Tradition: Dutch Mythology
Alternative Names: The Bornes, Bornius Ghost
Category: Ghost
The Myth
Bornes is an evil spirit from Zeeland, said to be the wandering soul of a cruel steward belonging to the Bornius family. After death, his restless spirit continued to roam the countryside around Hulst, bringing an ominous presence to the area. He was sometimes associated with the water, where his malevolent nature made him a feared supernatural being.
Bornes is accompanied by a black dog with flaming eyes, a terrifying companion that follows him as he wanders through the darkness. The sight of the ghost and his fiery-eyed hound was a dreadful omen, warning those who encountered them of the spirit’s sinister nature.
Once every hundred years, Bornes reveals his most terrifying form as he races through the night in a blazing carriage. Surrounded by fire, he rushes across the landscape in a supernatural frenzy, bringing terror to anyone unfortunate enough to witness his passage.
Sources
Van der Veen, Abe. “Van aardmannetje tot zwarte juffer: Een lijst van Nederlandse en Vlaamse elfen en geesten.” Abe de Verteller. https://abedeverteller.nl/van-aardmannetje-tot-zwarte-juffer-een-lijst-van-nederlandse-en-vlaamse-elfen-en-geesten/