Bilwis
deity single tradition · 1
Bilwis is a figure attested in various parts of German-speaking Europe starting in the 13th century. According to scholar Leander Petzoldt, the figure seems to stem from a goddess and over time saw many changes, later developing "an elfin, dwarfish aspect and the ability to cripple people or cattle with the shot of an arrow". The Bilwis is exceedingly polymorphous, taking on many appearances and meaning in all German-speaking areas throughout the Middle Ages.
When
- First attested
- 1200 CE
- Attested period
- 1200 – 1500
- Historical notes
- Attested from the 13th century onwards.
Relationships
- syncretized with
- Bil
- served by
- Bilwis-cutter
Mentioned by
Sources
wikipedia (1)
Source passages
“A figure by the name of Bilwis is attested in various parts of German-speaking Europe starting in the 13th century. Scholar Leander Petzoldt writes that the figure seems to stem from the goddess and over time saw many changes, later developing "an elfin, dwarfish aspect”
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