The Dark Garret

Salutations All!

 

Black Shuck

Buxton, Derbyshire

Miller's Dale, Derbyshire

                The Hound of the Baskervilles was always a fun story. I’ve always thought so. So I find it pleasant to hear about other oversized, phantom hounds that malevolently stalk the countryside. Whether it’s a guardian spirit for a church – similar to a Brittany Ankou – or the story of the Black Shuck that starred in the Darkness song of the same name.

                The last wolf in England was killed in the 16^th century, so why are there still sightings of these strange beasts? One has been seen rampaging around the Derbyshire countryside between Buxton and Miller’s Dale. Locals and motorists alike have allegedly been chased by a large, shaggy phantom hound by night and leaping with immense speed after their cars.

               

St Margaret's, Wormhole, Derbyshire

Around this area of Derbyshire is Wormhill. Up until the 17^th century, this village was surrounded by ancient oaks that were crowded together. This was prime territory for wild animals to hunt. For curiosity’s sake, here is the piece about Derbyshire in the 1610 Britannia by William Camden the historian and antiquarian:

…there is no more danger now from wolves which in times past were hurtfull and noisome to this country; and for the chasing away and taking of which some there that held lands here at Wormhill, who thereupon were surnamed Wolvehunt, as appeareth plainely in the Records of the Kingdome…