As early as prehistoric times, tales of witchcraft, werewolves, and vampires have been reported. Many of these stories evolved from ethnic superstitions, cultural misunderstandings, and/or religious misinterpretations. However, throughout Medieval Europe several accounts have been bona fide as truth rather than fiction. This is the tale of one story that's said to be valid; it originates from the French countryside.
Jean Grenier alleged Child Werewolf
In 1603, French officials accused and convicted Jean Grenier for being a werewolf. His story unfolded, with his abuse and mistreatment at the hands of his family members.
Distraught and alone, Grenier wandered the French countryside, trying to sustain himself. One day, he was caught trying to abduct a small girl playing along the edge of the forest. Grenier was arrested and questioned. At that time, he confessed to being a werewolf and to killing and cannibalizing more than fourteen children.
Grenier Believed He was a Werewolf
Grenier claimed he transformed into a werewolf after meeting the “lord of the forest.” Grenier said the lord was a large, black imposing figure. Jean encountered the figure one afternoon traveling the deepest portion of the forest.
He said the lord commanded him to disrobe and apply a strange paste to his skin. Finally, the lord covered the nude boy’s shoulder with a wolf’s hide. It's said that Jean believed he immediately distorted into a werewolf.
The Werewolf Begins to Hunt and Kill
After Grenier's alleged transformation, he started targeting area children. He stated he searched throughout the countryside until he identified a vulnerable, unattended victim. Then he hid within the forest’s shadows attacking and killing his victims. Then he moved the children to a remote location and consumed their remains.
In fact, Grenier confessed to the murders of about fourteen or more victims. Area officials confirmed the corresponding disappearances of children in many of these locations.
Grenier’s Trial and Conviction
Jean Grenier’s trial could be likened to a number of modern court cases. His defense attorney cited family mistreatment, environmental pressures, and cultural ignorance. The inquest committee noted that Jean was merely a feral child due to his limited intelligence, physical developmental delays, and cultural incompetence.
In addition, Grenier was excessively hairy, he had claw like fingernails, he slumped at the waist, and it's said that he appeared very unaware during the court proceedings. The judges ruled “He (Grenier) is incapable of rational thought because of a disorganized brain.” The court sentenced the then-fourteen-year-old Grenier to life imprisonment at a nearby cloister. Grenier died about seven years after his confinement.
Grenier’s strange appearance may have been attributed to an enzyme and/or metabolic disorder known as Porphyria. Porphyria sufferers are often delusional, have strange skin discoloration, and in many cases, they are extremely sensitive to light.
Also, an iron deficiency can lead to Pica (a desire to eat odd things such as dirt, hair or skin) could account for Jean's need to consume flesh and blood. Furthermore, a condition known as Lycanthropy resulted in a patient who holds the belief he has the ability to become a wolf or dog. Or perhaps, Jean Grenier was truly a wolf who walked like a man or a man who lived like a wolf.
Sources:
Eisler, Robert (1948). Man Into Wolf - An Anthropological Interpretation of Sadism, Masochism, and Lycanthropy. ASIN B000V6D4PG.
Kenneth Dillinger - For over a decade I have worked in the Mental Health field in a variety of capacities. Currently, I work with adult MH consumers, ...
