Houles fairies
Houles fairies are coastal spirits specific to the Channel coast of Upper Brittany and the Channel Islands, living in coastal caves and caverns called houles. Reputed to be magnificent, immortal and very powerful, they are sensitive to salt and live in communities where they do their own laundry, bake bread, and tend flocks. They come to the aid of humans by providing food and enchanted objects, but become angry if disrespected or if anyone acquires the power to see their disguises without consent.
When
- First attested
- 1800 CE
- Attested period
- 1800 – 1900
- Historical notes
- Belief waned considerably in the 19th century under Christian and educational influence; considered semi-divinities probably worshipped locally by Upper Bretons.
Relationships
- consort of
- male fairies, fetauds
- co occurs with
- Korrigan, Fairy Queen
- served by
- Fions
- has aspect
- la Truitonne, la Merlitonne, Gladieuse, Fleur du rocher, fairies of the Grouin houle
- syncretized with
- Lamia
Mentioned by
Sources
Source passages
“The houles fairies of Cap Fréhel washed their clothes at the Gaulehen pond, in the middle of the arid moor. They spread their linen, the whitest you'd ever see, over the surrounding lawns. Anyone who could get there without batting an eyelid would be allowed to take them”
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