The Source:
Tony Faivre:
"Les Vampires" [1962]
Ed. du Terrain Vague, Eric Losfeld, Paris, 1962
The Case:
In Borchfeld, near Danzig, an old woman, named or nicknamed "Welmsche", had died. After her death she returned to the village every night and attacked the villagers with her long sharp nails. They called in the help of a priest who lived in Mariensee. He seemed to be a bit of an expert on the occult. He ordered the coffin to be dug up and told them to cut off the head and put it under the corpse's arm. Millet seed was thrown into the coffin and it was reburied at the crossroads.
The Date:
Sadly, no date has been given. So we have to go by Tony Faivre's source Mannhardt, who published his material in the "Zeitschrift für Mythologie und Sittenkunde" in 1856.
The Place:
We have been told that Borchfeld is a village near Danzig. I have looked at my old German maps. But sadly I could not find Borchfeld as yet. Hopefully you will have better luck.
Possible Follow-Up:
First check Tony Faivre's book. Then go find the magazine with Mannhardt's article. Try to locate Borchfeld near Danzig (= Gdansk). Try to find if there is a Mariensee not too far from Danzig. Use your imagination. There are always plenty of things we can do.
© 2011 by Rob Brautigam - NL - Last changed November 2011
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