Midnight Washerwoman also known as Les Lavandieres is a part of the Celtic lore. They are three old woman who go to the edge of the river during midnight and wash the shroud of those who are about to die. The three old women may be derived from the old Celtic story of the three goddesses of death and slaughter.
The three women have said to turn their back away from their religious belief. They can often be sighted at the isolated part of the river. The description of the vampiric creature depends upon the location. In England, the Washerwoman of the Night appears similar to a ghost while in France, the creature is depicted as a being similar to a skeleton. But in those countries where they are believed to exist, the Midnight Washerwoman is considered as a harbinger of death.
If you are travelling alone at a night and happens to come across to them, you must wring out the laundry. If not, the washerwoman would turn and break your limbs and throw you in the water. Les Lavandieres were also known to capture a victim, in this instance, they will make that captive wash his own burial shroud. Obeying their every commands will ensure your survival but if not these three women will immediately kill you.
These washerwomen are bound to wash the burial shroud of the unbaptized children. They will be relieved from their work once they found someone who is willing to do it for them.
