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The Legend of Black Shuck

From Lincoln to Kent, tales of a ghostly black hound haunting the east coast of England and East Anglia in particular, have been the stuff of legend for centuries.

Opinions differ on the legend's origin.  While there was an old Saxon word "scucca" meaning "demon", it most probably originated with the Danes. According to these roots, Black Shuck was in fact "Shukr" the faithful companion of the Norse god Thor, left abandoned to seek out his master.

Overstrand has its own take on the legend: A Dane, a Saxon and Shuck the dog were inseparable friends who were drowned while fishing together. The Dane washed up at Beeston while his friend the Saxon washed up at Overstrand. Shuck roams the coast between the two looking for his friends and masters.

Described as a huge black hound with terrifying blazing eyes, releasing a wild bark and howl. The legend states that it was ill-luck to encounter Black Shuck on his patrol, as anyone that did would be dead within the year.

There have been many, many, local accounts of his sighting over the centuries and further accounts stating that for 40 or so years, Black Shuck made his home in the abandoned ruin of St.Martin's church, until restoration work began in 1911.

Whatever the truth behind the legend, it has been used to shock, thrill and inspire generations of locals and visitors.

The most inspired of whom was none other than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. On a short golfing break to Cromer in 1901, Sir Arthur heard the tale of Black Shuck. The following year he published the Hound of The Baskervilles, which is clearly based on the Black Shuck legend.

North Norfolk was replaced by the wilds of Dartmoor but Conan Doyle's description of Baskerville Hall bears an uncanny likeness to Cromer Hall.

In Overstrand the old village sign included a carving of Black Shuck and the old path to Runton is still called Shuck's Lane.