One feature of the 'Beast of Gévaudan', was it's preference for girls and women, most of whom it fataly attacked, men seemed more likely to survive it's attentions. Above: Published in November 1764. It reads, “A picture of the fierce and extraordinary beast that eats girls.”
As the death toll rose in the autumn of 1764, officials and aristocrats had to take action. A great number of volunteers over 30,000 men were raised to action. Poisoned bait was left and some soldiers were even dressed as peasant women in hopes of attracting the beast.
The press also created popular stories out of the women and children who survived attacks by defending themselves, emphasising the virtue of those who survived or outwitted its attacks.
This real French horror story, real fairy tale must have fed into the psyche of the European population as the stories of devourment continued for over two years. When the Grimm brothers published their tome of fables in 1812, Little Red Riding Hood must have struck a chord particularly in France, but also across the world as it was so relatable to with the events of Gévaudan.
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