"According to the advertisement made to the sovereign Court of Parliament at Dole, that, in the territories of Espagny, Salvange, Courchapon, and the neighbouring villages, has often been seen and met, for some time past, a were-wolf, who, it is said, has already seized and carried off several little children, so that they have not been seen since, and since he has attacked and done injury in the country to some horsemen, who kept him of only with great difficulty and danger to their persons: the said Court, desiring to prevent any greater danger, has permitted, and does permit, those who are abiding or dwelling in the said places and others, notwithstanding all edicts concerning the chase, to assemble with pikes, halberts, arquebuses, and sticks, to chase and to pursue the said were-wolf in every place where they may find or seize him; to tie and to kill, without incurring any pains or penalties. . . . Given at the meeting of the said Court, on the thirteenth day of the month September, 1573."
This rather extreme call-to-arms was in response to a certain hermit, Gilles Garnier, who had been killing and eating local children. Rumours suggested he had done this many times, and villagers claimed he often preferred to walk on all fours. After the above authorisation was made, he was caught quite literally red-handed after making another kill. When put on trial, Gilles claimed that he had been given an ointment by a man in the forest (classic defence), and this gave him the form of a wolf. He said this was essential, as the new powers made hunting easier and therefore he could feed himself and his wife. Gilles clearly believed he had been a wolf throughout the killings, and detailed many children whom he had devoured in this way. He admitted every charge against him, was found guilty ofthe rare charge of 'lycanthropy' (basically being a werewolf) and burnt to death. 
