27.1.15

King Louis XV's announcement


Mont Mouchet, France, late winter 2014
On January 27, 1765, a startling announcement was made: His Majesty, King Louis XV, would pay 6,000 livres (pounds) as a reward for the Beast’s hide! This was on top of 4,000 offered earlier. Here is how the announcement appeared in English in the London media:

By the King and Intendant of the province of Languedoc. Notice is given to all persons, that His Majesty, being justly affected by the situation of his subjects, now exposed to the ravages of the wild beast which for four months past has infested Vivarais and Gévaudan. And being desirous to stop the progress of such a calamity, has determined to promise a reward of six thousand livres to any person or persons who shall kill this animal. Such as are willing to undertake the pursuit of him may previously apply to the Sieur de la Font, sub-deputy to the Intendant of Mende, who will give them the necessary instructions agreeably to what has been presented by the ministry on the part of his Majesty.

Pourcher tells us that this same day, a “robust” man from Marvejols, hunting “with a well-loaded gun,” suddenly realized La Bête was seven paces from him, believed he was going to be its next meal, and “ran away crying for help.”




*Dickens, Charles, “A Wonderful Wild Beast.” Household Words: A Weekly Journal, Vol. 18 (November 20, 1858): 544–547.

12.1.15

Portefaix and friends face the Beast


It was on this day 250 years ago that seven children -- five boys and two girls ranging in age from  eight to 12 -- faced the Beast in Le Villeret in the Gévaudan. Jacques Portefaix, Jacques Couston, Jean Pic, Jean Veyrier, Joseph Panafleu, Madeleine Chausse, and Jeanne Gueffier were watching over their familes' cattle when the Beast attacked, grabbing eight-year-old Panafleu and going for his face, tearing away a cheek. Armed with crude bayonets (long sticks topped with strapped-on knives or triangular iron points), and led by Portefaix, 12, the children fought back, striking the Beast over and over and driving it into a nearby swamp. The Beast soon tired of the feisty children and retreated, and an adult appeared on the scene to assist. The children's courage garnered them fame and rewards, and Portefaix was given an all-expense-paid education by the state.

Image Wikimedia Commons. PD-1996. Bibilothèque nationale de France.