The Man They Turned Into a Werewolf

In 1589, Peter Stumpp was executed near Bedburg, Germany, accused of murder, sorcery, cannibalism and transforming into a wolf. His story became one of the most infamous werewolf cases in European history. But how much of the legend can actually be trusted? The surviving account of Peter Stumpp — also known as Stubbe Peeter — comes largely from a sensational pamphlet published shortly after his execution. His confession was extracted under torture, the region was divided by the Cologne War, and the story reached readers through religious propaganda, demonology and early modern print culture. This episode examines the Werewolf of Bedburg not simply as a supernatural legend, but as a historical case shaped by violence, religious conflict, torture, political authority and the power of the printed word. Was Peter Stumpp a serial killer hidden behind folklore? Was he blamed for crimes committed during a period of war and instability? Or did torture and propaganda transform a real man into one of Europe's most enduring monsters? We explore: • Peter Stumpp / Stubbe Peeter • The Werewolf of Bedburg • The 1589 Bedburg werewolf trial • The Cologne War • Werewolf beliefs in early modern Europe • Witchcraft and demonology • Torture and forced confessions • The 1590 pamphlet The Damnable Life and Death of One Stubbe Peeter • Religious propaganda and sensational print • The executions of Beele and Katherine Trompin • How historical monsters are created The historical record confirms that Peter Stumpp was executed and became famous across Europe as a supposed werewolf. The supernatural transformation, magical belt and many of the crimes attributed to him cannot be independently verified. History preserved the verdict more clearly than the investigation. Come closer to the fire. Another forgotten record is waiting. Each episode is written, researched, narrated/produced, edited and visually directed for this channel, combining original music, folklore, history and orig