Lords and Ladies

12

Herne the Hunter is a spectral hunter of medieval legend, said to originally have been a keeper in Windsor Forest. Herne appears in many stories, varying from Shakespeare (who else) to the fairly recent ITV television series “Robin of Sherwood” (starring Jason “son of” Connery).

When alt.fan.pratchett readers mistakenly assumed that the reference originated from this series, Terry cautioned: “Be careful when reference spotting… Herne the Hunter certainly did turn up in the Robin of Sherwood series and on an album by “Let’s breathe romantically to music” group Clannad, but any passing pagan will tell you he goes back a lot, lot further than that.”

Here is some relevant information condensed from the book The Western Way by John and Caitlin Matthews:

“Herne the Hunter / Cernunnos is God of green and growing things; huntsman, spirit of earth, birth and masculinity. Often pictured seated cross-legged with antlers on his brow, he is […] tutelary deity of many modern witch covens.”