Medieval Monsters: The Unicorn (MM 1)

Starting a new series on medieval monsters and animals from bestiaries of the time.

The medieval unicorn is a far different beast than  the commonly understood fantasy unicorn of popular culture. Described as a small goat-like or horse-like animal, but always with cloven hooves, its distinguishing characteristic is a single spiraling horn on its forehead.

The unicorn is a ferocious beast, hard to hunt, cunning, and aggressive. The standard method of hunting them, according to the myths, was to lure them out, and into a false sense of security, by using a young maiden as bait. This should be understood to be a property of young maidens, rather than a specific weakness of the unicorn, as it worked on many other creatures. The unicorn would approach the maiden, (who usually was unaware that the hunters intended to kill it) and lay its head in her lap. The hunters would then strike. It was considered impossible to take one alive.

The horn of the unicorn was greatly prized, and thought to make anyone who drank from it as a cup immune to poison. It also might negate poisons if powdered and put in a drink. It was sometimes seen as a remedy for diseases and illness as well.

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