According to the legends, many witches and witches were helped by a "family spirit" to carry out their witchcraft acts. In Supercurioso we dedicate an article to this topic: The family spirits of witches incarnated in pets . On this occasion we want to approach a specific animal that received the epithet "family spirit" from a famous character in the history of England and Germany: Prince Rupert of the Rhine. Join us to know the dog Boye, the family spirit of the sinister Rupert .
The dog Boye, the family spirit of Rupert of the Rhine
Rupert of the Rhine was an Anglo-Germanic prince, son of the German Prince Frederick V and his wife Elizabeth, who was the eldest daughter of James I of England, who was born in 1619 and died in 1682 . As a German he fought against the Spanish in the Netherlands, he also fought against the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in Germany and, as a nephew of the English king and cousin of the next monarch, he participated in the English Civil War from 1642 to 1646. It was at this stage that he won the sinister Fame of devilish sorcerer and his family spirit dog.
Boye, also sometimes called Boy, was a white hunting poodle which was said to have magical powers. He accompanied his master continuously since he was given a prisoner during the War of 30 years and died at the Battle of Marston Moor on July 2, 1644.
Rupert of the Rhine participated in the English Civil War in favor of the realistic side. Despite being a brave and intelligent soldier, he won many enemies, even among his own side. The problem was that he had participated in the War of 30 years, a wild and bloody war, and had "customs" that the English considered "inappropriate" . He killed those who surrendered and carried out mass executions in addition to other barbaric and ruthless acts during and after the battles. Your enemies they started to say that it was the devil or a sorcerer who served the devil and therefore, your dog Boye that accompanied him on many occasions, the incarnation of the evil one or a familiar spirit at the service of this one.
The dog Boye, who frequently accompanied his master in battle, was credited with powers such as the ability to find treasures, invulnerable in the attacks, trap with the mouth the bullets destined to Rupert and even make prophecies like Mother Shipton herself . Others said that the prince could become the dog when I wanted since it was the devil himself. The soldiers that accompanied Rupert of the Rhine, were so happy with the dog Boye and the fear he caused among his enemies, that they named him "sergeant major" .
In the battle of Marston Moor , the year 1644, the dog Boye died. Rupert had left the can tied in the camp, but he escaped and followed him to the battlefield. The royalist army was losing and Rupert was forced to flee leaving him behind. When the fight ended, they found the dog killed. His "powers" had not been enough to come out alive on that occasion.
What do you think about the history of the dog Boye ? Had you heard about the family spirits of sorcerers ?