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Black Annis
A blue-faced hag with iron claws. She lives in a cave she dug with her nails. She catches children, eats their flesh, and hangs their skins on her tree. Black Annis waits in the Dane Hills.
Ancient - Present
Leicestershire, England
100+ witnesses
Black Annis is a legendary witch from English folklore, associated with the Dane Hills near Leicester.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
Black Annis:
- Is a blue-faced hag
- Has iron claws
- Lives in a cave (Bower)
- Catches and eats children
- Hangs their skins on a tree
Description
Black Annis appears as:
- An old woman with blue face
- Long iron claws
- One eye
- Very tall
- Living in a cave
Her Bower
The cave called “Black Annis’ Bower”:
- She dug it with her claws
- Located in the Dane Hills
- Had an oak tree at entrance
- Skins hung from the tree
- The cave may have existed
Behavior
Black Annis:
- Hunts at night
- Reaches into windows
- Catches children
- Eats them
- The phrase “Black Annis” warned children
Protection
Children were warned:
- Don’t go out after dark
- Stay away from the Dane Hills
- Black Annis is watching
- She can hear naughty children
Origins
She may derive from:
- Celtic goddesses (Danu/Anu)
- Historical anchoresses
- Pre-Christian legends
- Generic “bogey” figure