The Medieval Podcast Medieval Wolves with Elizabeth Marshall
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Oct 9, 2025 Join independent scholar Elizabeth Marshall, an expert on wolves in medieval literature, as she delves into the fascinating role of these magnificent predators in English culture. Discover how medieval wolves were depicted in stories, language, and traditions. Elizabeth discusses everything from their habitats and stealthy predatory nature to their connections with battle and outlaw imagery. She also examines how wolves symbolize various themes, such as loyalty and ferocity, and their surprising presence in iconic texts like Beowulf.
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The Wolf As 'Speak Of The Devil'
- The phrase "the wolf in the story" functioned like our "speak of the devil" when the person you were talking about appears.
- The idiom survives in some languages but largely died out in English.
Biblical Roots Of Wolf-As-Devil
- Biblical imagery linked wolves to the devil as predators of sheep, a potent metaphor in pastoral societies.
- This theological link intensified negative perceptions of wolves in medieval thought.
Stealth And Surplus Killing Explained
- Wolves show stealth and sometimes 'surplus killing', behaviors that medieval writers amplified into images of bloodthirstiness.
- Surplus killing is a practical hunting strategy, not moral savagery, though it fueled persecution.
