The Headless Horseman
While most of us immediately think of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving, the lore on creatures like this dates back centuries.
In Irish folklore, it’s called the “dullahan” or “dulachán”, which means dark man. It usually is depicted riding a horse and carrying its head beneath its arm. It is believed to be a dark fairy or fae. Some versions say it is the spirit of the Celtic God Crom Dubh who wields a whip made from a human spine. When the rider stops can calls out a name and that person dies instantly.
A similar figure is called the “gan ceann” (meaning without a head) and it is the headless driver of a black carriage called “the cóiste bodhar” which means death coach or silent coach. This version is found in Britain and the United States as well. In Scotland, it is seen on the Royal Mile of Edinburgh where it collects the souls of the dead.
In Welsh folklore, there are stories of headless horsemen and woeman. The “Fenyw heb an pen” (the headless woman) who rides “Ceffyl heb un pen” or horse without a head. Bryn Hall in Llanymawddwy is said to have been haunted by a headless horseman and only stoppy when one of the servants there discovered it was trying to give them a message and it led to the discovery of a body buried on the grounds. The body was allegedly the illegitimate child of Lord Bryn.
In German folklore, mostly in Rhineland, the headless horseman kills its victims by touching them. They were believed to be revenants that were cursed to walk the earth until they atoned for their sins. Sometimes they would do good deeds for strangers but would not shake their hands, instead they would grab a tree branch that would whither and die. Another version is “Der Kopfloser Reiter” (the headless horsemen) who warns the living of danger and would chase down the wicked to punish them.
In England, there is said to be a headless rider that haunts the area around Dartmoor. In Arthurian legends, the Green Knight was beheaded by Sir Gawain, but did not die. He retrieved his head and left after reminding Gawain to meet him at the Green Chapel in a year to complete the challenge.
In American folklore, there is a figure in southern Texas called “El Muerto.” Stories of El Muerto have been circulated since the mid 1800s. Allegedly, he carries his head dangling from his saddle and his horse produces lighting from its hooves as they strike the ground. This is believed to be based on another legend where a horse thief was captured and beheaded. His corpse was tied to a wild horse and sent running.
Varies books, movies and television shows have used the headless horseman theme as well, including an episode of “Kolchak: the Nightstalker” called Chopper where a headless motorcycle rider sought revenge for his killing.
The Nightmare Hunters 