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Green Children of Woolpit
In the 12th century, two children with green-tinged skin appeared in the village of Woolpit, speaking an unknown language. They would only eat raw beans at first. The boy died, but the girl survived, learned English, and said they came from 'St. Martin's Land' where it was always twilight.
1150
Woolpit, Suffolk, England
100+ witnesses
Medieval England’s strangest visitors came from nowhere.
The Discovery
12th Century:
- Woolpit, Suffolk
- Harvest time
- Two children found
- In wolf pit
- Green-skinned
The Children
Their appearance:
- Green-tinged skin
- Strange clothing
- Unknown language
- Brother and sister
- Terrified and lost
Their Behavior
At first:
- Wouldn’t eat
- Offered many foods
- Only ate raw beans
- Eventually adapted
- Learned English
The Girl’s Story
What she said:
- From “St. Martin’s Land”
- Always twilight there
- No sun visible
- Heard bells
- Followed the sound
The Boy
His fate:
- Never thrived
- Remained sickly
- Died young
- Shortly after arrival
- Cause unknown
The Girl
Her life:
- Skin became normal
- Learned English
- Was baptized
- Married local man
- Lived normal life