The Ancient Trickster Hiding in Plain Sight: Reynard the Fox

[@canislunaticus]

In Norway most tales where there's a fox included, the fox is more often than not referred to as "Mikkel rev" or directly translated "Mikkel Fox" or "Michael Fox" like in the famous tale of The Fantastic Mr. Fox, in Norwegian the tale is called Fantastiske Mikkel Rev (Mister replaced with the name Mikkel (most commonly translated into Michael)

[@karlkarlos3545]

So, no relationship to MichaelJ. Fox?

[@canislunaticus]

@@karlkarlos3545 no

[@5PercentofSanmono]

So many good bits of historical trivia I learned here! Reynard really is the animal Oddyseus insofar as he gets ahead with his cunning. I only wish the video was somewhat less dry, since I feel you don't communicate properly just how funny it is to read Reynard and what a riot he is. It's a comedy book, so let's laugh a little! But it's impossible to cover all angles. As Reynard said, "Whoever always tells the truth will find many obstacles."

[@ButtersOhh]

I really liked his tone, somewhat dubious

[@attichen4749]

Any chance you have a specific book you'd recommend? I've been trying to find the ones referenced here/has all the stories

[@SuperKipArt]

Very interesting video. I am from the Netherlands and here we are still taught about Reynard's fables in school, so I never knew it is such an obscure figure. These fables are so ingrained in the Netherlands that they have even been incorporated in our language, for example: iezegrim means a grumpy person. Also, fun fact: bruin is the Dutch word for brown.

[@purplehaze2358]

I'm pretty sure owls were associated with wisdom for more reasons than just being symbols of Athena. Their huge eyes, spinning heads, and propensity towards roosting high above most other animals and thereby gaining a greater vigil of the world around them could be connected to an omniscient being who sees all and knows all.

[@francegamer]

I've been learning 3d character design for a couple months now, and I think once I get pretty good at that, the skills of environment design and animation I really want to make a kind of animated series. Right now I'm really considering a wild west outlaw version of the classic story. I think it would be an interesting fusion of french and american mythology, akin to how I myself am a fusion of french and american blood.

[@huntercoleman460]

So one of your parents was American and the other was French?

[@francegamer]

@@huntercoleman460 Basically, yeah.

[@huntercoleman460]

@@francegamer How did your parents meet if you don’t mind me asking?

[@francegamer]

@@huntercoleman460 I don't know the exact details, before my time.

[@huntercoleman460]

@@francegamer Do you have dual citizenship with France and the United States?

[@deanroedeo2606]

New subscriber here, love the work, came from your fox and the hound video, going through your back catalogue now.

[@ecocodex4431]

A sly fox.... a dimwitted bear.... a lion who is a king.... the fox is often in disguise... This is just Disney's Robin Hood!

[@purplehaze2358]

I can see why foxes are so popular now.

[@macmurfy2jka]

It’s interesting how acurate {read: less stylized} the portrayals of the fox was in those illuminated manuscripts compared to how much more characterized the other animals are. I wonder if that’s a function of real life foxes better fitting Reynard’s characterization or if it’s due to the fact that the artists actually had more first hand experience with foxes. Or maybe there is more of a cultural thread stitching that portrayal of a fox from Medieval times to now making an unbroken tradition that informs my understanding of a fox, thus making the character in the ancient manuscripts and the one I know practically the same character. This is definitely more so the case than say the bears or lions of the ancient texts. I can definitely see the influence on modern culture. Thanks for the information.

[@arnaudwurm-munoz1325]

Which illustration is the cover of your video please??? :)

[@CardinalWest]

The fox in the foreground is a piece called "Reynard the Fox" by the artist Kenket, though the fiery orange and black background is customized by me.

[@PeterJeens]

book subject sounds akin to 'The Plague Dogs'

[@bogwitchburke]

This guy fox(s)

[@tell-me-a-story-]

But does the story kind of make you think of Disney's "Robin hood"?

[@annifs9411]

I'm German and we still learn about Reynard in school :) And I studied literature, so I happened upon the story again during a 101 lecture. It's a shame we never got to analyse it this in-depth. Nowadays, the character names are popular answers to trivia questions here, as in, "What is an old folkloric name for a fox/wolf/badger?" Fascinating stuff.

[@janana5917]

I am dutch and saw a play of it called den vos Reynaerde

[@padd6007]

Its nice to see a remaster... all those who have not seen this original video get a chance to with this one. Reynard is a brilliant archetype.

[@DraptorRonin]

Dang, Reynard played the Nazi’s like a fiddle BEYOND the pages of his story! Doing as he does in-universe as he does outside.

