The Dogfish Woman is a piece of folklore from the town of Folkestone found within an ancient medical book from around the tenth century.
It is discussed in depth in the artists book ‘In Search of The Dogfish Woman’ – Now available from the Folkestone Bookshop. (Limited edition of 30)
A translation of the original text is reproduced below:
For a malnourished spirit, blight of apathy, for sea sickness, Listen to me, I will help you.
The Folkestonelings speak of the sight
of a dogfish-woman. Fish-nurse on wet rocks.
The dogfish-woman neither folk nor fish entirely,
did once nurse two shipwrecked foundlings.
Held to the breast, kept from the storm.
At daybreak the storm passed The abbess came to the shore.
The dogfish-woman did relinquish the children and depart to the waves foam.
The children grew and were not sick from their brackish milk.
The creature is still seen on shore-rocks when clouds churn.
The sight of her or her sign collected, heralds good fortune: Good treatment for your ailment.
A series of artworks is being made surrounding the story, as an attempt to share, to explain and give to context about this fascinating piece of folklore history.
If you are reading this, then you must have found a spotter’s guide. One of the artworks made as part of the project.
For a full list of artworks, more background on the project Click here.
Jim Lockey 