„This window looks like one to stand behind and sing to be either be rescued by the love of your life or executed“, my witch giggles into my ears as I observe the window in the red castle wall, with the small squares reflecting the blue sky, and I have to agree.
The window belongs to the castle of Rheydt, a pretty and small place in the very unimportant town of Mönchengladbach (good pronouncing that to everyone!). It is the only Renaissance castle that is intact in this area. Although important for the medieval world, the other ones around here did not survive the past 400 years.
„They say the castle is haunted“, I tell my witch, and she rolls her eyes, almost as if having her on my shoulder is supposed to be enough for me.
„The last descendant of the family who lived and reigned here until the end of the 17th century is believed to never have left“, she lets me continue.
„Wait, isn‘t that the horny priest´“, she asks.
What do else do you have a witch with you for, right?
And she is not wrong. Carl Kasper von Bylandt was a priest who at some point in his life requested to be relieved from his duty and from celibacy. Only to father a child and safe his line, of course.
He was not granted that, in the end. And he was not even the first one in his family line who was denied such a request.
„During one last song in your darkest hour you can be haunted by a horny priest who has some business to do“, my witch giggles again and I slowly nod.
What would life be without a little yearning!
Mistress witch writes 