Henry Beresford, 3rd Marquess of Waterford facts for kids
Henry de La Poer Beresford, 3rd Marquess of Waterford (born April 26, 1811 – died March 29, 1859) was an important Irish nobleman. He was known as Lord Henry Beresford before 1824, and then as Earl of Tyrone until 1826. He became the Marquess of Waterford when his father passed away in 1826. Henry was also famous for being quite an unusual and playful person.
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The Start of "Paint the Town Red"
Have you ever heard the phrase "paint the town red"? It means to go out and have a wild, fun time. This saying might have started because of Henry Beresford!
One night in April 1837, Henry and his friends were in a town called Melton Mowbray. They found some red paint and brushes that were being used for repairs. They decided to have some fun. They playfully painted the tollkeeper and a police officer red! They also painted the tollhouse door and then carried the paint into town.
As they went through the streets, they painted doors, pulled on door knockers, and knocked over flower pots. They even took down a sign from a hotel and threw it into the canal. At another inn, Henry was lifted up to paint a carved swan sign red. Years later, when the old swan sign was being fixed, traces of red paint were still found on it! They also played pranks at the Post Office and a bank.
Police officers tried to stop them, but they were also playfully painted red. Eventually, more police arrived and caught one of Henry's friends. But Henry and the others quickly returned and helped their friend escape. The next day, there was a lot of fuss. Henry paid for all the damage they caused. Even though they paid, the group still had to go to court. They were found not guilty of starting a riot, but they were each fined £100 for causing trouble. This was a lot of money back then! After this event, the phrase "paint the town red" became popular.
A Mishap in Norway
In the summer of 1837, Henry and his friends went on a fun boat trip to Bergen, a city in Norway. They were even hoping to reach the North Pole!
During their visit, Henry had a disagreement with a local girl, and a watchman got involved. Henry got hurt on the head but recovered after staying in a local hospital. The situation was looked into by a court. It was reported that Henry was cleared of any wrongdoing, and the watchman also faced no further issues. The local British consul helped to sort everything out.
Later, news reports confirmed that Henry had fully recovered and returned to his home country.
The Mystery of Spring-Heeled Jack
For many years, there was a popular rumor that Henry Beresford was the mysterious "Spring-Heeled Jack"! This strange character was said to jump very high and scare people. However, Spring-Heeled Jack's actions continued even after Henry passed away in 1859, so Henry couldn't have been the only one.
Some writers today believe Henry might have been involved in the first Spring-Heeled Jack incidents. They think he might have created the character to play pranks. They suggest he might have designed special boots with springs to help him jump high. He might have also practiced breathing fire to make his character seem even more unusual! People also noticed that a servant boy once saw a coat of arms with a "W" on it, which matched Henry's title, Waterford.
Henry was often in the news in the late 1830s for his playful behavior and pranks. He was known to do anything for a dare! Because of his unusual actions, some people called him "the Mad Marquess." He was also in the London area when the first Spring-Heeled Jack sightings happened. A writer in 1880 even said that Henry "used to amuse himself by springing on travelers unawares, to frighten them."
A news report from 1838 described Henry as a "turbulent piece of aristocracy" and mentioned his "nighttime pranks." It even said that his name was "regarded with as much terror as that of Spring-heeled Jack himself."
A Keen Horseman
Henry Beresford was a very enthusiastic horseman. In 1840, he entered two of his horses in the Grand National Steeplechase, which is one of the most famous horse races in the world!
Henry decided to ride one of his horses, named The Sea, himself. Even though they were considered outsiders and not expected to win, Henry kept going. At one point, The Sea was almost half a mile behind the leaders, but Henry didn't give up. He finished the entire four-and-a-half-mile race, coming in last among the four horses that completed the course. This shows his determination and love for horse riding.
Family Life and Later Years
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In 1842, Henry married Louisa Stuart. After they married, they settled down at Curraghmore House in Ireland. It is said that after his marriage, Henry led a very good and proper life.
Sadly, Henry passed away in 1859 in a horse riding accident. Even after his death, the legend of Spring-Heeled Jack continued for many years. This makes people believe that while Henry might have been behind the first mysterious attacks, other pranksters might have copied him and continued the legend.
Images for kids
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Spring-heeled Jack.jpg
Spring-Heeled Jack, a mysterious figure from English folklore.
