John Middleton, The Childe of Hale: A tall tale from the 16th century.

National Museums Liverpool Podcast · Mar 5, 2026 · 24m

In this episode, we uncover the history of John Middleton, aka the Childe of Hale.

Born in 1578, in the village of Hale, John Middleton was a man who allegedly grew to a height of 9ft 3 inches. Known for his great strength, he was employed as bodyguard for the Sheriff of Lancashire, where word of his exploits led him to the court of King James I.

We’ll explore John’s extraordinary life, from his humble beginnings in Hale to a royal rumble at the King's court, and how his story has travelled far beyond the village where he was born – even to this very day.