Devil's Footprints

What it is

The Devil's Footprints refers to a series of mysterious tracks found in the snow during early February 1855. These marks appeared across East and South Devon, extending into Dorset. They resembled the prints of a cloven hoof, leading many locals to believe they were left by the Devil. The tracks covered between forty and one hundred miles, passing over walls, roofs, and obstacles that should have blocked any animal. This event became a significant part of local folklore and remains a famous unsolved mystery.

Where it comes from

The phenomenon began on the night of February 8, 1855, following a heavy snowfall. Residents reported finding the marks the next morning. The tracks were first noted around Exeter and the Exe Estuary. Reports later spread to towns like Topsham, Dawlish, and Teignmouth. Some accounts even mentioned sightings as far away as Lincolnshire. The sudden appearance of these impossible trails caused immediate panic and excitement among the population.

How it is done

The tracks appeared overnight without any visible cause. They measured about four inches long and three inches wide. Most were found in a single file line. The marks skipped over houses, haystacks, and high walls. Some prints were found on rooftops or exiting small drain pipes. The path was continuous despite these physical barriers. Witnesses described the shape as similar to a donkey shoe or a concave hoof.

Tools and materials

No tools were used to create the phenomenon itself. However, researchers later examined tracings and letters. Henry Thomas Ellacombe, a local vicar, preserved documents about the event. Mike Dash later collated these primary sources. The only physical evidence consists of the original impressions in the snow, which have long since melted or been disturbed.

What it is for

Locals believed the tracks signaled the presence of Satan. Preachers discussed the event from their pulpits. The public feared supernatural harm. Some clergy members tried to calm fears by suggesting natural explanations. One priest claimed kangaroos escaped from a menagerie to distract villagers from devil-worship concerns. The belief served as a focal point for community anxiety and religious interpretation.

Who does it

No specific practitioners performed this rite. It was an observed event experienced by the general public. Local residents discovered the tracks. Clergy members commented on them. Scholars like Mike Dash and Joe Nickell later analyzed the reports. The event was studied by historians and skeptics rather than performed by ritual specialists.

Peoples and places

The event is primarily associated with Devon, England. Reports also mention Dorset and potentially Lincolnshire. Similar incidents have been recorded in Scotland and Poland. In Poland, marks on Sand Hill are attributed to supernatural influences. In Scotland, unexplained tracks have appeared in Glenorchy. These global parallels suggest a pattern of similar mysterious phenomena in snowy regions.

What people believe

The core belief was that the Devil walked the earth. The cloven hoof shape reinforced this interpretation. People feared the marks indicated divine punishment or demonic activity. Skeptics argue the tracks were likely hoaxes or made by animals. Some suggest wood mice hopping could create similar shapes. Others propose badgers or escaped kangaroos. The mystery persists because no single explanation fits all reports.

When it is done

The event occurred in February 1855. It followed a specific heavy snowfall. The tracks were found on the morning after the storm. No recurring calendar date is associated with it today. It remains a historical anomaly rather than an annual tradition.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Mike Dash published a detailed study in Fortean Studies in 1994. He concluded that some tracks were hoaxes and others made by common animals. Joe Nickell questioned the veracity of the full distance. He noted inconsistencies in eyewitness descriptions. Sceptics argue the zigzag course would have caught on trees. Researchers view the event as a mix of genuine observation and mass hysteria.

Compare and confuse

The Devil's Footprints is often compared to the Jersey Devil incident of 1909. Both involve mysterious hoof-like tracks in North America and Europe. The term 'Devil Walk' is sometimes used interchangeably. Similar reports exist in Scotland and Poland. These events share features like obstacle-crossing and cloven hoof shapes.

Law and persecution

No laws were broken or enforced regarding the event. It was treated as a curiosity and a religious sign. Authorities did not investigate it as a crime. The event remains outside legal frameworks. It is now considered a historical footnote rather than a legal matter.

Questions people ask about Devil's Footprints

Good reading and sources

• Devil's Footprints on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data