Father Fouettard
Père Fouettard (from French : fouet = whip, scourge) is a popular figure of St. Nicholas' custom in France . It has its counterpart in Knecht Ruprecht , as well as in Schmutzli or Krampus in Switzerland, in Hans Trapp in Alsace and in Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands . Pére Fouettard is Saint Nicholas' helper, usually dressed in black or brown.
There are several versions of the origin of the figure of Père Fouettard in the Alsace and Lorraine region. On the one hand, Hans von Drodt , a nobleman who terrorized the city of Wissembourg in the Middle Ages , is said to have been the historical model. On the other hand, an incident from the year 1552 is believed to have originated: The inhabitants of the city of Metz , when the city was besieged by Emperor Charles V, are said to have led a doll of the emperor carrying a scourge through the streets of the city and then burned it.
The exact role of Père Fouettard differs slightly depending on the local tradition; Sometimes he is seen as the helper of Saint Nicholas in distributing the presents, but sometimes he appears as the opposite pole who punishes naughty children.