Sawney Beane at the Entrance of His Cave

Alexander "Sawney" Bean(e) was the storied patriarch of a forty-eight member clan in 16th century Scotland brutally executed for the mass murder and cannibalisation of over a thousand people. Image File history File links Sawney_beane. ... Image File history File links Sawney_beane. ... Sandie or Sawney was an English nickname for a Scotsman, now obsolete, and playing much the same linguistic role that Jock does now. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic) Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic and Scots1 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II... This article is about consuming ones own species. ...

The story appears in the Newgate Calendar, a crime catalogue of the notorious Newgate Prison in London. While historians tend to believe that Sawney Bean never existed, his story has passed into legend and is part of the Edinburgh tourism industry. The Newgate Calendar, subtitled The Malefactors Bloody Register, was a popular work of improving literature in the 18th and 19th Centuries. ... Newgate, the old city gate and prison. ... For other uses, see Legendary (disambiguation). ... , Edinburgh (() pronounced ; Scottish Gaelic: ) is the capital of Scotland and its second largest city. ... A tourist boat travels the River Seine in Paris, France Tourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. ...

The legend

According to The Newgate Calendar, Alexander Bean was born in East Lothian during the 16th century.[1] His father was a ditch digger and hedge trimmer, and Bean tried to take up the family trades but quickly realised that he had little taste for honest labour. The Newgate Calendar, subtitled The Malefactors Bloody Register, was a popular work of improving literature in the 18th and 19th Centuries. ... East Lothian (Lodainn an Ear in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. ...

He left home with a vicious woman who apparently shared his inclinations. The couple ended up at a coastal cave in Bannane Head, near Galloway (now South Ayrshire) where they lived undiscovered for some twenty-five years. (The cave was 200 yards deep and during high tide the entrance was blocked by water, and is said to be today's Bennane Cave, located between Girvan and Ballantrae in Ayrshire). Galloway (Scottish Gaelic, Gall-ghaidhealaibh or Gallobha, Lowland Scots Gallowa) today refers to the former counties of Wigtownshire and the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright in southwest Scotland, but has fluctuated greatly in size over history. ... South Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir a Deas in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, covering the southern part of Ayrshire. ... Girvan is a burgh in South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. ... Ballantrae is a community in South Ayrshire, Scotland. ...

Their many children and grandchildren were products of incest and lawlessness. The brood came to include eight sons, six daughters, eighteen grandsons and fourteen granddaughters. Lacking the gumption for honest labour, the clan thrived by laying careful ambushes at night to rob and murder individuals or small groups. The bodies were brought back to the cave where they were dismembered and cannibalised. Leftovers were pickled, and discarded body parts would sometimes wash up on nearby beaches.

The body parts and disappearances did not go unnoticed by the local villagers, but the Beans stayed in the caves by day and took their victims at night. The clan was so secretive that the villagers were not aware of the forty eight murderers living nearby.

In a frenetic quest for justice, the towns people lynched several innocents, and the disappearances continued. Suspicion often fell on local innkeepers since they were the last to see many of the missing people alive.

One fateful night, the Beans ambushed a married couple riding from a fair on one horse, but the man proved a tough opponent, deftly holding off the clan with sword and pistol. Unfortunately, they fatally mauled the wife when she fell to the ground in the conflict. Before they could take the resilient husband, a large group of fairgoers appeared on the trail and the Beans fled.

With the Beans' existence finally revealed to the world, it was not long before King James VI of Scotland (later James I of England) heard of the atrocities and decided to lead a manhunt with a team of four hundred men and several bloodhounds, soon finding the Beans' cave in Bannane Head. The cave was rife with human remains, having been the scene of a thousand plus murders and cannibalistic acts. James VI of Scotland and James I of England and Ireland (Charles James) (19 June 1566–27 March 1625) was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland. ... James Stuart (19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scots as James VI, and King of England and King of Ireland as James I. He ruled in Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567, when he was only one year old. ...

