Claude Lecouteux (1943–2025) was a former professor of medieval literature and civilization at the Sorbonne and author of numerous books on medieval and pagan afterlife beliefs, including The Secret History of Poltergeists and Haunted Houses.

• Foreword by Ronald Grambo Acknowledgments Introduction: More Than a Simple Building Part One The House and Its Grounds 1 The House and Its Construction 2 The Building 3 The Openings of the House 4 The House Interior Part Two The House Spirits 5 Domestic Spirits in Antiquity and the Middle Ages 6 The Origin of House Spirits 7 The Manifestations of Household Spirits 8 The Purveyor Spirits 9 Haunted Houses Once Upon a Time . . . Appendix 1 Sayings and Beliefs Appendix 2 The Alf Appendix 3 A Brief Summa Notes Bibliography Index

“Lecouteux provides plenty of historical accounts and stories that exemplify the various beliefs discussed, and his detailed and thoroughly researched writing remains accessible despite the academic tone evident in this translation. Readers with an interest in folklore, superstitions, or fairy tales will find it enlightening, especially regarding the traces of these beliefs that still exist in modern consciousness, either in lingering cultural traditions or from the folk and fairy tales we continue to pass down over generations.”

Claude Lecouteux (1943–2025) was a former professor of medieval literature and civilization at the Sorbonne and author of numerous books on medieval and pagan afterlife beliefs, including The Secret History of Poltergeists and Haunted Houses.

• Foreword by Ronald Grambo Acknowledgments Introduction: More Than a Simple Building Part One The House and Its Grounds 1 The House and Its Construction 2 The Building 3 The Openings of the House 4 The House Interior Part Two The House Spirits 5 Domestic Spirits in Antiquity and the Middle Ages 6 The Origin of House Spirits 7 The Manifestations of Household Spirits 8 The Purveyor Spirits 9 Haunted Houses Once Upon a Time . . . Appendix 1 Sayings and Beliefs Appendix 2 The Alf Appendix 3 A Brief Summa Notes Bibliography Index

“Lecouteux provides plenty of historical accounts and stories that exemplify the various beliefs discussed, and his detailed and thoroughly researched writing remains accessible despite the academic tone evident in this translation. Readers with an interest in folklore, superstitions, or fairy tales will find it enlightening, especially regarding the traces of these beliefs that still exist in modern consciousness, either in lingering cultural traditions or from the folk and fairy tales we continue to pass down over generations.”

Claude Lecouteux (1943–2025) was a former professor of medieval literature and civilization at the Sorbonne and author of numerous books on medieval and pagan afterlife beliefs, including The Secret History of Poltergeists and Haunted Houses.

• Foreword by Ronald Grambo Acknowledgments Introduction: More Than a Simple Building Part One The House and Its Grounds 1 The House and Its Construction 2 The Building 3 The Openings of the House 4 The House Interior Part Two The House Spirits 5 Domestic Spirits in Antiquity and the Middle Ages 6 The Origin of House Spirits 7 The Manifestations of Household Spirits 8 The Purveyor Spirits 9 Haunted Houses Once Upon a Time . . . Appendix 1 Sayings and Beliefs Appendix 2 The Alf Appendix 3 A Brief Summa Notes Bibliography Index

“Lecouteux provides plenty of historical accounts and stories that exemplify the various beliefs discussed, and his detailed and thoroughly researched writing remains accessible despite the academic tone evident in this translation. Readers with an interest in folklore, superstitions, or fairy tales will find it enlightening, especially regarding the traces of these beliefs that still exist in modern consciousness, either in lingering cultural traditions or from the folk and fairy tales we continue to pass down over generations.”