In the middle of the 18th century, waves of violence over flooded the Brabantian kemps and parts of Limburg. Hordes of unscrupulousness bandits sacked churches and set the houses of innocent farmers in blaze. They called themselves “de Bokkerijders” called after mysterious shades that according to medieval myths seated on goats wandered through the dark and nocturnal sky and even penetrate into secluded houses.

The myth tells us that this diabolical army of goatriders found its end in a horrible battle high above the heavens above the abbey of Postel. For 60 years the goatriders terrorised the peasantry.

Their satanic symbol, a goat’s foot filled everyone with shiver and fear

Hear the story of Hugo, Hugo van den Loonse duinen who joined this corrupt band of thieves. A man without any compassion obsessed by an unrestrained greed for money. Hugo the goatrider !

“This house, this cursed house, it’s a living hell. That one cursed evening in the Belgian kemps. The sun stood low and we searched a place to sleep but there was no track of villages. But suddenly in the distance a big building, they abbey of Postel we knew. We got back on the horses and rode towards the abbey. When the sun had disappeared we arrived at the abbey. There was light behind the windows and it was stock-still. No monks singing, no pious muttering. Behind the chapel door plenty of golden chalices and silver candlesticks. With this thought in our minds we battered the door with a ram. No one was there. On the altar the boot was glistering, strangely the candles were lit. My men opened the offertory-box and I emptied the altar. But then suddenly I felt a slender hand touching my shoulder. I looked behind and saw a young woman her eyes filled with fire. All saw her and every sound was hushed. It looked like she floated in her white long dress. For a moment I felt something like fear and she spoke to me: “You, Hugo van de Loonse duinen, you desecrate this house. Search ones own heart and don’t call the anger of God upon you. But I overcame my fear and pushed her away roughly. I called my other men and saw that she disappeared. One day later I arrived at my house and I was greatly shocked to see the woman in the white dress. She was standing on my roof with her arms floating on the waves of the wind. I heard her voice as if it was floating in my head : Nowhere in your own house you nor another place you will find peace now you have desecrated Gods house. Never you will find peace again in your house nor in your heart.