Woodwose / Wodewose: Medieval Wild Men & Possible Sasquatch
Discover the Woodwose — the legendary wild man of the woods from medieval folklore.
Hairy, club-wielding forest dweller — many have never heard of this European wild man myth, often linked to modern Bigfoot sightings.
For hundreds of years, the Woodwose (the legendary wild man of the woods) was accepted as part of medieval European culture and folklore. I'll be showing just a fraction of historical paintings, manuscripts, and carvings that depict hairy, club-wielding wild men — looking remarkably like Sasquatch or Bigfoot
Alexander the Great capturing Woodwoses (hairy wild men of the woods) in 'Le livre et la vraye hystoire du bon roy Alixandre', Paris, c. 1420–1425. British Library Royal MS 20 B XX, f. 64.Alexander the Great gathered so much evidence of our past — including these medieval wild man depictions that resemble Sasquatch / Bigfoot — and it was burned for a reason!!
The Genealogy of the Royal Houses of Spain and Portugal (the 'Portuguese Genealogy'), Lisbon and Bruges, 1530–1534. British Library Add MS 12531, f. 1r.In Spain and Portugal, the Woodwose (hairy wild man of the woods) was often depicted holding a shield or coat of arms in medieval manuscripts and heraldry. Interesting how these European w
The Genealogy of the Royal Houses of Spain and Portugal (the 'Portuguese Genealogy'), Lisbon and Bruges, 1530–1534. British Library Add MS 12531, f. 1r.In Spain and Portugal, the Woodwose (hairy wild man of the woods) was often depicted holding a shield or coat of arms in medieval manuscripts and heraldry. Interesting how these European wild man figures resemble modern Sasquatch / Bigfoot sightings!
Woodwose holding the arms of England, La Bible Historiale, c. 1470–79, Southern Netherlands. British Library Royal MS 15 D I, f. 18.England — were the Woodwose (hairy wild man of the woods) our allies at one point? Did we once work alongside Sasquatch-like beings in medieval folklore and heraldry?
Woodwose — Shielded & Battle-Ready in Medieval Heraldry!
Hairy wild man of the woods that echoes Sasquatch / Bigfoot. Not claiming they're the same... but the resemblance is striking. Thought-provoking?
Woodwose surrounded by dogs from the Queen Mary Psalter, England, c. 1310–1320. British Library Royal MS 2 B VII, f. 173r.I feel like this is probably a more realistic view of what was happening. Modern Sasquatch accounts don't all mention aggression, but a lot talk about Sasquatch killing, eating, or not liking dogs. Personally, I've ha
Woodwose surrounded by dogs from the Queen Mary Psalter, England, c. 1310–1320. British Library Royal MS 2 B VII, f. 173r.I feel like this is probably a more realistic view of what was happening. Modern Sasquatch accounts don't all mention aggression, but a lot talk about Sasquatch killing, eating, or not liking dogs. Personally, I've had a Sasquatch and dog encounter when I was living in the woods — and my dog was involved.
"This is such a fascinating rabbit hole to dive into if you're interested in possible historical links to Sasquatch / Bigfoot in our past. Notice the red-haired wild man (wodewose) depicted here—often described in medieval folklore as a hairy giant or wild man of the woods. Check out the sections on biblical accounts (like potential ties
"This is such a fascinating rabbit hole to dive into if you're interested in possible historical links to Sasquatch / Bigfoot in our past. Notice the red-haired wild man (wodewose) depicted here—often described in medieval folklore as a hairy giant or wild man of the woods. Check out the sections on biblical accounts (like potential ties to the Nephilim or red-haired giants in ancient texts) and the photo Hugh took? So curious!
"Merlin depicted as a wodewose!!!!!! Probably wasn’t expecting this one. When people think of Merlin, most don’t picture him like this!! I’m not the only one who has explored this. Check out 'The Case for Merlin as a Sasquatch' on Gabe's Celtic Literature Workbook – a deep dive into Merlin as a wild man of the woods, Myrddin Wyllt the
"Merlin depicted as a wodewose!!!!!! Probably wasn’t expecting this one. When people think of Merlin, most don’t picture him like this!! I’m not the only one who has explored this. Check out 'The Case for Merlin as a Sasquatch' on Gabe's Celtic Literature Workbook – a deep dive into Merlin as a wild man of the woods, Myrddin Wyllt the mad prophet, and possible links to Sasquatch / Bigfoot in Celtic folklore and medieval mythology."