Early Reports of Vampires
Sightings of vampires were documented in journals and gazettes in Poland and Russia as early as the 1690s. These creatures were said to suck the blood of humans and animals. Once engorged, blood would purportedly flow from their eyes, pores, and other orifices.
Ancient and Global Vampire Legends
Stories of vampire-like beings span cultures worldwide for thousands of years, from the lamia of Ancient Greece to the revenants of medieval England. However, the modern vampire we recognize today largely stems from Eastern European folklore, popularised by 19th-century authors like John Polidori and Bram Stoker.
Do Vampires Really Exist?
But do vampires truly exist? Let’s lift our coffin lids, step into the night, and feast on this grisly banquet as we explore six individuals alleged to be ‘real’ vampires.
1. The Shoemaker of Breslau (1591)
This tale might seem like fiction, but it’s reportedly a true event from what is now Wrocław, Poland. In September 1591, a shoemaker called Weinrichius cut his own throat. Shortly after his burial, his ghost was seen wandering the town and even slipping into people’s beds, leaving bruises on their arms and legs. Seven months later, convinced they had a vampire on their hands, locals exhumed Weinrichius’s body. It appeared fresh, with tight skin and a rose-shaped mole on his foot, suspected to be a witch’s mark. They reburied him under gallows, but his hauntings persisted until his body was finally dismembered, burnt, and the ashes cast into a river.
2. The Prowler of Pentsch (1592)
Just a year later, another vampire emerged near Breslau. Johannes Cuntze, a local dignitary, was severely injured by a horse. Delirious and rumoured to be in league with the devil, he was attacked by a black cat on his deathbed. After his burial, reports surfaced of his return, with sightings of hoof marks in the snow and accusations of assault. Five months later, Cuntze’s body was exhumed, showing no decomposition and bleeding fresh blood. The corpse was dismembered and burnt.
3. The Peasant Vampire (1725)
In 1725, Petar Blagojević, a peasant from Kisiljevo, Serbia, was buried. Within nine days, nine locals died, claiming on their deathbeds that Blagojević had returned as a vampire, draining their strength. Blagojević was said to have even killed his son by drinking his blood. When his grave was opened, his body appeared fresh, with blood in his mouth. A stake was driven through his body, and blood spurted from his mouth and nose.
4. The Monster of Medveđa (1726-1732)
Arnold Paole, a Serbian soldier, returned home after a tour in Greece, claiming to have killed a vampire. After dying in an accident, villagers soon reported seeing him at night and experiencing physical weakness. His grave was opened, and his body staked. However, six years later, a vampire epidemic struck the village, leading to the exhumation of 14 bodies, with 12 showing signs of vampirism.
5. Dracula’s Bride (1913-1993)
In Pisco, Peru, a large crowd gathered in 1993 by the grave of Sarah Ellen Roberts, dubbed ‘Dracula’s Bride.’ Born in 1872, Sarah was accused of murder, witchcraft, and being a vampire. After being sealed in a coffin and buried in Peru, locals feared her return 80 years later, but she did not rise. Witch doctors claimed victory after dousing her grave with holy water.
6. The Coventry Street Vampire (1922)
In April 1922, a man in London felt a presence bite his neck, drawing blood. Two more victims reported similar attacks the same day. Though no suspect was identified, rumours spread of a vampire hunter tracking the creature to Highgate Cemetery. Around the same time, sightings of a huge bat in West Drayton added to the mystery, but after April 1922, no more incidents occurred.
Historical Context of Vampire Sightings
Strange tales of vampirism in Eastern Europe reached Western Europe in the late 17th century. Reports of the dead returning to drink blood sparked debates among natural philosophers. Jean-Jacques Rousseau noted the thorough documentation of vampire cases, yet the phenomenon remains contentious.
Enlightenment and Vampire Belief
One believer, abbot Dom Augustine Calmet, examined vampire reports in his 1746 book, concluding that vampires did not exist, attributing the epidemic to fear and misinterpreted natural processes. Voltaire, a critic, dismissed such beliefs as superstition harmful to Enlightenment ideals.
Literary Influence on Modern Vampires
John Polidori’s 1819 story “The Vampyre,” inspired by Lord Byron, revived the vampire myth in Western Europe, laying the foundation for Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1897. Modern vampires, with their fangs, blood-drinking, and aversion to garlic, are rooted in these rich traditions.
Vampire Legends and Disease
Vampire scares often coincided with disease outbreaks. Misunderstandings of decomposition and disease transmission fueled fears of the undead. Historical efforts to curb vampirism, from bricks in mouths to stakes through hearts, reveal a time when such legends were taken seriously.
New England Vampire Panic
By the 19th century, vampires had found a new role in literature and plays, evolving into the aristocratic blood-suckers we know today. The vampire panic in New England, driven by tuberculosis, showed how fear of disease could revive old myths.
The Highgate Vampire Incident
The Highgate Vampire incident in the 1970s exemplified how media and legend tripping kept vampire lore alive. This modern event, less about disease and more about sensationalism, reflected a shift in how vampire stories captivate the public.
Modern-Day Vampire Claims
John Edgar Browning’s study of real-life vampires in New Orleans revealed individuals who believe they need to drink blood for health. These self-identified vampires challenge our notions of normalcy, showing that myths can take on new, real-world forms. Browning’s research highlights the complexity of identity and belief in the supernatural in contemporary society.
Conclusion: The Evolution of Vampire Myths
From the lamia of Ancient Greece to the modern-day vampires of New Orleans, the vampire myth continues to evolve, reflecting our deepest fears and fascinations. The legends of the undead, whether in historical accounts or modern interpretations from typically unreliable or unprovable sources, remain a powerful part of our cultural imagination.
For more insight into The Heart of Vampire History or if you want to read up on Vampire Powers and Weaknesses in case you should be so unlucky as to run into one, check out more of our blog posts, and if you love original supernatural entertainment as much as we do, you can Experience the Supernatural Story of Tales From Davidstown right now!