[@matthewmarek1467]

Deep and informative presentation about a character I had not heard of (before you first covered him). Great to see you dropping the remaster on Reynard!

[@zephyrr108]

" I had not heard of (before you first covered him" Zoomer alert

[@bluedragonfly5145]

@@zephyrr108 oh shut up and let someone enjoy learning.

[@vicbaez]

SO, in the middle ages instead of drawing your opponents as a crying wojak, you drew them as Renyard.

[@thearrivalcyberseignister8898]

The first charismatic lowkey sociopath underdog smart character Thank you for being lelouch's prototype

[@Haydenthemaker1000]

I think if I just watch it another 2 times I'll understand it. Such a well researched and scripted production. I've just been listening and it's been incredible

[@wasneeplus]

Van den vos Reinaerde is standard material in Dutch high school literature classes, so to me it's not exactly obscure. Still, nice to hear someone from another culture give their take on it.

[@thechickenwizard8172]

Is this a re-upload? What happened to the original video?

[@CardinalWest]

Yep - I'm going back through and remastering the audio on a bunch of my older videos now that I have better equipment and software. The original video is unlisted, but you can still find a link in the bottom of the description on this video.

[@aWolffromElsewhere]

It sounds so much improved. Also checked out your Riddles with a Raven story and its awesome! The raven had goddess Nyx energy for sure imo.

[@alalessia]

I'm glad you remade this, I hadn't seen it before. What a fascinating part of history I'd not heard of before! (But I called the Robin Hood thing by disney lol)

[@AdumbroDeus]

I know this may seem like a minor point but Christian Europe absolutely did not develop out of Jewish culture. Rather it developed out of the culture of the Roman empire, and the inclusion of Jewish stories is largely done as a form of subversive appropriation where they were recontextualized either to prefigure values more palatable either to the specific sect or Romans in general, or to lead directly to their chosen Messiah, at least how the Romans would interpret it as leading directly anyway. In fact the elements that were where Christianity most influenced Roman thought tended to be elements that among Jews were broadly unpopular, namely cosmic dualism and asceticism (particularly sexual asceticism). This ends up being really frustrating for Jews because non-Jewish Christians (or people steeped in Christian culture but not practicing Christianity) will tend to project back their assumptions on Jews and Judaism, or worse yet decry modern Jews who don't fit their assumptions as being untrue to Judaism and Jewish culture.

[@gustavnordqvist9695]

Great video. Reynard the fox Is an amazing folklore and my favourite story.

[@akshaypatel518]

Definitely not a furry

[@robertlongmire1441]

"Medieval edgy humor" lol

[@dr.c2195]

I remember seeing this story in old Donald Duck comic magazines. At first I skipped it because I thought it looked boring as it was not a comic, but when I got bored of reading the same comic stories over and over again I decided to try the story anyway. Then I got hooked into the story. The story was spread over multiple magazines and each time I finished one part I searched through my Donald Duck magazines collection to find the next part like I was a drug addict looking for his next high. I think that this story is a true classic worthy of being preserved and retold. However, I disliked the fact that Reynard always gets away with his crimes as that seemed wrong and anti-karmic. The story was a bit too violent for my preferences, as well. I get that that may be the point of the story, but I like justice prevailing. Also, in hindsight, I love how the king is a total baboon with an inflated ego. I bet that back in the day this take on kings was hilarious. Yet I would not be surprised if this turns out to be among the most accurate medieval accounts of kings in general. BTW great video. Really informative and well-presented.

[@callumturner1064]

Lets go!!! Cardinal West dropped a new video... TIME TO PARTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@scroobymovies]

How the Lion, King of all the Beasts, sent out his commandments that all Beasts should come to his feast and court. In the time when the forests are lusty with leaves and flourishing trees, and the ground smells sweet with herbs, and is colourfully flowery, and all fowls and birds sound melodious in their harmony, the crowned King of all the Beasts, the noble lion, would hold an open court at state, and send a commandment that all Beasts should attend, so that he might come to know the news of the land. So, then, all Beasts great and small came to court, except Reynard the Fox. Because he knew himself guilty of many a fault and disport against too many Beasts, he dared not show himself. When the Lion, amid the strew of leaves, had gathered the peers of the realm, there were none of them all in the shadow of the wood but deplored all the mayhem perpetrated by Reynard the Fox-indeed, him.

[@ethanwindham9700]

Could be interesting to see Reynard as a new persona in a new P5 fighting game with tamamo no Mai as well but I don’t know if atlus will make one for who knows how long but we’ll have to wait and find out if they announce it, also if not for fate/grand order’s case could also be an interesting servant to roll for as either a alter ego class or a caster/assassin class but we’ll have also have to wait and find out what’s next after the lostbelts been cleared.

