The Vampire of Berwick

During the mid-1100s, an evil destitute man died in Berwick, a royal burgh of the King of Scotland. Shortly after his death, he began to leave his tomb at nights, and to roam the countryside with a pack of hellhounds, spreading plague as he went. For many days, the country-folk were terrorized thus. No one would go outdoors at night, and everyone was afraid they might have the misfortune of meeting this vampire.

As terrorized villagers are wont to do, they gathered together to come up with a plan to get rid of this vampire. Many were afraid that "the ignorant among them, if ineffective action were taken, would soon be sucked of their blood by the dead monster. The more cautious, however, prudently considered that possibly, if a remedy were applied too late, the infected air, tainted by continual contact with the plague-bearing corpse, would result in widespread disease and death."

Ten daring young heroes were sent for. Upon receiving their orders, these men exhumed the corpse, cut it up, and burnt it. The plague ceased immediately following the cremation. When the plague started once again, it was not so disastrous as it was throughout the rest of England (Wedeck 178).

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The Vampire of Berwick copyrighted 1996-1998 to Shantell Powell.