The Black Hounds of Northern England
The Barguest is one of the most fearsome and mysterious supernatural creatures in English folklore. Described as a huge, spectral hound with glowing red eyes, razor-sharp fangs, and formidable claws, the Barguest is often associated with death, misfortune, and the supernatural. Tales of these terrifying creatures are particularly common in Yorkshire and the north of England, where they are belived to haunt lonely roads, graveyards, and ancient pathways.
A Creature of Omen and Fear
The Barguest is not just a mere ghostly animal – it is thought to be a harbinger of doom. According to legend, those who see the hound may soon face misfortune or even death. Some say that if the Barguest lays its paw upon a person, that individual is doomed to die within a matter of days. Others believe that hearing its unearthly howls at night is a sign that a great tragedy is about to occur in the community.
Unlike som other spectral hounds in British folklore, the Barguest does not always attack, but it does take delight in terrifying those who cross its path. Its shrieks and wails are said to be enough to wake even the heaviest sleeper, and it has been known to stalk travelers, lurking in the darkness just beyond their sight, only revealing its presence when it chooses to strike terror into the hearts of the unwary.
Local Legends and Sightings
The Barguest is particularly well known in York and its surrounding areas, where it is said to walk the city walls and lurk in dark passageways. According to local tradition, the creature appears near Clifford’s Tower, an ancient fortification with a bloody history, as well as in Tadcaster and Whitby, where eerie sightings of a black hound have been reported for centuries.
One old tale tells of a black dog that haunted a bridge in Yorkshire, waiting for travelers to pass by. Those who ignored its presence where left alone, but if anyone attempted to confront or attack the beast, it would grow in size, its eyes burning like hot coals, before vanishing into thin air – only for the unfortunate soul to meet a grim fate shortly after.
Another account tells of a Barguest that was seen by a group of children in Darlington. The children, playing late into the evening, spotted what they thought was a large stray dog near an alleyway. When they approached, the dog stood on its hind legs, revealing a grotesque, almost human-like face, before letting out a horrifying shriek that sent them running in terror.
Protections Against the Barguest
Despite its fearsome reputation, the Barguest is not entirely unstoppable. Folklore suggests that the creature fears iron, much like other supernatural beings such as fairies. Carrying a piece of iron, such as a nail or horseshoe, is said to provide protection against its malevolent presence.
Another common belief is that crossing running water can deter the creature. Those who believe themselves pursued by a Barguest often try to find a stream or river to cross, as spectral hounds ar said to lose their power when faced with water.
Connections to Other Phantom Hounds
The Barguest shares many similarities with other black dog legends found across Britain. In East Anglia, there is Black Shuck, a spectral hound that haunts lonely roads, while in Lancashire, tales of the Gytrash describe a similar creature appearing to travelers. In Scotland, the Cu Sith, a ghostly green dog, serves as an omen of death.
These stories, passed down for generations, have led some to speculate that the Barguest is a remnant of older, pagan beliefs, perhaps a guardian spirit or even an echo of the Wild Hunt, a spectral procession of hounds and hunters that roam the skies on story nights.
Legacy and Influence
Even today, the legend of the Barguest endures in northern England. References to the beast appear in local ghost stories, literature, and even modern urban legends. Some believe that the tales of the Barguest inspired Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, in which a phantom hound terrorizes the moors of Devon.
Though sightings are rare in modern times, the eerie feeling of being watched on a dark country road or hearing an unexplained howl in the night still sends shivers down the spines of those who remember the old stories.