The Darkish Facet of Christmas: Hans Trapp — The Youngster Consuming Scarecrow

The youngsters of Alsace are sometimes reminded to be careful for Hans Trapp, a cursed Baron now dressing as a scarecrow, ready for passing by youngsters. At this time now additionally mentioned to be considered one of Santa’s helpers, punishing the dangerous youngsters.

When the festive season rolls round, most of us are full of pleasure, anticipation, and heat as we put together for Christmas. Nevertheless, lurking within the shadows of vacation cheer, some tales remind us of the darker facet of this time of 12 months. Amongst these is the chilling legend of Hans Trapp, a determine from Alsatian folklore whose story is steeped in terror and ethical warning. 

“Hans Trapp is coming for Christmas” dad and mom within the Lorraine and Alsace areas on the German and French border can say. However he’s not there to present presents, however beatings and is claimed to be a cannibal dressed up as a scarecrow, hungry for youngsters.

The Origins of Hans Trapp

The legend of Hans Trapp originates from the area of Alsace, which straddles the border between France and Germany. This space has a wealthy tapestry of folklore, the place the traces between the true and the supernatural usually blur. Hans Trapp is one such determine, deeply rooted within the area’s historical past and tradition.

All the best way north within the area you will discover Wissembourg, now a border space, however again then, a part of the Holy Roman Empire.

Hans Trapp, or Hans von Trotha, which was his precise identify, was as soon as a rich and highly effective man, recognized for his insatiable greed and cruelty dwelling at Berwartstein Fort, born within the mid 1400s. His riches have been acquired by means of ruthless means, and he was feared and despised by those that lived in his dominion. In line with legend, his malevolence grew so nice that he dabbled in black magic and made a pact with the Satan to extend his wealth and energy.

There are numerous tales, however what we do know is that he got here right into a combat with the Abbot of Wissembourg about land, and Hans Trapp determined to chop off their water provide in retaliation. He constructed a dam on high of the Wieslauter to cease its circulate all the way down to Wissembourg, flooding the abbot’s land. 

Once they demanded he cease although, he destroyed the dam, inflicting a flooding, gushing down the mountain, flooding the city. 

Hans Trapp’s actions didn’t go unnoticed. However the Holy Roman Emperor did nothing to cease him. His heinous deeds and darkish practices ultimately drew the eye of the Church. The pope summoned him, however he refused. As an alternative he known as the pope all kinds of immoral issues. He was excommunicated by the church and banished from society, a punishment he hated. He was despatched to French courtroom as an alternative throughout the Italian wars, dying in 1503 at his fortress and his lineage died out round 40 years after his dying.

The Legacy of Hans Trapp

Folks began within the following years after his dying to attribute horrible issues to him, even altering his identify to Tapp, the place trappen is to make a noise whereas strolling with the intention to thrust back spirits. Quickly he was became a devilish determine, a demon and a spook, all the time after revenge on those that wronged him. 

Within the legend he’s principally talked about as a hermit, excommunicated to the woods, to not courtroom. They inform about him dwelling within the forest and constructing a shelter on the mountain of Geisberg in Bavaria in Germany, turning much less and fewer human, dwelling by luring youngsters into his lair to eat them. One story tells that God himself turned him right into a scarecrow as a result of he devoured a younger shepherd. 

One other model claimed it was Trapp who dressed up as a scarecrow to lure the kids, stuffing his garments with straw and hiding among the many fields. As time glided by after his exile, he turned mad, bitter and hungry for each revenge and flesh. With a grim visage and a sinister air, he would look ahead to his subsequent sufferer.

At some point, Hans Trapp set his sights on a younger boy from a close-by village, solely ten years outdated. He captured the kid and took him again to his lair within the woods. As he ready to cook dinner and eat the boy, cooking him over the open hearth, a divine intervention occurred. A bolt of lightning struck Hans Trapp down, killing him immediately and saving the kid from a ugly destiny.

D’r Hans Trapp
Schoi, do kummt d’r Hans Trapp.
Ar het a scheni Zepfelkapp’
Un a Bart wiss wie a Schimmel.
Ar kummt vum schena Starnehimmel
Un bringt da Kinder a Ruada,
Wu web dien singe un bata.
Schoi, Hans Trapp, mir sin so klein
Un brav un folje d’heim.
Müesch web kumme mit dim Stacka,
Denn mir kenne singe un oi bata.

English Translation

The Hans Trapp
Look, there’s Hans Trapp.
He’s received a pleasant pointed hood
And a beard as white as a white horse.
He comes from the starry sky
He brings a rod to the kids
Who neither sing nor pray.
Look, Hans Trapp, we’re so small
We’re clever and we comply with the home.
You don’t want to return along with your rod,
For we all know find out how to sing and pray.

The Haunting of Christmas

Although Hans Trapp was destroyed, his evil spirit was not at relaxation. In line with legend, he continues to roam the area, particularly throughout the Christmas season as he grew to become the helper of St. Nicholas to punish youngsters. Some declare that St. Nicholas occurred to stroll previous as Trapp was struck by lightning. He got here with him and has since tried to redeem himself for his sins. One other model for why he’s concerned within the Christmas season is, properly… Misbehaving youngsters want a narrative. 

Learn Extra: Take a look at all haunted legends from the Christmas Season

Very like Krampus, Hans Trapp is claimed to go to misbehaving youngsters, however his presence is way extra sinister. It’s mentioned he’s using his black horse on the countryside of northern Alsace on the lookout for vengeance. On St. Nicholas’ Eve he takes half within the parade of the holy man within the area. He embodies the fearsome penalties of ethical corruption and the hazards that lurk within the darkness.

Mother and father in Alsace would inform their youngsters the story of Hans Trapp to instill good habits and to maintain them from wandering too removed from dwelling. The story serves as a chilling reminder that whereas Christmas is a time of pleasure and celebration, it additionally has its shadows.

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