In the myths of different peoples, so-called "sleeping heroes" are often encountered, who supposedly died, but it is imperative to return to this world when certain circumstances arise. Until that time, these heroes, according to the legends, will be in a state of suspended animation, waiting for the moment of their awakening.
1. Holger the Dane
The giant received an enchanted sword from the fairy Morgana
Holger the Dane or Ogier the Dane was a Viking warrior who fought alongside Karl Martell against the Muslims in Poitiers in 732. In the medieval epic, he is considered the son of King Goodfred, an enemy of Charles. However, it is also possible that he was mistaken for the younger brother of the Emperor Carloman, whose territory Charles invaded in 771. Holger is also portrayed as a fighter against the Franks, who invaded Danish territories until the Muslim threat forced Holger to unite with Karl to fight their common enemy.
According to legends, Holger eventually became a vassal of Charles and earned a terrible reputation. The giant (his height was 213 centimeters) allegedly received an enchanted sword from the fairy Morgana, which made him invincible. Danish fairy tales, popularized by Andersen, claim that Holger did not die, but sleeps in the darkness of the basement of the Kronenburg castle (Kronborg). He will sleep until Denmark is in danger.
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2. Charlemagne
Frankish Emperor Charles ruled over most of the Western Roman Empire
The Frankish Emperor Charles was one of the most prominent people in the Middle Ages. He ruled over much of the Western Roman Empire and began a cultural renaissance, effectively lifting Europe out of barbarism. Charles became famous as the protector of Christian Europe during the Muslim invasions. It was believed that he actually started the crusades to Jerusalem in the second half of the 11th century. In the Middle Ages, there were prophecies about the last emperor who would protect Jerusalem from the Antichrist. Most considered this hero of the prophecies of the German emperor Henry IV, but for many people only one person was suitable for this role - the formidable Charles.
The problem was that Karl had been dead for centuries. Therefore, it was widely believed that Karl was not really dead, but was sleeping and awakening one day to complete his unfinished business of “destroying the infidels,” followed by an Age of peace and prosperity that would last until the end of time. Some believe that Karl is asleep in his tomb in Aachen. Others claim that he rests in a deep well at Nuremberg Castle.
3. Saint John the Evangelist
John the Theologian ascended to heaven alive, like Enoch and Elijah
John is considered to be the longest living of the twelve apostles of Christ. Legends say that he was not hurt when he was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. He wrote the book of Revelation while imprisoned on the island of Patmos during the reign of the emperor Domitian (95-96 AD), and the chapters of the Gospel, which he wrote in Ephesus (Asia Minor), also belong to him.
John is believed to have died in Ephesus at the end of the first century AD at the age of about 100 years. However, it is believed that John did not actually die, but ascended to heaven alive, like Enoch and Elijah. There were also those who claimed that he was just sleeping in his grave in anticipation of the second coming.
4. King of Bohemia Vaclav
Vaclav ruled Bohemia in the 10th century
Surely many people have heard the popular Christmas carol about the "Good King Wenceslas", but not everyone knows that this was a real historical figure. Wenceslas ruled Bohemia in the 10th century and the Czechs venerate him as the founder of the state. Wenceslas was known for his education and Christian piety. Legend has it that Wenceslas did not die, but actually sleeps with an army of knights deep inside Mount Blahnik. When the Czech people are in grave danger, the equestrian statue of Wenceslas in Prague will revive and awaken the sleeping knights in Blanik.
5. Emperor Frederick Barbarossa
Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa
The Holy Roman Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa is one of the most prominent medieval monarchs. During the Third Crusade, Frederick and many of his knights drowned in the river. Legend has it that the troops mourning his death saw the ghost of a crucifixion monk who said, “Why are you crying for a lost leader? He's not dead. He returned with the knights to his homeland and will rest in the Keithhauser mountains in the great hall of the immortals. He will sleep there until the eagles stop flying around the mountain peaks. He will lie there until the time comes for heroic deeds."
6. Emperor Frederick II
The emperor showed interest in science, poetry and mathematics and communicated with Jewish and Muslim sages
After the death of Frederick Barbarossa, prophecies regarding the last emperor focused on his grandson Frederick II, who was raised in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Sicily. His upbringing led to the fact that he became a man whose ideas were far ahead of their time, in fact, he was a real representative of the Renaissance before the Renaissance. The emperor took an interest in science, poetry and mathematics and communicated with Jewish and Muslim sages.
