John Middleton (giant) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Middleton
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| Born | 1578 Hale, Liverpool, England
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| Died | 1623 (age 45) Hale, Liverpool, England
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| Known for | Giant |
| Height | 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m) to 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m) (unverified) |
John Middleton (1578–1623) was a very tall man from England. He was born in a village called Hale. People often called him the Childe of Hale, which means "the child of Hale."
Stories say he was about 2.8 meters (9 feet 3 inches) tall. Legend also says he was so tall that his feet stuck out of his small house window when he slept! He was known for his amazing strength. A local leader, the sheriff of Lancashire, even hired him as a bodyguard.
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The Story of John Middleton
John Middleton was born in the village of Hale. This village is close to the city of Liverpool. People at the time wrote that he grew to be incredibly tall. His tombstone even says he was 9 feet 3 inches tall. Imagine being so tall that your feet hung out of your window!
Meeting the King
Because John was so big, the local landlord and sheriff, Gilbert Ireland, hired him. John worked as his bodyguard. In 1617, King James I visited Gilbert Ireland. The King heard about John Middleton and was very curious.
So, in 1620, King James I invited both John and Gilbert to his royal court. While there, John Middleton took part in a wrestling match. He wrestled against the King's own champion. John was so strong that he won the match and even broke the champion's thumb!
For his victory, John received £20. This was a huge amount of money back then. Sadly, on his way back to Hale, his travel companions took his money. John Middleton died a few years later in 1623. He was buried in the cemetery of St Mary's Church in Hale. His tombstone reads: "Here lyeth the bodie of John Middleton the Childe of Hale. Nine feet three. Borne 1578 Dyede 1623."
How Tall Was He Really?
If the stories about his height are true, John Middleton would be one of the tallest people ever. He would even be taller than Robert Wadlow, who was 8 feet 11 inches tall. Some experts think he might have been closer to 7 feet 9 inches tall. However, when his remains were supposedly checked later, they seemed to confirm the 9 feet 3 inches height.
Remembering the Childe of Hale
John Middleton is still a very important part of Hale's history. Many things in the area remind people of him.
- The Childe of Hale Pub: There's a pub in Hale named "The Childe of Hale." It even has a copy of a painting of him as its sign.
- Wooden and Bronze Sculptures: For a long time, there was a large tree trunk carved with John Middleton's image. This was opposite the church. In 2013, a new bronze statue was put in its place. This statue is 3 meters (about 10 feet) tall!
The Childe of Hale Trail
Near Hale, at Speke Hall, there's a special woodland trail. This trail tells John Middleton's story. It has fun displays that show his house, his giant feet, and his hands. You can even hear snoring sounds when you get close to the part showing his house!
Portraits of John Middleton
Several paintings show what John Middleton might have looked like.
- Brasenose College, Oxford: This college has a life-sized painting of him. They also have two smaller paintings and two life-sized models of his hands.
- Speke Hall, Liverpool: You can see another life-sized painting of him at Speke Hall. This is a historic house managed by the National Trust.
Images for kids
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John Middleton's grave at St Mary's Church.
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A wooden sculpture of the Childe of Hale that used to be opposite the church.
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14 Church End, Hale, believed to be John Middleton's birthplace.