The clan was captured alive and taken in chains to the Tolbooth Jail in Edinburgh, then transferred to Leith or Glasgow where they were promptly executed without trial; the men had their genitalia cut off, hands and feet severed and were allowed to bleed to death, and the women and children, after watching the men die, were burned alive. (This recalls, in essence if not in detail, the punishments of hanging, drawing and quartering decreed for men convicted of treason while women convicted of the same were burned. Presumably—whether or not the story had an actual basis—cannibalism was considered the equivalent of treason.) , Edinburgh (() pronounced ; Scottish Gaelic: ) is the capital of Scotland and its second largest city. ... Seventeenth century print of the execution, by hanging, drawing and quartering, of the members of the Gunpowder plot. ... Traitor redirects here. ...

The town of Girvan, located near the crime scene, has another legend about the cannibal clan. It is said that one of Bean's daughters eventually left the clan and settled in Girvan, where she planted the Hairy Tree. After her family's capture, the daughter's identity was revealed by angry locals who hanged her from the bough of the Hairy Tree. Girvan is a burgh in South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. ... ‹ The template below has been proposed for deletion. ...

Sources and veracity

Whatever the truth may be, Sawney Bean is often considered a mythic figure. The Ayrshire area is known for dark folklore, and the implausibility of four dozen people evading capture for a quarter century has sown the seeds of scepticism amongst many historians. A historian is an individual who studies history and who writes on history. ...

The multitude of disappearances should have led to more expeditious investigation of the area; though mass searches for the missing persons were said to be conducted, it is odd that no one thought to look in the cave earlier on. Moreover, there is a notable lack of written sources; such a long string of atrocities resulting in the involvement of King James VI of Scotland should have generated historical records, but so far none have been uncovered.

A recent article by Sean Thomas expresses significant doubt about the accuracy of the Sawney Bean legend:

"...from broadsheet to broadsheet, the precise dating of Sawney Bean's reign of anthropophagic terror varies wildly: sometimes the atrocities occurred during the reign of James VI, whilst other versions claim the Beans lived centuries before."

This dating could place the murders as far back as the days of Bruce, or even Macbeth. Thomas continues, Newspaper sizes in August 2005. ... James VI and I King of England, Scotland and Ireland James VI of Scotland and I of England (Charles James) (19 June 1566–27 March 1625) was a King who ruled over England, Scotland and Ireland, and was the first Sovereign to reign in the three realms simultaneously. ... Robert I, King of Scots, usually known as Robert the Bruce (July 11, 1274 – June 7, 1329, reigned 1306 – 1329), was, according to a modern biographer (Geoffrey Barrow), a great hero who lived in a minor country. ... For other uses, see Macbeth (disambiguation). ...

"Viewed in this light, it is arguable that the Bean story may have a basis of truth but the precise dating of events has become obscured over the years. Perhaps the dating of the murders was brought forward by the editors and writer of the broadsheets, so as to make the story appear more relevant to the readership ... To add to the intrigue, we do know that cannibalism was not unknown in mediæval Scotland and that Galloway was in mediæval times a very lawless place; perhaps nothing on the scale of the Bean legend took place, but every story grows and is embroidered over time."

Thomas also notes that newspapers and diaries during the era when Sawney Bean was supposedly active make no mention of ongoing disappearances of hundreds of persons.

Moreover, according to nutrition researchers, a group of forty-eight would have consumed far more people than alleged in the Newgate Calendar. In order to survive for some twenty-five years, the Beans would have depopulated the entire southwestern region of Scotland.^{[citation needed]} However, this presumes that the entire diet of the family was cannibalistic, a notion not addressed in the Legend.

The legend of Sawney Bean first appeared in the British chapbooks (rumour magazines of the day), which today leads many to argue that the story was a political propaganda tool to denigrate the Scots after the Jacobite Rebellions. Thomas disagrees by noting, A modern day chapbook. ... Soviet Propaganda Poster during the World War II. The text reads Red Army Fighter, SAVE US! Chinese propaganda poster from during the Cultural Revolution. ... The Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings, rebellions, and wars in the British Isles occurring between 1688 and 1746. ...

"If the Sawney Bean story is to be read as deliberately anti-Scottish, how do we explain the equal emphasis on English criminals in the same publications? Wouldn't such an approach rather blunt the point?" (See also "Sawney" for this theory).

Sandie or Sawney was an English nickname for a Scotsman, now obsolete, and playing much the same linguistic role that Jock does now. ...

