Barghest
The Barghest (also "Bargtjest", "Bo-guest" or "Bargest") is a mythical black dog that was believed in the north of England, particularly in Yorkshire .
Characteristics and origin
The barghest has huge fangs and claws and is said to live in the remote canyon "Troller's Gill". There is a story that he occasionally invades the city of York and then ambushes lonely travelers on the city's narrow streets. He is thus one of the obviously more vicious specimens of the "black dogs".
His name is of uncertain origin. One explanation is that the word "ghost" was pronounced like "guest" in northern England; the whole name should therefore be “burh-ghest” (city spirit). Another, on the other hand, seeks the roots in the German “Berggeist”, also called “Bärgeist”, based on its alleged appearance in the form of a bear at certain times. A final assumption sees the origin of the name from "beer spirit", the "spirit of the bier" (beer = bier) derived.
According to some sources, the barghest is not really a "black dog". He is not supposed to be a ghost, but rather a goblin who can transform into a dog shape, among other things.
The barghest in literature
- Luke Pearson Hilda and the Black Dog (translation by Matthias Wieland), Reprodukt (Berlin), ISBN 978-3-95640-019-3
- The comic publisher Barghest Entertainment chose its name based on the essence.
- The barghest is mentioned in Roald Dahl's witches , especially the fact that he is always a male.
- In RA Salvatores Soujurn , the barghest is a shape-shifting creature.
See also
literature
- Landlord Sikes: British Goblins , 1880
- Joseph Ritson: Fairy Tales , 1831
- Joseph Lucas: Studies in Nidderdale , 1882