The tale of the “green children” who appeared mysteriously in the English village of Woolpit in the 12th century is one of the most enduring and perplexing historical enigmas. This unusual phenomenon has fascinated historians, folklorists, and scientists for centuries, prompting numerous theories, from the mundane to the fantastical.
The Strange Appearance in Woolpit
The story, recorded by two contemporary chroniclers, Ralph of Coggeshall and William of Newburgh, recounts that one day during harvest time, villagers in Woolpit discovered two children – a boy and a girl – near a wolf pit (from which the village likely got its name). What immediately struck the villagers was their unusual green
skin color and the fact that they spoke an unknown language, making it impossible to communicate with them.
The children were brought to the home of Sir Richard de Calne. For several days, they refused to eat any food offered to them, until they were presented with raw broad beans, which they ravenously consumed. Over time, their green complexion gradually faded, and they began to learn English.
Their Origin Story
The boy, unfortunately, fell ill and died soon after being found. However, the girl adapted to her new life. Once she learned English, she recounted a bizarre story about their origins. She claimed that they came from a place called “St. Martin’s Land,” an underground world where the sun never shone, and everything was bathed in a perpetual twilight. The inhabitants of this land were also green-skinned. She said they had been tending their father’s flock when they heard a loud noise, like church bells, and suddenly found themselves in Woolpit.
Competing Theories
For centuries, various theories have attempted to explain the mystery of the green children:
Chlorosis (Green Sickness): One of the most common and plausible scientific explanations suggests the children suffered from chlorosis, also known as “green sickness.” This condition, caused by an iron deficiency, can give the skin a pale, greenish tint. Their initial refusal of food and subsequent recovery upon eating broad beans (rich in nutrients) supports this theory. The claim of an underground land could be a distorted memory of living in an isolated, dark, or poorly lit environment, such as a mining community.
Porphyria: Another medical theory is porphyria, a group of rare genetic disorders that can affect the nervous system and skin, sometimes leading to unusual skin pigmentation. However, symptoms usually include sensitivity to light and neurological issues, which were not explicitly described in the children’s accounts.
Folk Tale or Hoax: Some historians argue that the story is simply a charming medieval folk tale, perhaps inspired by real events but embellished over time. Alternatively, it could have been a deliberate hoax by the children or others for various reasons.
Lost Foreigners: A more mundane explanation posits that the children were simply lost and disoriented foreigners. Perhaps they were Flemings who had immigrated to England and became disoriented or abandoned. Their “unknown language” could have been a dialect unfamiliar to the local villagers, and their green skin a result of malnourishment or exposure.
Extraterrestrial or Supernatural Origin: Less scientific theories, often found in popular culture, suggest that the children were extraterrestrials, inhabitants of a parallel dimension, or fae folk from a mythical realm. While captivating, these explanations lack any empirical evidence.
Enduring Mystery
Despite extensive research and debate, no single theory has definitively solved the enigma of the green children of Woolpit. The medieval accounts, though intriguing, are sparse on verifiable details. The mystery remains a fascinating historical curiosity, highlighting the boundaries of our knowledge and the enduring power of strange and unexplained phenomena from the past.
