The Black Legend of Prince Rupert's Dog: Witchcraft and Propaganda During the English Civil War

by Mark Stoyle

This compelling book from Mark Stoyle sets out to uncover the true history of Boy, the canine companion of Charles I's famous nephew, Prince Rupert. Like his master, Boy was held to possess dark powers and was elevated to celebrity status as a 'dog-witch' during the English Civil War of 1642-46. Many scholars have remarked upon the fantastical rumours which circulated about Prince Rupert and his dog, but no-one has investigated the source of these rumours, or explored how the supernatural element of the prince's public image developed over time. In this book, Mark Stoyle recounts the occult stories which centred upon Prince Rupert and his dog. He shows how those stories grew out of, and contributed to, the changing pattern of witch-belief in England during the Civil War. Shortlisted for the Folklore Society's Katharine Briggs Award 2012.

Genres: History

254 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2011

Reviews

[Peter Dunn]

I am endlessly fascinated by the English Civil War period. I first came across Prince Rupert’s dog in the film in the 1970 film Cromwell starring Richard Harris as Cromwell and Timothy Dalton as Rupert, so it was wonderful to have even that film referenced in this book.
This is a great book - but probably only for the English Civil War obsessive such as I rather than the casual reader.