The Myth

The Bosch is a supernatural creature believed to arise from theft committed aboard a ship. It has no fixed appearance and may take different forms depending on the nature of the crime that created it. Once born, it hides in the bow of the vessel and brings persistent misfortune to the crew.

A Bosch may survive for several months or even several years before gradually weakening and disappearing. While it remains aboard, the ship’s nets stay empty, favorable winds fail to appear, and misfortune continually afflicts the sailors.

In the Audierne region, maritime theft was paradoxically regarded as a source of good luck for the thief, because the Bosch created by the theft would remain behind on the ship. Elsewhere in Finistère, however, such supernatural consequences were regarded as a serious danger. Evil spirits could arise from acts of greed and wrongdoing aboard ships, making it necessary to fumigate a vessel before putting out to sea. The spirits were believed capable of becoming small enough to hide inside a thimble, so smoke had to reach every part of the ship.

There were two known ways to rid a vessel of a Bosch.

The first was to transfer it to another ship. The captain would identify a fortunate vessel whose crew enjoyed plentiful catches and good fortune. During the night, he would secretly board it and steal a small object, usually a pair of oarlocks. The Bosch would then leave its original ship and attach itself to the newly afflicted vessel.

The second method was to drive the creature into the sea. The captain would secretly steal some hay and hide it aboard the ship. At night, the hay would be set on fire near the mizzenmast while the captain shouted that there was a devil aboard.

The sailors, startled by the alarm, would seize whatever they could find and begin striking wildly around the vessel, beating every corner in an attempt to drive the supposed demon out. Faced with the smoke, flames, and blows, the Bosch would eventually flee into the sea, freeing the ship from its curse.

Tradition / Region: Breton Mythology, French Mythology
Alternative names: Mourioche
Category: Horse, Demon

The Myth

The Murioshe is a harmful demon of Breton folklore that can apparently transform into almost any animal. It has long been feared along the coast of the Côtes-d’Armor and around Jugon-le-Lac. Although it can assume many forms, it most commonly appears as a water horse or as a werewolf. It may also take the shape of a donkey, bull, pig, ox, sheep, or even a pair of human arms.

The Murioshe hunts at night, stalking lonely travelers. It sometimes appears as a horse standing quietly beside the road, waiting for someone to ride it. Once mounted, the victim finds the creature’s spine stretching beneath the saddle while it gallops into a lake, laughing as it drowns its rider. At other times it seizes travelers with its muscular arms and throws them into muddy ditches, or leaps onto a person’s back and forces them to carry it until they collapse from exhaustion.

One tale tells of a farmer from Saint-Cast who repeatedly found livestock missing from his barn. Each morning he discovered that a different animal had vanished, only to find another species in its place. After realizing all of his animals had been slaughtered, he armed himself with a shotgun, but the Murioshe destroyed his barn and kidnapped his three children, who were never seen again. Despite its cruelty, the creature left behind a gold necklace.

People believed the Murioshe could sometimes be driven away through cleverness rather than force. One story tells of a rider who escaped after threatening to cut off the ears of the werewolf-like horse with scissors.

The Murioshe was also used to frighten misbehaving children. Parents warned them, “If you don’t listen, a Murioshe will come for you!”

The creature’s true origin is uncertain. Some traditions claim it was once a Breton man or woman who practiced dark arts and sold their soul to the Devil. Others identify it as the Devil himself, while some describe it simply as a werewolf unable to control its transformations. Another tradition recorded by Pierre Dubois says that the Murioshe was once the court jester of the underwater king before being exiled for bad behavior.

Sources

Bestiary.us. (n.d.). Murioshe. In New Bestiary: Encyclopedia of Imaginary Beings. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://www.bestiary.us/murioshe