Once upon a time in the 7th century, in the town of Rouen, there was a terrible dragon known as La Gargouille.
La Gargouille was a most formidable creature with a long neck, great bat wings, and reptilian jaws that sounded like the guillotine when they snapped shut. He made his home in a cave by the River Seine. La Gargouille could breathe fire and water. He often torched the nearby village and caused floods. He also liked to munch on the ships that were so unlucky as to cross his path.
The villagers of Rouen were so terrified by La Gargouille that they would offer him a sacrifice every year. Although La Gargouille, like most dragons, preferred young maidens the frugal towns people usually brought forth a convict.
Enter Saint Romanus, who agreed to get rid of the dragon if all the towns people would be baptized and build a church in his name. The people were willing, so with a cross and the annual convict in tow Saint Romanus set out to defeat La Gargouille.
Using the sign of the cross Saint Romanus was able to conquer the beast. He returned with the convict and the now docile dragon to Rouen. There La Gargouille although tamed, was burned at the stake. Curiously, the head and neck of La Gargouille would not burn seeing as they had been tempered by the dragon's own fiery breath.
Saint Romanus nailed the head and neck of La Gargouille upon his new church, where it became a water spout forever more.
This is where Gargoyles get their name, and why they are commonly seen on churches, throwing water off of the walls; from the once mighty dragon, La Gargouille.
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Medieval Tales of All Sorts
FantasyA bundle of stories from the Middle Ages, ranging from delightful to the horrific. For the fantasy lover, these will invoke the most joyous feelings.
