The Beast of Gevaudan
In June of 1764, a young girl from Langogne was attacked in full daylight by an animal which resembled an enormous wolf. This event marked the beginning of attacks and hunts for a violent animal which would devour more than 100 people in the next three years. But was it really just a wolf?
Background Information
Muggle Side of the Story
Description
Wizarding Explanation
Astronomical Phenomena in the 1760's in France
Background Information
The village of Langogne is located in Gevaudan France, which is currently known as Lozere. Life in the 18th century in Gevaudan was difficult as it was heavily forested. It was the perfect area for animals to hide in.
For nearly three years, between 1764 and 1767, one hundred gruesome murders occurred in Gevaudan, Auvergne, Rouergue and Vivarais France. The victims were mainly women, girls and young children. Any account of the acts, whether from survivors (though there were few) or witnesses, indicated an animal of sorts. But the injuries to the bodies of the deceased were considered to be quite unusual, and suggested an animal that was out of the ordinary. Hunts were organized but they
led to nowhere - no beast was ever found.
In September of 1765, Antoine de Beaterne killed an extremely large wolf, and everyone thought that maybe the brutal killings were over and the beast was gone for good. But December of the same year, 2 women were attacked, a child was wounded and a young girl was killed. It was clear that the wolf killed by de Beaterne was not the one responsible for all the murders. The locals could do nothing more but defend
themselves with meager and modest weapons.
On June 19th 1767 Jean Chastel gunned down an animal that appeared to be an extraordinary wolf. The size, figure and proportions of this wolf were quite different from the other wolves in the area. And afterwards, the attacks ceased. Had this been the wolf creating all the chaos?
Muggle Side of the Story
Description
"The mouth similar to a lion's mouth, but much larger ... it has two teeth in the form of defense like wild boars ... its tail is similar to a leopard's tail ... its body is the length of a one year old calf ..."
It was also believed to be odd that this wolf was travelling alone, as they are usually found in packs. And contrary to popular opinion, wolves will very rarely attack humans and when they do it's almost always in a state of famine. This was clearly not the case between 1764-1767 though. Likewise, wolves never decapitate their prey, and decapitation happened in numerous attacks of the beast of Gevaudan.
Some Muggles believe that it was possible for the beast of Gevaudan to have been a bear or a large ape/monkey. However, ask any wizard and they'll be able to tell you the truth.
Wizarding Explanation
While the existence of a werewolf was never proven by Muggles, wizards have known for awhile that they do in fact exist. the following description of a werewolf is given by Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
"The werewolf is found worldwide, though it is believed to have originated in northern Europe. Humans turn into werewolves only when bitten. There is no known cure, though recent developments in potion-making have to a great extent alleviated the worst symptoms.
Once a month, at the full moon, the otherwise sane and normal wizard affected, transforms into a murderous beast. Almost uniquely among fantastic creatures, the werewolf actively seeks humans in preference to any other kind of prey."
In the 1760's, there was a particular werewolf registered in this area of France, however nobody could have predicted the events which occurred. Events beyond anyone's control influenced the werewolf's behaviour and made it more dangerous than ever before. An odd astronomical phenomena made the werewolf of Gevaudan extremely violent.
Between 1764 and 1767, full moons were particularly dreaded in Gevaudan; majority of the attacks occurred during these nights. But the werewolf didn't limit its slaying to just nights. And so a delegation of wizards was sent to gather information concerning the werewolf and to see if they could stop the killings. Needless to say, it was a failure. It was a century afterwards, in 1866, when a young astronomer discovered a pattern between the astronomical phenomena and the change in the werewolf's behaviour.
Astronomical Phenomena in the 1760's in France
March 18 1764 - A total lunar eclipse is visible in France.
April 1 1764 - 14 days after the lunar eclipse, a total solar eclipse is visible in France.
June 30 1764 - First known attack of the beast.
June 1767 - The comet known as Temple-Tuttle was first sighted.
In 1767, the comet Temple-Tuttle was first sighted. It is a comet that appears every 33 years. At the time of its 4th passage in 1866, an astronomer established the link between it and the ending of the attacks in Gevaudan. The comet passed in June 1767, precisely the time when the werewolf stopped killing. We still don't know exactly what happened to the werewolf or how the comet effected its lycanthropy, but the animal that Jean Chastel killed was not the beast of Gevaudan.
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