Wijnendale — the eternal hunter

OVERVIEW

The ewiger Jäger, the eternal hunter, is a local form of the ghostly wild huntsman found in German, Belgian and American folklore. Ludwig Bechstein recorded a Belgian version set near Wijnendale Castle in Flanders.

HISTORY

Bechstein's legend: near Wijnendale Castle lived a pious, hardworking farmer with an only son who cared nothing for home and fields and would rather hunt in the woods, whatever his father said. When the old man lay dying he sent for his son to say goodbye and warn him; the son took his gun, whistled for his hounds and went into the woods instead. Hearing this, the father raised his hands in despair and cursed him just before he died: 'So go hunting, hunting, hunting for all eternity — for all eternity.'

REPORTED ACTIVITY

The cursed son never came home. He was heard in the woods shouting 'Jakko! Jakko! Jakko!', screeching like a bird of prey or barking like a dog, doomed to go on until Judgement Day or longer. He haunted the woods around Wijnendale until they were cut down, and then retreated to heights that were still forested.

VISITING

The pin marks Wijnendale Castle; the woods of the legend no longer stand. Visiting arrangements are not recorded in the sources.