Uncommon Folk 31 Days of Winter- Père Fouettard

Uncover the chilling origins of Père Fouettard, the sinister sidekick to St. Nicholas, whose terrifying tale is sure to send shivers down your spine. Known as Father Whipper, this dark figure of French folklore was a malevolent butcher who, along with his wife, abducted and murdered children, only to be thwarted by a miraculous intervention from St. Nicholas. We unravel the grim details of how this character evolved through history, including a bizarre connection to the Siege of Metz and an eerie transformation into Father Flog or Spanky in the United States. Journey with us as we explore the unsettling side of holiday tradition, where lumps of coal and beatings served as deterrents for childhood misdeeds.Send a textThanks for listening!Visit https://uncommonfolk.buzzsprout.com and subscribe for updates, events and news as it comes. You can also write to us to suggest local myths, traditions and stories for us to discuss in future micro episodes, or just provide us with feedback.