Sawney Bean in popular media

The legend of Alexander "Sawney" Bean has been chronicled in various media, including such print sources as

• Historical and Traditional Tales Connected with the South of Scotland by John Nicholson, 1843
• The Legend of Sawney Bean, by Ronald Holmes, London, 1975
• The Flesh Eaters, by L.A. Morse, Warner Books, 1979
• Cannibalism: The Last Taboo, by Brian Marriner London; Arrow, 1992 [2]
• The Galloway Gazette November 28, 1994
• Finding Serenity, Anti-heroes, Lost Shepards and Space Hookers in Joss Whedon's Firefly, edited by Jane Espenson 2004
• The Monarch of the Glen, An American Gods Novella, by Neil Gaiman 2004
• Mick Lewis's novel The Bloody Man also deals with the myth of Sawney Bean, which is also mentioned in the fictional novel Paying the Piper by Sharyn McCrumb. Jack Ketchum's novel Off Season is an update of the Sawney Bean legend, with the cannibalistic clan headquartered in a sea cave on the Maine coast.
• The short stories "She's a Young Thing and Cannot Leave Her Mother" by Harlan Ellison and "They Bite" by Anthony Boucher make reference to the Bean family, as does Neil Gaiman's short story, "The Day I Swapped My Dad For Two Goldfish", in which the titular goldfish are named "Sawney" and "Beaney". The legend also plays a part in Gaiman's 2004 novella, "The Monarch of the Glen" (in his 2006 collection, Fragile Things). The horror story "The New Wing" by F.R. Welsh deals directly with the Bean legacy, with the legendary events said to have occurred during the reign of James I of Scotland.
• Sawney Bean was also mentioned in a BBC radio play called "Vampirella", an adaptation of the short story "The Lady of the House of Love" by feminist author Angela Carter. In this version, Sawney's wife escapes death and finds a job working for the family of vampires in the play. Sawney talks about his life leading up to his death.
• The punk rock band the Real McKenzies recorded a song entitled "Sawney Beane Clan". British neofolk outfit Sol Invictus recorded a song entitled "Sawney Bean".^[1] Musician Snakefinger's "Sawney Bean/Sawney's Death Dance" (from his album, Night of Desirable Objects) tells the tale of the clan and its eventual comeuppance, as does the concept album, Inbreeding the Anthropophagi by American death metal band Deeds of Flesh.
• He was depicted in an edition of "Arcade Comics" published by R. Crumb and others during the 1970s.
• A five-page story written by Paul Kirchner and illustrated by Tom Sutton is part of the comic-anthology "The Big Book of Bad", 1996, Paradox Press, ISBN-1-56389-359-2.

Several low-budget movies have adapted the Sawney Bean story: Year 1843 (MDCCCXLIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 332nd day of the year (333rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar). ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Michael Llewellyn Mick Lewis (born June 29, 1974) is an Australian cricketer. ... Sharyn McCrumb (born Sharyn Elaine Arwood February 26, 1948, Wilmington, North Carolina) is an American writer whose books celebrate the history and folklore of Appalachia. ... Jack Ketchum is the pseudonym for author Dallas Mayr. ... Official language(s) None (English and French de facto) Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Area  Ranked 39th  - Total 33,414 sq mi (86,542 km²)  - Width 210 miles (338 km)  - Length 320 miles (515 km)  - % water 13. ... This article is in need of attention. ... Harlan Jay Ellison (born May 27, 1934) is a prolific American writer of short stories, novellas, essays, and criticism. ... Anthony Boucher (August 21, 1911 - April 29, 1968) [1] was an American science fiction editor and writer of mystery novels and short stories. ... Neil Richard Gaiman () (born November 10, 1960) is an English author of science fiction and fantasy short stories and novels, graphic novels, comics, and films. ... shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A novella is a narrative work of prose fiction somewhat longer than a short story but shorter than a novel. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... James I (December 10, 1394 – February 21, 1437) reigned as King of Scots from April 4, 1406 until February 21, 1437. ... The British Broadcasting Corporation, which is usually known as the BBC, is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world in terms of audience numbers, employing 26,000 staff in the United Kingdom alone and with a budget of more than GB£4 billion. ... Feminism is a social theory and political movement primarily informed and motivated by the experience of women. ... Angela Carter (May 7, 1940 – February 16, 1992) was an English novelist and journalist, known for her post-feminist magical realist and science fiction works. ... Further reading Christopher Frayling - Vampyres: Lord Byron to Count Dracula 1992. ... Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... Image:Stagcrossbones. ... Neofolk is a form of folk music that emerged from European ideals and post-industrial music circles. ... Coin of Emperor Probus, circa 280, with Sol Invictus riding a quadriga, with legend SOLI INVICTO, to the Unconquered Sun. Note how the Emperor (on the left) wears a radiated solar crown, worn also by the god (to the right). ... Album photograph from Night of Desirable Objects Philip Charles Lithman (June 17, 1949 - July 1, 1987), who performed under the stage name Snakefinger, was an British musician, singer and songwriter. ... Night Of Desirable Objects was Snakefingers fourth and final studio album, recorded with the Vestal Virgins and released by Ralph Records in 1987. ... Inbreeding the Anthropophagi is the third album by American death metal band Deeds of Flesh. ... Deeds of Flesh is a death metal band from San Luis Obispo, California which was formed in 1994. ... Robert Crumb (born August 30, 1943 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an artist and illustrator who signs his work R. Crumb. Crumb was a founder of the underground comics movement, and is often regarded as the most prominant figure in that movement. ... Paul Kirchner (born January 29, 1952, in New Haven, CT) is an American writer and illustrator. ... Tom Sutton a. ... Paradox Press is a division of DC Comics. ...

