There was once a farmer who suspected that his maid was up to no good. She finished her work not only sooner than everyone else but better, too. Most farmers would have been glad to have such a diligent and energetic maid, but this one was not. He had once moved the broom she used …
Continue reading Flemish Folktale: The Witch Who Left Her Body Behind
In the small village of Kerkom (Flemish Brabant), there once lived a man who listened to the name of Karel. Nothing remarkable here as half of Flanders was either called Karel or Jan during those days, but this Karel was said to be fearless. So fearless, in fact, that he was one of the very …
Continue reading Flemish Folktale: The Night the Sky Cackled
In most Flemish folktales, the people and especially farmers who are most often targeted by witches, don’t want to have anything to do with those who brew potions and chant spells. They are more than happy to make a detour if they have to pass by a witch’s cottage, but this isn’t the case in …
Continue reading The Witch’s Downfall: How a Witch Paid the Price for Kindness
A distressed and weeping woman ran out of her house. Breathless, she leant against an apple tree and let out a cry of anguish that terrified everyone who heard it. A golden bird was resting in the tree and asked the woman what was wrong. Incoherently, she told him what had happened and through the …
(Published in The Copperfield Review in November 2018) ‘Cécile, Cécile!’ Victoire’s voice sounded more like a whisper instead of a shout. The roars of the women who had gathered on the market place reigned over the usual tones that governed Paris. Vendors muttered into each other’s ears rather than yelling the latest prices of cabbages …
Buy the book if you love these stories for more! Tell me, is someone knocking on all the doors in the village to let the people know that there will be dancing and rejoicing around a bonfire tonight? Has someone told the innkeeper that he will sell more beer today than on any of the …
Continue reading Flemish Folktales Retold: The Last Letter of Sefa Bubbels
Buy the book if you love these stories for more! “I need another barn, and the devil may build it for all I care. I must have another barn,” Joost said as he stared at the bundles of sheaves piled so high they were doomed to rot. The farmhand had stacked them in front of …
De Roesschaert In the 18th century a woman who was known as de Roesschaert lived in a crumbled cottage in the dunes around Blankenberge. It’s said she never left her home but she was happy and lived the best life she could away from the busybodies and blabbermouths who populated the markets and squares. Others say …
Continue reading Witch Tales From the Sea and Sailor Superstitions
In this post we’re travelling to the Belgian coastline which is best known for its unsightly concrete apartment buildings and its dreary beaches, but fortunately I have some ghosts for you who make the shore, if not more appealing, at least much more interesting. The Eternal Fisher Fishing for shrimp on horseback was an important …
Continue reading Ghost Ships and Other Spectres that Haunt the Seaside
For this fairy and snake folktale we're travelling to Wallonia which is the French speaking part of Belgium. Because the region is known for its misty forests, enchanting waterfalls, streams crammed with mossy rocks and dark caves, it’s unsurprising that tales about fairies follow you everywhere you tread. The otherworldly beings who call The Ardennes …
Signe Maene 