As the warmth of the holidays envelops us in its festive glow, it’s easy to forget that beneath the twinkling lights and merry carols lurks a shadowy underworld of twisted Christmas folklore. In her riveting new book, The Dead of Winter, historian Sarah Clegg takes readers on a spine-chilling journey through the dark side of Europe’s yuletide traditions, unearthing tales of demonic creatures, mischievous witches, and macabre rituals that will make your blood run cold.
Krampus: Santa’s Sinister Sidekick
While images of a jolly, benevolent Santa Claus dominate our modern Christmas consciousness, Clegg reminds us that his origins are far more menacing. In Austria and other parts of Central Europe, Saint Nicholas is accompanied by a horned, hairy demon known as Krampus, who punishes naughty children with brutal beatings and kidnappings. Clegg bravely ventures into the heart of Krampus territory, attending the infamous Krampus Night festival in Salzburg where she narrowly escapes a thrashing from one of the snarling, stick-wielding beasts.
“As she strolls amid the usual market scenes of fairy lights and glühwein stands, she is set upon by a Krampus who whacks her with two sticks. It’s all good festive fun – except that she still has the bruises and welts far into January.”
The Terrors of Matrei
Even more horrifying are the Klaubauf figures of Matrei, Austria, who make Krampus look like a cuddly teddy bear in comparison. These monstrous masked men rampage through the streets, breaking into homes and brawling with such unrestrained ferocity that local hospitals prepare for an influx of injured revelers and tourists are warned to stay far away. Clegg wisely heeds this advice, but still paints a vivid picture of the barely controlled yuletide mayhem.
Saint Lucy’s Gruesome Surprises
Not all of the Christmas season’s dark folklore is confined to the Alpine regions. In Scandinavia, Saint Lucy is typically portrayed as an angelic maiden in white, but Clegg reveals her little-known sadistic streak. Those who fail to pay proper tribute on her feast day of December 13th may fall victim to a variety of ghastly torments:
- Intestine removal via sharp implements
- Organ harvesting and straw-stuffing of disobedient children
From Pagan Frenzy to Victorian Propriety
As wild and terrifying as these traditions may seem, Clegg argues that they offered an important outlet for social transgression and release in the past. The chaotic energy and role reversals of winter festivities provided a “safety valve” for societal pressures. However, the Victorian era ushered in a sanitized Christmas focused on family, decorum, and a generous but decidedly less threatening Santa. Clegg explores this fascinating transition and how it shaped our modern conception of the holiday.
“The topsy-turvy elements of the season were transferred to other celebrations such as carnivals and pantomimes, and door-to-door knocking and treating became more associated with Halloween. In England today, the tradition of raucous Christmas home intrusions survives only in the (slightly) less scary form of doorstep carol singers.”
While The Dead of Winter delves into some truly hair-raising Christmas customs, Clegg never loses sight of the fact that beneath the horror lies a spirit of revelry, mischief, and catharsis. With her signature wit and meticulous research, she guides the reader through the shadows of Europe’s yuletide past, shining a light on the complex interplay of paganism, Christianity, superstition, and social strictures that have shaped the holiday season for centuries.
So this Christmas, why not leave out the milk and cookies and crack open The Dead of Winter instead? Just be sure to keep some sage and iron handy… in case Krampus comes knocking.
