The Horned God Legend
Herne was one of the keepers of the Forest of Windsor during the reign of King
Richard II and known for his great hunting and woodcraft skills. While King
Richard favored Herne, his fellow hunters it is said hated him and plotted to
cause his downfall.
One day while the royal party was out on a hunt the King was nearly killed when
attacked by a stag. Herne stepped in to help the King and took the main blow, then
fell to the floor. He seemed to be dead. Suddenly a dark figure appeared
amongst the party and announced himself as Philip Urswick. He then
proceeded to inform the King that for a reward he would cure Herne.
After cutting the head off the stag and binding it to Herne's head, the party took
Herne to Urswick's own hut which was located on Bagshot Heath. Urswick
vowed that he would take great care of Herne. King Richard then announced
that if Herne recovered he would promote Herne to be the chief keeper of the forest.
Unbeknownst to the King the other hunters were later in contact with Urswick.
They told Urseick of their loathing for the favored keeper, announcing that they
were disappointed that he had not died in the incident. Urswick promised the
hunters revenge but only if his first wish and the reward was granted. He told
them that Herne would recover but would loose all his hunting skills. Satisfied
with his answer, the hunters agreed.
Keeping his promise to the King it seemed, Urswick soon had Herne returned to
court whereupon he was promoted to Chief Keeper. Herne seemed to have
recovered thoroughly until it became apparent that his hunting skills had
disappeared. The King was extremely disappointed with Herne and revoked the
promotion. It is said that this is the reason why Herne, being so grieved by the
King's actions, hanged himself from an Oak tree in Windsor forest. His body then
disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
Urswick did not reveal the charm that he had cast upon Herne to the King. A
new chief hunter was appointed but he too, once promoted, lost his skill. The
same happened to his successor too. Urswick was asked to remove the charm.
Before making any agreement, Urswick informed the hunters that they would
have to meet him at the Oak. Once there they would be told what had to be
done to dispel the charm.
The group of hunters arrived at the Oak as asked and after waiting a short time
Urswick appeared. He told the them that Herne's death was on each of them
and that horses and hounds should be brought to the oak the next night.
Agreeing they made preparations and returned to the forest. On reaching the
Oak, Herne appeared on a horse and told them to follow him to another area of
the forest. Herne took the party to a Beech tree and whilst there Urswick
suddenly appeared out of the tree covered in flames. Herne had summoned
Urswick to appear. Urswick then made the party swear an oath to
Herne that they would form a band of hunters with
Herne as their leader to dispel the charm.
Urswick's promise had been satisfied and the hunters became a faithful if not
loving band of men loyal to Herne. For many nights the group would raid the
forest taking deer until very few were left. King Richard came to learn of their
pursuits, and decided to make a visit to he oak. He was angry and desired
revenge upon the men.
Once there Herne appeared to the king and learnt of his
anger. Herne listened and said that if the King wished
him to leave the forest, taking his power with him, the King would have
to agree to a request. Doubtless Herne wanted revenge upon his enemies who
had desired his death. The King agreed to his request, and the group of men
were hanged. Herne was then never seen again.
It is reputed though that Herne returned and reigned supreme, taking control of
the forest of Windsor for eight years after the death of King Richard.
Many versions of the Herne legend exist. Some say that Herne hanged himself
after committing a terrible crime, whilst another tells of a forest demon that
takes on his appearance. The demon is said to place stag horns on its head
haunting the forest still trying to convince keepers that it is Herne and that they
should sell their souls to him.
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