On the Wild Hunt in the Northern Alps (part.1)
In Haute-Savoie, the wild hunt, in its most explicit forms, with the terms hunt, hunter, high hunt is attested; it passes with its dogs and brings a "bloody leg" that leaves an indelible stain [in the minds.] Following the Jura mountains further north, we find it defined as "the nocturnal race of sorcerers and witches on their broomsticks in the air".
In the city of Chamonix, it is known under the name of the "Band of the Green Count": it is formed of headless riders, mounted on headless horses. A little further, this "Company of the Green Count" which will also be renamed "Contreverse" (which comes from the Latin "contra", against and "versum" turned), is a procession of spirits that throws terror during winter nights.
Again, a little further on, packs of "dogs" are very common ; we speak of "Dogs of Bad Weather", whose howls can be heard moving at a crazy speed between the cliffs of the mountains. (...) Ch. Guillon describes the "flying hunt" that passes : "some say Christmas Eve, others say the eve of the Kings" […] like a waterspout in the icy air, with furious curses, barking of mad dogs, galloping of distraught horses. Who leads this hunt? In our country we think that it is the ancient King Herod, in expiation of the massacre of the innocents, […] and God forbid you ever cross his path, because he howls like a damned man and his dogs would jump on your neck."
[1. Extract translated and arranged by me of an article in Persée : "Le Roi Hérode, chasseur sauvage en Savoie et Dauphiné" Christian Abry  Alice Joisten. 2. The Nazguls, LOTR,2001.]
