The tale of the Green Children of Woolpit is one of the most mysterious and enduring legends from medieval England. First recorded in the 12th century by chroniclers such as Ralph of Coggeshall and William of Newburgh, the story tells of two children with green-hued skin who appeared in the village of Woolpit in Suffolk.
The Arrival and Description
According to the accounts, the children were discovered near the wolf pits (from which Woolpit derives its name) and spoke an unknown language. They wore unfamiliar clothing and seemed unacquainted with ordinary food, initially refusing all but raw beans. Over time, they adapted to local food, and their green skin gradually returned to a normal hue. The boy later died, but the girl survived and learned English, eventually explaining that they came from a subterranean land called St Martin’s Land.
Cultural Context and Interpretations
Medieval audiences often interpreted extraordinary events as supernatural or divine. Some scholars propose the children were refugees from a Flemish settlement, lost and suffering from dietary deficiencies causing their skin discoloration. Others suggest allegorical readings, connecting the story to themes of innocence, isolation, and the unknown.
Modern Explanations
The Green Children legend has inspired diverse theories: historical, folkloric, and even extraterrestrial. Nutritional disorders, such as chlorosis (green sickness), could explain their skin color, while linguistic and geographic isolation might account for their strange language. Alternatively, some interpret the tale metaphorically, representing encounters with the “Other” or liminal spaces between worlds.
Legacy
The legend endures in literature, television, and folklore studies, symbolizing human fascination with the mysterious and unexplained. Woolpit celebrates the story through local tours and exhibitions, keeping the enigmatic children alive in modern imagination.
