05/20/2026
Yesterday, we commemorated St. Dunstan, a 10th century Archbishop of Canterbury.
He was a skilled thinker, artisan, and politician. But in legends, St. Dunstan is full of magic.
The Devil is constantly after him, in these stories. But Dunstan always shows him up, leaving The Devil a victim of silly tricks and pratfalls. It's easy to be reminded of Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd.
One day, St. Dunstan was busy working in his metal shop when the Devil approached, disguised as a beautiful woman to distract him from his holy labors. But Dunstan was too quick for him. Noticing cloven hooves poking out from under the dress, he spun around and grabbed the Devil by the nose with his searing hot tongs, forcing him to yelp in defeat and flee for another day.
The illustration here was made by the American illustrator Wallace Tripp, accompanying a popular children's rhyme about the adventure.