Hobgoblin

 

 

ORIGIN

They are found all over Europe.

 

FIRST SIGHTED/RECORDED

There is no particular date into which they are thought to have come along. Folklore is as old as time so it is very likely that they are too.

 

APPEARANCE

They are very small, hairy little men. When they turn into a Boggart, they are said to have longer, darker hair and long yellow teeth.

 

GENDER

Male

 

ALSO KNOWN AS

Lutin (French), Bugbear, Bugaboo, Bogie, Hobthrust,

 

REPELLED BY

It is said that if you present them with an item of clothing, it would banish them forever. It is not known whether they have actually taken offence to the item or if they are just too proud to work in new clothes. It differs from tale to tale.

 

MAGICAL POWERS/SKILLS

They have thought to be able to shape shift

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HISTORY/ABOUT

They are described in folktales as a friendly but troublesome creature of the Seelie court. They are a close relative of the Brownies. They are often found to be doing odd jobs around the house whilst the family, who's house they are occupying, are asleep. Their chores are often small ones such as dusting and ironing. Sometimes they would do these in return for food. They are very fond of practical jokes. They can be very mischievous but often they can be very frightening and even dangerous. This is usually because they have been teased or misused excessively. When this happens, they turn into "Boggarts".

 

CAN BE FOUND

They can often be found within human dwellings. They can also be found in farms, especially dairies.

 

TALES

There was said to have been one living in Sturfit Hall in Yorkshire. He was said to have done many a little chores until one day, the Mistress of the house gave him clothes as she felt bad for him. He was never seen again. Another one was said to work at Carlow Hill. A similar thing happened here, the inn keeper forgot to leave him out bread and butter one night. The Hobgoblin was no seen after that. There was said to have been a particularly nasty Boggart, found in the windy lanes around the town of Longridge in Lancashire. He was said to play very nasty tricks on travellers.

 

ANY SIGHTINGS?

There are numerous tales of sightings, including from the tales above. Some people are also believed to have caught video and photo footage of them. This may be hard to believe considering as they don't like to be seen, especially by humans.

 

SIMILAR CREATURES

Brownies, Sprite,