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by John Cawley

The History of Reynard the Fox T old since the beginning of tales, Reynard the fox and his adventures were handed down verbally for centuries, finally appearing in writing in the twelfth century. The stories of Reynard take place in a medieval kingdom ruled and mostly inhabited by animals, though humans also appear. Originally a series of short tales, the epic was fashioned into its most famous form by Johann Wolfgang Goethe in 1794 at the request of a friend who felt the Germanic based tales were that nation's "Odyssey". A darkly comic piece, Reynard's personality and adventures are unique amongst almost all the great characters of literature. He is presented as despicable and a wily survivor at all costs.

Reynard and Martin (an ape of the cloth) drawn by W. Frank Calderon in the late 1800s and used in numerous editions of the story.

Reynard, illustrated by Laura Bannon, as he appeared in Andre Norton's 'Rogue Reynard' (1947).

Not alone, the supporting characters are also depicted as evil, vain, stupid, or merely uncaring. There are large doses of violence, death, deceit, treachery and rape. The tale's morals, "cleverness and deceit will always triumph," are of dubious value. Reynard the Fox - His Tale R eynard, formerly a high ranking member of the King's court, has hit upon hard times. His many enemies and victims try to incite the wrath of the King via charges against the fox. This villainous vulpine's enemies include the powerful Isegrim (wolf), Tybalt (cat) and Bruin (bear). On the side of the fox are Greybeard (badger), Dame Ruckenaw (monkey) and Ermelyne (Reynard's wife). Trying to sort matters out are King Noble (lion) and his Queen (lioness). His enemies have strength and numbers; but Reynard has his wits and his lies. The fox manages to sidestep one charge after another, always fooling the King and Queen with his tales. Finally Isegrim initiates a physical battle that will settle the disputes once and for all.

Reynard becomes Superstar R eynard's ascension to superstar status didn't occur until the middle 1800s when an exhibit from Germany appeared in England. Part of that display were elements of the story (mounted animals in clothing). So intrigued and Reynard-happy did the populace become that Charles Dickens wrote up a special summary of the story for a major magazine. For the next hundred years Reynard's tale popped up in numerous books aimed at children and adults. Even noted science fiction author Andre Norton offered Rogue Reynard in 1947. The Disney studio labored over three decades trying to bring the fox to animation. Walt finally gave up, conceding that Reynard was too much of a villain to be the hero of a Disney movie. As gentler animal tales became more in vogue, Reynard's violent adventures were no longer considered suitable for young readers. Though some writers tried to clean up the tales, most, like Disney, found this villainous vulpine too cruel to be the center of any socially conscious story. For almost half a centry he's been hiding. But hiding is not Reynard's style. He's ready to come back. The world has caught up with him and his vicious ways. Reynard's claim of "Self-interest will always be in vogue," makes him a fox for the Nineties.
Adapted from John Cawley's comic proposal, "Reynard the Fox: The Villainous Vulpine." (c)1991 John Cawley. Originally published in the ConFurence 4 book, January 1993. HTML by Adam Moss.	Reynard resting, illustrated by J. J. Mora in a 1901 U.S. translation of Goethe's poem.