Since Frederick's original ideas bordered on heresy (he allegedly once stated that Moses, Jesus and Muhammad were charlatans), the emperor was excommunicated. The death of the emperor in 1250 caused horror among the Germans, who believed that he was the Messiah. It was rumored that Frederick had simply retired to make the pilgrimage. Another story says that the emperor simply fell asleep and would one day wake up to lead the reborn Empire.
7. Emperor John III Vatats
The wealth of the king belongs to his subjects
When Constantinople fell to the onslaught of the crusaders in 1204, John Vatatz fled to Nicaea, where he became emperor in 1222. He went down in history thanks to his gentleness and humility. He defended the poor and the oppressed and rebuked his son for spending too much money on his wardrobe, saying: "The king's wealth belongs to his subjects." Although John wanted to free Constantinople, and the Greeks had pinned all their hopes on him, life decided differently.
In 1254, John died without recapturing the Byzantine capital. He was buried in the monastery of Sosandra, which he built himself before his death. Seven years later, John appeared in a vision to the monks, stating that he wanted his body to be transferred to Magnesia. When John's tomb was opened, the sweet scent of flowers was in the air, and the emperor's body sat on the throne without the slightest sign of decay. Even his clothes were in perfect condition.
It seemed as if John was just sleeping. Immediately, legends and prophecies appeared, claiming that John would one day awaken and complete his mission to free Constantinople. When the Turks attacked Magnesia, the night watchman claimed to have seen the emperor, dressed in his royal robes, patrolling the castle walls. Today, the Orthodox Elder Ephraim claims that John has finally awakened and wanders incognito through the streets of Istanbul.
8. King Matthias Corvin
Dracula's best friend
Matthias Corvin, who was Dracula's best friend, led Hungary from its former feudal chaos to a flourishing power in the 15th century. Many of Vlad Tepes's tales of cruelty actually originated from Matthias. He was not only a formidable warrior, but also an intellectual who advocated the need for learning, and also engaged in scientific research himself. The library he built could rival even the Vatican. It was a real tragedy for Hungary when everything that Matthias once built, including the magnificent library, did not survive the attack of the Ottoman Empire.
The legend tells that Matthias was very unhappy that God did not fulfill his promises. As punishment, God imprisoned the king and his soldiers in the mountain, where they sleep to this day. In another version of the legend, Matthias suffered huge losses in the battle with the Austrians and retreated with the remnants of the army to Mount Peca. There he took refuge in a cave, where he was finally able to sleep. But he did not know that the entrance to the cave was closed, after which the king was accidentally awakened by travelers much later. When the king went to bed again, and the people who found him left the cave, it turned out that 300 years had passed, and not several hours.
9. Constantine XI Palaeologus
An angel saved Constantine from the Ottomans by turning the emperor into marble
When Constantine XI ascended the Byzantine throne in 1449, he probably already felt that he would become the last Christian emperor. The remnants of the Roman Empire were surrounded on all sides by the Ottomans, and its territory was practically limited by Constantinople and its immediate environs. When in the spring of 1453, after 55 days of siege, Sultan Mehmed II launched the final decisive assault on the city, Constantine called on his troops to fight to the death. After removing his purple cloak and imperial regalia, he joined the city's defenders.
When the Turks broke into the city and massacred most of the population, no one knew what happened to Constantine. Some say that he managed to escape in a ship, but that would have been nearly impossible. The uncertain fate of Constantine gave rise to legends that an angel saved him from the Ottomans by turning the emperor into marble and hiding him in a secret room or cave under the city walls. Allegedly, "when the time comes, the" marble king "will rise and recapture Constantinople."
10. Sir Francis Drake
A pirate for the Spanish, a hero for the British
For the Spanish, Francis Drake was a pirate. For England, he was a hero. Drake was the first Englishman to sail virtually the entire world. It was he who helped defeat the Spanish Armada in 1588. Throughout his life, Drake was a thorn in the Spanish eye, attacking Spanish outposts and plundering galleons laden with treasures. In 1596 the gallant sailor fell ill with dysentery and died. He was buried at sea in a lead coffin near Portobelo, Panama. Drake's reputation as England's protector did not end with his death.
Apparently delirious in the last minutes of his life, Drake ordered the snare drum, which he always took with him on travels, to be returned to England. Drake promised that whenever England was in danger, that drum could be hit to wake him up and defend his country again. In accordance with his wishes, the drum was brought to Buckland Abbey in Plymouth, Devon. Since then, the drumming has been heard several times during sea battles, and there were thousands of witnesses.
