The most famous version of events for this case is that of Montague Summers in his “The Vampire in Europe” but sadly that story – tho` generally accepted, is wrong in terms of date.
Summers places his story in 1730 or 1732. Judging by the details there is little doubt that case is actually much older. Stephen Hubner, the vampire of Treautenau, was a wealthy but generally disliked figure in the community in the year 1567.
The passage on this vampire is so brief that I will quote it entirely:
“About the years 1730-32 occurred the case of Stephen Hubner of Treautenau, who after his death returned and not only attacked individuals but also killed cattle. From the official report it would seam that this vampire strangled them. This case was very shortly taken in hand and by order of the supreme court of the district the body was disinterred. Although five months had passed since the time of burial it was found with all the marks of vampirism. Being taken to the public gallows it was there decapitated by the common executioner. The remains were burned to ashes and scattered to the wind. For precautions sake the bodies of those near Hubner were exhumed and reverently cremated and then once again interred in their original resting place.”
In modern day Czech Republic you can easily find the town of Trutnov – just East of Prague.
As for our vampire, he was a successful and wealthy member of the townsfolk so many claimed that he had made a deal with the devil to get rich and be able to maintain his wealth.
Maybe that is why they were so quick to point the finger at him once the strange phenomena began. There was never any bloodsucking involved, just the strangling.
๑۞๑ Related: ๑۞๑
† Vampire Accounts
† Legends
