folklore
Spells and Curses from Brittany
Popular belief in the power of witchcraft survived in Brittany, as elsewhere in France, deep into the last century but the spells and curses of the witch were often as benign as they were malignant.
Bookish Browsings in Brittany
It is not only artists that have taken inspiration from the rich landscapes and unique culture of Brittany; generations of writers and poets have also been stimulated by this enchanting region of France.
Lai of the Breton Werewolf
The 12th century poet Marie de France remains a mystery to us but her writing had a strong and lasting influence on the development of medieval literature. Adapted from traditional Breton folktales, her tales or lais are a veritable treasure of European culture. This is her lai of the werewolf.
The Lost City Of Brittany
One of the world’s most infamous lost cities is said to lie beneath the waves off the west coast of Brittany.This magnificent city was damned and destroyed by the wrath of God and is now said to be home to the mermaids of the coast.
The Bloody Baron of Brittany
Born into an illustrious and wealthy family, accomplished knight and brother-in-arms to Joan of Arc, Gilles de Rais, was appointed Marshall of France at the age of just 25 but his meteoric rise was matched by a ghastly fall. He is best remembered today as probably one of the most depraved and prolific serial killers in history whose shrine was, for centuries, a site of pilgrimage for expectant mothers.
Buccaneers of Brittany
A brief look at the lives of some of the most notorious pirates and buccaneers from Brittany who pillaged from the Caribbean to the Bay of Bengal.
Plague and Pestilence in Brittany
Pandemics have always been part of the human experience. Here is a brief overview of some of the main contagions and epidemics that have ravaged Brittany in the past.
Wolf and Werewolf in Brittany
A brief overview of the wolf and werewolf superstitions in Brittany
Witchcraft in Brittany
Witchcraft in Brittany.
