| SHUCKLAND Introduction Alphabetical List of Locations | |
| Location: | Overstrand & the coast, NORFOLK |
| Legend: | "Mrs. Opie [writer Amelia Opie, 1769-1853] was staying at Northrepps Cottage in January 1829, and recalls the belief that at twilight every evening, the ghost of a dog is seen to pass under the wall of Overstrand churchyard [c.TG240407], having started from Beeston. This four-footed ghost, unlike all human ones, is not only visible but
tangible...Other historians relate that Shock rises out of the sea by Beeston, and runs along 'Shock's Lane' on to the hills by Overstrand, after which his course is uncertain." [He is described as sometimes headless, but always with saucer eyes.] (1) "...'Old Shuck' ...travels between Beeston and Overstrand, the terror of the neighbourhood. A lane in the latter parish is called after him 'Shuck's Lane'." (2) "...a dreary lane, in the parish of Overstrand, is called, from his frequent visits there, Shuck's Lane. The spot on which he has been seen, if examined soon after his disappearance, is found to be scorched, and strongly impregnated with the smell of brimstone." (3) "...Beeston Heath, whence, according to an old legend, a demon dog - 'Old Shuck' - rising from the sea starts, and prowling along makes his way to Overstrand churchyard..." (4) "The peasants believe in a goblin headless dog, 'Old Shuck', which runs, coal-black in colour, and with flaming eyes, between Overstrand and Beeston, on stormy nights." (5) "...perhaps the most respectable of all the premonitors of storm is the huge dog 'Shock' (Shock, not Shuck with us), who comes out of the sea, and runs along 'Shock's Lane', and up on to some hills, after which his course is uncertain...he is 'headless', but has 'great saucer eyes'. The poor fellow seems conscious of some deformity, for he has been met with a 'white handkercher' tied over the place where his head should be." (6) |
| Sources: | (1) James Hooper: 'Demon Dogs of Norfolk & Suffolk', in the 'Eastern Daily Press', 2/7/1894. (2) Rev. J. Gunn: 'Proverbs etc...in...Irstead', in 'Norfolk Archaeology', Vol. 2 (1849), p. 300. (3) R. Chambers (ed.): 'The Book of Days' (W. & R. Chambers, 1864), Vol. 2, p. 434. (4) A. Peaton: 'Pictures of East Coast Health Resorts' (1905?), p. 33. (5) M. E. Walcott: 'Guide to Coasts of Essex, Suffolk & Norfolk' (1860), p. 111. (6) T. D. P. : 'Norfolk Folklore', in 'Notes & Queries', 3rd Series, Vol. 5 (19/3/1864), p. 236. |
| Comments: | According to Jennifer Westwood in 'Gothick Norfolk' (1989), "Shuck's Lane used to lead up to Cromer Great Eastern Railway station", but I haven't been able to find any trace of it. |
| Other: | See also under Overstrand. |