[@CatwithaKnife12]

Very informative and well-made video! I always assumed Renart originally came from the fables of La Fontaine, but clearly his historic presence traced far before that time. Thank you for the lesson!

[@ShadowNinetales]

I read somewhere else that the dog's name is Curtise. 🤨 I guess that's the sort of variation you get when these stories are spread so far and by so many people.

[@wrenmartin6977]

This is probably my favourite video on KZbin, and I realised today that I've never commented. I just love how measured, interesting and accessible all the history is. Thank you so much for making it!

[@iamcat5870]

What exactly do you mean by “predation” with chickens? The mention of r#pe was in the video sooooo did the fox “assault” the chickens or just eat them and I’m looking too deeply into it?

[@VideoMatoran]

The R#p€ I know of is the ones targetting poor Hersent, or Arswind, once by being stuck in the window with her assets exposed, and once being tricked into fishing in the freezing pond, only to get it frozen, making her vulnerable, and forcing Ysegrim to watch. Such is the level of Reynard's disgusting douchebaggery.

[@willarmendariz7663]

This is just Zootopia

[@volpilh]

I want to add (although I am still only 10 minutes into the essay), foxes were also -- at least in the lyric poetry of the trobadors, associated with cowardice, in addition to cunning. My own username, Volpilh, can mean both «foxling»/«little fox», or, as an adjective, «coward» in Occitan, though the latter is barely ever used today, and the root of the word, «volp», has largely been displaced by «renard».

[@caesari3708]

After watching this I wonder if you'd ever do a video on the Coyote. Mostly from Native American Myth, Coyote is a combo of Wolf and Fox with a healthy serving of Humanity somewhere in the middle. He's complex and flawed. He's my favorite mythical figure.

[@Devilicious791]

38:02

[@lupodelupis3672]

There's a great Julian Cope song about Reynard The Fox...he knows all the legends and the ancient stories of the Great Britain.

[@ZGuy0fSci]

Reminds me a bit back to Warframe and Parvos Granum.... "Tell me, friend., What is it you......................... Desire."

[@mistersir3020]

LOL guess why the prime minister was a Rhino x'D Definitely going to read this book

[@TrevorMcNeil-e1y]

Machiavelli was probably being sarcastic too, and not actually giving serious political advice. Rather he was making fun of those who used the tactics and deceptions he describes in his book The Prince, particularly members of the notorious Medici family.

[@risacooper]

I remember our teacher letting us listen to a rap version of the original story 😆

[@ColetteWylde-ju3zx]

Damn missed the poem intro...copyright strike or something knock it down

[@Yarblocosifilitico]

24:30 I love that editorial, and it's probably more aplicable than it has ever been (except that, being so many, most still fail)

[@micaylab1]

What happened to the bigger portion of your Xenofiction videos?

[@888bjxjs888]

This was an excellent video. I grew up reading these stories and love them so much.

[@tell-me-a-story-]

It's just about a terrible person who get's away with everything. I kind of really wanna see him get eaten by the wolf..

[@MrCamp09]

@CardinalWest, this was excellently done. I admire both your in-depth research and presentation, not to mention analysis. I'll definitely use this information to fuel some of my own work. On that note, I loved your opening to Winter Without End and plan to buy a copy. Very interesting story, and your prose spoke to me right away. Well done. Would it be best if I go directly go through the publishing house? I urge you to consider producing more of this kind of content, it's excellent. Please let me know if I can ever be of assistance. I'm a writer, and I also study mythology when I can.

[@CardinalWest]

Oh, sorry, I missed this comment when it was posted, but I really appreciate your support! It does support me and my publisher more when you purchase directly from them, but if that's not as convenient (especially depending on shipping locations), my book is also available on Amazon. I hope you enjoy it!

[@MrCamp09]

@@CardinalWest purchased and reading. Enjoying so far. Would be glad to discuss when finished.

[@CardinalWest]

@@MrCamp09 I'm glad to hear it - feel free to message me on twitter @cardinal_west

[@knightshousegames]

Many years later, the Reynard myth would move to Mexico, and eventually come to America as a professional wrestler His name was Eddie Guerrero

[@rockyfalldownstairs]

The real message of this video is that if you are a good game master that knows his folklore then you will make your big bad a Arcanaloth.

