Le Pied du Boeuf - L'Ancresse

The blip I have taken today is of a rock mark that features in Guernsey Folk lore, The rock itself is believed to have been a component of a dolmen La Hougue Patris which was destroyed in the 19th Century. Set in the rock is a deep mark that looks like a hoof imprint from a cow and is said to be the 'devils footprint'. The following is from a text I believe dates back to 1853 written by the Bailiff Sir Edgar MacCulloch.

This hougue is situated on the north eastern extremity of L'Ancresse Bay, and is remarkable from the circumstance that a portion of the rock, where it appears above ground, bears marks precisely similar to those which would be left by the hoof of an ox on wet clay. So remarkable an appearance has of course attracted the attention of the neighbouring peasants, who call the rock which bears the impression " Le Pied du Boeuf." Some old people relate that the Devil, after having been driven from the other parts of the island by a Saint whose name is now forgotten, made a last stand on this spot, but that, after a long and desperate conflict, his Satanic Majesty was at last constrained to take flight.

In leaping, he left the marks of his hoofs imprinted on the stone. He directed his flight towards Alderney, but on his way thither alighted on the Brayes rocks, where, it is said, similar marks of cloven feet are to be seen .