Green children of Woolpit

WoolpitSign

The Green children of Woolpit are a legend from English folklore about two children who appeared in the village of Woolpit, in Suffolk, England, sometime in the 12th century. The children, a brother and sister, were of unusual skin color, described as green, and spoke an unknown language. They were eventually integrated into English society, and their skin color reportedly returned to normal.

Legend

The legend of the Green children of Woolpit is set during the reign of either King Stephen (1135–1154) or King Henry II (1154–1189). According to the accounts, the children were discovered by villagers near the wolf pits (which gave Woolpit its name) during the harvest. They were taken to the home of a local landowner, Sir Richard de Calne, where they were offered food but initially refused to eat anything other than raw beans.

After some time, the children adapted to eating other food and lost their green color. The boy, however, became sickly and died shortly after his baptism. The girl survived, learned to speak English, and explained that they came from a land where the sun never shone, and the light was like twilight. This land was called "St Martin's Land," and all its inhabitants were green.

Historical Accounts

The primary sources for the legend are the writings of William of Newburgh and Ralph of Coggeshall, both of whom were 12th-century chroniclers. William of Newburgh included the story in his work Historia rerum Anglicarum (History of English Affairs), while Ralph of Coggeshall recorded it in his Chronicon Anglicanum (English Chronicle).

Interpretations

Various interpretations of the legend have been proposed over the centuries. Some suggest that the children were of Flemish origin, as there were many Flemish immigrants in England during the 12th century. The green color of their skin might have been due to chlorosis, a type of anemia caused by a poor diet. Others believe the story to be a folktale symbolizing the integration of different cultures.

Cultural Impact

The legend of the Green children of Woolpit has inspired various works of fiction and has been referenced in literature and popular culture. It remains a topic of interest for those studying medieval folklore and English history.

See also

• Medieval folklore
• English folklore
• Woolpit
• King Stephen
• King Henry II
• William of Newburgh
• Ralph of Coggeshall