  Horror/Scary
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One of the Horror genre’s most popular scenarios involves the undead returning to the world of the living. At the end of the 12th century English historian William of Newburgh wrote: “one would not easily believe that corpses come out of their graves and wander around, animated by I don’t know what spirit, to terrorise or harm the living, unless there were many cases in our times supported by ample testimony.” These beings are called “revenants”, and they are interesting creatures for any Horror writer.
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The name Revenant originated in Medieval Western Europe, and owes its origins to the French word revenir, which means “return”. A Revenant returns from its grave in the form of a ghost, a human skeleton or an animated corpse, and cause turmoil among the living. Originally Revenant mythology gave the reasons for the return from the dead as mischievous harassment of surviving family, close friends and neighbours. Over time the stories changed, and the reasons became more sinister, with most Revenants returning for a personal reason. These were usually for revenge upon someone who might have wronged it during its life, or the exposure of its killer.
Unlike the zombie, who has no will of its own, a Revenant returns for a very personal and specific reason. They usually make their appearance just after their interment, and because some stories described their predilection for sucking blood from the living they have been erroneously described as vampires. It should be stressed that vampires are a separate class of horror creatures, particularly as they originated in Eastern Europe, and only began appearing in Western European literature in the late 18th/early 19th century. Revenants can trace their origins back to the 11th century.
One 11th century story tells of two unknown peasants who strayed into a village just before dying of unknown causes. The evening of the day they were buried they suddenly appeared, carrying their coffins on their shoulders. To the shock of the entire village they spent the night walking though the streets and paths and fields, shouting instructions at the villagers. During the ensuing nights they continued their walk, this time in the guise of different animals, but always carrying those coffins. They would knock on the doors and walls of the houses, shouting orders at the inhabitants like “Hurry up! Move quickly! Come with us!” The villagers fell ill and started dying. Eventually the exhumation, decapitation and dissection of the Revenants’ corpses put an end to the misery.
There are other reasons a Revenant may return from the dead. They have been blamed for deliberately causing the spread of disease among the living. In one case a Revenant began walking through the streets of a town calling out the names of all those who would die in the next three days. Anyone who has caused harm or inflicted misery upon someone during his or her lifetime will transform into a Revenant. In its most extreme reasoning those who were wicked, unkind, vain, jealous or lacking faith would also return to cause alarm and despondency among the living. The traditional way of dealing with a Revenant is similar to one of the methods of dealing with vampires – exhumation of the corpse, decapitation, and burning or removal of the heart.
William of Newburgh seems to have had an special interest in revenants, because he described several different situations involving these creatures. He claims he wanted future generations to be aware of the harm and trouble a Revenant could inflict. Here is a summary of two of his accounts of Revenant activity in the 12th century:
A criminal on the run moved to a small town, and married a local girl. He was a jealous man, and one day decided to confirm his suspicions. While hiding in the bedroom rafters he caught his wife with another man. Furious, he was unable to control himself and fell from the roof to the floor, dying from his injuries a few days later. Despite a Christian burial he began to walk around the streets at night, accompanied by a pack of barking dogs and beating anyone he encountered. His anger was so intense that nobody dared venture from home during the hours of darkness. After several townspeople died from the vicious beatings the men in the town dug up the grave, stabbed the by now putrid corpse, removed its heart and burned the carcass. The Revenant never returned.
A second story describes an unfortunate woman whose husband began to visit her every night shortly after his funeral. The inconsiderate Revenant not only woke the woman from her sleep but almost crushed her to death because his body had ecome so heavy. After three nights the Revenant grew bored and began visiting their neighbours and creating a nuisance of himself. As it grew bolder it began strolling around the village during daylight. The local bishop wrote a letter of absolution, forgiving the man of all his earthly sins. The coffin was opened and the letter placed inside on the corpse’s chest. After resealing the tomb the Revenant was never seen again.
Here are some tales of Revenants from around the world:
 The Draugr" of medieval Norse mythology were believed to be dead warriors returning to attack the living. They rise from their graves as a wisp of smoke, are extremely strong and can change their shape and size at will. The unmistakable stench of decay follows them everywhere. They kill their victims by drinking their blood, consuming their flesh or crushing them. The only person capable of exorcising a Draugr was a hero, because weapons were ineffective against these revenants. The hero would use all his strength to force the Draugr back into its grave, but this sometimes did not work. Then the hero would decapitate the Revenant and burn the body, throwing the ashes into the sea.
Greek folklore contains a Revenant called the Vrikolakas, a creature with the distinction of being a corpse that becomes possessed by a supernatural entity. In typical Greek tradition the Vrikolakas is not always evil, and may return to complete some unfinished business it may have left unfinished during its life. Although most of its activity is nocturnal it is not affected by sunlight. It appears on roads, in vineyards and fields. It also visits houses, and when it calls out the names of the household it is supposed to e a sign that death is just around the corner for those named. In its evil form the Vrikolakas will first bring harm to those it was close to in life, before ringing ruin upon the community where it once lived. It can be destroyed if its victim manages to challenge it before it does any harm, but the Vrikolakas are clever Revenants and usually kill the victim before he or she recognizes the creature. Vrikolakas can only be destroyed on a Saturday, because that’s the day they cannot walk among the living. And the only way to kill it is with fire.
