Illustrated Tales of Norfolk

by John Ling

The beautiful county of Norfolk is one of the most visited of English counties and also one of the oldest. But beneath its rural idyll lies a Norfolk that is surprising and often stranger than fiction. Local author and historian John Ling brings us some of the county's strange and mythical tales, from the ancient legend of the giant supernatural dog known locally as Black Shuck, which provided inspiration for "The Hound of the Baskervilles," to the strange case of the vicar who, after being defrocked, was killed in a lion’s cage while delivering a sermon. Norfolk has a wealth of fascinating and often disturbing stories, many of which are featured in this hugely entertaining book.

96 pages, Paperback

Published August 15, 2019

Reviews

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good interesting book, better than recent similar reads. Well illustrated, I knew a few of the stories but lots of new stuff as well. I think Suffolk should claim Black Shuck as their own but thats just my opinion!

[S.C. Skillman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating compendium of quirky and bizarre tales from the county of Norfolk, illustrated with some fabulous photos. Stories here encompass a wide range of themes: phantoms, folk tales, mysterious murders, witchcraft, snippets from history that you might not have been aware of. Certainly this collection of narratives opened my eyes to the complex and fascinating county of Norfolk (not quite like that "flat" place that Noel Coward so amusingly referred to on stage).

Many key events in English history find sharp focus in Norfolk, for instance the story of Anne Boleyn. And I was struck by the perverse, shocking and iniquitous practices from the past commemorated in some of the streets of Norwich. When you read these you will be glad once again that you weren't living at a certain time, in the wrong place with the wrong people, and doing things that were going to get you accused of witchcraft...