Spring-heeled Jack: The Devil of Britain

During the Victorian Era, Europe was moving away from superstition and working toward a more methodical understanding of the world. This was a time of scientific inquiry, but the older traditions of superstitious belief, adherence to folk-traditions, and concern for demons and witchcraft had not yet died out. One of the most widespread and culturally significant phenomena which emphasizes the lingering spiritual preoccupation of the time is that of Spring-heeled Jack, sometimes called Springy Jack.

As is the case with most beings from folklore and mythology, the descriptions of Spring-heeled Jack vary quite a bit, but it was always reported that he jumped or leapt to inhuman heights and distances, which is what lead to his name. He would be seen jumping from rooftop to rooftop, springing over tall hedges, or among treetops or other tall parts of the landscape. Physical descriptions, while often very different, tended to agree that he had a prominent goatee, brightly glowing or flashing eyes, and pointed ears and horns. These characteristics are reminiscent of common descriptions of humanoid demons and depictions of the devil. His image was popular within the Penny Dreadful magazines that were circulating at the time.

Some of the more interesting but less common characteristics mentioned among those who claimed to have seen Spring-heeled Jack are…