Have you seen the Black Shuck? The ghostly dog said to stalk the countryside of East Anglia
The mythical beast has reportedly been spotted in the area multiple times since the 1500s
Last updated 31st Oct 2023
People across Norfolk and Suffolk are being urged to keep an eye out for a ghostly black dog, said to stalk the region this Halloween.
According to folklore, the beast, known as 'Black Shuck', roams the coastline and countryside of East Anglia at this time of the year.
The creature is said to take the form of a giant black dog, although descriptions vary.
Some accounts have it being as big as a calf or horse, while others disagree over whether the Shuck has one or two eyes.
Sightings are said to be an omen of death or to bring bad luck.
One of the most famous stories of the Black Shuck has the beast appearing before parishioners at the churches in Blythburgh and Bungay in 1577.
He is said to have burst through the doors of the Holy Trinity Church in Blythburgh, running past the congregation and killing a man and boy, before causing the church steeple to collapse.
The creature is said to have left large claw marks on the door of the church which are still visible to this day.
Colin Huggins, a church tour guide at Holy Trinity Church said: "The Black Dog swung across the beams and terrified the congregation.
"It ran up to the vicar and ran up to two parishioners who died."
"This church is also known as the 'cathedral of the marshes' because behind it you have the river Blythe and the marshes.
"You then get mist rising up which can make it look like the church is on fire.
"I've actually had to come and check before to make sure it definitely wasn't."
Colin tells us the Black Shuck's also been spotted in various parts of the region: "Bungay's about 12 miles from here, and legend has it he also visited that church."
"There are supposedly scratch marks on some of the stones there which are evidence of his visit."
There are various theories as to the origin of the myth. Some trace it to the Vikings who settled in Norfolk bringing their legends over from Scandinavia.
Others see the origin of the story as being rooted in the English Reformation, which saw religious traditions across England completely transformed within a generation.
Colin, at Blythburgh, is not surprised people have bought into the myth: "You have to remember this is 450 years ago.
"A lot of people were illiterate and open to believing what they were told."
"You can imagine them hearing this story, and wouldn't you be scared in their position?
"I would! If I thought it was true I'd be terrified!"
Since the 1500s the Black Shuck has entered popular culture, with Suffolk band The Darkness recording a song named after the beast on their 2003 debut album.
The creature appears in the video game Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, which is set in Viking times in East Anglia.