The Grisly Story of Peter Stubbe, the Werewolf of Bedburg: A Potential Inspiration for Eggers’ “Werwulf”

by Haley January 24, 2025

Eggers might find inspiration in the accounts of Peter Stubbe, the Werewolf of Bedburg, as described by Gervaase of Tilbury. Although these accounts were published in the late 16th century, well past the 13th century era that Eggers has in mind for his film Werwulf, they contain themes and elements that align with Eggers’ work. Stubbe, a man from Bedburg, Germany, allegedly made a pact with the Devil and received a magical belt that turned him into a wolf-like creature. The pamphlet detailing his crimes, reminiscent of a True Crime podcast, implicated him in numerous murders, including his own son. After confessing to his wicked deeds, Stubbe and his accomplices were brutally tortured and executed. Despite the anachronistic timeline, Eggers’ interest in social dynamics, fear, and horror may lead him to draw from Stubbe’s horrific confession and the ghastly execution for inspiration.

The Grisly Story of Peter Stubbe, the Werewolf of Bedburg: A Potential Inspiration for Eggers’ “Werwulf”

– The story of Peter Stubbe, the Werewolf of Bedburg, published in 1590, contains themes and elements that align with Eggers’ work and may serve as inspiration for Werwulf.
– Stubbe made a deal with the Devil, who gave him a magical belt to transform into a werewolf with great strength and cruelty.
– The pamphlet pinned numerous murders and atrocities on Stubbe, including cannibalism, incest, and encounters with a succubus, leading to his torture and execution in a gruesome manner.

Eggers may very well find inspiration or draw from these accounts, particularly the pseudo-scientific narrative presented by Gervaase of Tilbury, to inform his film Werwulf. However, the vignettes themselves are rather short and may only offer material for a single scene or moment, such as the depiction of a severed wolf’s hand reverting back to a human form, which would surely horrify the audience.

One notable account that Eggers might consider is the story of Peter Stubbe, known as the Werewolf of Bedburg. Although the pamphlet recounting his tale was published in London in 1590, long after the 13th century setting envisioned for Werwulf, it is worth exploring as it is derived from the Germanic werewolf panic that gripped central Europe between the 15th and 17th centuries. This particular account shares many themes and fixations found in Eggers’ previous works, making it possible that he might borrow some ideas from this relatively more recent era of werewolf folklore.

Peter Stubbe, also referred to as Stumpp in other accounts, was a man who resided near the village of Bedburg in what is now modern-day Germany during the 16th century. He became so consumed by evil that he made a deal with the Devil to carry out even more heinous acts. In response, the Devil provided Stubbe with a magical belt that, when worn, would transform him into a ravenous, all-consuming wolf. This wolf form possessed immense strength and ferocity, with fiery eyes that sparkled in the darkness, a gaping mouth filled with sharp and merciless teeth, and a massive, powerful body with mighty paws.

The pamphlet that documented Stubbe’s crimes resembled a 16th century equivalent of a True Crime podcast, attributing countless murders and deaths to him over a span of 25 years. It delved into gruesome details about Stubbe’s wickedness, including his disturbing habit of consuming his victims. After being accused of being a werewolf and subjected to torture, Stubbe supposedly confessed to his vile acts, revealing his appetite for human flesh and even admitting to committing incest with his daughter. He claimed to have engaged in carnal relations with a succubus sent from Hell for his pleasure.

Furthermore, Stubbe confessed to devouring goats, his neighbors’ livestock, women, and more than a dozen children, including his own son, whom he purportedly transformed into a wolf before consuming. On October 31, 1589, he faced execution along with his daughter and mistress. All three were subjected to ghastly forms of torture reminiscent of the flayed man in Game of Thrones, with Stubbe enduring the worst before finally facing his execution. His severed head was placed upon the body of a wolf and displayed on a pole in the town square as a warning against potential future werewolves. It is now widely believed by historians that the real Stubbe was likely a serial killer rather than an actual werewolf.

Once again, it is important to note that Stubbe’s story took place several centuries after the intended setting for Werwulf. However, given Eggers’ fascination with social dynamics, fear of the unknown, and the macabre, it seems plausible that he may draw some inspiration from the gruesome confession and monstrous execution depicted in this account.