• Wes Craven directed the 1977 movie The Hills Have Eyes, which sets the cannibal clan in modern-day America; a 2006 remake of the film was made by Alexandre Aja and Gregory Levasseur.
• Gary Sherman's Death Line (aka Raw Meat) depicts the Sawney character as a derelict living in the London Underground subway tunnels.
• In 2003 Christian Viel directed Evil Breed: The Legend of Samhain (aka Samhain), a soft-core version of the Sawney legend set in modern-day Ireland.
• 2005 saw the release of an award-winning U.K./Canada co-produced animated short, The True Story of Sawney Beane. [3].
• 2006 saw the release of The Asylum's Hillside Cannibals, with Bean portrayed by Leigh Scott.
• Nicholas David Lean's film Hotel Caledonia [4] is a modern re-telling of the Sawney Bean story.

• There is a Sawney Bean display in the London Dungeon wax museum.
• In the White Wolf role-playing game, Vampire: the Masquerade, the cannibalistic Dunsirn branch of the incestuous Giovanni clan may have originated from the legend of the Beane family.

Wesley Earl Craven (born August 2, 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American film director and writer best known as the creator of many horror films, including the famed Nightmare on Elm Street series featuring the redoubtable Freddy Krueger character. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... The Hills Have Eyes is a 1977 horror film, directed by Wes Craven and starring Michael Berryman. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... Alexandre Aja (b. ... Gary Sherman, born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, started directing short films, commercials, industrials, and documentaries while still an undergraduate at IITs Institute of Design. ... It has been suggested that Raw Meat be merged into this article or section. ... The London Underground is a transit system that serves much of Greater London and some neighbouring areas. ... A rapid transit, underground, subway, tube, elevated, or metro(politan) system is a railway — usually in an urban area — with a high capacity and frequency of service, and grade separation from other traffic. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 2003 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Asylum is an American film studio. ... Leigh Scott (born February 18, 1972 as Leigh Scott Andrew Slawner) is an American film director, writer, producer, actor and cinematographer. ... Front entrance of the London Dungeon. ... A wax figure of Luciano Pavarotti in Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Like the wax museum at the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, most wax museums allow visitors to pose for pictures with the figures. ... White Wolf, Inc. ... This article is about games in which one plays the role of a character. ... Vampire: The Masquerade (Revised Edition) cover. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with John (name). ...

See also

• Christie-Cleek, another legendary cannibal

Christie Cleek (or -Cleek or of-the-Cleek), is a legendary Scottish cannibal, somewhat in the vein of the better-known Sawney Bean. ...

References

External links

• Photos and information
• The Legend of Sawney Bean
• Sawney Bean - A Famous Scottish Cannibal/Mass Murderer
• The Complete Newgate Calendar (Sawney Bean(e))
• Sawney Bean: Scotland's Hannibal Lecter
• The Sawney Beane legend, from post to soc.culture.celtic
• Sawney Bean: Myth or Myth by R.H.J. Urquhart
• The Lords of Darkness
• Debate on the existence of the Hairy Tree in Girvan