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Green Children of Woolpit
Two children emerged from a pit. Their skin was green. They spoke an unknown language. They would eat nothing but raw beans. Medieval mystery—or early alien encounter?
12th Century
Woolpit, Suffolk, England
50+ witnesses
The Green Children of Woolpit is a medieval account of two children with green skin who appeared in a Suffolk village.
The Legend
According to documented accounts:
In the 12th century:
- Two children appeared in Woolpit
- Their skin was green
- They spoke an unknown language
- They would only eat beans
- The boy died, the girl survived
The Account
Written by two chroniclers:
- Ralph of Coggeshall
- William of Newburgh
- Both recorded the story independently
The Children
What we know:
- Brother and sister
- Green complexion
- Wore strange clothes
- Emerged from wolf pits
- The girl later explained their origin
Their Story
After learning English, the girl said:
- They came from “St Martin’s Land”
- A twilight country
- They followed cattle into a cave
- Emerged in Woolpit
- She lost her green color over time
Theories
Proposed explanations:
- Flemish refugees (persecuted immigrants)
- Lost children with arsenic poisoning
- Chlorosis (green sickness anemia)
- Folklore or fairy tale
- Underground dwellers
- Alien visitors