John Middleton (giant)
Encyclopedia
John Middleton was an English
giant
commonly known as the Childe of Hale. Most of what is known about him is based on oral tradition
and legend
s. Legend tells that he slept with his feet out of the window of his small house. Tales also credit him with great strength.
, near Liverpool
. According to contemporary accounts and his epitaph, Middleton grew to the height of "9 feet, 3 inches" (2.80 m), which may or may not have been accurate. Although, if this was accurate, he would have been taller than Robert Wadlow
.
Because of his size, landlord and sheriff of Lancashire
Gilbert Ireland hired him as a bodyguard. When King James I
stopped by in 1617 to knight Ireland, he also heard about Middleton and invited both of them to the court, which they accepted in 1620. John Middleton was rumored to be so tall, that he had to sleep at night with his feet hanging out of the window
of his small house.
In London, the King presented Middleton with a dress of purple, red and gold. Brasenose College, Oxford
has a portrait of Middleton in this dress and the painted outline of his hand. Middleton beat the King's champion in wrestling
and received £20, a large amount of money in those times. However, when Middleton was returning to Hale, his travelling companions stole the money.
John Middleton died impoverished in 1623. He was buried in the Hale churchyard with an epitaph, "Here lyeth the bodie of John Middleton the Childe of Hale. Nine feet three."
There is a pub in Hale, called "The Childe of Hale", which commemorates Middleton. Across the road to the Church is a big tree stump which has been carved into a statue of John Middleton.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
giant
Gigantism
Gigantism, also known as giantism , is a condition characterized by excessive growth and height significantly above average...
commonly known as the Childe of Hale. Most of what is known about him is based on oral tradition
Oral tradition
Oral tradition and oral lore is cultural material and traditions transmitted orally from one generation to another. The messages or testimony are verbally transmitted in speech or song and may take the form, for example, of folktales, sayings, ballads, songs, or chants...
and legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
s. Legend tells that he slept with his feet out of the window of his small house. Tales also credit him with great strength.
Biography
John Middleton was born in the village of HaleHale, Halton
Hale is a village and civil parish in the Halton unitary authority of Cheshire, England. According to the 2001 Census it had a population of 1,898....
, near Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
. According to contemporary accounts and his epitaph, Middleton grew to the height of "9 feet, 3 inches" (2.80 m), which may or may not have been accurate. Although, if this was accurate, he would have been taller than Robert Wadlow
Robert Wadlow
Robert Pershing Wadlow was the tallest person in history for whom there is irrefutable evidence. Wadlow is sometimes known as the Alton Giant or Giant of Illinois because he was born and grew up in Alton, Illinois.Wadlow reached in height and weighed at his death at age 22...
.
Because of his size, landlord and sheriff of Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
Gilbert Ireland hired him as a bodyguard. When King James I
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
stopped by in 1617 to knight Ireland, he also heard about Middleton and invited both of them to the court, which they accepted in 1620. John Middleton was rumored to be so tall, that he had to sleep at night with his feet hanging out of the window
Window
A window is a transparent or translucent opening in a wall or door that allows the passage of light and, if not closed or sealed, air and sound. Windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent material like float glass. Windows are held in place by frames, which...
of his small house.
In London, the King presented Middleton with a dress of purple, red and gold. Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, Oxford
Brasenose College, originally Brazen Nose College , is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. As of 2006, it has an estimated financial endowment of £98m...
has a portrait of Middleton in this dress and the painted outline of his hand. Middleton beat the King's champion in wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
and received £20, a large amount of money in those times. However, when Middleton was returning to Hale, his travelling companions stole the money.
John Middleton died impoverished in 1623. He was buried in the Hale churchyard with an epitaph, "Here lyeth the bodie of John Middleton the Childe of Hale. Nine feet three."
There is a pub in Hale, called "The Childe of Hale", which commemorates Middleton. Across the road to the Church is a big tree stump which has been carved into a statue of John Middleton.
Articles
- "The Childe of Hale" (John ReppionJohn ReppionJohn Mark Reppion is a British writer. He is married to Leah Moore, the daughter of Alan Moore, and he has worked with both on the comic Albion.-Biography:...
in Fortean TimesFortean TimesFortean Times is a British monthly magazine devoted to the anomalous phenomena popularised by Charles Fort. Previously published by John Brown Publishing and then I Feel Good Publishing , it is now published by Dennis Publishing Ltd. As of December 2010, its circulation was approximately 18,000...
#187, September 2004) - Grave of John Middleton, The Child Of Hale, on Wikimapia
- Webpage about the city of Hale and the Childe of Hale