Zalabesenyő: Ants vs Landlord (Small Town Legends A to Z)

This year my A to Z theme is Small Town Legends. I am exploring folklore from villages and small towns in and around Hungary, bringing you the most entertaining bits. You can plan your next visit around them!

This story was recorded, among other versions, in Zalabesenyő, which has been a suburb of Zalaegerszeg since the 1950s.

The legend says that the local baron (one of the members of the influential Inkey family in Zala County) committed the grave sin of cutting down fruit trees on the day of Annunciation (March 25th) - or, alternately, cutting down fruit trees that had been planted on the day of Annunciation. In Hungarian, this feast is called the day of the Fruit-Grafting Blessed Woman, referring to the Virgin Mary but also possibly to older pagan traditions.

The divine punishment came soon after. From among the roots of the cut down trees droves of ants rushed forth and attacked the baron, until he died on the spot from their bites. Even when he was put in a glass coffin for burial, the ants still found their way inside and swarmed over him until only his bones were left.

I know I know, not a very cheerful note to end on.

But hey! This is the last year of this year's A to Z!

Congratulations to everyone, and I'll see you all on Reflections day next Monday! :)