The east European Taxim appears in an advanced state of decay, so it looks dreadful and smells even worse. It seeks vengeance upon those who wronged it during its life, and is strong enough to tear a living person. It can only be destroyed through holy words chanted during an exorcism. The Taxim is always male.
Tebo is an ash coloured warthog-type creature native to central Africa. It can become invisible at will and is very difficult to catch. It is also very dangerous and very vicious. Its hide is highly prized and used to make protective clothing.
It seems the Revenant is a flexible character, and one that certainly deserves more of a place in the Horror genre. Why not use one in your next Horror story? It seems more adaptable than a ghost or a zombie, and a lot of human emotions and behaviour can be applied to the character.
Finally, I’d like to thank all readers of this newsletter for your support and encouragement this year. May you all have a wonderful Christmas and a peaceful New Year. The next issue I am editing is due on 23 January, 2008, and will focus on “Horror Writing For Children”.
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bazilbob
Thank you! Someone's who's actually read what they're referencing. (I recently read a newsletter naming Frankenstein as the monster. Perhaps there should be some sort of system of checking the accuracy of newsletters.)
I have to admit I was a bit concerned when I saw your comment, because I spend a lot of time on researching the newsletters I edit, and if I cannot verify or confirm information then I don’t use it. I believe it is the editor’s responsibility to check his/her newsletter, and if a reader finds a disputed/incorrect fact then this should be brought to the editor’s attention. Thank you for reminding us of this.
alicengoreland
I am so flattered to see a vampire tale of mine listed in your newsletter.
I had to look up what "Revenants" are. Now there's a story I have not told. It would be a real challenge to not have them feel like a ghost, or zombie. I am working on a La Fiura tale as well. Some stories come quicker than others.
I hope to incorporate both into my novel. I am hoping to paint a dark fantasy with some less explored beings. I think these might do nicely. Thanks for the inspiration.
I read every word of this newsletter and I am going to try and read the stories too. I am always looking for a dark story to sink my canines into.
Thank you for the encouragement. Coming from a writer who knows the horror genre so well this is high praise indeed.
billwilcox
Vampires: a dying breed? I think not. Not with stuff like this from all over the world that you so graciously illustrate. I saw so many vampire story ideas within this newsletter. I think I'll stick this into my Important Keepers file for later use. It definitely appears that vampires are, have been, and will be with us for a very long time to come.
It will very interesting to see what you do with this information… I’m shivering in anticipation already! 
nomlet 
Vampire myths are multidimensional enough to provide a writer with plenty of room to be creative and fresh. I liked the vampire/lycan myth in the movie Underworld. Of course I also liked that movie for carrying the tight-black-leather-clothing torch from the Matrix series.
You come up with great quotes to open some of your newsletters. Very creative descriptions in this one. Thanks!
It’s interesting to see the variations on vampire myths from all over the world, yet all contain the basic elements of this staple of the horror genre. I’m glad you like the quotes – I’m afraid I’m a quotation junkie. 
sultry
Great NL, Sarah! Thanks for the plug on my folder, "Invalid Item" I hope the information it contains will inspire some different vampire stories.
You are welcome! Your folder was one of the reasons I decided to write that newsletter! 
Acme 
Hey Sarah! Ace newsletter  Just had to let you know you've managed to answer some odd stories of the infamous 'Nana Lena'  We grew up having to spell 'Monkey' and 'Rat' rather than say their names out loud... something to do with the carney-folk-Gypsy lore; it all makes sense now! Oh, and the tales attached to Auntie Florie's hand-me-downs... now I know why it wasn't 'proper'  Fantastic stuff, and I'll be over at hers with a dictaphone later to see if any pitch-fork-wielding villagers ever ran her off their land! 
Hmmm… now Gypsy mythology would probably be a great subject for a newsletter, but not this one! I don’t want to attract no carney curses! Maybe the fantasy newsletter. In the new year.
Mavis Moog
Vampires exist in so many cultures, and so many people believe in them, it's hard to imagine they're not real .
Wonderful, informative newsletter, as always. You work very hard doing the research for us, I just wanted to say it is appreciated.
Thank you! It helps that I enjoy doing the research… 
StaiNe 
OH MY!!!  Your newsletters never seem to amaze me and are always soo interesting. The Loogaroo - now that sounds like a cool lady.  I can't wait to see your next newsletter.
Just that name is interesting – “Loogaroo”. I hope someone does write a story with her as a character… hint hint!
alanscott
When a wooden stake was driven into a corpse of a suspected vampire, the pressure on the body's chest usually forced air out of the lungs and over the vocal chords, producing a very life-like moan. This also helped perpetrate the undead superstitions.
Now that’s something I didn’t find when I was reading up on all the different vampire myths! I guess it also demonstrates how easy it is to create a myth from common sense.
Cyanvia
I really love this one! Vampire story always interesting and I was very fascinating with it. The info from this newsletter is really useful! Thanks a lot!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
The lost syllable.
Good stories
Mythology is always good!
A thinker never sleeps
http://www.thatsweird.net/facts12.shtml
I found out on the Dublin tour bus that parts of the myths used in his book “Dracula” was inspired by a cholera epidemic where those who were infected were staked by a pole to protect their souls. There's more information if you click the link above.
It’s an excellent link – thank you for sending it to us. I love that you learned this on a tour bus in Ireland!
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Horror/Scary: December 12, 2007 Issue [#2107]
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