One of England’s most enigmatic and enduring mysteries is that of the Green Children of Woolpit. This strange pair of siblings arrived in the Suffolk village of Woolpit sometime during the mid-12th century, likely during the reign of King Stephen or Henry II. This much of the story is confirmed by contemporary historical accounts and is not in dispute. However, the debate over their origin has raged on for centuries.
It was harvest time in Woolpit when the villagers, working in the fields, heard distant cries. Upon investigation, they found two children who had fallen into one of the village’s many wolf pits and were trapped within. Alarmingly, the skin of both the young boy and girl was bright green. Their clothes were of a strange style and sewn from an unknown fabric. Neither child spoke English; instead, they communicated in an alien and unfamiliar dialect.
The children were taken to the home of Richard de Caine, who cared for them. At first, they refused to eat, until they discovered fava beans in the garden, which they eagerly consumed. The girl gradually adapted to other foods, though sadly, the boy became sick and died. As her health improved, the green skin faded and she took on a normal pallor.
Eventually, the girl learned English and was able to describe some details of her previous home. She claimed they had come from a place called St. Martin’s Land, where there was no sun, everything was green, and it was always twilight. She explained that she and her brother had been tending their father’s cattle when they became lost. Following the sound of bells, they entered an underground cavern and emerged near the wolf pit where they were discovered.
The girl, who later took the name Agnes, worked as a servant in the home of Richard de Caine for many years. Her general attitude and behavior were described as “wanton and impudent.” Eventually, she left de Caine’s service and married a man in Kings Lynn, where she raised a family.
There are various theories surrounding the children and their mysterious twilight land. One popular theory, put forth by astronomer and science fiction writer Duncan Lunan, suggests that the children were transported here from their planet through a malfunction in a matter-transference device. He goes on to state that Agnes married Richard Barre, a prominent clergyman, scholar, and justice, best known for his work in the service of Henry II. This marriage allegedly produced heirs whose descendants live in the Suffolk area to this day. However, it should be noted that no significant proof of such a marriage exists, and given Lunan’s speculative nature, this claim is dubious at best.
Another plausible theory is that the children were Flemish. To the north of Bury St. Edmunds, a neighboring town to Woolpit, was the village of Fornham St. Martin, where a large Flemish community existed at the time. During Henry II’s reign, the Flemish were persecuted, and many were killed in the Battle of Fornham in 1173. It is speculated that the children may have lost their family in this event and fled, ending up in Woolpit, where their strange language and clothing would have seemed unusual to the villagers. A possible explanation for their green skin could be “green sickness,” a condition brought on by a dietary deficiency. Although this theory neatly explains the situation, the timing does not perfectly align with the accepted date range, and it seems unlikely that Flemish language and clothing would have gone unrecognized, even with their green skin.
Another interesting theory comes from fairy folklore. Before the modern conception of winged princesses, belief in fairies had much darker connotations. In many cultures, fairies were considered wild, elemental creatures—both dangerous and unpredictable. Commonly, entrances to their world were believed to be through grass mounds, caves, or ancient trees. Fairies were also thought to have the ability to inhabit human bodies, especially children, replacing them in the human world. Such beings were known as “Changelings.” The refusal to eat regular food and the boy’s strange withering could be signs of the fairies’ difficulty in inhabiting human bodies. It’s also worth noting that the term “fairy” in this context is a general and slightly ambiguous one, adapted to encompass various cultural representations of such beings. The principal theory being that something other than a child inhabited the bodies of Agnes and her brother.
The fact remains, two green children came to Woolpit, and no one knows from where. Could it be as simple as misidentified Flemish refugees, or is there something more insidious at play? After more than eight hundred years, it’s unlikely we’ll ever find out for sure.
Jason Roberts is a Seattle-based author noted for his acclaimed western horror series The Dead Wind Trilogy as well as other works of cosmic horror infused with historical fiction. His web-based series, Dark Distractions examines paranormal mysteries, unexplained phenomena, and all things strange.
