In British folklore, there is an ancient and mysterious tale that remains a topic of discussion to this day. It is said that in the 12th century, in the village of Woolpit, Suffolk, a pair of siblings with green skin appeared, which some consider a medieval legend while others speculate it might be an early record of extraterrestrial contact. Regardless of the truth, the Green Children of Woolpit have captivated the curiosity of countless people with their unique charm.
The Story of the Green Children
In the harvest season of a certain year in the 12th century, villagers harvesting near St. Mary’s Wolf-pits suddenly discovered a strange brother and sister. Their skin was green, they wore clothes made from materials never seen before, and they spoke a language no one could understand. The villagers were both astonished and puzzled, bringing them to the center of the village, where they were taken in by the local landowner, Sir Richard de Calne. 
The signpost in Woolpit village, England, marking the origin of the legend of the Green Children of Woolpit from the 12th century.
Although the siblings appeared very hungry, they refused all food until they discovered freshly harvested beans, which they devoured with gusto. Months later, they gradually accepted other foods like bread. However, the boy’s health deteriorated, and he eventually died. The girl, on the other hand, adapted to her new environment, her skin returning to normal. After learning English, she integrated into the local community, reportedly named Agnes Barre, and married a man from nearby King’s Lynn in Norfolk, rumored to be a diplomat during the time of Henry II.
Ruins of Bury St Edmunds Abbey, Woolpit.
The girl recounted her and her brother’s origins: they came from the “Land of St. Martin,” an underground world where it was always twilight, without a sun, and where all the inhabitants had green skin. She recalled accidentally entering a cave while herding, getting lost in the darkness, and following the sound of bells to emerge into a world illuminated by sunlight, where they were found by farmers harvesting crops.
Medieval Chronicle Records
William of Newburgh’s Historia rerum Anglicarum (“History of English Affairs”) recounts the story of the Green Children of Woolpit.
The Green Children of Woolpit were documented by two medieval chroniclers. Ralph of Coggeshall described the event in detail in his “Chronicon Anglicanum,” his information coming from Sir Richard, who had taken in the children. William of Newburgh also mentioned the event in his “Historia rerum Anglicarum.” Both placed the occurrence during the reign of King Stephen or Henry II. The formal historical records lend credibility to the story, attracting the attention of scholars in later generations.
Reasonable Explanations for the Green Children
Numerous theories have emerged regarding the truth behind the Green Children. One medical explanation for their green skin is that they suffered from “green sickness,” or hypochromic anemia, which could turn the skin green due to malnutrition. The girl’s skin returning to normal after adopting a regular diet supports this theory.
As for their identity, some believe they were Flemish orphans. Paul Harris suggested they might have come from Fornham St. Martin, a village just across the River Lark from Woolpit. In the 12th century, many Flemish immigrants fled to England due to war and persecution but were persecuted again under Henry II. If the siblings were fleeing Flemish orphans, hiding in the forest, discovering a mine or tunnel to reach Woolpit, their unfamiliar language and clothing would have caused surprise among the villagers. Their malnutrition could also have led to “green sickness.”
Were They from Another Planet?
Beyond reasonable explanations, many have given the story a supernatural interpretation. In 1621, Robert Burton mentioned in “The Anatomy of Melancholy” that the Green Children were “descended from heaven,” sparking speculation about extraterrestrial involvement. In 1996, astronomer Duncan Lunan published an article in “Analog” magazine, hypothesizing that the children came from a tidally locked exoplanet and arrived on Earth through a teleportation device. He further elaborated on this idea in his 2012 book “Children from the Sky.”
Green Children as depicted by an artist.
Others have linked the story to parallel universes or dimensional spaces, suggesting that the children might have come from different dimensions, breaking through dimensional barriers into our world. Such interpretations are not uncommon in modern science fiction.
In Conclusion
From the 12th century to the present day, the legend of the Green Children of Woolpit has spanned over eight centuries, with discussions and research never ceasing. Whether it’s a true event, folklore, or a supernatural phenomenon, this story continues to attract generation after generation with its unique charm.
This legend reflects medieval society’s fear and curiosity about the unknown, showcasing humanity’s desire to explore the unknown world. It has inspired countless literary works, encompassing poetry, novels, operas, and plays, and even finds echoes in modern popular culture.
Perhaps we will never know the truth behind the Green Children, but it is this very mystery and enigma that keeps the story fresh, continuously attracting the curiosity of countless minds worldwide. It reminds us that there are still many unsolved mysteries in the river of history, waiting for us to explore and discover.
