As Chris Pine and Emily Blunt are finding out, all sorts of things lurk in the woods. Far away from ordered fields and lanes of humanity, “the forest” was the realm of the chaotic energies of creation and the denizens spawned from it: fairies, ogres, satyrs, centaurs… Some of those enchanted forests made it into the modern day. Here are a few, but be warned; just because you don’t believe in something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Hercynian Forest
Tales of this one goes back to the Romans, who, when they invaded the wilds of Germania, reported an eerie, endless forest filled with unicorns and birds whose feathers glowed. Today, we know it as the Black Forest, and it is setting for several tales, from “Hansel and Gretel” to “Rapunzel.” It has been carved up over the years, but Germany and Switzerland have the biggest swaths. And yes, weird goings-on are reported there still.
The Ardennes
Reality hit big-time in World War I and II, when this forest in southern Belgium became the site of some of the bloodiest fights in history. But this wood was already famous as a setting of more otherworldly battlefields: As recorded in “The Song of Roland,” Charlemagne had a dream in the forest about one of his most crucial battles (which was also took place in the Ardennes). Another Charlemagne tale tells of Bayard, an enchanted horse that haunted the wood and could leap across rivers.
Brocéliande
Merlin’s Tomb? Check. Haunted springs? Check. Downright strange weather? Check. This forest in Brittany (northwestern France) is lousy with Arthurian lore, although medieval bards were just the latest myth-spinners to march through. Wander this wood and you’ll come across ancient standing stones — one of which is reported to be the real tomb of Merlin — and mysterious glades dominated by one HUGE tree surrounded by oddly much smaller ones. The Lady of the Fountain is said to inhabit the forest, as is Viviane, Merlin’s nemesis. Take water from a spring in Brocéliande and wet a nearby stone to summon rain, but don’t drink it! You could turn into a werewolf. Or so they say.
Wychwood Forest
If you see a cart with two crying children, run. Fast. They are just two of the dark company of spirits haunting this wood in England who hunger for the living. Most creepy is the tale of Amy Robsart, who died of a broken neck under mysterious circumstances amid the trees. Her shade confronted her husband, the Earl of Leicester, when he was hunting in the forest, vowing he would join her. Ten days later, he did — as does anyone else who meets her, for she lingers there still.
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