John Middleton (giant)

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John Middleton (1578-1623) was an English giant commonly known as the Childe of Hale. Most of what is known about him is based on oral tradition and legends.

John Middleton was born in the village of Hale, near Liverpool. According to contemporary accounts and his epitaph, Middleton grew to the height of "9 feet, 3 inches" (280 centimetres), which may or may not have been accurate. Legend tells that he slept with his feet out of the window of his small house. Tales also credit him with great strength.

Because of his size, landlord and sheriff of Lancashire Gilbert Ireland hired him as a bodyguard. When King James I stopped by in 1617 to knight Ireland, he also heard about Middleton and invited both of them to the court, which they accepted in 1620.

In London, the King presented Middleton with a dress of purple, red and gold. Brasenose College at Oxford has a portrait of Middleton in this dress and the painted outline of his hand. Middleton beat the King's champion in wrestling and received £20, a large amount of money in those times. However, when Middleton was returning to Hale, his travelling companions stole the money.

John Middleton died 1623. He was buried in the Hale churchyard with an epitaph, "Here lyeth the bodie of John Middleton the Childe of Hale. Nine feet three."

There is a pub in Hale, called "The Childe of Hale", which commemorates Middleton.