John Middleton (1578–1623) was an English giant who was born in the village of Hale and is commonly known as the Childe of Hale. He was allegedly 9 feet 3 inches (2.82 m) tall, and legend tells that he slept with his feet out of the window of his small house, and tales credit him with great strength. He was employed as a bodyguard by the sheriff of Lancashire.
Middleton was born in the village of Hale, near Liverpool. According to contemporary accounts and his epitaph, he grew to the height of 9 feet 3 inches (2.82 m) and slept with his feet hanging out the window of his house.
Because of his size the landlord and sheriff of Lancashire, Gilbert Ireland, hired him as a bodyguard. When King James I stopped by in 1617 to knight Ireland he heard about Middleton and invited both of them to the court, which they accepted in 1620. Middleton beat the King's champion in wrestling and in doing so broke the man's thumb. He received £20, a large amount of money in those times. Jealous of his wealth, Middleton's companions mugged him or swindled him out of his money while he was returning to Hale. Middleton died impoverished in 1623. He was buried in the cemetery of St Mary's Church in Hale. The epitaph reads, "Here lyeth the bodie of John Middleton the Childe of Hale. Nine feet three. Borne 1578 Dyede 1623."[1] He is likely one of the tallest people in history. If these height markings are accurate, he would surpass Robert Wadlow's stature of 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m).
Influenceedit
There have been numerous local uses and commemorations of Middleton; a pub in Hale, named The Childe of Hale, bears a copy of the Brasenose College portrait as its sign. In 1996 a large tree trunk opposite the church was carved with representations of John Middleton, Hale Lighthouse and other local symbols. In 2011, because of disease and in the interests of public safety the tree trunk was removed by Halton Borough Council. In April 2013, the wooden sculpture was replaced by a bronze statue three-metre (9.8 ft) tall by sculptor Diane Gorvin.[1]
Portraitsedit
Brasenose College, Oxford, possesses a life-sized portrait, two smaller paintings and two life-sized representations of his hands. Another life-sized portrait can be seen at Speke Hall in Liverpool, a National Trust property. Although, based on a supposed Victorian exhumation, he was said to be 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m), Guinness World Records calculated a more likely height of 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m) from the Brasenose College handprints.[2][1]
Childe of Hale Trailedit
Speke Hall, near Hale, incorporates a woodland trail depicting his house, feet, hands and other items.[3]
Media related to John Middleton, Childe of Hale at Wikimedia Commons
January 01, 1970
john, middleton, giant, john, middleton, 1578, 1623, english, giant, born, village, hale, commonly, known, childe, hale, allegedly, feet, inches, tall, legend, tells, that, slept, with, feet, window, small, house, tales, credit, with, great, strength, employed. John Middleton 1578 1623 was an English giant who was born in the village of Hale and is commonly known as the Childe of Hale He was allegedly 9 feet 3 inches 2 82 m tall and legend tells that he slept with his feet out of the window of his small house and tales credit him with great strength He was employed as a bodyguard by the sheriff of Lancashire John MiddletonBorn1578Hale Liverpool EnglandDied1623 age 45 Hale Liverpool EnglandKnown forGiantHeight7 ft 9 in 2 36 m to 9 ft 3 in 2 82 m unverified Contents 1 History 2 Influence 3 Portraits 4 Childe of Hale Trail 5 Gallery 6 References 7 External linksHistory editMiddleton was born in the village of Hale near Liverpool According to contemporary accounts and his epitaph he grew to the height of 9 feet 3 inches 2 82 m and slept with his feet hanging out the window of his house Because of his size the landlord and sheriff of Lancashire Gilbert Ireland hired him as a bodyguard When King James I stopped by in 1617 to knight Ireland he heard about Middleton and invited both of them to the court which they accepted in 1620 Middleton beat the King s champion in wrestling and in doing so broke the man s thumb He received 20 a large amount of money in those times Jealous of his wealth Middleton s companions mugged him or swindled him out of his money while he was returning to Hale Middleton died impoverished in 1623 He was buried in the cemetery of St Mary s Church in Hale The epitaph reads Here lyeth the bodie of John Middleton the Childe of Hale Nine feet three Borne 1578 Dyede 1623 1 He is likely one of the tallest people in history If these height markings are accurate he would surpass Robert Wadlow s stature of 8 ft 11 in 2 72 m Influence editThere have been numerous local uses and commemorations of Middleton a pub in Hale named The Childe of Hale bears a copy of the Brasenose College portrait as its sign In 1996 a large tree trunk opposite the church was carved with representations of John Middleton Hale Lighthouse and other local symbols In 2011 because of disease and in the interests of public safety the tree trunk was removed by Halton Borough Council In April 2013 the wooden sculpture was replaced by a bronze statue three metre 9 8 ft tall by sculptor Diane Gorvin 1 Portraits editBrasenose College Oxford possesses a life sized portrait two smaller paintings and two life sized representations of his hands Another life sized portrait can be seen at Speke Hall in Liverpool a National Trust property Although based on a supposed Victorian exhumation he was said to be 9 ft 3 in 2 82 m Guinness World Records calculated a more likely height of 7 ft 9 in 2 36 m from the Brasenose College handprints 2 1 Childe of Hale Trail editSpeke Hall near Hale incorporates a woodland trail depicting his house feet hands and other items 3 Gallery edit nbsp Bronze sculpture of the Childe of Hale nbsp Grave at St Mary s Church nbsp A wooden sculpture formerly opposite the church but now removed nbsp 14 Church End Hale Middleton s supposed birthplace nbsp Depiction of Middleton s house at Speke Hall His feet are hanging through the window and when approached snoring is heard References edit a b c Airey Tom 11 April 2013 A tall tale The Childe of Hale remembered BBC News Retrieved 4 January 2022 The Childe of Hale Brasenose College Retrieved 4 January 2022 Explore the outdoors at Speke Hall National Trust Retrieved 4 January 2022 External links edit The Childe of Hale John Reppion in Fortean Times 187 September 2004 nbsp Media related to John Middleton Childe of Hale at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Middleton giant amp oldid 1214837226, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
