Over thousands of years, people have created countless legends about amazing, mythical creatures. One of the most terrifying is Black Shuck, a huge black dog with “infernal” red, saucer-like eyes that is said to roam the East of England.
Now recent research aims to solve the mystery of this creature, also known as the “Black Scale.”
In a recent BBC series The land of mythsresearchers embark on a nighttime expedition into the Norfolk countryside, hoping to capture the infamous hellhound on film. But does this mysterious creature really exist and what can explain the numerous sightings over the centuries?
According to historian and anthropologist Dr. David Waldron of Federation University in Australia, stories about black dogs in the British Isles date back to the 9th century. Interestingly, similar stories appear across the country and Europe.
Eyewitness accounts of Black Shuck are often hard to interpret. Many describe a “clear sense of hurt” after encountering this creature. One of the earliest references to “coal-black” dogs with “saucer eyes” dates back to 1127 in the historic manuscript of the Peterborough Chronicle.
However, scholars suggest that the legend of Black Shuck came to prominence at Holy Trinity Church, Blythburgh, East Suffolk, on 4 August 1577.
It is said that during a violent storm, a black “devil's dog” entered the church, killing a man and a boy and causing the spire to collapse. Locals believe that the beast left claw marks on the church door, known as “devil's fingerprints.”
On the same day, another meeting was recorded at Bungay Church, later described by the Reverend Abraham Fleming. According to the text, a black dog walked between two people and broke their necks.
Dr. Jonathan Woolley, environmental anthropologist and graduate of the University of Cambridge, claims that Black Shuck “definitely exists”, playing an crucial role in the way people perceive the incredible landscape of East Anglia. However, the exact nature of its existence remains a mystery.
One leading theory among scientists suggests that the Black Shuck may be an undiscovered species of wild dog that has so far eluded scientific observations. However, Dr. Woolley rejects this idea, arguing that a stray dog is unlikely to be responsible for such “complex and supernatural” phenomena.
Dr. Waldron finds it intriguing that Abraham Fleming's account includes two hellhound sightings on the same day, in different locations.
Fleming, as a devout priest, may have designed his story as a “call to arms against sin.” His account refers to the well-established myth of black dogs as harbingers of doom – a belief that has permeated European folklore for centuries.
Interestingly, in the 450 years since the events at the church, many sightings have been reported and continue to this day. One memorable account from 1973 came from Keith Florey, who said that while he was riding his motorcycle, he was chased by a dog down the Old Barrack Road in Woodbridge.
Recently retired newspaper salesman Nigel Thorpe reported seeing a enormous dog with “glowing” eyes jumping towards him on a deserted road in Great Yarmouth.
While researching his book, Dr. Waldron spoke to many people who claimed to have encountered a devil dog.
According to him, these conversations often reflected deep religious experiences. While he admits that telling such stories is a “delicate task,” Waldron believes that these sightings could be the result of cases of mistaken identity.
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