Ghostly Folklore - The Black Dog of Newgate Prison
The Black Dog - Terror of The Gaol.
The dreaded Newgate prison was located just inside the city of London. Originally built in the 12th Century during the reign of Henry II, it was part of an original roman gate built into the wall that surrounded old London town. Since it was first constructed it has been rebuilt and extended many times, and was in use until 1902.
Newgate had a poor reputation that dipped to its lowest level in the 15th Century, when the decaying building became a place of true misery, prisoners were dying from the overcrowding, rampant disease, and bad sanitary conditions. It is thought that a total of 22 prisoners died of ‘Gaol Fever’ (Also known as Typhus Fever.) As a result it was decided to renovate and improve the prison.
It was destroyed in the Great fire of London during 1666 and rebuilt again around six years later, with the addition of a windmill to the roof - an attempt to improve ventilation. In 1783 the site of the cities gallows were moved from Tyburn to Newgate, with hangings being performed in the street before the prison in front of jeering, unruly crowds. Until eventually the gallows were moved inside the prison walls.
The Black Dog
Held within the Guildhall Libraries aged stacks, is an old work with the wonderful title. ‘The Discovery of a London Monster, called The Blacke Dogg of Newgate: Profitable for all Readers to Take Heed by.’ Supposedly a true account written by a prisoner called Luke Hutton.
During a period of famine in the reign of King Henry III, desperation drove the prisoners to new depths of savagery. Among them languished a scholar, whispered to be a sorcerer, a manipulator of the dark arts, and diabolical witchcraft. This ill-fated man fell victim to their insatiable hunger, a grotesque crime took place - a crime that would unleash a vengeful spectre upon those who had feasted upon the magician’s flesh.
From the shadows emerged the shade of a monstrous black hound, prowling the prison's passages. The inmates, gripped by terror, recognized this canine phantom; it was the spirit of the sorcerer, hell-bent on exacting revenge upon his murderers. The malevolent creature hunted down and devoured the guilty one at a time, those few who survived this supernatural culling were left with permanently shattered minds.
The Crawling Shadow of Amen Court
Not far from Newgate is the attractive Amen Court. Though this street existed in the shade between the great prison and St Paul’s Cathedral, it was a pleasant place to live, a little haven within the city. But the horrors of Newgate are believed to have stretched out their hand and touched even this peaceful place. A terrifying shapeless shadow has been regularly seen crawling along the roofs of the buildings, though whether this thing is The Black Dog, or the apparition of some escaped convict is not known.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog my friend. If you enjoy stories of ghosts, monsters, and the uncanny, please consider supporting me by purchasing a copy of my book ‘Fireside Horror,’ a novel told in short stories, each one certain to send a shiver down your spine. Available on Amazon and Audible, Link Below.
Until next time, stay spooky.
