Medieval Heraldry
-
Wyvern/Wivern
The Wyvern is a species of dragon from medieval heraldry throughout Europe. Its name is thought to mean “life viper” and they were originally seen as protectors of the land and bringers of life. After larger amounts of christianization, they were instead seen as giant predatory creatures associated with envy, pestilence, and war. They have large serpentine bodies, standing on two avian legs with eagle-like talons, long tails ending in a sharp barb, and heads resembling the typical European Dragon with large horns. In heraldry, the Wyvern are typically depicted as green with red undersides and wings. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore.…
-
Troglodyte/Trocodite
The Troglodyte is a primitive humanoid creature from Medieval myth. They were recorded in unclear areas of maps, and were thought to be from deserts in Ethiopia. Their name means “hole creepers” due to their tendency to dwell in caves. They lack the ability to speak and are thought to communicate through clicking sounds. They’re thought to climb trees to jump on prey or lie in wait near paths to lunge at them. They’re also thought to be incredibly fast and capable of running down most wild game. Sometimes they had three faces and were often shown eating snakes. They’re known to eat the flesh of elephants they chase down,…
-
Steipereidur
The Steipereidur is a form of sea monster from medieval times. They’re described as a gentle and tame form of whale, that fought other sea monsters who endangered fishermen. They measure at least 100 cubits (roughly 147 feet) in length and have the scientific name “Balænopetra sibbaldi.” It was forbidden to hunt this creature, but it was thought their meat tastes like beef. Citations: Carpenter, Alfred, and Wilson-Barker, David. Nature Notes for Ocean Voyagers: Being Personal Observations Upon Life in “the Vasty Deep” and Fishes, Birds, and Beasts Seen from a Ship’s Deck; with Popular Chapters on Weather, Waves, and Legendary Lore. United Kingdom, C. Griffin, limited, 1915. Jenkins, James…
-
Sea Bishop/Bishop Fish
The Sea Bishop is a bizarre creature from Medieval times. It resembles a large fish with a head resembling a bishop’s miter hat, pectoral fins ending in claws, and a tail resembling legs ending in fishermen boots. Some were thought to have been captured in the Baltic Sea. There is an incident of Sea Bishops pleading for freedom from actual bishops and succeeding. Another was captured and refused to eat until it died. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Rosen, Brenda. Mythical Creatures Bible: The Definitive Guide to Legendary Beings. Taiwan, Sterling, 2009.
-
Rostunger/Rosmar
The Rostunger is a sea monster known from Medieval times. They walk along the ocean floor on four short legs. They’re described as similar to the sea-calfe and sleep twelve hours a day. Their skin is too difficult to pierce with any weapon and they hang from rocks by their two long teeth. These teeth measure 3.75 feet in length and their bodies measure around 52.5 feet long. Citations: Topsell, Edward. The Elizabethan Zoo: A Book of Beasts Both Fabulous and Authentic. United Kingdom, F. Etchells & H. Macdonald, 1926.
-
Questing Beast/Beast Glatisant/Glatsaunt
The Questing Beast is a creature known from Arthurian legend. It had the body of a leopard, deer hooves, a serpent neck, and the back legs of a lion. It was named after its cry which sounded like forty dogs barking. It was thought to have been born through the incest of a brother and sister. It was also sometimes referred to as a psychopomp. Several knights attempted to kill the Questing Beast, but it was ultimately killed by the knight Percival. The body of this creature was tossed into a lake, and the water boiled as it sank. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend…
-
Pontarf
The Pontarf is a monster from Medieval times in Europe. It was used as a bogeyman figure who snatched up unattended children. It is described as a giant fish who is found off the coast of Europe, that can stretch its body to steal children no matter how far inland they are. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
-
Pongo
The Pongo was a massive creature from medieval times in Sicily. It was described as a giant sea monster combining a tiger and a shark. It was believed to have consumed over five hundred people and kept a twenty mile perimeter around the island, attempting to make Sicily uninhabitable. It was eventually killed by the three sons of Saint George. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Bassett, Fletcher S.. Legends and Superstitions of the Sea and of Sailors in All Lands and at All Times. United Kingdom, S. Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, 1885.
-
Pastinaca
The Pastinaca was a creature from medieval belief. They look like weasels but are the size of elephants. They smell so terrible that they kill trees just by being near them. Citations: Cawson, Frank. The Monsters in the Mind: The Face of Evil in Myth, Literature and Contemporary Life. United Kingdom, Book Guild, 1995. Gilmore, David D.. Monsters: Evil Beings, Mythical Beasts, and All Manner of Imaginary Terrors. United States, University of Pennsylvania Press, Incorporated, 2012.
-
Huspalim
The Huspalim is strange creature from Ethiopian folklore. They resembled giant marmots. Sightings of them were recorded by Europeans during medieval times. They had huge round heads, tiny round ears, monkey-like faces, round paws, and bald red spotted skin. They were supposedly kept in cages on the island of Zacotera, where they could serve as good food but only if the meat was beaten thoroughly. Citations: Rose, Carol. Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth. United Kingdom, Norton, 2001.
