In ancient times across northern Europe the brown bear wandered freely; revered and feared in equal measure. Their ability to stand on rear legs, their hair-like coat and expressive faces led many to believe they could be mistaken for a man. In fact, from this belief were borne tales of bears seducing maidens, luring them to their lairs and illicit unions conceiving half-bear, half-human offspring: creatures that were neither man nor beast. So concerned was the medieval church by the bears dual status as both a powerful sexy king of beasts, and conversely a terrifying demon,that they went to enormous lengths to alter the public perception of this most majestic of animals. Throughout Europe brown bears were captured and made to 'dance', dressed up as fools, and made into objects of ridicule. So successful was this reversal of perception that people began to see the bear as a clown, a jester, a creature deserving of derision and scorn.