Malevolent Spirits of the North
The boggart is a mischievous and often malevolent creature in English folklore, particularly associated with the North of England. Unlike benevolent household spirits such as brownies, boggarts are known for causing trouble, making objects disappear, souring milk, laming animals, and disturbing sleep. Once a boggart attaches itself to a household or family, it is said to follow them wherever they go.
In some traditions, it is believed that a boggart should never be named, as doing so makes it uncontrollable and distructive. The belief in these beings was especially strong in rural areas, where unexplained misfortunes were often attributed to their mischief.
Physical Description and Behavior
Boggarts are generally described as squat, hairy creatures with grotesque features. They prefer to remain unseen but make their presence known through their disruptive activities. In homes, they might pull off bedclothes at night, lay a clammy hand on a sleeper’s face, or tug on people’s ears. Some believe that hanging a horseshoe above the door can ward off a boggart.
In the folklore of Nort-West England, boggarts are also believed to inhabit wild places such as marshes, bridges, and dangerous bends in roads. Travelers passing over a bridge with a resident boggart were expected to offer a polite greeting to avoid misfortune.
The Farmer and the Boggart
One well-known folktale, originating from Lincolnshire, tells of a farmer who unknowingly bought land inhabited by a boggart. When the boggart became angry at the farmer’s attempt to cultivate the field, they struck a deal to share the harvest. The boggart was allowed to choose which half of the crops would be his – either what grew above the ground or what grew below it.
For the first harvest, the boggart chose the lower half, so the farmer planted barley. When the harvest time arrived, the farmer collected a bountiful pile of grain while the boggart was left with useless stubble. Furious, the boggart demanded the upper half for the next crop. The cunning farmer then planted potatoes, ensuring he got the valuable harvest while the boggart was again left with nothing. Enraged, the boggart stormed off and never returned. This tale closely resembles the European fable The Farmer and the Devil, found in 17th-century French folklore.
Connections to Other Mythological Figures
- Bogeyman – A legendary creature often associated with boggarts, particularly in stories meant to scare children into good behavior.
- Bogle/Boggle – The Scottish variant of the boggart, known for similar trickster tendencies.
- Brownie – Unlike boggarts, brownies are helpful household spirits; however, a mistreated brownie might turn into a boggart.
- Buggane – A malicious creature from Manx folklore, known for haunting specific locations.
- Domovoi – A Slavic household spirit that can be helpful or malevolent, depending on how it is treated.
- Hob/Hobgoblin – Another English household spirit, sometimes interchangeable with brownies or boggarts.
- Kobold – A Germanic counterpart with similar mischievous tendencies.
- Poltergeist – A supernatural entity known for causing physical disturbances, akin to boggart activity.
- Tomte – A Scandiniavian household spirit with both protective and mischievous traits.
Modern Influence
Boggarts remain a popular figure in modern fantasy literature and media. They appear in works such as Harry Potter, where they take on the form of a person’s greatest fear, and in various fantasy role-playing games. The concept of a mischievous, unseen force causing havoc continues to inspire supernatural fiction.