Vail, Rowan2024-04-262023-11-29https://doi.org/10.7275/tjhs-5h50https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14394/50399Tales of dark, fiery-eyed hounds heralding storms and prowling lonely roads have been a consistent presence in English folklore since at least the time of the Reformation. Despite their ubiquity, these Black Dogs do not always serve the same purpose. These distinctions correspond with three different natures: the Devil, which seeks to punish sinners; the Omen, which appears as a portent of death; and the Guardian, which acts as a protector. These interlocking evolutions formed as direct reflections of moments of social change within England.Historyprimarysourcebasedarticle