[@sonicroze]

Extremely interesting. I don't know your faith, but I appreciate your historical take on the role of the Church in shaping public opinion and the issues with it that lead to the reformation. I've often wondered at my interest in fiction of all kinds and as a born again Christian of the last two decades, what kind of role does that play? And here I find Reynard as an example of being used in propoganda both for and against the reformation. Thank you for filling in a small piece of history that is yet another part of a larger puzzle. If I do get an opportunity I may wind up buying your book, I looked for it on Amazon and found physical copies for sale. Is there any chance of it ending up on the Kindle store?

[@athenahitchin7738]

I always thought Reinard was Rein as in restrain and -ard wizard

[@Religion0]

In Denmark, the archetypal fox is called "Mikkel" and has been for a while. I don't know when it started, though, but I have never heard of Reynicke.

[@jamesgroccia644]

Reynard: The Original Fantastic Mr. Fox

[@willsword8100]

Ah, Robin Hood connecting point... Neat.

[@buttonmclemming]

Hey. I'm having a problem as the KZbin link at the bottom of the description is not the link to the original version of the video, but rather the Fantastic Mr. Fox video. Can you fix that?

[@CardinalWest]

Good catch - it should be fixed now!

[@beatleowl]

Great video on one of my favorites! Subscribed!

[@AtlasArtAnimation]

Medieval Furry

[@Slinkers.]

Fantastic video! I feel like I meditated and took a literature course at the same time.

[@Barakon]

owo

[@stenh.6243]

Just fox things.

[@attichen4749]

What books did you use for research?

[@CardinalWest]

All books referenced in the video are listed in the end credits, but the primary sources on the Reynard Cycle were: -Reynard the Fox - A New Translation by James Simpson -Of Reynaert the Fox: Text and Facing Translation of the Middle Dutch Beast Epic Van den Vos Reynaerde by Bart Besamusca and André Bouwman -Reynard the Fox: Social Engagement and Cultural Metamorphosis in the Beast Epic from the Middle Ages to the Present by Kenneth Varty et. al. -Reynard the Fox: A Study of the Fox in Medieval English Art by Kenneth Varty -The Roman de Renart: A Guide to Scholarly Work by Kenneth Varty

[@Devilicious791]

10:27

[@Devilicious791]

1:13

[@sergeantpanther678]

Really good compilation of facts in an informative and somewhat romantic way, my only complaint is that I wish you put some reading recommendations in the description. You know some links and stuff to ctrl-c, ctrl-v into a search engine.

[@Croz89]

I've kind of wondered if there's a similar native american mythos around some trickster raccoon.

[@Jack-so5bp]

God what a great video

[@Yarblocosifilitico]

25:27 the meaning remains but apparently the correct translation of that quote would be 'rope' instead of 'camel' (makes way more sense).

[@cmcapps1963]

I've heard that too, from pastors and trivia websites, but unfortunately it seems pure speculation. The Greek words for camel and cable are similar but the earliest manuscripts of Matthew all say "camel". In addition, "easier for an elephant to go through the eye of a needle" was a Persian saying, so that adds weight that a large animal was meant One possibility to make more literal sense of the saying is that "needlec refers to the "needle gate" which was a small pedestrian gate into the city. It was made so small that only only a single person could walk through at a time. To try and shove a camel through it would be a humorous mental image

[@Yarblocosifilitico]

@@cmcapps1963 interesting! I like the needle gate theory, specially since the quote is about entering the realm of heaven, so it makes sense that a gate is involved.

[@Barakon]

Could parrots have had a similar folkloric presence in other cultures? I mean just look at cockatoos & Kia.

[@CardinalWest]

I'm not familiar with their representation in folklore, but it's certainly possible, since trickster animals tend to be members of species known for their intelligence.

[@krankarvolund7771]

The main problem for parrots representations in folklore is that the most well known folklore is european folklore, and there's no parrots in Europe ^^'

[@kevinhile9097]

Well done video! Very informative. Thank you for making it.

[@ammonagger555]

Beautiful

[@gungnir3926]

indoeuropeans were venerating wolves, werewolf is a good thing, all men should strive to be. all men have the wolf inside. it should be mastered not suppressed that is true european wisdom, not weakness from that slavecult from judea.

[@fritoss3437]

😯

[@yashsingh1631]

This story and book was inspired by ancient indian book panchatantra.

[@robgau2501]

People have completely misunderstood what Jesus meant. He didn't mean that one must not have riches to get into heaven. He said the Kingdom of God is all around you and you don't see it. It's inside you. He meant that people who think money is better than anything probably won't do what it takes to find the Kingdom within. This was the original belief about Jesus. Gnosticism. The catholic church created the Bible they wanted and then murdered everyone who said different. They continued this throughout history. Welcome to Christianity.