British Isles: Black Dogs

A black dog is a name given in England to ghosts that appear as large black dogs.

British folk tales describe these apparitions as larger than normal dogs that have glowing eyes and are harbingers of doom.

These ghosts are seen at night and are often associated with the Devil or Hellhounds. It is often mentioned if one witnesses this phenomenon they or a close relative will die within the year.

Black dog appearances are often related to electrical storms, crossroads or water.

Some trace the origin of these tales back to Celtic and Germanic elements in British culture.

As mentioned above black dogs are associated with death. Most stories mention these creatures are malevolent in nature.

Almost every county in England has legends that are told about black dogs. Because there are so many only one is shared here.

Black Shuck

East Anglia—Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex—call their black dog, Black Shuck, Old Shuck, or simply Shuck.

Like most black dogs Shuck is malevolent in nature, this ghost is said to terrify its victims. This huge dog is said to roam the coastline and countryside of East Anglia.

The name Shuck is from an old English word that means demon.

This ghost is a harbinger of death—but in some cases it can also be more companionable.

There are many accounts of Shuck appearing in the region. These dogs are huge with flaming eyes of the color of red or green. In some tales it is stated Shuck actually has only one eye in the center of its head.

Some tales state Shuck is as large as a calf or even a horse. Others state that this dog is headless or appears shrouded in a misty cloud.

In 1901, W. A. Dutt wrote an account of one such creature.

He is in the form of a dog, and prowls along dark lanes and lonesome field footpaths. When heard its howls makes ones blood run cold. Its footfalls make no sound.

When seen it has one fiery eye. If encountered this creature will bring the worst of luck. It is said you will meet your death shortly afterwards.

The most famous report of a sighting of Black Shuck occurred at churches in Bungay and Blythburgh in Suffolk.

On August 4, 1577, at Blythburgh, Black Shuck burst through the doors of Holy Trinity Church to a clap of thunder.

He ran up the nave, past a large congregation killing a man and a boy and causing the church steeple to collapse through the roof.

As the mysterious dog left scorch marks appeared on the door. These marks can still be seen today.

Scorch marks on door.

On the same day, witnesses at St. Mary’s Church in Bungay saw a black dog running swiftly among people that were kneeling and praying.

In May of 2014, a large dog’s remains were excavated at Leiston Abbey and have been linked to Black Shuck. 

Here is a brief video about Black Shuck.

17 Hundred 90 Inn and Tavern

17 Hundred 90 Inn and Tavern

This Inn is one of Savannah Georgia’s oldest hotels. It was built in 1820. Steel White, a Virginia planter, designed this elegant old building with the intention of turning it into a boarding house.

But Steel died in a tragic riding accident before construction on the building was complete. The structure then was used as a hotel and tavern.

Today the 17 Hundred is a popular spot for ghost hunters. The Inn’s upper floors contain the original 14 suites. An active female spirit haunts Room 204.

Inn is located at 306 East President Street

Anne Powell was a young woman who jumped to her death from a balcony that once was attached to Room 204. Several stories are told as to why she did this. The most popular one follows.

At the age of 16 Anne was unhappily married to Steel White, the man who designed the Inn. After his death, she fell in love with a German sailor who was visiting Savannah. He made her promises he never intended to keep.

Anne discovered she was pregnant. Her sailor left on a ship, promising her he would return soon. Months passed and he did not return. Anne desperate jumped to her death.

Room 204 is so active that at one time the hotel management made guests that stayed in the suite sign a waiver stating they would not request their money back if they did not stay the entire night.

The room at one time contained several journals where guests wrote about their various encounters with Anne’s ghost. Visitors awoke to see Anne looking down at them.

Male guests reported as they lay in bed something soft caressed their cheek. Anne’s ghost however does not like female guests that stay in the room.

On several occasions women--having picked the side of the bed that was Annes--have been shoved out of the bed. One older guest hit her head on the nightstand as this was done to her.

Renovated Room 204
window to right behind bed
is where balcony once stood.

Note: The original bed of course is not in this room--but it seems Anne’s ghost still views the one side as hers.

Guests and visitors report that there is a strong sense of pressure at the end of the bed in this room but once one moves to the side this feeling lightens.

Several have captured on video a small lamp that stands on the left nightstand flickering on and off. Its prisms also shake violently. The hotel has checked out the outlet etc. and has never discovered anything wrong.

With renovations to the suite the lamp with the prisms has been removed.

One employee spotted Anne’s apparition standing at a window as he entered the room. She turned toward him and then disappeared.

Many guests have reporedt their personal items disappeared. These items include: wallets, jewelry, keys and under-garments. These under-garments are often found in a planter below one of the room's windows.

Several female guests that have stayed in 204 report that they returned to the room to find their suitcases open and their night gowns laid out on the bed--as if someone was just about to try them on.