Mallt-y-Nos
In
Celtic mythology, the
Mallt-y-Nos (
Matilda of the Night), is a crone who rides with
Arawn and the hounds of the
Wild Hunt, chasing damned souls to
Annwn. The Mallt-y-Nos drives the hounds onward with shrieks and wails, which some say are evil and malicious in nature. Others say that she was once a beautiful but impious Norman noblewoman who loved hunting so much that she said, "If there is no hunting in heaven, I would rather not go!" She is said to have regretted making this wish, and now cries out in misery rather than joy as she hunts forever in the night sky.