Medieval Heraldry
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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.
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Tarasque/Tarasconus/Taras/Tauriskos
The Tarasque was a bizarre chimerical dragon from Medieval France. It was an amphibious beast thought to live in the forest around the Rhone River. It was believed to be the child of the Leviathan and the Onachus. It was larger than an ox, had six legs ending in bear paws, a lion head, a serpentine tail ending in a scorpion stinger, a hard shell covered in spikes, and impenetrable scales covering its body. It was incredibly vicious, being known to sink ships and kill anyone moving along its river. It was believed a village requested the assistance of Saint Martha, who then went and found the creature in the…
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Martlet/Mercula/Merle/Merlette
The Martlet is a creature from heraldic symbology. It resembles a bird with no beak or feet and is believed to have been representative of fourth-born sons. Due to its lack of feet and overly long wings, it can’t take off if it ever lands on the ground. To combat this issue, the Martlet perch in high places to dive down before flying. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Calopus
The Calopus is a hybrid creature from Medieval heraldry. They have wolf-like bodies, feet, and tails, with cat-like heads and serrated horns. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Callitrice/Callitrix
The Callitrice is a mythical creature from Medieval myth. They resemble Satyrs with long beard, and long thick tails. They’re thought to live in desolate parts of Ethiopia, and tend to hide from humans. Though they are very hard to find, they’re thought to be easy to capture. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Bonaconn
The Bonaconn is a creature from Medieval bestiaries. They resemble a bull or an ox with horns curving inward, and a horse-like mane. Their dung is acidic, and can be fired like a weapon. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Amphisien
The Amphisien is sometimes considered an alternative name for the Cockatrice used in European Heraldry. They resemble a Cockatrice, a reptilian creature with a rooster head, but they have a second head at the end of their tails much like the Amphisbaena. A glance from this creature can kill someone or turn them to stone. They made an intimidating emblem on medieval shields. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016. Elvin, Charles Norton. A Dictionary of Heraldry. United States, Genealogical.com, 2009. Matthews, John, and Matthews, Caitlin. The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A–Z of Fantastic Beings…
