Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Demons and devils (assorted)

Rev. W. W. Skeat has much to say about devils, reminding us: "...we must remember that it was a common belief that a dying man saw devils all around him, seeking to terrify him, and make him despair....In old woodcuts, it is not uncommon to see representations of devils gathering round the bed of a dying man..." (p.119).
Here are the order of devils from Le Dragon rouge (Avignon, 1522):
Lucifer - empereur
Belzebut - prince
Astarot - grand duke
Lucifugé - prem. minister
Satanachia - grand général
Agaliarept - aussi général
Fleurety - lieutenant général
Sargatanas - brigadier
Nebiros - mar. de camp