Black Shuck by Regi

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Tales of phantom hounds abound in the folklore of the British Isles. The origins of these supernatural beasts are shrouded in mystery. The common names of these ghostly animals vary according to locality. `Old Shuck`(Norfolk), `Old shock`(Suffolk), `yeth`(Devon) `Pooka` (Ireland), `Barguest`(Yorkshire) to name but a few.

 

The true origins of the Hell Hounds has since been lost in the mists of time but the stories probably originated from the Viking raiders hound of their god Odin and the Celtic legends of Arawn whose hounds of hell searched for human souls.

There are many tales of a phantom hound in the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

 

Known locally as black shuck in Cambridge, its favorite haunts where said to be along the banks of the river Ouse and amongst the flat landscape of the fens. Other local names have been galley trot, old snarleyow, or old scarfe.

 

There are not many recent reports of sightings of the creature but there is an interesting parallel to the recent big cat sightings. The creatures where said to normally be black, the size of a very large dog or as big as a small calf. They were reported as having large saucer shaped eyes of red or yellow. In some instances they have been reported as being headless or having just one large Cyclops type eye. To see or even hear the phantom hound was a foreboding of misfortune, madness or death.

 

It is reported that the late Conan Doyle based his story, the hound of the Baskervilles after hearing accounts of the Cromer black shuck legends.

 

There is little evidence of Black Shuck causing anyone any direct psychical damage on contact but there is an intriguing account of an attack back in 1577 in the parish of Bungay, Suffolk, the parishioners were at church when it is said a violent storm broke out. The sky darkened and the church is said to have quaked when from out of no where appeared black shuck in the midst of the congregation. It ran through the church causing fear and panic among the parishioners. Two people kneeling in prayer at the time were killed instantly as the dog passed between them. A third man is said to have shriveled up severely burned. Several miles away at around the same time in Blythburgh another black dog reputedly appeared in the church and struck three people dead and left scorch marks on the church door.

 

Black Shuck - Norfolks Hell Hound

An Old Norfolk Saying... "And a dreadful thing from the cliff did spring, And its wild bark thrill'd around, His eyes had the glow of the fires below, Twas the form of the Spectre Hound"

There are so many myths, tales, legends and sighting's of this fearsome apparition that it is hard to know where to begin. Black Shuck is said to be one of the oldest phantoms of Great Britain, with the name deriving from the Anglo-Saxon word 'scucca' meaning demon or devil.

Other historians say that the hound has its origins in Norse mythology based on the huge dog of war of Odin and Thor 'Shukir' who came over to Britain thousands of years ago along with the Vikings long-ships.For Norfolk or Suffolk Villages - Click the Location Link.

Local legend tells of a huge hound, the size of a small calf with blazing eyes, who regularly prowls the coastal path between Sheringham and Overstrand.

Unsuspecting night walkers will first become aware of the pad pad sound of the hounds heavy paws.

Out of the corner of their eye they may see a gathering darkness, which slowly forms into the outline of a huge hound.

Lurking in the night shadows the beast is said to track the steps of its victim, drawing ever closer.

Anyone unfortunate enough to turn around and meet its fiery gaze is said to die within a twelve month period.

The hell hound of Norfolk has had many documented sighting. In 1890 a young boy was rescued from the North Sea who told a tale of being forced to swim further and further from the shore by a huge black dog who had chased him into the sea.

Even during the 1920's and 1930's there were reports from the fishermen of Sheringham of hearing a hound howling on the cliff tops during stormy nights. As recently as 1970 a sighting of Black Shuck made the headlines. When a huge hound was seen pounding over the beach at Great Yarmouth. 1980, a young woman claimed to have met the hell hound, whilst out walking with her young son. This sighting took place near Wisbeach, though the woman said that this hound had yellow eyes, rather than red, but all of the other details were the same as that of Black Shuck.

In the village of Overstrand the old Village Sign used to show a picture of the legendary Black Shuck and to this day there is still a lane in the village which is called locally after the Norfolk hell hound.

Another of the hounds tracks runs through what today is Mill Lane into the grounds of Cromer Hall. It is said that it was this particular locality which Arthur Conan Doyle based his Hound of the Baskervilles on.

Mythology says that 'ghost dogs' tend to haunt old straight roads which may be located on 'Leylines'.
Leylines are ancient straight paths of invisible earth energy. Folklore says that churches would be sited on these straight lines and would be used by spirits who would travel along them from graveyard to graveyard and they were sometimes known as 'Corpse Ways'.

We are unable to confirm if this Norfolk hound does or does not exist. We have been told many a tale, over a pint, on a cold and windy moonless night in a Norfolk pub, when an extra log is thrown on the fire. Unfortunately we have yet to find a Norfolkcoast team member who is prepared to go out and look for it!.................. ...We will keep you advised.
What is this! Photographed by a Norfolkcoast visitor in December 2003.

For Norfolk or Suffolk B and B

The picture was taken out on the coast at Dunwich in Suffolk. The photograph was sent in by Mr. Potter of Suffolk who as at 16th January 2004 was still in the land of the living! We will check with Mr. Potter again on the twelfth month after his sighting.