Elf-Rib
As we know, after the Christianization of Europe, the church tried to adapt pagan customs by adding a Christian element to it like Christmas. The church also attempted to demonize habits, beliefs and people by creating a terrifying story per example the Solse Gat, once a place of worship to Sunna, now a demonic place where witches gather to meet the devil. One of such scary stories is the story of Elf-Rib.
In appearance the Elf-Rib is a water demon who shows himself as a dog roaming outside around wells, trenches and ditches in Noord-Holland, the Netherlands. It is said that you can hear him bark in the middle of the night and any child near his location, will be taken away by the Elf-Rib never to be seen again.
This story is clearly an attempt to teach children not to stay outside after dark. Mothers tell their children that the Elf-Rib might come if the kids aren't back inside their homes on time. Many urban legends and fairy tales that we know today are old folk stories trying to teach children certain lessons but who is the Elf-Rib exactly?
It is believed that the Elf-Rib is actually the spirit of king Radboud, the last pagan king of Frisia/the Netherlands. Radboud is famous for refusing to be baptized proclaiming that he would rather go to hell with his ancestors. The church would have been furious if this incident actually happened.
While Frisia converted to Christianity shortly after Radboud's reign, it would have been in the church's interest to villify Radboud. It might help to convert the Frisians more quickly thus the story of the demonic spirit of Radboud, Elf-Rib, was born. Instead of honouring Radboud as the last true pagan ruler of the Netherlands, people now feared his spirit, afraid that it would take away their children like an ordinary boogeyman.
In some parts of Noord-Holland, children are still being warned for the malicious Elf-Rib demon until this day.
Here are photos of: Portrayal of the Elf-Rib made by Isaac Vincentsz in 1730, Modern day portrayel of the Elf-Rib by an unknown artist, Portrayal of king Radboud,