Phantom Armies of the Night, Claude Lecouteux

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An exploration of the many forms of the ancient myth of the Wild Hunt and its influence in pagan and early Christian Europe - Recounts the myriad variations of this legend, from the Cursed Huntsman and King Herla to phantom armies and vast processions of sinners and demons - Explains how this belief was an integral part of the pagan worldview and was thus employed by the church to spread Christian doctrine - Reveals how the secret societies of medieval Europe reenacted these ghostly processions for soul travel and prophecies of impending death Once upon a time a phenomenon existed in medieval Europe that continuously fueled local lore: during the long winter nights a strange and unknown troop could be heard passing outside over the land or through the air. Anyone caught by surprise in the open fields or depths of the woods would see a bizarre procession of demons, giants, hounds, ladies of the night, soldiers, and knights, some covered in blood and others carrying their heads beneath their arms. This was the