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Barghest
A monstrous black dog with huge teeth and claws that haunts the snickelways of York. Seeing it presages death or disaster. Some say it drags chains, others that it has horns. All agree it brings doom.
Ancient - Present
Yorkshire, England
300+ witnesses
The Barghest is a monstrous ghostly dog from Yorkshire folklore, a harbinger of death.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
The Barghest:
- Is a monstrous black dog
- Haunts Yorkshire
- Seeing it foretells death
- Has glowing eyes
- May have horns or chains
Appearance
The Barghest appears as:
- A huge black dog
- Enormous teeth and claws
- Sometimes with horns
- Sometimes dragging chains
- Eyes like burning coals
Behavior
The Barghest:
- Haunts lonely roads
- Appears before death
- Sometimes attacks
- Vanishes suddenly
- Cannot be caught
York Snickelways
Particularly haunts:
- The narrow alleys of York
- Ancient pathways
- Churchyards
- Crossroads
- Where executions occurred
The Mad Hunt
Some traditions say:
- The Barghest leads a hunt
- With other spectral hounds
- Across the moors
- On stormy nights
- Seeking souls
Related Creatures
Similar to:
- Black Shuck (East Anglia)
- Cù-Sìth (Scotland)
- Gwyllgi (Wales)
- Church Grim
- Hellhounds everywhere