Herensuge: Legendary Basque Dragon

Hello one and all!

Herensuge is a dragon from Basque mythology that is at times represented with one or seven heads. Stories about the creature are reminiscent of other dragon narratives of Europe, such as the famous St. George and the Dragon story.



Herensuge: Legendary Basque Dragon  

The mighty Herensuge at first lived in mountain range of Ahuski, where it fed on cattle. When it started to move to other areas, the dragon began to feed on humans, and terrorized the local populace. The moment it grew a seventh head the creature burst into flames and flew to the region of Itxasgorrieta.

The mythical creature was also incorporated into a Christian legend, in which Teodosio de Goñi, a Navarrese knight, makes an appearance. The knight was busy with penance for committing double parricide. He spotted a woman tied to a spot; she said that she was given to a dragon as a ransom, so that the beast would leave the populace unmolested.

Before Teodosio could free her, Herensuge appeared and attacked the knight. The creature dove forward and grabbed hold of the warrior with its jaws. The knight saw that he was defeated, and there was no hope left, so he prayed to Saint Michael to aid him.

God let Saint Michael know that he was needed on earth. The archangel refused to go without his Lord, and as a result God accompanied him down to the mortal realm. Saint Michael swung and decapitated Herensuge, thus ending its reign of terror. Teodosio's penance was also put to an end.

Thank you for reading!

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