Читать книгу Real Monsters, Gruesome Critters, and Beasts from the Darkside - Brad Steiger - Страница 52

It would seem after some study of the Hell Hound that its most common name is the Black Shuck, a truly massive dog that bodes no one any good. The Vikings brought the legends of the giant black dog to Anglia. As if the Vikings suddenly appearing on the beach one morning with their savage war cries that firmly announced their intent to raid one’s village were not terrible enough, the sea wolves left warnings of the Black Shuck behind them to keep the villagers in a state of constant fear. This gigantic dog had glowing red or green eyes, and anyone who saw it was doomed to bad luck or death. “Shuck” likely comes from the Old Norse word “scucca,” a hairy demon.

It is my own opinion that the Black Shuck is another manifestation of Fenrir, the large and terrible wolf, who is the eldest child of Loki and the giantess Angrboda. Fenrir is so strong and so threatening to the other Norse gods that they bound him with chains, which he easily broke. Finally, mountain elves created a magic chain which has managed to keep Fenrir imprisoned. All who know of Fenrir fear him, for on the day of Ragnarok, when the final destiny of the Norse gods will be decided, Fenrir will shatter the magic chain and join the giants in their battle against the gods. The Black Shuck, then, inspired the Vikings to become as wolves when they attacked others and to leave behind warnings to all people that the image of Fenrir is to be feared.

Black dogs go by many names, including Bogey Beast, Black Shuck, and Hairy Jack (iStock).