The Green Children
A curious tale from Suffolk – William of Newburgh, writing in the 12th Century record how villagers came across two children – a brother and sister – in the Wolf-Pits area (now Woolpits). Although they appeared human they both had green skin and talked to each other in an unrecognisable tongue. They were taken to a local nobles house where people tried to give then food. They cried and wailed and refused to eat anything until fresh cut beans were brought before them. They did eat the beans, although they ate them raw and at first tried to get the beans from the stalk until they were shown the proper way. After some time they were weaned onto normal food, but the boy soon sickened and died. His sister remained healthy and gradually lost her green complexion. She learned to speak English and told how they lived in ‘St Martin’s Land’, where there was no sun, only perpetual twilight. They had been tending sheep when they heard bells coming from a cave. Following the sound they passed through a tunnel for some time, until suddenly they found themselves in the open. The light and warmth from the sun made them swoon, which was when the villagers found them.
There is debate over the origins of the children. The eminent folklorist Katherine Briggs pointed out that green was the Celtic colour of death, and beans were considered food for the dead. There are also slightly more modern theories that they were aliens. It is not known if anyone tried to find St Martin’s Land.
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