Barghest

In the folklore of Northern England, the Barghest—sometimes spelled Barguest—is a fearsome supernatural creature most commonly described as a monstrous black dog with enormous teeth and claws. However, the name can also refer to other eerie entities, such as ghosts or household spirits, particularly in the counties of Northumberland and Durham. For example, the Cauld Lad of Hylton is a household elf sometimes identified as a type of Barghest.

The term “ghost” in Northern dialects was often pronounced “guest,” and one theory suggests the name Barghest may originate from the phrase burh-ghest, meaning “town ghost.” Other proposed roots include the German Berg-geist (“mountain ghost”), Bär-geist (“bear ghost”), or even Bahr-Geist, which translates as “spirit of the funeral bier.”

In Yorkshire, the Barghest is linked with several legendary sightings. One particularly well-known story places the creature in Troller’s Gill, a remote limestone gorge in the Yorkshire Dales. A ballad titled The Legend of the Troller’s Gill, printed in William Hone’s Everyday Book (1830), tells of a man who boldly sets out to summon the Barghest through ritual magic. He is later found dead, bearing unnatural marks across his chest. Another tale claims that the Barghest haunts the narrow alleyways of York—known as Snickelways—where it preys upon solitary travelers. In tribute to the legend, the building at Number 1 The Shambles in York is named after the creature. The town of Whitby also maintains a folkloric association with the Barghest, as does a stretch of desolate ground between Wreghorn and Headingley Hill near Leeds.

In County Durham, accounts from the 1870s describe a shapeshifting Barghest near Darlington. This entity was said to assume various forms, including a headless man who vanished in flames, a headless woman, a white cat, a rabbit, a black dog, or a dog of ordinary color. Another Barghest was rumored to dwell in an eerie-looking valley between Darlington and Houghton near a place called Throstlenest.

The Barghest is frequently considered a harbinger of death. It is said that when an important figure is about to die, the Barghest appears, followed by a ghostly procession of local dogs, howling and barking as though mourning the impending loss. If a person crosses its path during such a procession, the Barghest may lash out with its claw, leaving a wound that never heals.

Although most often seen as a massive black hound with glowing red or fiery eyes, the Barghest is also said to be capable of turning invisible. Even when unseen, it may be heard walking nearby with the unmistakable clatter of chains. Another death omen linked to the creature involves it lying across the threshold of a home, foreshadowing the imminent death of someone inside. Like many supernatural beings, it is believed to be unable to cross running water, much like a vampire.