Anonymous requested art of barghests/church grims/black shucks. These are all types of black dogs!
A black dog is a motif of a spectral or demonic entity found primarily in the folklore of the British Isles. The black dog is essentially a nocturnal apparition, in some cases a shapeshifter, and is often said to be associated with the Devil or described as a ghost or hellhound. Its appearance was regarded as a portent of death. It is generally supposed to be larger than a normal dog and often has large glowing eyes.
In Northern English folklore, the Barghest is a mythical monstrous black dog with large teeth and claws. The Barghest often serves as an omen of death. At the passing of a notable person, the Barghest may appear, followed by all the other dogs of the local area in a kind of funeral procession, heralding the person’s death with howling and barking. If anyone were to get in the Barghest’s way, it would strike out with its paw and leave a wound that never heals.
The church grim is a guardian spirit in English and Scandinavian folklore that oversees the welfare of a particular Christian church and protects the churchyard from those who would profane and commit sacrilege against it, including thieves, vandals, witches, warlocks, and the Devil himself. It often appears as a black dog but is known to take the form of other animals.
In the 19th Century, folklorists believed that it had once been the custom to bury a dog alive under the cornerstone of a church as a foundation sacrifice so that its ghost might serve as a guardian. Like many spectral black dogs, the grim, according to Yorkshire tradition, is also an ominous portent and is known to toll the church bell at midnight before a death takes place.
Black shuck is the name given to a ghostly black dog which is said to roam the coastline and countryside of East Anglia. Like the others, it is often a death omen, but is sometimes described as companionable.
One of the most notable reports of Black Shuck is of his appearance at the church of Blythburgh in Suffolk. On August 4th, 1577, Black Shuck is said to have burst in through the doors of Holy Trinity Church to a clap of thunder. He reportedly ran up the nave, past a large congregation, killing a man and boy and causing the church steeple to collapse through the roof. As the dog left, his claws left scorch marks on the north door, which can be seen at the church to this day (photos below).
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